Nature Forces Me to take a break:

I’m sitting at the computer listening to a composed music piece for William Blake’s poem, “The Lamb” while I go over my collected research for an upcoming poetry paper for English. All of a sudden I get a glimpse of a trio of late spring born squirrels playing in my garden. I know most people only see them as rodents, but I see them as part of God’s creation and right now, they have forced me to stop and take a mental break from my paper and just enjoy their antics. It seems that they find the grape vine leaves a delicacy as they strip one young leaf after another. One young squirrel found some dried bean pods on the bean pole and is literally flipping over his discovery. His antics have drawn the attention of his litter mates and now a game of tag is on.

Squirrels aren’t my only diversions, I also have wrens that come to the window ledge and fight with their reflection in the window. This east facing window overlooks the garden and is situated behind my computer screen. The wrens are only one of the many types of birds that come to my garden. I’ve watched a Coopers Hawk build a nest in the bird house situated on a high pole in the center of the garden and that was after a pair of Starlings raised a clutch of babies. This bird house has been occupied by a variety of birds throughout this year; I never knew so many types would use it after others have nested in it. Watching the coming and going of the different species is like watching the calendar change through the seasons. I can tell that fall is here, the hummingbirds, which collected nectar from the Rose of Sharon bushes just outside of the garden, have migrated somewhere south of here. The huge tree, I have yet to identify, is shedding its leaves as if it were snowing multi-colors of yellow, orange, brown and a remnant of green. The gravel pathways between the raised beds are now carpeted with a layer of colors, soon to decompose and add valuable nutrients to the drowsy garden. There are a few tomatoes yet to be picked as there are quite a few bell peppers left. The cooler temperatures have boosted the production of the peppers, I can see yellow, orange and red ones all designated to be grilled for the next fajita meal. I can’t forget to mention my Camellias which are beginning to blossom in mass. Their vibrant shade of pink won’t let me forget them as they stand out in the midst of this fall palette of gold, oranges and browns. I love their pink color as it always brings a smile to my face; it is my favorite color and not one you normally associate with fall.

As if Nature’s daytime drama isn’t enough to keep me from becoming engulfed by my school work, there are the activities at night which take place just outside and on the window. We have so many varieties of lizards which visit, some during the day but one at night. I especially enjoy watching the Mediterranean geckos, which are attracted to the light shining through my unclosed blinds, as they attempt to capture moths that are also attracted to the light. Stopping to watch a gecko in the evening hours is a sure way to slow me down and keep my busy life in balance. I have choices; I can stop and smell the roses in my flower garden or stop and enjoy Nature and God’s creation just outside of my window. What good is it if I put all of my energy into succeeding in school, only to miss out on what is taking place all around me? If you haven’t taken time out to enjoy this season, I’m encouraging you to be still and take notice of all that God has created for our pleasure.