Friday, November 4, 2016

This watercolor is based on a photo I took in Russia.  The rain and the slick streets, the darkness and the umbrellas, the people trudging off to work early in the morning intrigued me.  God makes the rain to fall on everyone.  Nature is often the equalizer, and the humanizer.  There is beauty even in a grey, wet morning.  That's how I see it through the Cottage Door.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

I remember childhood...

I remember well the clear blue sky of October and the warm sunlight of Autumn.  Our maple tree turned the most brilliant shade of yellow and splashed its leaves against the ground until there were piles and piles of crispy brown into which we threw our bodies headlong. Like these two happy neighbors, Cullen and Max, we were deliriously happy with pumpkins, paint and the changing of seasons.  We felt safe, knowing each neighbor as family and believing that everyone loved us and looked out for us.

Often, thankfully, I hear the little tap tap tap of knuckles upon my front door and know before I open to these two what their question will be:  "Can Coach come out to play basketball with us?"  They adore the attention of my athletic husband who at age 74 can still dribble and shoot like the best of them.  More importantly, he is like a kid in spirit and brings the best of fun to the game.  His teaching and coaching have always been characterized by helping others, especially children, feel competent and loved.

So, this autumn I treasure the golden gifts Nature brings to our doorsteps, and the gentle but persistent knocks our little neighbors bring, which serve to send us back in time and help us celebrate the present.  God is so Good, and I see evidence of this once again as summer drifts into a new season, one that brings incredible beauty and much love, as seen through my cottage door.