I am loving the warmth of this winter day and the abundant light! With non-anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, however, even with dark glasses, it is a challenge. I am struggling….

The chill in the air these last few days is a reminder that it is still winter! Yet, we have abundant light with sunny days…and though cold, we have had clear starry nights with a crescent moon (my favorite), according to local weather reports. I do miss the ability to witness sky events, like the upcoming two international spaces station passes. For those of you who plan to keep watch, bundle up and enjoy!

As I was sitting on the step on the back porch today, taking special notice that the lawn appeared green and felt soggy when I walked on it, just like it is in early spring. I held the tip of a tree branch in my hand and felt there were no buds yet. There is a slight nip in the air. The smell of a wood fire is burning close by. Ahhh…spring.

Not quite. The calendar tells me we are in the season of winter. Deceiving, though. To me… it looks, smells and feels like a perfect winter-spring day.

Last evening, December 31, 2019, the sky had an eerie glow near the Blue Mountain Ski area. It was stunning, from what I could ‘see’. It reminded me of my visit to the Arizona desert years ago. When dusk arrived, when shades of light and darkness kissed somewhere in the vast space between that desert earth and desert sky, the result was a beautiful but eerie light show. Such a gift.

As lovely as that was years ago and last night, here we are….the evening of the first day of a new year. Some of us will return to the workplace tomorrow; others will still be savoring vacation.  The woman who was at Times Square yesterday to see the ball drop at midnight (because it was on her bucket list), is likely back home now.

Traditions happened today – like the string bands and brigades of the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia; like eating pork and sauerkraut or lighting bayberry candles for a year of good luck – the celebrations are over and the confetti has been swept up.

No matter how you rang in 2020, whatever new goals or plans you created for the year ahead, remember to take time to look up and around. Good things happen in unexpected places. You wouldn’t want to miss out. May gentle prayers and blessings make the journey with you.

With non – ischemic optic neuropathy, contrast is important; shades of light make much difference in the way I function daily: in bright light, I need to wear dark glasses (indoor or outdoor); in subdued light I can navigate more easily; and of course, in darkness, it is extremely difficult.

So on days when there is light, then no light, those times when the sun plays hide ‘n seek with the clouds, I struggle to keep up with the light changes!

Today, my driver stopped at a traffic light and I looked out the window. Not much to see. I thought I was looking at a field of snow – not all that unusual since we had some snow today….but to the right and to the left of this field, I only saw a darker color.

Wait, I thought to myself. How can it snow in one field and not the others directly next to it? (A very theological question…) Hmmm…It might be possible, since I have already witnessed it raining on one side of the street and not the other.

I looked away then back again – it seemed as though the snow in the field was piling up faster and faster. I asked the driver – ‘Is that snow in the field over there?’

As it turned out, it was snow geese!

There is so much to be thankful for every day…family, friends, food, warm homes…But especially during this season of thanksgiving, we tend to deepen our thanks. It is in this spirit I share my gratitude, that the Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering is now open for our street neighbors… for all the volunteers who help make this happen… for the city and others in the community who support this outreach. May all be wrapped in God’s grace and love today and beyond.

From the amount of raking leaves I have done, I’d venture to say that all the leaves are now off the trees in our yard. Since we are in a season of thanksgiving, in that spirit, I will say, thank goodness the leaves have all fallen. It is good exercise, but a lot of work.

I love to rake leaves, but last fall I did not do so well.  I was more productive at the task this year. I was able to listen more intently to the sound of the rake gathering leaves in its teeth, and compare it to the rake dragging across plain grass. That helped because I was not always able to discern the difference. The issue then became when I would want to gather the leaves and put them in a bag or can – I would misjudge and miss, with the leaves falling back onto the lawn I just raked!

With this type of vision loss, learning to do the things I like to do in new ways is always an adventure! (I suppose snow shoveling is next!)

No trick – we have arrived at the last day of October – the treat – it’s Halloween. The days have long gone when crowds of trick or treaters would come through our neighborhood. Tonight, it will likely be pared down to a handful of ghosts and witches at our door. Whatever or however you decide to trick or treat, be safe.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1: “There is a time for everything, and everything on earth has its special season.” (NCV) We are walking deeper into the fall season and only 4 days into this new month, but I hear abundant lamentations about the passing of summer. Friends, just a reminder that each season offers its own gifts. This season of fall claims many sights and sounds and colors specific to its place on the calendar.

I love summer, but I fall in love with fall, too., though I am not a fan of pumpkin spice lattes or pumpkin spice tea. However, I do appreciate the smells of freshly baked pumpkin pie and ginger snap cookies. I appreciate the warmth of the days and the coolness of the evenings. I like to walk and hear the sound of crunching leaves beneath my feet. There is much to enjoy! Craft shows, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, hayrides, fall festivals….

Every season has its own gifts. Be present for the moments autumn offers or you will miss the gift unfolding in front of you.  Before we know it, we will be in a new season again. The next one will include…. snow!

I was sitting on the deck enjoying the moment and the warmth of the sun, with a warm, spirit wind keeping me company. I heard a strange ‘rushing-brushing’ kind of noise happening below. I tried to ignore it, but my thoughts turned to trying to figure out what was causing it. Truly, I was reluctant to leave my comfortable space.

Curiosity won. I left my spot and went in search of this ‘rushing-brushing’ noise. As I walked, down from the deck and across the yard, the noise became louder. There it was – fallen leaves (already) blowing wildly in all directions across the driveway, making a kind of ‘rushing-brushing’ sound as they danced their way across the blacktop. Mystery solved.

Wait….‘Falling leaves already?’ I thought.

This is my third autumn with vision loss. While I am unable to clearly see the kaleidoscope of colors being painted across the landscape, I still love autumn and all the potential and beauty she holds: family gatherings, football, a warm fire on a cool night, a harvest moon… What about you? What do you like about the autumn season?