Farewell to Summer. Welcome Autumn!

God has promised strength for the day, rest for the labor,

light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above,

unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Author Dorthea Benton Frank's service at The Cathedral in Charleston, SC

I ended my summer in Charleston
at the funeral service of low country NYT best-selling author
Dorthea Benton Frank.
Her death was a shock to all.
Gone at the young age of 67.

I was introduced to Dottie in 2004.
When Rob and I flew from California to the south to visit
family, we spent a few days in Georgetown, SC at a quaint B&B.
After dining at a seafood restaurant, we walked along the river walk
and of course I ended up in a small bookstore.
I was looking for a summer read so the first book I picked up was
Sullivan's Island by Dorthea Benton Frank.
Never heard of her, but I liked the cover. So I bought it.
(Side note: I returned home to California and told my daughter,
"You must read Sullivan's Island."
Jacquie answered, "Mom, I bought that book at Barnes and Noble last month."
Small world, huh?)

Since Dottie's first book, I've read many of her twenty novels, and had the pleasure of
meeting her at several book signings at Books-A-Million when I worked there.

DBF lived a brilliant life but her sudden death once again reminded me
of how short life can be.  We don't know when we'll be taken out of
this world and placed into the next.
Saying that, I'm here to remind us that life is precious.
Love those around you.  Give a hug where a hug is due. Or even when it isn't due.
Speak a kind word to someone.

Simple autumn decorations sprinkled around our cozy condo

I love my Fall mantle. Pumpkins and shells.

Boating as much as possible before the chilling weather blows our way.

I wish you oceans of Autumn blessings, and remember ...

Keep those bodies movin'!


Then I will lead the blind along a way they never knew...
I will make the darkness become light for them,
and the rough ground smooth.
Isaiah 42:16

www.retirementandgoodliving.com

Autumn is in the air...Thanksgiving is on the way

Autumn in our backyard, Fort Mill, SC 2008

Confession time.

I've been busy

doing the necessities of daily life.

then fighting a cold,

traveling back and forth to my warm bed

in order to feel normal again.

Come unto Me,

all of you who are tired and have heavy loads,

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 NIV

I am returning to the land of the living slowly.

I'm so excited for Christmas time.

Ooops ... 

Need to celebrate Thanksgiving first.

I'm often guilty of

putting the cart before the horse.

Autumn is in the air

but winter is close behind.

Will drop to 20+ tonight.

Brrr.

Fireplace, a hot cup of anything,

a cozy blanket, little Popcorn close by.

That's my remedy for a fast recovery.

Until next time,

I wish you oceans of warm blessings!

Waiting for Christmas

Joys come from simple and natural things,

sunlight on the leaves,

snow on the meadow,

little birds decked with ice skates,

keeping Christ in Christmas.

sharonleaf.com

Summer's Past, and Summers Past

Flying to Belize

One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach.
One can collect only a few,
and they are more beautiful if they are few.

I usually travel during the summer, but this year I told Rob that I wanted to hang around Leaf's Lake House and relax.  I made a commitment to myself that I would spend August relaxing, reading, wRiting, and swimming.  And of course visiting Rob's mother who has been in the hospital, now in physical therapy, soon to be admitted to a nursing home.  Through it all, she keeps her sense of humor and love for God.  But now that summer is winding down, I'm feeling a little sad because I've enjoyed these past weeks so much.

The weather here in the south has been unpredictable with more rain, clouds, thunder, lightning than usual.  But each time I'd glide into the swimming pool, I would look up--eyes protected with UV sunglasses--into the cloud-filled sky to find the sun shining through, right over the pool.  Smiling, I continued lapping.  One afternoon there came a cloudburst, but no thunder and lightning.  Swimming in the rain with my sunglasses protecting my eyes from the pounding rain felt like a delightful outdoor shower.  My summer of tenacity voted me Esther Williams of Golden Hills.  Like I always say, it's never too late!  Sixty-four-year-old Diana Nyad can vouch for that! (she just completed swimming from Cuba to Florida!)

Summer is winding down, but I'm feeling invigorated as Autumn breezes slowly approach.  I will replace swimming with long walks and SaSuBe dance classes.

A Tip to all of you out there in Lady Leaf Land:  take care of your body, soul and spirit.  You'll feel--and look--much better when you do.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

We're I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.

Psalm 139:17-18

I wish you smooth sailing through Fall and oceans of blessings!

Brother's house in Zion

Ahh, Zion National Park

U.S. Whitewater Center
Charlotte, NC

www.sharonleaf.com