Skies blue enough to swim in, Fall sunshine, still warm but gentler now than summer’s pounding intensity.

Apple Factory - Harvest    Apple Factory - Harvest

Pumpkin, squash and indian corn; orange dominating, but highlighted in shades of yellow, cream and gold, with dashes of green for contrast – resonant with the gratitude of harvest. Farm-store feeding frenzy – the busiest day of the year; pies, pies and more pies – apple, blueberry, bumble-berry, pumpkin (of course) and more, flying from the shelves.

St. Elias Church  St. Elias Church - bell tower   St. Elias Church

A fantasy of domed turrets from a Russian folk-tale beckons, resolving into fabulous, wooden Eastern Catholic church, St. Elias. Ukrainian folk-song, hauntingly wraps round me as I absorb the sense of shared thankfulness of the apple festival, of a place truly built to the glory of God.

Counting caterpillars as we walk (along with blessings), furry brown and orange, exuberance bursting from us, hearts full.

Hills of the Headwaters - Rolling Hills in Fall Finery

” Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue”, over a jewelled landscape; flying, flung free a while –  it is not difficult to relate to the thought of “touching the face of God”. (Read more)

Terra Cotta Conservation Area    Terra Cotta Conservation Area
Terra Cotta Conservation Area  Terra Cotta Conservation Area   Terra Cotta Conservation Area
Terra Cotta Conservation Area   Terra Cotta Conservation Area

Reflected reds, golds and greens; the shimmering of Aspens caressed by a warm breeze; an occasional flurry of yellow leaves, swirling like snow; a single splash of red, spiralling downward; cathedral columns, drawing the eye heavenward.

A perfect day for thanks-giving!

The Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend, 2013