No time is truly wasted

When fall arrives, it is usually with a quick, sharp shift in weather. Here, it is marked by stronger winds, colder days and colder nights.

This year it has been an odd summer. Arriving back at the property so late in the year, only to find that not only did we not have many hot days, but that even in July and August when temperatures are usually very high, we had some night temperatures in the single digits.

Autumn has also brought with its arrival more rain, something we have gotten used to, but summer seemed to give up it’s fight long before it was due to leave. For weeks now, we have found ourselves stepping over puddles and muddy patches simply walking around our cleared spaces.

Of course, we would prefer some dryer days, as rain hampers simple tasks like cutting grass, trees and brush. And on the days between rain, we do our best, but our progress towards our goals has been slowed by inclement weather.

The upside of fall is that maintenance of grass and plants surrounding the clearing disappears. It also makes tree felling and brush clearing easier as the smaller more delicate plants and grass are not in our way as much as in spring and summer.

As we continue to get rain this autumn, we are reminded to pause for those areas currently experiencing drought, as the valuable resource of water is becoming a premium on our planet. Our climate is changing, and the long range forecasts for this winter and next year are somewhat alarming.  We’re expecting less than average snow, and a warmer than normal winter, followed by a dry, hotter, record breaking summer.

This is both a blessing and a curse. It means potentially we can continue clearing trails and trees longer than anticipated, but it also means that next year we could struggle with high temperatures, and not enough rain for plants etc.  And while our garden isn’t planned for the year, we have hopes of at least growing some fresh veg and herbs for the season.

Now we could sit and worry over all these things, and allow it to consume us, but instead, we have been taking the time when it rains to observe the forest around us when it rains. Despite the change in season, and the yellowing leaves just starting to fall, the forest always looks so lush and vibrant when it rains and after.

It feeds the soul to watch nature adapt to a new season. And we have a front row seat. We get to watch the migration south, and the scurry of tiny creatures preparing for the winter ahead. And we get to bask in the scent of rain having freshly soak the soil below our feet.

It hasn’t been an ideal summer. We haven’t made the progress we would have liked. But mentally and emotionally, we have progressed in leaps and bounds as we have allowed ourselves to be consumed in our beautiful surroundings.

No time is truly wasted when it is spent with someone you love, and together feeding your souls.