Friday Five: Seasons Change....

Reverendmother says: It's Labor Day weekend here in the United States, also known as Summer's Last Hurrah. So let's say goodbye to summer and hello to the autumn. (People in other climes, feel free to adapt as needed.)

1. Share a highlight from this summer. (If you please, don't just say "our vacation to the Canadian Rockies." Give us a little detail or image. Help us live vicariously through you!) One of the highlights of my summer was one day of winter! Back in June in the Black Hills at Summer School we had a lovely blizzard. Yes those are people pushing a car. It snowed most of the morning. By noon it was over. By two it was gone. That's my kind of winter. Another highlight was my mini-retreat at the yurt In August. Two and a half lovely days of solitude, unscheduled time, peace and the noisy quiet you can only find on a working farm , run by two sister-sisters (bio-religious?) in this quaint little round structure that just brings you in and wraps you up. The bookends of my summer!

2. Are you glad to see this summer end? Why or why not?
Weatherwise, I never really like to see summer end, as I am this strange creature, at least among the northern folk who LOVES the heat and humidity. Fall is pretty, but, oh the season that follows it....that one is not my friend! I like my fall clothes, though not the wearing of shoes (I hate giving up my toe ring!) I always like the forward movement into fall, back to school (well until this week anyway). And liturgically fall on into winter is Advent on into Christmas, that's all good too.

3. Name one or two things you're looking forward to this fall.
In mid-September we have a Diocesan meeting the Saturday preceding clergy conference. Since both are across the state, running back and forth seems silly. To occupy myself on the day between, I'm going to be a wench at the Renaissance Festival, helping M, co-priest on my team here who has a brass rubbing booth. The Ren Fest used to be A BIG annual event in my life, new costume every year and all, so this will be blast from the past as well as time to hang out on hopefully a great fall day with my friend whom, though I share ministry with, I don't get to just hang out with as much as I'd like! And then at clergy conference I've been asked to run a workshop/discussion on "best practices" talking about our Total Ministry experience. Since this CC comes on the one-year anniversary of my ordination I'm a little blown away by this. Flattered and a bit nervous!

4. Do you have any special preparations or activities to mark the transition from one season to another? (Cleaning of house, putting away summer clothes, one last trip to the beach) Putting up the plastic on the porch windows. Putting the emergency gear in the car. Making sure the AAA membership is up to date. Have I mentioned I hate winter???? Stay tuned!

5. I'll know that fall is really here when that magical quality of light appears out here on the prairie. I have been trying ever since I moved here to capture it, in words, in my camera lens. It is my annual fall project. It is a visceral experience for me and part of why I fell in love with this place.