All photos copyright © Mitch Teemley
Who doesn’t love autumn? And by “autumn,” of course, I mean mid-fall when all of the leaves on the trees have turned to gold and amber and rubies. But what about late fall when the limbs are bare and the skies have turned to steel? Few covet “fallter,” the transition from fall to winter when all the world seems to die.
But does it? No, it cloisters. It gathers itself, preserves its inner life and warmth, and prepares to burst forth again in the spring. Look again at those empty limbs, and see the story within them, the story of overcoming. There’s a stark beauty in that story–not of life on display, but of life preserved.
The same story can live within us if we choose to nurture it. And then, when all the world seems to die, people will see our story. It will show them how to preserve their inner life and warmth, and prepare to spring forth once again. People need to see…
The beauty within us.
“People need to see…
The beauty within us.”
Yes… they truly do. 🙏🏾💙
I like “cloister” as a verb. We can cloister, too, on our own and maybe with each other.
What a wonderful word!
We can indeed, Christopher.
The ending is what we need reminding everyday.
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Amen! Another beautiful post. Thank you, Mitch.
My privilege, Frank.
Cloister and nurture in the same post. Bless you, Mitch, for such rich encouragement.
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Amen, well done, much needed post
Thanks, L.G.
Thanks for the lovely message and images on this particularly gray day. 🙂
My pleasure, Nancy.
Yes! Thank you.
Well said, Mitch.
Thanks, Andrew.
You’re welcome.
Well written, Mitch.
Thank you, T.
Great photos!
Is that Castle Rock House?
Thank you, Lance. That’s a house I came across in the Cincinnati area.
Oh? Cincinnati.
That’s where ExperienceFilm lives.
I got to visit Cincinnati summer of 06′.
My brother lived in Dayton at the time and was stationed at Wright Patterson.
We were there for his promotion to Major ceremony.
What I remember of Cincinnati was that it was on a river (Ohio River?). The other side was Newport? Kentucky.
Very cool aquarium and river boat tours. Could see Cincinnati’s Ball Park and stadium.
Over the course of a week got to drive around much of Ohio: Columbus Zoo, Cleveland (science center next to Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame), some kind of Amish Country somewhere in the eastern part of the state.
The only place I thought was scary was Toledo.
Also got to visit Anne Arbor, Michigan.
Hopefully get to come back someday.
There’s a lot to see in Cincinnati (great place for arts and foodie fans) and Ohio in general.
Well done good and faithful one. Well done.
Why, thank you, Norm.
I so love the way you write….
Thank you, my Anonymous friend.
Beautiful truth. It has a lonely component but the depth of many generations gone before makes it sweet.
Very true, Ann.
The beginning of rebith.
rebirth
Hi Mitch, I’m not a fan of the bleak, grey days of winter and bare trees. Makes me feel sad, and long for the green shoots of spring!
I don’t know if you’ve read my (old!) post, The Testimony of the Tree? Your article very much reminded me of it. Hope you don’t mind be being cheeky and putting a link here…
https://the-finished-work.com/2018/08/01/the-testimony-of-the-tree/
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Beautiful, Mitch.
Thank you, Sue.
Love it–and love my favorite season of the year.
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