Contrast

It occurred to me this weekend while driving through the countryside that of all the seasons...Autumn must be Nature's most proudest accomplishment.

She allows no competition with her colors. In the Midwest now there is a stark contrast everywhere you look. Nature has laid bare the colors of her fields...they have become a muted pale brown while the trees are electric with the reds, yellows and oranges of the season. I think this is no accident. What better way could Nature show her pride than to ratchet down the palette of colors everywhere but the changing leaves. This is no different than the artist who paints the watercolor of a seashore with the bland sands, blowing wheat colored grasses and muted sea...only to show a white cap now and then, yet the cottage along the beach is painted with the brightest blues and reds the artist can find. The contrast draws your eye to the cottage.

Nature can nourish us, she can protect us and she can destroy us...but during Autumn...the storms diminish, the driving rains of Summer fade, the frenzy of the harvest if finished...leaving nothing to compete with Nature's Greatest Show on Earth.

Dan