Summer Ends- Fall Begins!

Yes, not only is fall in the air, it is here! Today is the first day of fall. The Autumnal
Equinox occurs Wednesday marking the start of the fall season.

The Autumnal Equinox occurs at 11:09 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Sept. 22. This marks the beginning of fall for the northern hemisphere and the beginning of spring for the southern hemisphere.

The Autumnal Equinox marks the point when the earth is neither leaning toward or away from the the sun. On the equinox, the sun is located directly over the equator and generally equates to equal (equinox) day and nighttime lengths.

Equinox's occur twice each year giving us the fall equinox and the spring equinox.

The next change of season occurs on December 21, 2010 at 6:38 p.m. EST. This is when the Winter Solstice occurs marking the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere.

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There is a full moon early Thursday morning (5:18 a.m.) and since it is the closest full moon to the autumnal equinox, it is called the "Harvest Moon".

In case you are wondering, we don't move the clocks back one hour until the first Sunday in November. This year that will be 2:00 a.m. November 7th.

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How does the autumn make you feel?

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"Autumn begins with a subtle change in the light, with skies a deeper blue, and nights that become suddenly clear and chilled. The season comes full with the first frost, the disappearance of migrant birds, and the harvesting of the season's last crops."- Glenn Wolff and Jerry Dennis

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In the poem "The Months" by Sara Coleridge, she writes:

"Warm September brings the fruit

Sportsmen then begin to shoot"

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Yes the fall brings many delights. A time of harvest, when the earth is prime. The harvesting of apples, figs, grapes, pumpkins, nuts and more. A time of beauty nothing can surpass, the vibrant colors of the majestic trees' leaves against a deep blue sky. Sitting with family and friends by a crackling fire on a crisp cool autumn night, sipping some wine, or perhaps hot apple cider, reminiscing of times past and things yet to be.

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Yes all of this and more is the gift of our loving heavenly father that will never end! "Everything he has made pretty in its time. Even time indefinite he has put in their heart, that mankind may never find out the work that the true God has made from the start to the finish. I have come to know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during one's life, and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God." (Ecclesiastes 3:11-13) "For all the days the earth continues, seed sowing and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, will never cease.” (Genesis 8:22)

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May we especially be active, and joyful during this fall season, in the great spiritual harvest taking place now. This is the most important work being done today, and we have the privilege of working with the master of the harvest, Jehovah God. This too is the gift of God.

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There is more to come. Until then, have a happy fall.

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This is Raven-as the crow flies!

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Fall Is In The Air

Can you feel it? The way the air was crisp and cool, not hot and humid?Did you see it? Did you notice the color of the leaves on some trees changing? Or perhaps while walking on the street, you stopped to pick up some colorful fallen leaves on the ground.

Then too, you may have gazed with delight at the sight of a large V shaped flock of canadian geese flying overhead, off on it's journey south. Or, another pleasant sight to the eyes is to see a flock of blackbirds flying, sweeping and diving in a synchronized fashion overhead against a gray billowy clouded sky as you are driving along, meditating on the beauty of the earth and it's creator. Then too, you may notice the squirrels working hard now to store their food before winter sets in. These are some of the signs that fall is near.

What about the apples, and grapes ripe for harvesting, these are sure signs that we are nearing fall. Of course, one of the most pleasant sights to confirm we are in the fall season is to see with great joy the abundance of pumpkins all shapes and sizes. A gardening book stated, "If you want to be happy plant a pumpkin, and if you want to be really happy, plant a big one". I couldn't agree more. Everytime I see a pumpkin, any sullen spirits I may have quickly turns into a happy, jubilant cry for joy.

I am sure you may have some other indications that fall is in the air, and so I would be delighted for you to add to this list by your comments. Why not watch and jot down in a journal the varied changes you see taking place during this season. Perhaps save some leaves and press them to retain their beautiful fall color, as a rememberance of the fall. It will quickly come and go. Life is so short when you think of it in terms of seasons. If you are at a certain age lets say 40, or 50, you have seen only 40 or 50 falls. If you live to 80, you will have only seen 80 falls. Life is short when you view it from that perspective. We thank our loving father Jehovah God for his abounding love and his promise of everlasting life to enjoy each season, each day of life for ever and ever. Psalms 133:1-3; 21:4; Titus 1:2.

I began this blog I believe in February of this year, during the winter season; and so I have written about and enjoyed each season. Which season do I enjoy the most? It's hard to say, because each season has its own beauty. This lovely poem I am about to write expresses the delema we may have to choose which season is the happiest in life. What do you think?

"The question, "Which is the happiest season of life?" was asked of an aged man. And he replied:

"When spring comes, and in the soft air the buds are breaking on the trees, and they are covered with blossoms, I think, 'How beautiful is spring'; and when summer comes and covers the trees with its heavy foliage, and singing birds are among the branches, I think, 'How beautiful is summer.' When autumn loads them with golden fruit, and their leaves bear the gorgeous tint of frost, I think, 'How beautiful is autumn.' And when it is severe winter, and there is neither foliage nor fruit, then I look up through the leafless branches as I never could until now, and see the stars shine in God's home."- Source Unknown

"There is no season such delight can bring,As summer, autumn, winter and the spring."- William Browne, Variety, 163

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You see, some men think that they are not well in spring, or summer, or autumn, or winter, it is only because they are not well in them.

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Enjoy each season for what it is, and you will be happy.

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This is Raven-as the crow flies!

September! A New Month Begins

September is one of Raven's favorite months. There are a few reasons why I get excited when the 9th month of our calendar year arrives.

For one thing it is the beginning of a new service year, the time when we increase our activity in the ministry. With renewed zeal and determination we pray for Jehovah's help in fulfilling our assignment; trying hard to make and reach short term goals as well as long term goals, and above all, working together in love and unity with all the brothers and sisters, as that will honor Jehovah, draw others to the truth, and increase our joy. The "joy of Jehovah is our stronghold."-- Nehemiah 8:10.

We have an added reason for joy this month. Another faithful sister has joined the pioneer ranks. Congratulations Janice! May Jehovah bless your self-sacrificing spirit. Looking forward to working with you in the ministry.

In addition to a new pioneer publisher, we are happy, and blessed to have a new baptized brother, Kyle. "It's just the beginning" Kyle. A wide door of activity is now opened to you. What a blessing and asset to the congregation. Congratulations to you, and your parents!

Another reason I enjoy September, it was the month Russell and I were married. It will be 42 years on the 28th.

I remember it as if it was yesterday. The sky was a deep azure blue. Not a cloud in it. A perfect day, not too warm or cold. We were surrounded by so many of our family and friends, sharing in our inextinguishable joy.

To me, he was a perfect wage from Jehovah, a gift for which I will be forever grateful. As expressed in the endearing words of the Shulammite maiden to her shepherd boy, Russell, "my dear one was dazzling and rudy the most conspicuous of ten thousand....His black hair is like the raven....His eyes like doves....His palate is sheer sweetness and everything about him is altogether desirable. This is my dear one, this is my boy companion..." Song of Solomon 5:9-16

Thank you Russ for your love, friendship, spirituality, and support. Happy Anniversary Month!

Being this is the first of September, my delight is to find out how each month got its name.

September is the ninth month of the year, according to the Gregorian calendar, which is used in almost all the world today. It was the seventh month in the old Roman calendar, and its name comes from the Latin septem, meaning seven. September later became the ninth month when the ancient Romans moved the beginning of their year from March 1 to January 1. September has had 29 days, 31 days, and, since the time of the Roman emperor Augustus, 30 days. Unlike the previous 8 months of the year which received their names from pagan God's and Goddesses, the last four months got their names from their original numerical placement in the year.

September is one of the warmest months in the Southern United States. Northern states have warm September days, but the nights get much cooler. It is also harvest time for crops. And, in Switzerland, it's called Harvest Month.

And so dear friends, September is the month when summer slowly comes to an end, soon the fall will settle in. May your September days be fruitful, filled with love, joy and peace.

I will end this blog with a cute "September" poem:

"When the goldenrod is yellow,
And leaves are turning brown -
Reluctantly the summer goes
In a cloud of thistledown.
When squirrels are harvesting
And birds in flight appear

By these autumn signs we know
September days are here."

This is Raven-as the crow flies!