Peace and flowers

There's something special about fall flowers

I'm wondering why I love the fall so much. Especially this year: look at the picture I took of the flowers at the Farmers' Market this past Saturday. I think dahlias and zinnias are incredibly beautiful. But there's another part of fall that I haven't quite gotten used to: allergies. Last year I didn't suffer from them, but this year it's another story altogether. I'm sneezing and itching and I'm not sure why. Could it be the flowers, or ragweed? I'm just going to hang out and hope it gets better.

Today is the International Day of Peace. You can read here about the concept, but it's basically where the phrase, "think globally, act locally" came from. Here in Bellingham there's a rally being held for world peace. Should I let you in on a secret, though? I get so depressed when I think of what is happening in the world today, and not a small part of the violence and destruction is being caused by my own government. I wonder what difference one person's desire for peace makes. I am looking for community, and I've found one that fits me pretty well: the blogosphere.

I want to thank all my followers for all the wonderful connections I've made in the past few months. Yesterday I actually got to 40 followers, which just amazes me, since in March and April when I first began with this blog I had exactly 3. And then I started commenting, following other blogs, and I wrote this post asking how to get more followers (last paragraph). The accumulation of followers is not free, however: I find that I need to go to their blogs, find out more about them, and in the process I often end up with even more blogs to follow. If it were not for Google Reader, I don't think I could keep up. Even one day away from my iMac means I'm falling behind.

But it's worth it. I am retired and don't think I'll find many blank spots in my days this winter. Tomorrow is the autumnal equinox, when the days and nights are of equal length. From tomorrow until the first day of winter, the days will become shorter and the nights longer. And then... well, we know what happens then. Emily Dickinson, one of my favorite poets, said in 1875: A little Madness in the Spring is wholesome even for the King. I look forward to whatever lies ahead.

:-)