The Song of Acorns, Pine Cones, and Sweetgums
My thoughts wander with the floating leaves in the cool weather. Who wants to be indoors when the breeze rustles the trees, and the birds fill them with music? The clear sky beckons, so we abandon the scattered books. Children pack clothes and cuddlies, Bible and blanket. I do well to find my shoes before the troupe marches out of sight.
Backpacks bounce as mismatched runaways veer right into the empty field framed with gnarled trees and rambling vines. This is our place of adventure. In spring, kites soar. In summer, flowers paint the grass. Now, the first week of autumn, we explore life and death in the miniature forest.
Bodmer Oak, Fontainbleau Forest
My brave Sunshine doesn’t hesitate to venture into the undergrowth. Sweet Pea, three-years-old, isn’t as confident. In her imagination, the trees have eyes and long, crooked fingers waiting to grab her. My son swings on thick ivy hanging from the scariest tree. The sycamore doesn’t growl, so Sweet Pea follows.
Pine needles crunch under our feet. Tiny branches trip. Leaves crumple on the spongy ground. We balance on a felled tree, then retrace our steps to avoid the road home.
Sunshine stoops to examine acorns captivated by the smooth nuts with fairy hat tops. She wonders how the tiny acorn grows into the huge oak beside her.
As the trees begin their sleep underneath the canopy, little hands gather acorns, pine cones, and sweetgums. Full hands and bulging pockets slow the trip home. When seeds slip through fingers, we must stop to gather again. Once home, minds erupt with creative ideas for the prized collection.
The books are still on the floor. We will revisit them later. It’s time to enjoy the green-faced, acorn fairies and googly-eyed, pine cone birds. Magical creatures birthed in the minds of children remind me to embrace the season: this season of watching acorns grow.
Don’t you just love this time of year? Just watch out for those acorns! Last year we collected a bunch and had them “hatch” a billion maggots. It was really, really, really disgusting!!! :)
That brings back memories of when my daughters were younger. Our walks around the neighborhood were always an enjoyable time especially in autumn and their plastic baggies were stuffed full of treasures.
I enjoy autumn because of the cooler temps and the changing colors. We still enjoy walks together even though my daughters are older. We have an oak tree started from acorns found on a walk a few years ago.
You’re right, there’s plenty of time for books. Acorn moments are precious. :-)
Blessings.
What beautiful writing! You make me want to be outside! I was in fact outside today and delighted to find all sorts of beautiful color turning leaves on the ground. Being the goof I am, I picked up several and scanned them into my computer so I can print them out to use in art. The colors God has come up with, just for leaves are so much more beautiful than anything I could create!
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Melissa,
Thanks for the tip. The acorns we used were very green, so I’m hoping nothing nested in them. That is gross!
I vaguely remember something about putting pine cones in the oven to kill any insects, but if we do that now the eyes will melt. :(
DJ,
What a special way to preserve your memories! We’ll have to plant some of our collection.
Kris,
I’m hoping our leaves drip with color soon. Last year, they just turned brown and dropped off. We made leaf rubbings with colorful crayons, but it wasn’t the same.
And if I ever come over, I’ll bring the artichoke dip. :)
what a great reminder! This is the time of the year I enjoy being outside the most. I’m out in spring, but it’s mostly work in the garden. Fall is just for being and absorbing. And it’s too short.
[...] Collecting seeds in the woods resulted in imaginative creations. [...]
Lovely day. We’ve been spending more time outdoors, too. Just such a lovely time of year.
We love the outdoors.
With today’s weather change the kids can’t hardly stay inside. (It’s usually always warm…today is cold!)
Your walk sounds wonderful!
I struggle with seizing the moments. I tend to want to just stick to the schedule. It sounds like you had a memory making day. Good for you.
Elisabeth
What beautiful writing, so inviting and descriptive! Isn’t nature just full of all kinds of delightful and absolutely wonderful things to learn from. Better than any textbook, any day!
Thank you for your post.
Blessings,
Melissa
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[...] Collecting seeds in the woods resulted in imaginative creations. [...]