The Gentle Autumn ...

“Change is a measure of time and, in the autumn, time seems speeded up. What was is not and never again will be; what is is change.”

     ~ Edwin Way Teale

         ~ 1899-1980

          ~ American naturalist,

                   photographer & writer

        ~Teale’s works serve as primary source material documenting environmental conditions across North America from 1930 – 1980. He is perhaps best known for his series “The American Seasons,” four books documenting over 75,000 miles (121,000 km) of automobile travel across North America following the changing seasons.

The changing color of autumn leaves gently cascade over the Little Lehigh Creek on an early November day at Lehigh Parkway, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Twinkle Of Love ...

“Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

How I wonder what you are!

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.

When this blazing sun is gone,

When he nothing shines upon,

Then you show your little light,

Twinkle, twinkle through the night.

Then the traveller in the dark

Thanks you for your tiny spark;

He could not see where to go,

If you did not twinkle so.

In the dark blue sky you keep,

And often through my curtains peep,

For you never shut your eye

Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark

Lights the traveller in the dark,

Though I know not what you are,

Twinkle, twinkle little star.”

           ~ “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”

“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is a popular English lullaby. The lyrics are from an early 19^th century English poem by Jane Taylor, “The Star.” The poem, which is in couplet form, was first published in 1806 in “Rhymes for the Nursery,” a collection of poems by Taylor and her sister Ann. It is sung to the tune of the French melody “Ah! Vous dirai-je, Maman,” which was published in 1761 and later arranged by several composers including Mozart with Twelve Variations on “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman.” The English lyrics have five stanzas, although only the first is widely known. This song is usually performed in the key of C major. The song is in the public doman, and has many adapations around the world.

I found this rock painted with the words “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star I Hope You Know How Loved You Are,” a twist on the well-known “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” as it brightened a January day at Trexler Memorial Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

This painted rock is likely part of the The Kindness Rocks Project, which was founded by Megan Murphy of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, who wanted to spread encouraging messages to strangers by writing them on rocks she found on the beach. The practice spread and launched similar projects across the United States.

The grassroots project encourages people to leave rocks painted with inspiring messages along the path of life. People are encouraged to take one, share one or add to the pile. You can see just how much impact she’s made when looking up #TheKindnessRocksProject. Learn more about how to join the movement at http://thekindnessrocksproject.com.

And A Road Runs Through It ...

“Nothing behind me,

Everything ahead of me,

As is ever so on the road.”

       ~ Jack Kerouac

             ~ 1922-1969

              ~ “On The Road”

                       ~ 1957

Standing near the Lehigh Valley Zoo at Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania offers a beautiful late winter vista overlooking the historic Schlicher Covered Bridge in North Whitehall Township.

Game Preserve Road runs through the bridge, painting a picturesque rural landscape on a March afternoon.

Schlicher’s is an historic wooden covered bridge. It is a 108-foot-long, Burr Truss bridge that crosses the Jordan Creek and was constructed in 1882. It has vertical plank siding and a gable roof. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and was closed for a time for needed renovations.