One reason I drive a 1995 car—even though my husband has encouraged me to purchase a newer model—is because I don’t like change.
Yet I’m jazzed every year about the approach of autumn. It’s not as if I haven’t had a wonderful summer; we’ve enjoyed the best weather in the Northwest I can recall. But I love the transition of one season to another. Almost miniscule variations, like a shriveled leaf on the ground, the smell of dried grass, a clean, brisk hint in the air.
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| Early Morning Sky |
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| Pre-Dawn Moon |
I also enjoy the rising sun, the pink display illuminating the sky in the morning. 6:15 seems reasonable compared to 4:30 AM. We don’t actually see the sun rise from our house, but the sky tells the story, and I watch our yard come to life. In the evening, the sky and clouds transform as their color drains. I keep a string of white Christmas tree lights (the little kind) on our fence right outside our kitchen window. They’re on a timer and continued to illuminate in the evening all summer and are on whenever I get up: a good morning greeting! I can imagine some of you are thinking I’m a little odd, and you could be right.
Many changes are beyond our control. A child maturing to adulthood and leaving the nest, perhaps making poor choices. The death of a spouse, a beloved relative, or friend. Some catastrophic occurrences turn our lives up-side-down: tornadoes, fire, or flood, illness. An automobile crash. A husband or wife announcing out of the blue that he or she has met the love of their life and is leaving—forever.
Of course, surprisingly delightful changes arise too: a new baby! Puppies and kittens.
How about you? Do you enjoy change, be it a new hairdo, a different job, or a quilting or gardening project. Are you the type who can’t wait to finish a book so you can start another? Or do you read more slowly when you get to the final chapters to savor the story and the characters the way I do? No wonder it takes me so long to get through a good book. How about the approach of fall? Do you see it as the end of summer or the beginning of a new season?
Leave a comment below to enter to win this exquisite Amish-made Folded Star (16” round) to be used as a table centerpiece or a wall hanging, plus a copy of either Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork.
Entrants must be USA residents only. Winner has one week to respond. Leave an email address on your comment so the winner can be contacted!
Congratulations to Donna M., last week’s winner, for her comment in response to my August 12th blog post, Obstructed View. Thank you to those who left insightful and heartfelt comments!
I do ok with change…but my silly, logical mind has to believe it makes logical sense. Why change something unless it creates more pleasure, more efficiency, more excitement, etc. My logical mind often trips me up, so I’m not saying I’m right…I love that some people embrace change, just because it’s different! Awesome!
What a great giveaway…thanks for the opportunity to be blessed with a book for free, plus the beautiful work of art!
Jill Olsen
djolsen@sbcglobal.net
Thank you for your comment, Jill! Your logical mind makes sense. Although, as a writer, I often step into a fictional world … And it’s fun!
I’m not a big fan of change…I’m someone who loves order knowing what comes next.
I enjoy your books Kate!
Kris
dkjbehr@frontier.com
Thank you, Kris!
I love seeing summer end and fall begin. I love to plan all the things I want to do during the fall with my grandchildren as well as planning how the flower beds will look. I look forward to jackets, soups, stews and snuggling up in a blanket on the sofa with a good book, which as I’ve gotten older I tend to read the end slowly.
Fall sounds most delightful as you’ve described it, Trish! Please leave an email address to enter the contest.
Beautiful quilted piece!!
I’m ok with change as long as I know what’s coming!! lol
I’m ready for fall…..we’ve had a very soggy summer! 🙁
Karen
minkhill8255@gmail.com
Thanks for writing, Karen! Good luck with the contest.
Love the quilted piece and will definitely be adding the books to my TBR list. Change, I LOVE it!! I love how God chose my husband for me and he helps me to calm down. Otherwise I would be all over the place
Thank you! You let the right One do to choosing! Leave me an email address if you want to enter the contest.
Most of the time I am ok with the changes that happen all the time. I love watching the leaves change clor in the fall.
Would love to win
trichie@windstream.net
Thank you for your comment, Trichie! Good luck on the contest.
I would love to win either of these books! Also the centerpiece is beautiful! I love the fall weather!! d.brookmyer@yahoo.com Donna Brookmyer
Consider yourself entered!
I love the folded star piece. It is like one my great grandmother made many years ago. I don’t like change either. Even when it is a change for the better I still get stressed out. fishingjan at aol.com
I have to laugh at myself sometimes, because eventually the change becomes the norm and I’m okay with it. Thanks for visiting my website and entering the contest!
I love change. It’s a beginning of a new chapter in my life, just like one season ending is the beginning of a new season and that means new things!!! I’ve read the first two books of this series and can’t wait to read the third book. Also, the colors used in the star are my favorite colors!!! judyfritz@yahoo.com
What a wonderful way look at change! Thank you for your comment and for visiting my blog.
I am also not “big” into change. I love summer, winter…not so much. So Kate, I relate to your article completely! I have a 96 truck and drive it to my train station to go to work, everyday! I don’t like it much when things change at work either. Things are not always so easy to adapt to. But life changes and we have to adapt and so a few prayers to get things settled in my mind and then things don’t seem so hard to me anymore. And a smile never hurts, either. I would love the star pot holder! It’s gorgeous!
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Thank you for writing, Sonja. You put a smile on my face!
Change is hard for me, I pretty much run on a schedule but learning slowly that its not always my way and to give up some control. Fall is my favorite season, I can’t wait for the cooler weather and see the beautiful leaves.
sweeps4us at gmail dot com
Giving up some control … maybe that’s why I don’t like change, Tina. Thanks for the great insight! I’m glad you have cooler weather to look forward to during your favorite season!
Hi Kate,
Thank you for hosting such a lovely giveaway! You know, I used to handle change very well, these days not so much, either I’m getting old or I’m getting old. lol
xoxo
Thank you for coming to my website and for your comment. Please leave an email address as that’s my only way of contacting the winner. Although my webmaster and I are open to suggestions … not easy when so many people write as Anonymous.
I have a hard time adjusting to change. I guess it is the uncertainty that the change will bring. I am one who loves to finish a book quickly.
Dawn Crawford
dcofohio@yahoo.com
Thank you so much for your comment!
I grew up with change bringing hope– something new, another chance. Autumn changes in light, however, have always given me the feeling of the inevitable. It’s a loss of freedom, the gain of responsibility, and yet a new adventure in its own way.
What a beautiful pattern in that star. I’d love to win it and your new book, Kate.
Thanks for visiting my blog, Kathleen, and for leaving a comment!
Oh my what a beautiful center piece for the table or the wall along with the awesome books. Would love to win it.
Forgot to leave my e mail address for you.
serahinangel7@aol.com
Juanita, I’d love you to win it! I wish I had one for every person who left a comment!
As much as I’ve enjoyed this summer weather, I like the fall and don’t mind the change in seasons. My daughter is engaged and planning a wedding, so I know when that is over, I might fall apart a little ’cause I’ll miss her, but I’m happy for her. I’m trying to have a positive attitude to changes in my older years. Have to trust the Lord more for the uncertainty of it all. The quilted piece is beautiful btw. 🙂 Karen R. kjrochon40@msn.com
Your daughter’s upcoming wedding is a huge change! How exciting and yes, of course, you’ll miss her, even with the prospect of grandchildren. Yet, that is how we raise our children, to mature into adults and leave us. His plan is working!
I do not like change. I wish things would just stay the same. The only change I like is the seasons and I’m glad when summer is over. Sharma Darby
I take it you’ve had a long hot summer, Sharma. May autumn breezes cool you off soon.
I don’t like change either. I would love to win this contest.
I would love to enter you, Jane, but need contact info in case you in. If you pass by the blog again please leave it. Thanks!
I love to read Amish books and this is the first time I have seen any of your books. I have quite a collection and am always looking for new and different Amish authors—I would love to win one of your books and the star. I will be looking for your books to buy. Joan Hoffman — jynhoffman@yahoo.com
Best of luck in this contest! Thanks for visiting my blog.
Leaving Lancaster was WONDERFUL! I would love to have your books in print and not just ebooks–Rachelle Warfield
I’m so glad you enjoyed Leaving Lancaster! Thank you! Please leave me contact info to enter the contest so I can contact the winner.
I don’t handle change well. I remember when my parents sold my childhood home three months before I turned 18. I hated it! Not the house, but the change. Nine months after getting married my hubby joined the Air Force. Suddenly he’s gone and I’m trying to figure out where I fit in to everything. I fight to keep my identity while all anyone wants to know is the last four of his SS#. And then the orders come down for our first base and it’s overseas. I struggled! Perhaps the military has been good for me because I’ve been forced to deal with a lot of change while he’s deployed for the second time in four years.
Reading though… I like to power through. I want to quickly get all the answers and then I’m sad towards the end when I realized I’m about to say goodbye the characters I’m really enjoying. I always hope for an epilog that tells me after getting married they had three kids, dad died, they had a great crop and are doing well now.
You’ve had your share of changes since age 18, Jennifer! You have my admiration for muscling your way through it. I just realized you left your name but no contact info. If you can, please leave me an email address in case you win
I don’t like change…never have.I think that is one reason I am where I am today,I want everything to stay the same.When I know something is going to change,I want it to hurry and get it over with.And I am not really good with change.It just terrifies me to think of some changes..
Jackie, you have a perfect right not like change. There are certainly changes over the last few years that are frightening. But there have been wonderful changes in the fields of medicine and many new writers …
I love summer but I really love the change to autumn….the leaves changing, the crisp smell in the air. So many things have been changing in my life….one son almost done college, another in 2nd year university and my daughter will be graduating from high school this year. We went from 3 kids at home to 1. As much as I miss them, I know they need to grow.
As far as books go, I savour each one but at the same time I can’t wait to get to the next one! I’m a bookaholic….you should see my library!
The folded star is beautiful and I’d love the chance to read one of your books!
Marie Ferland
mariefluffy@yahoo.ca
You do have a lot of changes going on, Marie! I’d love to see your library and help you put one of my books in there. Good luck in the contest!
Change. Sometimes it’s good. Sometimes not so good. But you’re right. Here in the PNW we’ve had a lovely summer and I’m not ready for it to end. The geese have been flying south for over a week now though andI think it’s inevitable.
Blessings,
Betsy
Queenbetsy2@gmail.com
I’d forgotten about the migrating birds, Betsy. Many fly south from here and yet many arrive from further north for the approaching winter—still a long way away. Thanks for your comment and for entering the contest!
i dont like change. IM the type of person that like to keep things the same away daily.Betty Richardson Senkowski inpr4life@hotmail.com
Good for you, Betty! Good luck in the contest!
I deffinetly do not like changes and have to through them my whole life. Move from one country to another, get divorce, get married, move from one place to another, and move again, have a bad health scare and stil not completely clear of that. I like good changes like having my kids, spending time with my family. But in whole I’m not person for changes.
Janna
Brs882(at)yahoo(dot)com
You’ve earned the right to not appreciate bad changes, Janna! Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the contest.
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I love fall!
I also love reading, and it seems like every time that I near the end of a book, where it’s really getting all-encompassing, is when my children need to ask me things & tell me things. Tonight I told everyone to be quiet until I finished. Is that just me, or does anyone else have to do that?
kathae at jacobfam dot net
Sounds fun, Kathy! I hope you get that book finished! In fact, I’m going to go do a little reading myself.
There are times when I welcome change & other times that I don’t. I love experiencing all 4 seasons, love reading new books & seldom read a book twice, have never been afraid to move to new cities, but pretty much stick to the same hairstyle, & hate learning new jobs!
Thanks for the neat giveaway – haven’t read any of your book, & would love to win!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for your comment and for entering the giveaway! You are brave moving to new cities and learning new jobs. I’ve done that a few times …
Hi Kate! I am not always so good with change, but I am working on just learning to accept it. With the approach of Fall/Autumn, I love Fall! It’s my favorite time of year! Although out here in Seattle the change between Summer and Winter is not very clear-cut, in Indiana where I’m from it’s very noticeable! I love the changing colors of the leaves, the smell of woodsmoke in the air, and the coming chill that requires blankets and fireplaces (I wish I had a wood-burning fireplace in my apartment!). I really hope I win this contest!
Mallory Fry
seagirl_98@hotmail.com
You have written a beautiful description of fall, Mallory! I also love the changing leaves of autumn.
Sometimes changes are hard and challenge our Christian witness.I would love to win this contest. lisawilson2011@hotmail.com
So true. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Some change is good. I, for one, will definitely welcome the weather change in autumn. I love the sound of dry leaves crunching under foot while out for a walk & I love the smell of wood burning in either a fireplace or wood burning stove. Sadly, we & all our neighbors have gas fireplaces, so I don’t get that wonderful aroma around here like I did in my previous home.
Lisa Towns Myers
raccoonlover1963@sbcglobal.net
We have gas fireplaces too. Not the same, but I enjoy the flickering flames on a winter’s morning. Sounds like you live somewhere hot. I hope you get relief soon!
I have never liked change, even making myself go on vacation is sometimes very hard for me. Usually I have a good time, but love getting home to my comfort zone. Recently, I have forced myself to do several things that are not warm and fuzzy feeling. I survived!!
Maureen Timerman
alekee02atyahoodotcom
Good for you, Maureen! I can relate; I always love coming home no matter where I’ve been.
I, too, love the changing of the seasons, especially autumn. I love the fall colors & the cooler weather. We have had a small taste of fall the last couple of days with rain & cool temps as we have spent some time this week in Flagstaff, AZ while my daughter went to training for work & I watched her boys. The changes that are difficult for me are the ones like job loss, loss of home, etc. that come unexpectedly. But I just remember that God is in control & all is well. He will bring good out of any situation as long as we let Him have control of our lives.
The folded star is amazingly beautiful! And one of my favorite colors! Thanks for the opportunity to enter the contest. Would love to have one of your books. Whichever one I might choose, I would have to purchase the other so I can read it too! 🙂 God bless you! And may we all keep our eyes on the Creator as we watch the amazing changes in the days ahead as summer gives way to autumn!
Mary E
mdegram218@centurylink.net
You’ve summed it up well, Mary!
I am one to like changes in weather, for each new season to begin. If changes in life are beneficial I’m all for that, as well. 🙂
Beneficial changes are hard to beat, Loretta! Thanks for visiting my blog.
Hi Kate,
I know exactly where I would hang “my” folded star ~ on my wall in my quilting room that I am typing in, surrounded by TBRs! So many good books, excellent authors I love to read. My favorite season is fall with the crunching leaves under my feet ~ like the little puddles I would seek after a rain when I was a young woman. I like the crispness in the air and able to wear my light linen jackets. The change I like is watching our bird feeder out our dining room window and the variety just passing through. I too, savor the ending of a good book, reading slower as I must leave the friends of my heart. Pick one of your books?? Both would do just fine. ~*thank you for writing*~ Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Ah, you’re making me yearn for autumn, Lane! Thanks for writing.
Change does not come easy for me… recently I moved from my home of almost 18 years…my kids practically had to drag me out… even though my new home is nice and new I was fighting this change ..I am loving the peace and quiet now as i spend time on my beautiful little porch watching God’s creations and resting in the Lord. I love all the wonderful books you write and hope i win. God Bless, Linda
lindylu54@gmail.com
How wonderful to hear you are living in peace and quiet and enjoying your porch. A lovely scene comes to my mind. Thanks for writing, Linda!
I don’t do well with big changes, but I generally adapt well to small changes. Our family is going to be moving house in a few months and that is a BIG change that I’m not really all that prepared for. We could do with prayer, not only for God to help us to get into the house, but for the comfort that comes with His presence.
becki.rizzutiATgmailDOTcom
Moving houses is a huge change! Fortunately, He’ll be with you every step of the way.
I don’t do well with change. At 63 it’s on the scary side,but I I believe in proverbs 3:5-6. Would love to win since I have never won anything in my life !! Love your books…. can’t wait for the next one !
Sounds like you’re on the right path and trusting in the right One, Rita! It is a shame that we have to continue to age.
I think I’m fickle when it comes to change. Sometimes changes excite me & sometimes not so much. I sometimes think it has to do with age. When I was younger, I craved change. Now, I like the status quo. Interesting to think about. While God is a God of change, He is also a God of impeccable reliability and dependability.
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Guess I’m a little fickle too, Linda! You’ve given me food for thought. I just noticed you didn’t leave an email address. If you’re entering the contest I need a way to contact the winner.
I do not like change at all. I am always afraid something is not going to go right, so I stick with what is comfortable. I would love to win this contest.
Gail Chevalier
mwaltripfan99@yahoo.com
Thanks for your comment and your honesty, Gail! Thank you for entering!
I have not had to change much in my life at this point except getting older and finding out that it takes much longer to get things done now than when I was younger. I have seen much change for my sister who lost her husband at the age of 61, they were getting ready to retire together and after finding out that he had liver and lung cancer, he lived only two months after finding this out. I cannot imagine what she has been going through, readjusting to a new life without him, they had been married since she was 16 and he was 18, they have two children. I do know it has been very hard for her to deal with a lot of things, just being by herself as the major one. There are four of us Sisters and we try to see after each other, God truly blessed our parents with us having each other.
I love Fall, my favorite time of year, I love the fall colors, pumpkins, falling leaves and cooler weather. Knowing I can fix homemade soup and my menfolk will not complain means a lot. I also love the smell of the dark fired tobacco barns here in Kentucky because I know that Fall is not far off and then there is Thanksgiving and Christmas to look forward too. I would love to win this contest and thanks for such a wonderful giveaway.
Sincerely, Helen M. Gardner
Thank you, Helen, for this letter and for sharing your experiences! Thanks for entering the contest!
I do like change, especially when it is for the better. I would be honored to win the contest. I intend to look for your books to purchase and read. I never knew there are so many “Amish” books! My husband says I must have around 200—I don’t take time to count them, I am too busy reading! jynhoffman@yahoo.com.
Thanks for your comment! 200 books? You sound like my kind of reader!