Falling Stock Market, Financial Chaos

Fall has always been a melancholy time of the year for me. Whether it's the changing leaf colors, the kids going back to school or the shortening days, they always seem a little sad. This year has been particularly bad with all the grim news we are bombarded with every day. Rising prices, unemployment, global warming, depleting energy supplies, OJ going to prison (OK it's not all bad).

Last weekend I was walking through the small Provincial Park located a couple of blocks from our home. It was a perfect South Alberta fall day. The sky was cloudless and crystal clear, the leaves were turning their various shades of red and gold, it was beautiful. There was none of the hustle and bustle usually associated with life in a big urban centre such as Calgary. People were friendly and often stopped to chat and pet my dog.

The defining moment of my walk came when I saw a couple feeding a flock of chick-a-dees. She held a small amount of bird seed in the palm of her hand and the tiny birds took turns swooping down, lighting on her hand and making off with a snack.

How can you not have an uplift of spirit when you witness man and nature nurturing each other.