My dear Zoe,

It is starting to look like Summer is leaving us, it is still warm, but every now and again we have a deliciously cool morning with the temperature flirting with the 50’s!

The corn on the farm has turned almost completely brown, I’ve seen other farms where the corn is being harvested, so, it won’t be very long until I’ll be able to see all of the way to the road again (but worse, the people on the road will be able to see all the way to me! ha ha). I was working outside this afternoon, and I heard a rattling sound made by the dry corn leaves. When the wind blew, it sounded like heavy rain falling on a metal roof (if you were listening on the outside of the roof, not under it).

Then, when I was walking to the road to get the mail from the mailbox, I was overtaken by a sweet smell which I can only describe as corn perfume. I didn’t remember that the drying kernels has such a nice smell, but then memories of working on Mr. Wiggins’ farm came back to me: forty year-old memories they were, of tobacco
harvests, animals in the fore-bay and of corn being milled for feed with the molasses sweetener.

And then, still heading toward the mailbox, I came across the feathers that I’ve put into the envelope for you. They are wild turkey feathers that look like they may have come from the breast area. The base if each feather is downy, so soft. Did you notice
what pretty colors you can see on the tip of one of the feathers? Like an opal, the colors change as you move the feather in the sunlight. Even the wild birds wear jewelry!

A small miracle is that color, but so were the aroma (and memories) and the leaf-sound of rain that I heard on the short walk. It turns out miracles are everywhere, I guess. It’s our responsibility to recognize them when they pass in front of us.

It has started to rain, and now I get to hear the rain from under the metal roof, so, I guess my day is complete, it has come full circle.

May all your days be complete, too.

Love,

Uncle Roy