The tree and approaching autumn

As you can see, I have changed the layout of my blog page a bit, thanks to a layout template from pyzam.com and a few tweaks I made myself to suit my perfectionist preferences (though it turned into a mini-course on how to find my way around xml code...I'm from the now old-school of html!).
I love the photo of the tree growing out of a rock in the middle of the water; it communicates serenity, assurance, strength in the face of certain adversity, and a fragment of beauty where you might least expect it.
I found a spot just the other day that is a temporary escape from the demands of here and now, a nature trail that weaves back into an old evergreen forest, a place that exudes that same feeling of peace and perseverance as the "lonely tree" photo above. I took a few photos (two are included on the sidebar to the right), which don't do it justice.
Today it rained, the kind of fresh rain that tells of coming Autumn, school starting, sweaters, fallen leaves, woodsmoke, and apple cider. Soon it will be September, and I will be pulled back into a cycle of activities and busyness that challenge my inner reserves of calm, contentment, strength, and faith. I hope that this lonely tree picture reminds me often of what is beautiful, true, everlasting, and where the source of my strength lies.