Trick Or Treat

 We'll leave the light on for you.

 

" By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes,
Open, locks,
Whoever knocks ".
 
Shakespeare / Macbeth 1606

 

 

 

 

Autumn Muskiness

We had our first real taste of Autumn weather last night, tonight down in the mid forties and snugly blankets will once again return to the beds.

The sound of distant laughter can be heard from giggly school children enjoying their Fall school break, and down on Main Street Oktoberfest's are in full swing.

"When everything that ticked has stopped,

And space stares, all around,

Or grisly frosts, first autumn morns,

Repeal the beating ground."

 Emily Dickinson, Time and Eternity, LXXV

Season's End

The first time I laid eyes on this incredible English landscape painting, was in my hometown museum, I was smitten.

Depicting the ordinary, mundane chores of a gardener, at seasons end.

It reminded me of watching my grandfather, as he put his garden to rest after a successful growing season,  piles of now-spent rhubarb leaves, and endless stacks of  withered flowers.

I couldn't have been more than four years old at the time, but what an impression those days left on my early life.

A season ending, to begin again anew in just a few short months.

 

 

                                                                     Evening_Brockham

 

               Edward Wilkins Waite  (14 April 1854 – 1924)

 

Early Autumn Days

These first few days of Autumn, a little decorating, a little gardening, a little relaxing 

Nights are drawing in fast, dark before the clock strikes seven now.
Our days are still seasonally warm in these southern United States, giving the opportunity to finish those end of summer chores, before Old Man Winter sets in.
Leaves are beginning to gather, hummingbirds are making their way deeper South, the rhythm of life is noticeably slowing.
The smell of wood-smoke fills the night air.

Indian Summer

Indian Summer is upon us. Balmy warm days, and mist-laden nights.

One last chance to indulge in fleeting Summer pleasures.

An early American writer described Indian Summer well when he wrote, "The air is perfectly quiescent and all is stillness, as if Nature, after her exertions during the Summer, were now at rest."

     

 ~ John Bradbury 1817

Autumn

Summer Days have not yet took their leave.

The most perfect of Autumnal days today, blue skies and sunshine galore.
Our rainfall has been little to none for an entire month, many of the trees have already lost their brown leaves prematurely.
The air conditioner continues to hum....

 

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells."

~ John Keats

Autumn Silence

Enjoying a day of quiet time . 

The trees are changing color, and Autumn leaves are making a show, finally.
Some days it's good to do nothing. No deadlines to meet, no chores to complete, no lists to check twice.
Bliss.

Nature's Gifts

One of the perks of my daughter's little farm, are the daily fresh eggs.

She shares them with family and friends alike.

If you've never tasted a farm fresh egg, you are missing out, those store bought eggs are just not all they are cracked-up to be.

*giggle*

 

 

 

 

 

Farm-fresh eggs have one-third less cholesterol, a quarter less saturated fats and twice as many omega three fatty acids, than store-bought eggs.

They also have more vitamin A and E and seven times more beta carotene.

And more important, the chickens are raised humanely.

Egg-gathering always seems to draw a crowd .

Autumn Is Calling

Despite sultry August days, subtle signs of changing seasons are all around.

Summer days are noticeably shorter. There is a cooler rush to the evening air.
Down on  main street the shopkeepers are displaying their Autumn wares, and the feel of changing seasons is afoot.
The Summer's Gold Lantana blooms heartily,  as if it knows Summer's loveliest smile, is fleeting.

'Til They're Clean And Sparkling

Starting off the day with incredible blue skies and  low humidity, as rare as hen's teeth in these Southern parts of the United States.

The  Mr. takes on the task of washing the house today, no small feat I can tell you.

Norseman's blood runs through my veins, after the temperature rises above 80 degrees I'm wilted like a head of week-old lettuce.

The best I can do is be the cold-water runner, when I spot the worker flailing.
*Sigh*