Autumn is right around the bend.
Hummingbirds zoom from scarlet runner flower to scarlet runner flower, over my head and behind my back, filling their bellies and my heart, before I spy the bumblebees and butterflies who are much gentler in their touchdowns and takeoffs.
The shifting morning light through the Maples and the Cottonwoods as the green leaves grow tired, gaining the gentlest yellow tips to catch the sun’s golden light just so.
The smell of:
- Basil on my fingertips
- Pear butter in the crock pot
- Rain on the parched earth
- Calendula Resina in the drying basket
- Carrot blossoms preparing their seeds
- Freshly roasted green chile
- Berry crisp straight out of the oven
Autumn is right around the bend, teasing us so as we race to harvest and preserve and sow and trust in the goodness of the earth that there’s still time.
Fields are cut…
Raked…
Bailed…
Stacked.
Teamwork = Community.
New alfalfa seeds are tucked into freshly tilled soil to spread their roots before the snow falls for a jump on next years cuttings to fill all the ruminant bellies.
Neighbors who have danced this dance for generations and could probably do it all in their sleep while I happily observe from the shade and safety of my front porch.
Garden beds are flipped from summer beans to fall greens.
Sunflowers turn their weary heads from the sun to the earth as they exhale their final breaths.
Bright yellows shift to mellow and pollen-filled centers become bird food.
Rest is almost upon us all…
Autumn is right around the bend.
Onward,
Melissa
P.S.
New monthly post? I hope so. It was fun to slowly note my observations and pull them together in this way. I can’t wait to see what September will show me if pay close enough attention 🙂
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I love all of the ways you made me feel like I was outside with you here. Beautiful writing, beautiful pictures, and looks like you had a beautiful month. Happy September.
Happy September, Jessica! Thank you for your sweet words. Life is good and I so adore the shoulder seasons!
The seasons are beginning their change, and your piece is a beautiful observation of this process. Despite all that we are going through in this country, we still have the pleasure of the changing seasons.
I couldn’t agree more, Laurie. With so much trauma and destruction happening around us, it’s imperative that we pay close attention to the small beauties around us and the things we can control. Wishing you a lovely week 🙂
Many thanks and the same to you!
I’m so ready for fall. This morning there has been lightening and thunder and lots of rain. Most wonderful.
Have a fabulous day and week. ♥
What a lovely way to start the day! I hope you enjoy every moment! Have a wonderful week 🙂
Goodness, Melissa. You guys have been busy. Time enjoy the fruits of your labour before you hunker down for winter. I can’t remember … do you get proper winters with snow or you like us just damp and temps just above freezing at night/
So.very.busy! But yes, the colder seasons are right around the bend and we do get a full winter with lots of freezing temps and a fair amount of snow! We are in the southwest but in the mountains so we (luckily and thankfully) get four full seasons.