Finally, the rain came, not to slake the thirst of the earth, but just to moisten the tongue. The month began with some of the mists and morning fog that often shrouds the morning of an autumn day in Ohio; the leaves dropped in mostly brown tones, and the chrysanthemums and asters came on smaller and turned to deadheads sooner. Yet, in spite of all that, the October days have been lovely.
One afternoon I took time in the middle of the day to sit and stare upward. Through the trees fading leaves was a Swedish blue sky with a glinting pale wheat sun. All was quiet and restful, all was waiting in that transition when time and conditions stand suspended between the season of harvest and the season of dormancy and the onslaught of the cold season. Now the wind is quiet, and the leaves sift lazily through warm air, just touched with the crispness of the season.
I had time to catch the swift climb of two small birds creeping up the side of the engraved bark of the maple tree. I watched them spiral quickly from the trunk,up a branch and then disappear from view. This is the second unusual bird
The soybean fields further south are still to be harvested, but here the corn and beans have all been cleared from the fields and the fall plowing ( for those who still practice it) has begun. I think this is the best way to farm this ground, turning up the earth to winterkill insects and ready the soils for next years plantings. the soil is often too wet in Spring to work, and when there are heavy rains, all the chemicals the no-till farmers are dependent upon wash away. Aside from that, I love to see the dark gray soils in their deeply cut clods turned up for winter’s snows.
As you can see in the second set of pictures, the sweet gum trees are not to be denied their autumn garb of flashy color. Not drought, not unseasonably warm weather, will drab down their splash of scarlets, and oranges.
I have had too few days to sit and observe the season’s change, and too few to record it in my journal. The days have been busy and burdened with many obligations to clean and ready for the coming winter. But here, for you, is the sum of those that I most enjoyed.
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© 2010 written for Ilona’s Garden Journal. Copyrights apply.
just beautiful pix, ilona!
almost makes me homesick…
but today is bright and clear
74 degrees and azure skies.
the leaves are just beginning
to color, and the mornings have heavy dewfall. georgia autumn
is like taffy- a prolonged stretch
into the winter chill.
our first frost is usually 15th oct. but its dipped only to low 40’s so far.
even that frost comes and leaves quickly with indian summer right
behind. a light cover protects
the late plants. it looks to be
warmish until december. very
welcome, as i have pole beans, tomatoes and peppers still bearing.
just seeded kale, and a korean
red romaine lettuce. these and some chard and spinach will be my late greens;all grow through the winter here. i often blend them straight into morning smoothies.
you cannot taste anything, and i get green vitamins daily.
i have written almost a post’s worth, now…i am going outside
to sit and soak up the autumn beauty all around me. vty, j.
Your collages are so pretty. All of the most colorful leaves seemed to fall fast this year while others are just now turning. I rake the brown oak leaves forever it seems. They blow in from the surrounding woods and are so tough it takes several times to get them mowed up before winter. There have been some gorgeous days this month.
Enjoy your Fall Days.
Thank you, so glad the collages were enjoyed 🙂
And yes, J. that was about a posts worth:) with your usual inviting prose… I got overwhelmed and did not put in a the fall garden. I feel like I have a split personality when it comes to planning my time- I so much want to just enjoy the days and yet I have this frenzy to accomplish things.
I am hoping that when the clutter endeavors are done I will settle into the ebb and flow of work and spend more time outdoors. Every time I do I am happier for it.
Good afternoon Ilona: Enjoyed your post and great photos. Fall is my favorite time of year. Everything is changing and opening the door to new experiences. Our summer birds have all left now and the winter ones are dining at our feeders.
It’s great working in the garden again. Cool weather makes it very comfortable and enjoyable. Lots of things to do that didn’t get done this summer.
Have a great day,
John
PS: this comment done with Dragon naturally speaking.
The trees have it. It’s their season alright, I like the collages.
The frost will break the sod nicely.
Have had the first couple of frosts here, 21st being the usual fist date. They always seem to arrive on cue, you could set your watch by them.