As we dip into Autumn here in the Northern Hemisphere, we find each day a wee bit shorter. The slant of the sun cuts deeper. Dusk arrives a moment earlier than the day before. There is a change in the air, imperceptible at first, more certain when the Harvest Moon arrives.
This is the most magical of seasons as nature slowly prepares for winter. Where would we be without Autumn? What force of nature would strew seeds from summer’s bounty with such precision? Where we get a palette of colors so rich and varied and inviting?
Here on the Cutoff, the squirrels are busy gathering nuts. One leapt across the lawn yesterday, short hops then long leaps, the letter S in perpetual motion. He had a walnut, still in its husk, wedged in his mouth, and looked like a fur-bit carrying a holiday ornament in search of a fir tree. He stopped in his serpentine movements, gave me the once-cover, then scurried away, with nary a sound. To chatter would have meant losing the walnut he fully intended to bury somewhere. He’ll never remember where, but, bury it he will. Maybe, just maybe, a tree will grow from his long-forgotten stash.
The deer have begun their rut. It is quite a sight to behold. I always know when a buck is around by the leaping and running of the does. It’s a wonder to watch them in their homecoming dance; myself a chaperone from the window. Careful observation usually finds a randy stag on the perimeter, choosing just the right girl to waltz with.
Birds swoop in masses, eat seeds, and drink from the bird baths. Some will stay for the winter. Most will fly south to warmer climes. Soon, we will hear the gurgling trumpets of sandhill cranes high above the clouds. Canadian geese will gather and fly in their signature V pattern as they head to their seasonal refuges. The hummingbirds and wren will venture south.
For me, it is time to begin clearing out the potted plants. The heat, then the cool weather and forceful winds that came through have had their way with some sorry specimens that need to be culled. This is a welcome chore, however, for the vegetation will make its way to the compost heap; fodder for worms and the rich, new blankets of soil to enrich our gardens.
Autumn, itself, is fodder for the coming year. It is a slow preparation for the long winter months , but, I’m getting ahead of the seasons in thinking that, for first there is Autumn to enjoy, with all its color and richness, scents and excitement. It is fodder for the soul.
Off I got, a-pottering.
Beautifully described, and a reminder of the chores that await!
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Thank you. Ah, yes, those chores . . . we have days and days of raking ahead here that have barely begun. Thanks for commenting. I’ve stopped at your blog a few times and will again, just in between seasons right now.
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You captured all the best of what slowly leads us to Autumn.
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Thank you, Marilyn. It was hot and uncomfortably humid yesterday, crisp and autumnal today. Looking forward to more days like this. Hope you are cooler down there.
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Lovely, Penny. You almost made me miss my garden.
I love to be in the mountains around this time, because it is great to catch those moments right before the leaves start turning. It’s like the green sighs a little, and one can see it in the leaves. You’re probably there now.
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What a wonderful illusion of the green leaves that sigh. I love that, Andra. Yes. We are seeing it in the leaves now. The colors are slowly coming out. We had a very hot, humid day yesterday, and a very cool night last night. Good recipe for leaf color.
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We have always loved Autumn, when we gardened at our house and later…when we traveled … we said we were following Fall, because it was our favorite time to be on the road. Now I love it even more because it really is the only seasonal change we see these days.
I read Andra’s comment above and had to smile, because your posts so often make me feel exactly that way …almost missing my gardens…
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I love the idea of following Fall, Sallie, and recall you saying this from time to time. I get bits of it when we travel up to MN and back, but, oh, the sights you see as you motor (and the wonderful pictures we see that you’ve taken).
Aha. It is the “almost missing” that gives you both away. We’ll be up to our neck, well, at least our ankles, in leaves soon.
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What a beautiful post this is Penny. You evoke the golden time of autumn in all its richness. It’s my favourite season.
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It is mine, as well, Juliet. I know some find it depressing and as if we are losing something, but, I find it hopeful. Thank you.
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Penny, your description of Autumn on the Cutoff reads like the opening of a Disney feature film – I can almost hear the musical accompaniment to the beautiful scene and the squirrels scurrying around and stopping to have a look at you! Why, you’ve even managed to make deer mating season sound lovelier than I would probably actually think it was, if I were to witness it! 🙂
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Thank you, Janet. The mating season really is rather interesting to watch, though we drive slower down our road during rut. Our deer are sophisticated. They stop for traffic. In rut, well, that’s another story. They are only interested in one thing. It is quite something to watch.
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Beautiful post, Penny. You are leaving me with a sigh for the summer that is passing, but looking forward to fall as I enjoyed the beautiful harvest moon and the cool breezes. I have some puttering around the yard to do myself.
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We had cloud cover and missed the harvest moon, Janet, but, have had some amazing sunsets this past week (when it wasn’t raining). Last night was perfect sleeping weather, after such a humid, uncomfortable day. I think Autumn has much to teach us, only I never quite learn and have to go through it all over again every year. tee hee
Thanks, Janet.
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Thank you, Graig. There are many, many wonderful and varied blogs to read and enjoy, aren’t there? I stopped by for a visit on yours, and giggled at some of those photos.
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What lovely words, a beautiful description of this delightful mellow time of year. I am enjoying the early autumn changes that are taking place here in Caunes, for the first time. It is beautiful. Today I picked figs and almonds, and checked out the olives. They have another couple of weeks to fatten up before I start on them. Then, there will be that lovely clearing up that you describe so beautifully. Another great post Penny. I love it. Jx
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That sounds wonderful, Janice; picking figs, and almonds and soon, olives. I’ll be interested in how you preserve the olives. I have some memories of my grandmother making Greek olives once, when I was old enough to remember, not old enough to really take notes.
Ah, yes, the cleaning up. A busy and rewarding time of year, isn’t it?
Thank you, Janice. I really appreciate reading that.
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I love the way you seek delight in every season, Penny. I have always found it hard to relinquish Summer, and tend to resent Autumn. I love your way of looking at it.
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Autumn can be a bit to bare, Kate, but, without it, those of us in climes that take on winter would have no spring; besides, I look better in Autumn colors. tee hee
Thank you.
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Lovely interseasonal post. I’ve enjoyed pottering in the garden today in the September sunshine.
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Nice to hear from you, Nicola. Is there anything more radiant than September sunshine?
Thank you.
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I do hope your weekend was lovely, Penny, and that you were able to spend some of that time in the garden and taking care of the pots as you described. Your signs of Autumn are both similar and very different to what we encounter. The acorns are dropping by the bucket loads, and the squirrels get busy here, too. I always marvel, since they don’t really need to worry about snow or any particular barrier to finding food all winter long, but the instinct to bury the acorns is just a part of fall. The weather is finally giving us a little taste of change, and the trees are beginning to drop their leaves. It’s still quite warm, but the days are shorter and it’s finally a whole new season. Your description was just beautiful, and made me wonder what kind of day we’ll have tomorrow! ox
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You know, Debra, it’s the midwest. We had one day of heat, another of cool temps and jackets were needed. I did get to many of the pots, some are empty, some a bit sparser, slowly, slowly changes the season. Isn’t it amazing how that instinct to gather and nest comes in, even in warmer climates? The colors of the leaves are starting to change here, now. It is subtle at first, then, pow! Warm days and cool nights are the perfect formula for good Autumnal color hereabouts. Do your leaves change or just drop?
Thank you, Debra.
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This lovely post is certainly fodder for my soul, Penny, and I really appreciate it. DH and I watched a squirrel this morning too, though we never see deer here. I gather from something I read that squirrels do actually remember a lot of their caches, but obviously not all.
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The squirrels horde so many nuts and things that I suppose they are bound to find some when they need them, Perpetua. Isn’t it fun to watch them scurrying about, busy at their work? I’m angry with one right now, though. Seems she wanted the stuffing from one of the cushions I have on the arbor,so, ripped it apart. Not only is the cushion ruined, but, there is stuffing all over the yard. Sigh.
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“…the letter S in perpetual motion.” Penny, what a perfect description! I have lots of squirrels scampering about the yard, scooting about on my porch, and tightrope-walking along my wooden fence. Yesterday evening, one even leapt onto the window screen in my front window and hung there for a while. I think it wanted a glimpse at what I was reading!
I know squirrels are rodents, but I enjoy their antics and their company all the same.
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Thank you, Belle. I enjoy their antics, too, excepting the demise of an arbor pillow one managed to rip to shreds. Looking for nesting material, I suppose. There was stuffing all over the garden. Still, they are fun to watch.
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