Take Time

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit
still and watch the leaves turn." ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

After the rain stopped this morning, I got out for a short walk. To the side of the cabin, I noticed the first tree showing any significant color change, a black gum, one of the earliest to turn. Its bright green leaves were morphing to crimson red, in stark contrast to the greens surrounding it. The red maples are beginning to be splotched with dots of red, too.

As I continued deeper into the woods, a vocal pileated woodpecker flew overhead sounding much like his cartoon cousin Woody Woodpecker. It is so comical to hear these over-sized birds' laughing calls. They're so loud that they drown out all the other woodland sounds. They're quite a funny sight to see, too. As they scoot up the old snags, their red tufted crests bob back and forth. They furiously hammer away at the dead trees seeking the insects and grubs burrowed inside to feed on, and their crests become frenzied blurs. The woodpeckers huge size and loud call make them the lions of their daytime forest canopy realm...that is until a hawk swoops through!

Flecks of Fall

Even though most of the leaves on the trees in our vicinity are still green, there are flecks of fall color all around. The fallen chestnut oak acorns are bright green and yellow and various shades of tan and brown. Some are jet black. The combination of colors makes a very striking mix. Some of the nuts are touched with patches of rose, too.

I never noticed that stilt grass, which is such a pesky invasive, also turns color in fall. The tips of its leaves turn various shades of pink, red, and magenta, and it almost looks like someone came along with a paintbrush and decorated them.

Nature is always full of surprises, and each day brings something new!

Garden Harvest

The seasons are turning. Today is the last day of summer, as the autumnal equinox arrives tomorrow. Day and night share equal time at this time of year. Temperatures are in flux. For the last week, we've enjoyed bright, sunny days with moderate temperatures in the high sixties and seventies. We're due for temps back up in the eighties later this week. It will waver back and forth this way until cool autumn days stand their ground and remain steady. As the seasons turn again, the chill of winter will return, but, first, the beauty and color of fall and its invitingly crisp days will lift our spirits.

We are enjoying a bountiful, colorful crop of peppers. Of the vegetables I planted in our small kitchen garden this year, the peppers reigned supreme. Whereas the beans, in particular, couldn't withstand the dry, intense summer, the peppers flourished. We've never had such a fine and colorful crop of peppers - bright reds, greens, oranges, and combinations. Not only are they pretty to look at, they're tasty too. We add them to salads, omelets, fajitas, homemade pizza and countless other dishes. It's so nice to have homegrown veggies to savor and enjoy!

This year has already brought a bumper crop of acorns - especially the very large, bright green and yellow fruits of the chestnut oak. They tumble from the trees by the handful, thudding on the cabin roof with such a racket. The squirrels are having a hard time keeping up ... they're certainly not facing a lean time for food.

We've also been inundated by stink bugs. They've been everywhere and are quite a nuisance. They congregate on our screen doors and sneak indoors every opportunity they get. I've found them crawling amongst my houseplants and flying around the lamps. They've invaded our attic as well. Stink bugs are quite harmless, but they live up to their name. I've captured quite a few in my cupped hand to toss back outside, and they leave behind an acrid, musty odor that doesn't easily wash off.

Stick bugs have been everywhere, too! These walking stick insects are such neat creatures, and so very gentle. They also like to rest on the screen door. As I cart them away, to avoid crushing them when we open and close the door, they quietly rest on my outstretched palm, offering no resistance as I transport them to safer spots in the woods.

Our trees are just starting to turn color. The process that begins ever so slowly, with just hints of color change here and there, will soon take off until we are surrounded by an autumn kaleidoscope in shades of red, gold, orange, and brown.

Happy Autumn!!!