September Rains - a precursor of Autumn


Raining tonight, and the joints are aching somewhat, but still, but still, - here is a lovely combination we saw yesterday - Golden Rod and Rose Hips lining a Cawston road and heralding the arrival of Autumn..



I know it is true that fall is not officially here until the 21st of the month, but I anticipate its beauty right from the first cool evening, - the first scent of apples ripening on the trees, - the first gathering of birds who, having raised their young, are now preparing for the winter season.

Do the ones who migrate have to have a little orientation before they take off? It would seem that way as we watch the flocks of starlings that circle the meadow, rising and falling, gliding and grounding, only to take off again in wonderfully graceful adagios - (in my mind this seems like the right word to describe their movements although technically it might be incorrect).

All the little Finches are finding great delight in the maturing sun flowers, - feeding their tiny
tummies and gathering energy for their southward journey. Some of them migrate, and some of them don't - but it's always a good idea to prepare for the winter storms, and the times when the snow comes.

In the garden the Sedum grows ever more beautiful and the newly planted climbing rose reaches the top of its supporting arbour.


The barn flower plant has had it's yearly hair cut, and is now a much more moderate accent in the middle of the beds.

Already the pink chrysanthemums are in bloom, but the rust and gold ones hoard their blossoms for late September and October. A few new flowers on the Heritage Sweet Peas, and each day we gather the brown seed pods, put them in a covered container where they can safely snap and pop without scattering seeds all over the house.

This morning Husband and I worked on preparing the new Peony bed to house those plants that made the journey from the Lost Garden but need to be replanted less deeply in order for them to bloom. I think this is why they are not blooming - we will replant them this fall and see what the spring brings.



I say it again, - with feeling. Life is good and we are blest.