A lovely little poem from Mary Oliver, which tells it all!

Fall   Mary Oliver

Another year gone, leaving everywhere

its rich spiced residues: vines, leaves,

the uneaten fruits crumbling damply

in the shadows, unmattering back

from the particular island

of this summer, this Now, that now is nowhere

except underfoot, moldering

in that black subterranean castle

of unobservable mysteries—roots and sealed seeds

and the wanderings of water. This

I try to remember when time's measure

painfully chafes, for instance when autumn

flares out at the last, boisterous and like us longing

to stay—how everything lives, shifting

from one bright vision to another.........

                      October has ended her lovely visit, - warm days, blue skies and brilliant colours.

                                  November brings with it family birthdays, the anniversary of family deaths

                                       brooding weather and a saddening of the leaves and trees and gardens....

                                               and yet November brings as well the beginning of new life 

                                                        as this return to earth of the summner's bounty  

                                                           brings nourishment, and spring, eventually,

                                          Cleaning up the garden has put me in a philosophical mood, it seems.

                                                                I spent the afternoon yesterday out in the garden,

                                                             under a blue sky and enjoying the warmth of late fall 

                                                    I  will compost what I can, but it is apparent that the yard waste man

                                                          is going to have a barrel or two when he comes on Friday. 

                                       How generous Mother Nature has been with these great multitudes of greenery!!!!

                                             It brings to mind the autumn drives we used to take through the valley,

                                                                    - wonderful memories...    A few pictures.....

                                                                                Autumn in the sunshine

                           and when the darker, (but still lovely) days of November arrive...

                                                         Sometimes the memories are nostalgic and melancholy,

                                                               ....... sad memories of frequent trips across the pass 

                                                              to sit and spend sad November days at the hospital, 

                                                                          desperately  holding on to hope

                                                                                     but I remind myself,     

                                                    the memories of happier days are many and comforting,

                                                                    and I indulge myself in them!!!!

                                                      Here is a picture of the Similkameen Valley

                                                           where we have been blessed to live.

                                              and a picture of a pumpkin which youngest son carved 

                                                      in honour of the Saints of All Hallowed Eve..

                                                                   I have written a few words here,

                                                               have gone to Anglican Online Church

                                                           And now it's time to go and get some lunch

                                                                and maybe go out and tackle the garden

                                                             while the sun shines on this lovely Sunday.

                                                              All is well this first day of November,

                                            and the White Rabbit assures me it will continue this way!!!

                                                 He reminds me that before I went to bed last night

                                                                      I turned all the clocks back....

                                             An arrogant thing to do to Time, who really is all powerful

                                                              as he often whispers to me,  at 95!!

                                            Time is the ancient whisperer, - not the White Rabbit......

 October 21, 2020

A miserable day, - low, threatening clouds, a chilly wind,

 and I leaf through weaving magazines,

                                         looking for inspiration that will move me to use up 

                                         great quantities of my stash......

cotton, mainly.

I study a page or two in an old Handwoven,

 that features stripes - narrow stripes, wide stripes, rainbow stripes and a little Fibonacci.  

I poke around in the wicker basket that contains all my bits of leftover cones

 and mentally plan a little warp,

 - or maybe a longer one if I hit on something that really appeals to me.....

I examine this leftover cotton (and wool),

thinking it will dissuade me from ordering some

                                        Jaguar silk and wool 

that inspires me to make a lovely striped shawl. 

                                       

                                        What shall I do, - what shall I do?

Probably give in to my longing, 

- I have reached the age where I figure I deserve what I desire!!!!

In my mind's eye I see a beautiful, brushed square 

with maybe a stripe or two of mohair every few inches

to lend it an especially cosy look 

- and the image of my empty Glimakra springs to same mind, 

making a lovely picture of what might fill my hours and days

 for the next week or two.....

I am off to Jane Stafford's internet page,

 to see what she has to offer....

that should take care of the rest of the morning!!!

Sunday, October 18th, 2020 

                                                      Misty and I have been weaving lately.

                                                                              I weave, -  

                                                        Misty plays around with the treadles

                                                            or does acrobatics on the loom

                                                       We have been adding to the stash of towels

                               One wonders why, when the chest that holds the completed weaving

                                                      is full of towels and placemats and scarves

                                                                (both men's and women's)

                                                                  all ready for Christmas!!!!

                                                            Here is the latest warp and weft

                                                               stretched out in the hallway

 it is waiting to be

washed, pressed, cut and hemmed

Ten pretty kitchen towels 

folded over and lined up on the

hand rail that is supposed to keep me from falling.....

I peer at them with great satisfaction

and make plans to wind the next warp.....

scarves?  maybe a blanket?

I have great quantities of wool..just a-waiting to be woven!!!!!

and an empty loom looking

for a 6 to the inch dented warp!!!!

Tomorrow starts a new week, and a new warp

sounds like 'just what the doctor ordered'

to keep life interesting.....

October 7th, 2020

                       Losing oneself in the blue of the sky, and the fabulous colours of autumn.....

                       Yesterday, when the sun shone and the weather was reminiscent of summer.

                                   Early in the day Vincent, the camera and I went south, 

                                                  into the lower Similkameen,

      

                                     planning to record the loveliness of the fall season

 

                                              as it is in this part of the world!!  

 

                                                                Festooned Fences

and the river running by

                                                                           Scarlet Sumac

                            The rills in the Cawston Hills, made by erosion and heavy rainstorms -  

                                                                       We lived just to the right,

                                                                        on the next thirty acres

                     A beautiful apricot tree - its leaves all turned the colour of the fruit it bore

                   An Osprey nest atop a telephone pole, - a familiar sight in southern British Columbia

                                                                     The hills across the valley

                                                        Sumac intermingled with gold

                                                              New Plantings for a vineyard

Two pea hens crossing the road -

at least I think they were hens, - or perhaps cocks who had lost their tails????

                                    It was really a lovely day, - and thanks to the chauffeur, 

                                           whose company is always dear and welcome.

Friday, October 2nd, 2020

A sweet and mellow autumn day, and I am about to take my before-dinner drink outside while I watch for birds and butterflies, and great large honey bees in the collection of Asters that the garden holds close to its bosom these days, - not much else blooming.  A few scattered yellow daisies, and the remnants of a tall red rose.  Under the trees a circle of autumn crocus and a lone 'dollar plant' shimmers in the sunshine when you bare the seed covering..

I'm off to pour the brandy - I will be back! With pictures.....

.....................................................................................................................................................................

October 5th, - just after lunch!

Well, I said I would be back, and here it is, three days later, and hello, hello! October 5th, and a surprise invitation!

A little road trip with youngest son, - what better way to spend a Monday morning!

We set off, - circled the back roads and then headed East to the turn-off,  up that old familiar road that Charles and I so often wandered....

A beautiful and mellow time of year, - the leaves donning their autumn colours and the rabbit brush all golden and blooming....

We took lots of pictures, and I share some here.....

It is eight years since Charles and I traveled this road, that last September,

and the memories were bitter-sweet....

Would you call this a swamp, or a pond, - whatever it is shallow and clear and the reflections are lovely.

         The road is lined with beautiful deciduous trees, and the hillsides heavy with evergreens.

                        A sunlit meadow through the straight, tall trees where probably the deer feast

and a bank of bright sumac 

We come home past Bear's Fruit Stand 

laden with pumpkins

 (and our eldest

daughter's fancy art work)

Gorgeous fall day, and so much to be thankful for!

 

 Monday, September 28th, 2020

A beautiful autumn day, - sunny and warm, a slight breeze. and the wonderful scent of fall in the air.

The sky that gorgeous September blue - nary a cloud!

               A large stalk of asters, humming with bees, nestled against the Mountain Ash, and

                  sheltering the bird house - empty now, waiting for next spring's house hunters...

The garden is awash with these asters

and with these bright and generous berries that are so inviting

to visiting robins.

Aster Heaven!

a few fall crocus, here and there in the borders

                              And in the house - a bouquet to brighten the front entrance

                                    Love September......and look forward to October, as well! 

             Youngest son has mentioned a drive through the mountains and up the back roads -

                                            I have the camera all primed and charged,

                  ready to go down Memory Lane as it was with my Beloved in days gone by....

 Wednesday, September 16th, 2020

I had to look at the Calendar to check the day!!

I guess this is what happens when twenty four hours rolls by, another day dawns, and look, it is just like the last one!!!

Nothing changes much when a ride up the lane on the scooter is paramount to a day in the nearby town!

Here it is, Wednesday, - the middle of the week when nothing much happens....but today was different!  

The postman was the star of the day!  The star of the month, as well!!  He left a package in the mailbox containing three lovely skeins of silken thread (two black, one almost silver, with a faint blue sheen) and six cones of weaving cotton for me to wind into a long, long warp and make tea towels 'til my heart's content.

All wrapped up in Jane Stafford's lovely tissue paper - just like a beautiful present! 

I plan to make tea towels with the bright blue cotton, and the lovely lime coloured cone.  There's a gorgeous aubergine to give it a little zing, too.  Well, the days won't be anywhere near as dull -  I  will not feel oppressed by the smoke that fills our valley as it drifts up from the awesome fire they have around Omak ( although I will feel pangs of sympathy for the people of Washington who have had to bear and deal with this terrible situation).

Today we were able to see the outline of the mountains, - indeed, for a little while there was a red, red sun doing it's best to part the clouds and smoke.  Out in the meadow across the back lane the family of deer who live in the bushes that line the creek bed came out to enjoy a little green grass, and that was a treat that lent a little sweetness to the day.

This is a springtime picture - I didn't have the camera today...

September moves along, - we are past the middle of the month and the coolness and  wonderful aura that September usually brings has been sadly lacking because of the smoke.  The weatherman says rain for Friday, and that gives cause for a little jubilation, - we haven't had a decent rain since June (I believe)  The garden will be grateful......the phlox is getting weary, but the beautiful white fall crocus are making a lovely showing in the side bed.

Well, here comes my youngest son to say "good-night"

and I shall have nice dreams about what I am going to do

with all that amazing yarn!!!

 Sunday, September 13th, 2020

Our beautiful September day has been overtaken by a horrid layer of smoke making it's way over the Border and up the valley by Cawston.   I can see across the street, but not much further, and I have such sympathy for the folk who live in the vicinity of Washington, from where it is emanating.

We have been so  lucky this year, here in British Columbia - the skies have been smoke-free and the forests safe from fire, but in the United States and down the west coast, through Washington and into California I see frightening pictures of burning forests and the fire running up the trunks of tall trees, candling those beautiful pines and running through the brush, all alit and threatening to the small creatures who call this home.

I am grateful, but it does keep one in the house and is a real deterrent to cutting down those towering Barn Flowers and putting the other plants to bed.  

Never mind, this situation speaks well for kitchen jobs!  I have made some Orange Muffins,  and have four balls of pastry thawing until they reach the rolling-out stage, when I will make some apple pies!!  Two at least, - one for anybody who comes around and the other for the kind person who left a bag of apples on my kitchen counter.

The reason I have four frozen balls of pastry is because one fine day when the baking fairy had overtaken me and filled me with enthusiasm, I had made up a whole pound of lard (or was it Crisco?) and then had run out of energy before I could make all the extra pie shells I had planned on creating.

This is a condition which seems to have overtaken me lately - running out of energy.  I have loads and loads of enthusiasm but not the wisdom yet to keep it in a halter, so it won't run away with me, resulting in a little nap, or an hour or so resting in the chair-that-rests-the-back!! Fortune has been good to me and I have reached this antiqued age, but not in an antiquated condition.  However!!!   Sometimes my enthusiasm overcomes my energy.  Or my lack of energy overcomes my enthusiasm - take it as you will! 

 Anybody else run into this state of affairs?????

Recently, within the last month, a little grey kitten/cat has come to live with Bruce and I. She is not a baby, but a teen-age cat who has boundless energy and can be found investigating anywhere in the house, or running up and down the hallway as if it were a racing track.  Bruce, being elderly for a dog, the same as I am elderly for a human, looks askance at her.  On the whole they get along quite well and share the back of the sofa that looks out on to the street.  They have a different response to any stray cat who might wander through the fence.........Bruce erupts in a most excited manner, - jumping up and down and barking (loudly), but Misty (the little grey cat) is just inquisitive and anxious to get out and say hello!!

Well, I do think i should go and poke my finger into those balls of pastry, to see if it is time to roll them out and fill the shell with apples and sugar and cinnamon and maybe a bit of lemon juice, and make the house smell delicious as they bake.

Would love to share!

 

 She is here, - she is here!!

Blown in by autumn breezes..

September is here, - there is just something in the air that speaks of autumn.

Bruce and I sat out in the back garden, - me with a book, and he/him with his eyes closed, stretched out on the garden bench, enjoying the sun and the cool breeze.

I am reading "Greenery Street" by Denis Macrail - a delightful book so far, - easy to read and so entertaining.  A little of that "wry humor" that I so often see mentioned in book reviews.  Denis, the author, married Diana Granet in 1917, and they lived at 23 Walpole Street. Chelsea, the setting for Greenery Street (1925).  The little inset at the back tells one that this is the first of his twenty-five novels, and that it was written in 1920.  It's success encouraged him to give up his office job and from then on he wrote a book a year, becoming "the official chronicler of the domestic preoccupations of the upper middle class in London".  With such friends as A.A.. Milne, J.M. Barrie and Wodehouse he was one of a circle of lovely writers that old people like me are so familiar with!!!  I must look for more of his books, but of course the Library is closed, along with almost everything else in town, because of this dratted pendamic.

I am thankful for the back garden!|!  Where the purple asters are beginning to blossom and the bright orange berries on the Mountain Ash tree are heavy and gorgeous, bending the branches low. I would expect to see many birds among the branches, but perhaps these particular berries  are not an enticing part of their diet.... There are five or six robins bathing in the fountain on the front lawn every morning - I suppose they are thinking of packing their bags and flying south, soon!

The street at the front was full of men in yellow vests and trucks that said "Focus" on them, - wires, and men climbing poles....  I didn't go out and ask what they were doing, but they all seemed to be quite focused, and they went away without anyone coming to the door to say"Ma'am, we've just installed Ultra Internet" and nothing seemed any different when they left, but no doubt they had something in mind, and I will ask Youngest Son when he comes to say goodnight....

Tomorrow is another day to enjoy the blue skies and sunflowers September blesses us with....

 

And the autumn leaves and vines....