Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Autumn . . .
Autumn, the word itself exudes wonder as it rolls off the tongue. I adore the crisp clear morning sunrises and the cool nights that have you reaching for the comfort of a soft blanket. The goldenrod is in its glory and the chirping of the song birds has been replaced by the cawing of the crows alerting everyone that autumn is coming in and ushering summer on her way.
The corn crop rattles in the field and blackbirds gather on the telephone lines. Woolly worms risk the long trek across country roads and combines whirl as miniature dust storms encompass the bean fields as they are harvested. Pumpkins lay golden and ready for the plucking in the punkin' fields and the long lines of farmers with their wagons brimming with the harvest wait for their turn to unload their bounty at the elevator. The whirrrrrrrrrrr of the elevator continues into the night as it attempts to take in all of nature's bounty in a few short weeks.
The gardener is busy digging up their carrots and potatoes to put them away in the wooden bins in the root cellar for winter store. Rows on rows of fruit jars brimming with tomatoes, beets, pickles, relishes, peaches, plums, berries, and grape juice set side by side in a patchwork of color on the cellar shelves ready to be plucked up at a moment's notice when winter winds howl and all is snowed and silent in the garden. Favorite bulbs have been dug and snuggly stored in the cellar until they are reawakened next year. Amaryllis sit dormant in the darkness until they are brought from the cellar into the warmth of the house after Christmas to awaken and bring us a display of color in the bleakness of winter. Bags of onions hang from the open rafters ready to be placed in a warm stew at a moment's notice.
Fall is a time of preparation. Preparation against the cold, harsh reality of winter. Windows caulked, flower beds mulched, snow fences strung, storm windows hung and gardens plowed.
To everything there is a season . . . and autumn is a glorious richly colored bountiful one.
The corn crop rattles in the field and blackbirds gather on the telephone lines. Woolly worms risk the long trek across country roads and combines whirl as miniature dust storms encompass the bean fields as they are harvested. Pumpkins lay golden and ready for the plucking in the punkin' fields and the long lines of farmers with their wagons brimming with the harvest wait for their turn to unload their bounty at the elevator. The whirrrrrrrrrrr of the elevator continues into the night as it attempts to take in all of nature's bounty in a few short weeks.
The gardener is busy digging up their carrots and potatoes to put them away in the wooden bins in the root cellar for winter store. Rows on rows of fruit jars brimming with tomatoes, beets, pickles, relishes, peaches, plums, berries, and grape juice set side by side in a patchwork of color on the cellar shelves ready to be plucked up at a moment's notice when winter winds howl and all is snowed and silent in the garden. Favorite bulbs have been dug and snuggly stored in the cellar until they are reawakened next year. Amaryllis sit dormant in the darkness until they are brought from the cellar into the warmth of the house after Christmas to awaken and bring us a display of color in the bleakness of winter. Bags of onions hang from the open rafters ready to be placed in a warm stew at a moment's notice.
Fall is a time of preparation. Preparation against the cold, harsh reality of winter. Windows caulked, flower beds mulched, snow fences strung, storm windows hung and gardens plowed.
To everything there is a season . . . and autumn is a glorious richly colored bountiful one.
Bill Cunningham
What a jewel Bill Cunningham of the New York Times is! Check out his media blog by googling "on the street with bill cunningham at the new york times". You can also check out a short documentary on this amazingly passionate photographer at hulu.com.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Springtide
The Maiden has made her presence known early this year,
She has sent Beelzebub on his way---no languishing last long breath this time
She has marshaled her magnificent minions to arrive early,
Crocuses are dotting the landscape, redwings call at dawn, waves of robins forage in the field,
This year she is dancing on a wild warm wind chiding old man winter to challenge her heraldry
Her footprints are evidenced everywhere as she awakens the landscape with new cadres of color
Awaken drab countryside! Awaken sullen trees! Awaken diaphanous daffodils and forsythia!
Enrapture us with your heady fragrance hyacinths!
Come forth! Cloak yourselves in your best spring regalia!
The long slumber is over and a magnificent kaleidoscope is about to emerge
Cast off your coats of dead dank leaves! Push past the thatched brown grass
Harken to the new sweet songs on the wing
Breathe in the perfumed patchouli of the pageantry
Winter is defeated
If you harbor any doubt
Look only to the birds busily building their nests, the signature scribbles of children’s chalk on the pavement
Kites capriciously dancing on the wind and the sun batting her eyelashes in the church windows in early morn
The maiden has arrived victorious in all her glorious splendor. Drink the drink, breathe in the balmy breeze, and hear the harkening of our homeward bound heroine
Join with your voices in the crescendos as they rise
HALLELUJAH!!! Demeter’s daughter HAS ARRIVED
Persephone is loosed from the nether world!
SHE IS HERE! SHE HAS COME.
She has sent Beelzebub on his way---no languishing last long breath this time
She has marshaled her magnificent minions to arrive early,
Crocuses are dotting the landscape, redwings call at dawn, waves of robins forage in the field,
This year she is dancing on a wild warm wind chiding old man winter to challenge her heraldry
Her footprints are evidenced everywhere as she awakens the landscape with new cadres of color
Awaken drab countryside! Awaken sullen trees! Awaken diaphanous daffodils and forsythia!
Enrapture us with your heady fragrance hyacinths!
Come forth! Cloak yourselves in your best spring regalia!
The long slumber is over and a magnificent kaleidoscope is about to emerge
Cast off your coats of dead dank leaves! Push past the thatched brown grass
Harken to the new sweet songs on the wing
Breathe in the perfumed patchouli of the pageantry
Winter is defeated
If you harbor any doubt
Look only to the birds busily building their nests, the signature scribbles of children’s chalk on the pavement
Kites capriciously dancing on the wind and the sun batting her eyelashes in the church windows in early morn
The maiden has arrived victorious in all her glorious splendor. Drink the drink, breathe in the balmy breeze, and hear the harkening of our homeward bound heroine
Join with your voices in the crescendos as they rise
HALLELUJAH!!! Demeter’s daughter HAS ARRIVED
Persephone is loosed from the nether world!
SHE IS HERE! SHE HAS COME.
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