Frosty Calm

This frosty leaf was on the orchard floor this morning. Gently touched by the rising sun it was a vision of stillness, fragility and ephemeral beauty.

And it has absolutely nothing in common with the wild chaos of my family’s life that exists around it.

In fact I’m pretty sure a dog ran it over at top speed as soon as I was done snapping these pictures.

While our life seems to be a whirlwind hovering just this side of insanity, it’s good to know I can always find an oasis of calm through the lens of a camera.

Rubber Boot Mornings

Nov2

The cold air through the window at night smells of winter and frost has taken all the unprotected flowers.

Mornings are delightfully chilly and so long as I drain them well, the hoses still run during the day.

I love the winter but I’ll miss these in-between days of frosted leaves, rubber boots and running water.

Leave the Leaves!

Nov6

One of my favorite things about the internet is that you can always find someone to back your crazy ideas.

For instance I hate shoes and due to the miracles of the the internet I have now been connected to people who not only also hate traditional footwear but have kindly provided me with obnoxious facts to share with anyone who asks about why I hate shoes.

The internet is truly an amazing place.

With fall upon us I turn to the internet again on the issue of lawn maintenance, specifically raking leaves. It’s no secret that I hate mowing the lawn. But I also really, really hate raking leaves. I suspect this hatred stems from hours of child labor while we attempted to clear every leaf from my parents lawn that’s approximately 789 acres of grass covered in 9,450 trees. And probably you don’t know about this deep seated hatred of mine because while I’ve been compelled to mow the lawn over the years so that I don’t lose small children and chickens in it (though there was that dead cat once…) my leaf raking habits are even more lax.

My leaf raking goes like this…

I should rake the leaves… nah, too wet.

I should rake the leaves…. oops, I broke the rake.

I should rake the leaves… but it’s bad for the tendinitis in my shoulder.

I should rake the leaves… Oh look! Bird hunting season!

I should rake the leaves… but I haven’t mopped the floor in the last two years and I really better do that first.

I should rake the leaves… Whups! It snowed! Too late now!

But, I have good news fellow yard care haters, the butterflies and bees need those leaves!

And they need them whole, not shredded.

And they’d prefer them to stay in a nice carpet over garden and lawn well into the spring.

Basically this is the best news ever.

I love the internet.

Go ahead, read this article, from the Xerces Society and then instead of raking leaves you can join me in relaxing with a warm cup of tea and a good book (because who are we kidding, that floor isn’t getting mopped unless I’m avoiding raking leaves).

https://xerces.org/2017/10/06/leave-the-leaves/

Morning Frost

Nov8

The first warning of winter sparkles in the morning light.

A beautiful sign that cold, killing weather is on the horizon and with it the season of rest and silent renewal.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Peek

Nov7

Weekly Photo Challenge: Peek

After a few cloudy days I caught the sun peeking through the trees.

This Moment – Shorter Days

Oct20

A Friday ritual.

A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Trio

Nov24

Weekly Photo Challenge: Trio

leaves back lit by late afternoon sun

A trio of leaves in the late afternoon sun.

Winter is Coming

Nov20

They say winter is coming.

The area is full of winter storm warnings, dire predictions and people shivering at the mere thought of snowy weather arriving.

Napping in the autumn sun.

But not me.

I’ll welcome the true winter weather when it comes.

Unfortunately, I suspect we are heading into nothing more than the transition period. The time of cloudy days and freezing temperatures with no snow but plenty of frozen puddles and icy mud patches that precedes real winter. duck in leaf pile I hope I’m wrong. Maybe winter will show up for good tonight.

We’ve been spoiled by a long fall of gorgeous weather but it’s about time for a little cold. It may come with beautiful snowfalls and freezing temperatures or it may be a month of slush, but I’ve got my warm fire and a pile of books to read.

I’m ready!

Update: It’s snowing!!! It may all melt tomorrow but first snow is always magic!

Laundry Day

Nov3

It was laundry day.

But it was not a day for doing laundry.

It was a day of perfect weather and blue skies.

It was the kind of day that makes those of us who live with the ebb and flow of four full seasons glow. We shine as if to match the glowing autumn leaves because we know that we are just that lucky to live these blue sky days of fall.

These blue sky days of fall aren’t worth missing.

It was a day for looking up,

and digging down.

A day for bare feet in leaves,

and watching honey bees.

It was laundry day.

But it was not a day for doing laundry.

Montana Pond

Oct13

I’m in Montana this week chasing after birds with my dog and taking in the sights along the way…

…and what sights they’ve been!

I’ll have more photos then you’ll ever want to see once I get home to my computer and quick internet but until then you can check out Instagram (link in sidebar) for occasional updates!