Monday, November 16, 2015

November's beauty...


Yesterday was one of those perfect days that we see in October, yet it is November. I spent the afternoon working in the yard getting ready for winter. We say that phrase a lot up north...getting ready for winter. Sometimes it feels as if I am out on a farm getting all the crops in including the hay.

The truth is I once upon a time did live on a farm so I know the real meaning of getting ready for winter. But for me it is simply the raking of the leaves, the draining of the rain barrel, and putting away the garden tools. I still have out a small table and chairs. I don't know what I am waiting for but I do sit out and night for the late night glass of wine. The fire ring and chairs remain as well for those late night campfires which I love.

While working in the yard yesterday I noticed how lovely the trees are without their leaves. I took this photo of one of my crab apple trees. The beauty was stark against the blue sky. And look...there is a lovely bird's nest sitting atop the tree. I wonder what bird lived there this summer and did that sweet lovely bird raise a family and watch me work in the garden day by day?

It reminded me a poem by Emily Dickinson:


A Bird, came down the Walk - 
He did not know I saw -
He bit an Angle Worm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw, 
And then, he drank a Dew
From a convenient Grass -
And then hopped sidewise to the Wall
To let a Beetle pass -
He glanced with rapid eyes,
That hurried all abroad -
They looked like frightened Beads, I thought,
He stirred his Velvet Head. - 
Like one in danger, Cautious,
I offered him a Crumb,
And he unrolled his feathers, 
And rowed him softer Home -
Than Oars divide the Ocean,
Too silver for a seam,
Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon,
Leap, splashless as they swim. 

Until tomorrow.

Spring break in St. Pete...

  Adam and his pups! The late-night flight is full. Everyone is heading out for spring break. Students and teachers, moms and dads, kids and...