Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Making the Turn




Yesterday, while photographing the old cabin and checking out the summer residents, a single brown leaf fell just off my shoulder, settling on the step beside me. It felt like an omen of things to come. I had earlier sensed that slight change in the air that tells us we're turning the corner, summer is coming to a close. It seems premature, but it's been an odd summer.


On August 1, one of the ornamental crabs suddenly sprouted blossoms at the end of a branch, as though spring was beginning all over again. The picture I took simply does not do this oddity justice. Let's call it impressionistic. They hung around for at least a week, while the tree next to it began to shed its leaves. Mother Nature is certainly keeping us on our toes, isn't she?


Even as signs of an early fall take shape, the zinnias are coming on strong. What I cut for bouquets is replaced almost right before my eyes. Little beauties of all shapes, colors, and sizes. Two years ago, they hung on well into November. We shall see....



Several mushroom fairy rings are scattered about, along with these fine specimens, which I saw in the meadow on my walk with Buddy yesterday. Love that little heart-shaped thing, wrapped in a vine.


My vegetable garden has been sort of hit and miss. The parsnips ended up being a no-show. I used seeds I'd saved from two years ago, then learned it's not a good idea. I had only eaten a few pea pods before they vanished along with the kohlrabi, which disappeared as soon as it came up. I suspect the bunny family, but don't want to cast aspersions. 


My squash are doing great, though, as are the potatoes and onions. I've had several mornings of sauteed zucchini and new potatoes with scrambled farm-fresh eggs. Zucchini bread is next. 


The rain barrels have not been refreshed since last week. They're used mainly for a couple of small corner plots, planted with things like muskmelon (aka cantaloupe) and, earlier, radishes, that the sprinkler has trouble reaching in measured swoops. I like using rain water. So do the mosquitoes, unfortunately.


Getting back to the summer residents. Actually, they took up residence in the roof joists between the old and new(er) roof of the cabin sometime last winter. They, being a raccoon family. I let her and her babies stay put, despite all the online research I did that told me I should encourage them to move on. Now they're older and have set up camp outside, between the fireplace (have you seen anything so makeshift in all your born days?) and the birch tree, where the babies hide behind the boards, or try to. I'm sure Mama is nearby, as they appear very healthy, but I'll be keeping an eye on them from a safe distance.


Well, most of the time. Can you see the tail of the second one, just behind the boards near the rock? They think if they hide their faces, then I can't see them. Little cuties.


It's so peaceful today, I can almost hear them breathing. It reminds me of a quote I read a while back by Arundhati Roy, author of, The God of Small Things. She says: "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing."

Perhaps it begins with how we choose to see this world.







P.S. See that blue chair next to the cabin? It was there when I arrived over two years ago. I can't bring myself to move it. When Buddy first spotted it, he was a bit wary, giving it a wide berth and eyeing it furtively as he did so. I wonder if Otis is still there, quietly passing the summer away, watching over what was once his land, keeping an eye on things....




29 comments:

  1. Hello Teresa:
    Your first photograph of the old cabin is enchanting. It really does make one's imagination take flight at who might live there, who did live there and who will live there in the years to come. Or, will it simply return to the earth which gave it form in the first instance as Mother Nature takes over and reclaims it for her own?Whatever, it is simply beautiful.

    Your Zinnias add a touch of drama amidst the green. They look wonderfully jolly and will surely cheer any arrangement of which they are part.

    And we too sense the onset of Autumn with a chill in the early morning air which was not present a week or so ago.

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    1. When I first bought this place I thought I would renovate the cabin and use it in some fashion, but as time goes on, I'm actually thinking of just letting it be what it is, returning to the earth would be fine with me.

      Zinnias are so colorful, they appear almost fluorescent, especially against the green.

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  2. Even though it's only the middle of August,I feel autumn is quickly coming.
    I love your thoughts and images.
    I wonder if Buddy senses the presence of a spirit that was once near the chair.
    Is that a mirror on the cabin wall? The sunny reflection makes a nice contrast with the darker flowerbed.

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    1. Thank you, John. That is actually a window reflecting a field with farm equipment, which Otis' son owns. What the white is, I don't know... I wouldn't be at all surprised that Buddy sensed something....

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  3. Meditation by the old shed. A perfect peaceful scene to gladden the heart of this reader.

    My veggies have been no-show, not even the zucchinis. I blame the pigeons, rapacious birds that they are. Ah well, I'll have to go and buy some.

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    1. it has to be a tough summer when even the zucchini doesn't produce. Thanks for your comments, Friko.

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  4. Our break with another summer filled with new temperature records was captured by a Dallas photographer last night. See: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151175576391972&set=a.10150595177001972.440207.511686971&type=1&theater

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    1. I left facebook a few weeks ago, so cannot check out your link without going back on it and so.... :(

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  5. That's it, I am planting zinnias next summer. I need a cutting garden, and they would be perfect...colorful, cheerful, etc. I feel the change in weather too, now, but I'm glad it mostly waited until after our week at Star Lake, in your neck of the woods.

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    1. They certainly add some color to a garden and are easy to grow. I hope you had a nice week at the lake.

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  6. I really enjoyed this post. It is nice of you to share your garden with the bunnies, I am sure they appreciate it. I'm a bit surprised they like kohlrabi. I liked, a lot, the photos of the cabin. It looks so nice; comfortable, practical, and a real home!

    If you squint your eyes and look reeeeeal close you will see Otis. That's why Buddy was suspicious but by now he's probably used to him being around!

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    1. The small shoots of greenery from the kohlrabi disappeared along with the pea plants so I thought they must have eaten them. Perhaps another visitor....

      The cabin's a bit of history that needs some renovation, or not. I like having it on the property. It adds character. I wrote about it quite a bit when I first moved here in the summer of 2010.

      Yes, Buddy does seem to have grown quite comfortable with Otis's presence.

      Thanks, Bill.

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  7. Like Wild Bill I enjoyed this as well and the pictures (not sure why they don't enlarge the second time as they are not viewed in Lightbox) transport me back to the Midwest.

    No doubt the end of summer is upon us and similar changes are occurring here in the west. It was 40 in Steamboat this morning. I'm in Casper and it only got to 65 today. It will be cooler tomorrow and I'm headed home before a snow squall come's through.

    You have or have made what looks like a very special place Teresa.

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    1. I need to do more experiments with settings on it. I have a lot to learn still. As far as enlarging, I don't know....

      I trust you've had a good time up there. It sure is cooling off over night now. we just had a storm pass through that gave us a lot of rain. Should take care of the rain barrels and then some.

      I'm very grateful to have found this pretty little piece of land. All this and the river, too. Thanks, Tom.

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  8. What a beautiful post. I love that little shy raccoon hiding its face. And I am not a fan of them, either. I love these pictures and the story behind them. I too would not move that blue chair, it's perfect right where it is! :-)

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    1. Thank you, DJan. They are so adorable. I was worried about them during the storm that just passed through. I hope they keep warm.

      Yes, that chair will have to stay. I like having the company. :)

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  9. A fun place to explore. I always thought of fairy rings to be a September visitor, so fall may be early.I saw a flock of herons today which is a bit early.This is a time of year when I think I don't want to give up summer, I haven't played hard enough.

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    1. There have been several fairy rings for some time now. More than usual. And there were several of the other mushrooms in the meadow. I just found those two to be a bit more photogenic. I like your statement about not wanting to give up summer. I feel as though I haven't played nearly enough, either, and now am trying to cram a bit more into these final weeks, although fall is my favorite season and I admit I'm looking forward to it. The gardening is coming to a close.

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  10. Hej Teresa, what a wonderful place you live in - I love all your photos. They are so charming. Everyone of them.
    It must be wonderful to make bouquets of your pretty zinnias. What lovely colours.
    Yes, I can see the tail of the little racoon under the plank. They are so cute. I like your respect of the place. That you let the blue chair be on its old place.

    It has been an odd summer. In so many ways. Yesterday I saw a magnolia which is blooming the second time this year. It is not a usual thing here in DK. The general growth is vigorous, but there aren't many butterflies. And that's very odd.

    Cheers to Buddy. He really tries to take care of you when he discovers something dangerous, like the blue chair. Wruff! I met a dalmatine Saturday who got scared of us, it was on a narrow path, and I don't know why. Maybe our cameras. Such a sweet doggie. He didn't bark, was just stiff with fright. The owner had to calm him down. We went quickly away. ´)

    Have a nice week-end Teresa, and thank you for sharing your lovely and charming place with us. It's a good place to live.
    Grethe ´)

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    1. I've changed almost nothing outside, minor changes inside. I like all the life that's still here from so-called other generations. I do plan to consolidate some of the perennial flower beds this fall to make less work come next spring. Then I'll have more time to devote to the vegetable garden. Every year will be an experiment in living. And I can't imagine a better place for it.

      Buddy is a good pal and so aware. I'm in good "hands." It's interesting how dogs respond to various people and situations. They have their own histories that contribute to their responses, I suppose.

      A nice weekend to you, as well, Grethe.

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    2. I meant to add, Grethe, that I think we got all your butterflies. They were so plentiful earlier, but are reduced in numbers now. It was a butterfly summer to be certain. Thank for telling me of your magnolia. It really is interesting how nature is responding.

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  11. Love all of the photos of your magical place. I am glad you kept the chair, and I like to think you are right. That the former owner, is still somehow keeping a watchful eye. It has indeed been an odd summer.

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    1. Thanks. I'm glad you like the photos and agree the chair should stay. It is a magical place, in many ways. Living a little closer to the land brings it out, I think.

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  12. I've been sensing the same thing, Teresa; the change in the air. Quite subtle, but there. How interesting to see the ornamental crab blooming anew, as its leaves turn. It's been such an odd time. My mums have bloomed and are just about finished when they should just be starting now. I think we will have an interesting several months ahead.

    This was a wonderful post. Your words and your pictures gave me such a sense of place.

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    1. I thought you might be sensing the same. Interesting time ahead, yes.

      Thanks, Penny. Glad you liked the post.

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  13. Ah, the beauty of summer, yet that little touch of coolness in the air feels so good! Looks as though your summer has been much wetter than ours here.

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    1. And the temp last night went down to 39. It's crept up to 41 as I write this. What a difference a day makes. Yowsa. Wetter than many places, it seems.

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  14. Dear Teresa, you know your writing is so lyrical and your photographs so evocative that I feel that in following your blog I'm taking a course not only in contemporary poetry and art and essence of beauty but also in developing an attitude toward life and the journey within Oneness. That's quite a gift to all of us, Teresa. Thank you. Peace.

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    1. I just don't know what to say, except thank you. Very much.

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