Tangle

True solitude is a din of birdsong, seething leaves, whirling colors,
or a clamor of tracks in the snow.

- Edward Hoagland

Vagabond

Tabbie decided to wander out into the garden a few days ago, camera in hand,
to face the cold damp wind which has defined our October this year.
I could sense some dissatisfaction when the memory card was grudgingly handed over with a scowl, but Tabz’ face lit up with a big smile when I asked
if anything pretty remained in spite of the near-wintry weather.
“Vagabond” was the puzzling one-word reply I received.
It took me three days to figure it out.
D’oh!

- Aggie

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There is something in the autumn that is native to my blood—
Touch of manner, hint of mood;
And my heart is like a rhyme,
With the yellow and the purple and the crimson keeping time.

The scarlet of the maples can shake me like a cry
Of bugles going by.
And my lonely spirit thrills
To see the frosty asters like a smoke upon the hills.

There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir;
We must rise and follow her,
When from every hill of flame,
She calls and calls each vagabond by name.

- A Vagabond Song, by William Bliss Carman
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~ Photos by Tabbie ~

Pensive

Summer ends,
and Autumn comes,
and he who would have it otherwise
would have high tide always
and a full moon every night.

- Hal Borland
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Summer into Autumn
A progression
As seen through the eyes of guest photographer JoAnn Kesteloot
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High Summer

Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been
the two most beautiful words in the English language.
~ Henry James

An Evening in the Garden

I managed to venture outdoors today to see what I could see.
A couple of weeks have passed since last I posted here. Health issues have prevented me from doing many of the things I love to do, but I was determined
not to let this blog languish indefinitely without some word from me to you.
I’ll be having surgery in a few days, but keep checking back.
I’ll do my best to return as quickly as I can.

For those of you interested in my Neofinetia falcata ‘Hanakanzashi’ plant,
I’m pleased to announce it has finally decided to bloom. Unfortunately the spike is still very small, so even with a 10x jewelers loupe, I cannot see how many spurs are developing on the buds. I or a friend will post photos as soon as it becomes evident how many spurs each flower will have. This bloom could be a very exciting event, or it could be a great disappointment.
Either way, you will know.

This evening I busied myself with my camera and the flowers which surrounded me as the sun was going down. The light could have been better, and if I’d had a bit more time perhaps the quality of the photos would have been better too.
Still, I was able to capture some images of this beautiful place which takes my breath away no matter how many times I step outside and wander through it.

C’est l’été

I know I am but summer to your heart, and not the full four seasons of the year.
~ Edna St. Vincent Millay

Tranquility

The fruit of silence is tranquility.
~ Arabian Proverb

Serenity

Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil,
getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time
to soak up a little peace and serenity.
~ Lindley Karstens