September 16, 2007

Seasons change

Approaching

We wanted to go paddling while the weather was still warm and sunny, to absorb as much sunshine as possible before the cold weather arrived. We talked on Friday and agreed to meet the next morning at PlantsWoman's house, where we'd load one of her canoes onto her car.

But Saturday morning was cold, and rain clouds moved across the fields as I drove to the old farmhouse where PlantsWoman lives. She'd built a fire in her woodstove, and the house smelled nicely like woodsmoke as I came in. She'd gathered tomatoes from her garden along with basil, onions, and garlic, and soup simmered on her stove. We pulled up chairs to her wooden table and cut up the loaf of fresh Italian bread I'd bought on my way. Rain came splattering down past the windows as we talked, her big dog weaving his way under the table and knocking at the other chairs. A black-and-white cat sat on the windowsill near the fire, licking her paws and looking out at the rain.

When the sky cleared for just a bit, we decided to take a walk at a marsh that's tucked in between the hills of farmland. Wriggly Dog came with us, eager to run and explore. A recent windstorm had knocked several trees across the trails, including a huge old cherry tree that must have stood there for decades. In another spot, we found logs covered with fungi that had fallen into a bed of ferns. The woods smelled like dead leaves and moss.

We climbed a hill to look across at the marsh, sitting down to talk and look out at the scene. PlantsWoman's two daughters are grown now, one living in the southwest and the other in college, and we talked about how it felt to move into a new stage of life after so many years. As we chatted, flocks of geese moved across the sky, honking to each other. A chilly wind rippled across the cattails and through the trees, cutting right through the thick fleece I was wearing. We decided it was time to go back to the house for mugs of hot tea by the fire.

"I think the season has changed," PlantsWoman said, "This feels like fall."

Fallen

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those photos are just amazing! I love them.

And I want to say that I am SO jealous of Fall. Here, it just feels like a less intense phase of summer. And it will probably stay that way through January when it will become a frosty but snow-less winter. ::sigh::

duopastorale said...

Autumn is happening here too. Today there is a chill in the air and it feels clean and fresh. I love it! Just looking forward now to the colours. Thanks for your visits to my blog.

Mrs. Coulter said...

I love the top photo--because I love the drama of a dark sky and bright sunlight.

It has suddenly become fall here as well--cool and crisp. Though it felt like this at my parents' house on the large lake which is not a great lake when we were there back in August, a month ago now. It was 95 degrees here last week, and today I dumped out Lyra's new fall clothes (which I still haven't put away) so she could have something wear.

I love this time of year.

Kyla said...

What is that in the second photo? It is amazing.

jo(e) said...

It's a log, part of a tree, that was covered with lichen and fell down during a storm. It fell right into a bed of ferns, which I thought made a pretty contrast of textures.

BeachMama said...

We had a very Fall-like weekend here too. Not sure if the cool weather is coming really fast this year or that we had such a warm Fall last year that we forgot how cool September can be.

The colours in your photos are wonderful.

purpleteardropsofhappilymarriedness said...

yeah I totally agree with PlantsWoman, it feels like fall. Last night was cool with enough of a chill to make me shiver on the walk home, bringing back the desire to have a hot cup of tea and sit down with an afghan. I love fall, I think its my favorite season. The leaves changing colors, the brisk morning air that as you step into it takes your breath away, and temperatures being in the 40s-50s where I need a light sweatshirt to be warm. Great photo of the lichen - its really cool

Linda said...

We've had our first hints that fall is on the way in the past few days. Sadly, it was only a taunting hint. We'll be in the 90s all of this week. :(

Rana said...

I love the contrast of dark sky and sunlit land, too.

The weather's definitely turned towards the chilly here - I'm so thrilled to be wearing jeans and sweaters and handknit socks! - but I've been told not to believe that fall's here until October.

Ah, well. A weekend with weather perfect for walks and visiting the farmer's market is enough for now! :)

Silver Creek Mom said...

Yes the sesaon has changed even here where it's supposed to be 20 to 26 C the wind is cool and the sunlight feels different. Just like I do.

Hugs

Anonymous said...

A tiny correction: That's not lichen on the log, it's shelf fungus. Your afternoon sounds great. It puts me in mind of "Sisotowbell Lane," which for me has always been associated with chilly, rainy afternoons, herbs and the pollen smell of autumn flowers, hot tea and soup and fresh bread, and a yearning for the talk of women.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

That top photo is fabulous, great sky. Love the mushrooms too, and the story of your day. I wish I could be part of it.

jo(e) said...

Artist Friend: You're right, of course. What was I thinking? I changed it in the blog post because having that kind of mistake in there would drive me crazy.

Yes, it was a Joni Mitchell kind of an afternoon ....

Mary: Me too.