Garden Goodbyes and Frost Warnings

" The human soul is slow to discover the real excellence

of things given to us by a bountiful Creator, and not until the

shadows of death begin to gather around the object that we love,

do we see its worth and beauty. Autumn is the dim shadow that clusters

about the sweet, precious things that God has created in the realm

of nature. While it robs them of life, it tears away the veil and reveals

the golden gem of beauty and sweetness. Beauty lurks in all the dim

old aisles of nature, and we discover it at last. "

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

With tenterhooks we watch as October relentlessly heads towards shorter and colder days. You see, we haven't had any frost to speak of and we are always grateful for one more frost-free day in the autumn. But the day of reckoning eventually comes—the weatherman forewarns that night temperatures will go below freezing next week. 

My guy and I plan to spend the day getting the storage area in the garage ready to haul in the pots, bring in the Peace Rose, and tidy up a few things. I tried putting one pot away yesterday (photo directly below), but its flowers were still blooming. I ask you, how is a person to look at them in the eye and unceremoniously dump into the compost before their time is done? So we wait another day.

With a last look 'round the garden before it succumbs to Jack Frost's dubious ministrations, I offer my farewell and thanks—it's been so beautiful this summer.🧡

Hydrangea photo taken yesterday

Same hydrangea today - must have been a bit cool in the night

Polish Spirit Clematis on trellis

" In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful

as those of a fine October, when the trees are bare to the mild

heavens, and the red leaves bestrew the road, and you can

feel the breath of winter morning and evening—no days so calm,

so tenderly solemn, and with such a reverent meekness in the air.

ALEXANDER SMITH, "An Essay on an Old Subject"

 

" The time of the falling leaves has come again. Once more in our morning

walk we tread upon carpets of gold and crimson, of brown and bronze, woven

by the winds or the rains out of these delicate textures while we slept.

How beautifully the leaves grow old! How full of light and color are their last days!

There are exceptions, of course. The leaves of most of the fruit-trees fade and wither

and fall ingloriously. They bequeath their heritage of color to their fruit. Upon it they

lavish the hues which other trees lavish upon their leaves....

But in October what a feast to the eye our woods and groves present!

The whole body of the air seems enriched by their calm, slow radiance.

They are giving back the light they have been absorbing from the sun all summer. "

JOHN BURROUGHS, "The Falling Leaves", Under the Maples

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Wishing you a beautiful weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Canadians. Stay safe.

Heart Hugs,

Brenda

xox