Flowers, Veggies and Doggy Noses
Beau September 24th, 2009
A steady, gentle rain today, and gives one time to catch up on a few things. I want to take a minute to thank everyone for visiting (and commenting) here at Fox Haven. Writing, blogging, whatever you call this form of expression…. it gives us a chance to “think out loud” perhaps, and reach out to folks in a different way. That’s not my intent per se, but I’ve really come to enjoy this little part of our world. I know there are always a lot more people browsing or lurking a bit, and I understand that very well. I tend to lurk on other blogs and sites far more than commenting too it seems.
In some ways, reading and commenting on a blog on a regular basis is like investing some part of yourself, or sharing who you are a bit as well. Is it a risk for some people? Maybe too personal? I don’t know, but I know it’s hard at times when a blog disappears for unknown reasons and we wonder where those good folks have gone. Change and a shift of focus is understandable in anyone’s life though. Sometimes we face challenges that are difficult to write about, or not shared with our readers, or we simply need a break. I wonder who could qualify as the longest writing blogger?!
Maybe we feel that we’re only showing half the picture of our real lives, or we wonder what’s the point? Honestly I don’t know that there is any point, at least for me, beyond keeping a journal of our lives and examining aspects of ourselves that perhaps could be shared later on. It doesn’t really matter- I enjoy writing and sharing pictures, and hope that others enjoy it too. When it comes right down to it, I would like to think that what most people write and share about their lives is a lot closer to who they really are. So with that, I just want you to know that you are welcome here any time, and I appreciate how many of you do take the time to come by… :)
Meanwhile, back on our weedy acreage (the weeds are stiffly standing their ground against my efforts!) I’m still mucking about pruning, cutting, planting, ripping things out and generally trying to keep ahead of nature’s efforts. If I strike a balance, then I’ll call it a victory… but there’s always something else to do. Just as with rainbows there are moments of beauty all around us though. These perennial asters get my vote for flowers of the month- they seem to get bigger every year, and the honeybees enjoy them too.
Near the house I planted a couple of Burkwood Viburnum shrubs a few years ago. They’ve finally settled in and are covered with nice red berries this year. In the spring they have the most fragrant white flower clusters- it’s really amazing, but such a sweet fragrance only blooms for a few days it seems. The birds will certainly enjoy the little fruit this winter.
Yesterday was a misty morning with dew hanging everywhere, including this spider’s web. There are so many spiders about now, their webs even gather in your hair when you least expect it!
Contrasts are always interesting, and a few days ago I stared at the walnut tree standing tall against the stormy sky. What a stark picture it made with leaves mostly gone yet the nuts still hanging on. As I looked I felt a small chill… so gray and dark! It almost seemed a portent of the coming winter. Brrr…
But then I smiled and thought, “No you don’t! Winter is months away!” remembering we have many warm days yet to come. And the garden is still growing too. We’ve got all kinds of veggies on hand, and too many cucumbers to keep up with.
Yesterday I set a bowl of mixed vegetables on the ground and the dogs ran up… Kuma, our little Shiba Inu to the right, and the namesake icon for Fox Haven (little does he know!). To his left is the protruding nose of Justin, our elderly Basset Hound. The yellow lab was standing off to the side looking like, “Me to! I want some!” but he must wait his turn. Actually I didn’t give the vegetables to the dogs, but do you see the one thing that doesn’t belong in the bowl? There were two of them… and that’s what the dogs were really after!
I love the fall season so much, even if I’m still playing catch-up around the house. I’ve let some of the hedgerows and borders grow more this year, and these deep yellow blooms of goldenrod were the result. This honeybee worked the flowers vigorously, with a red Knockout rose in the background.
The leaves on the trees have even begun turning now… with the first yellows and browns at the tops. Those of you further north must be ahead of us by now. In a few weeks we’ll see the blazing variety of colors and watch leaves sailing through the air. Almost as if to join the change of the seasons, our young one has a birthday this weekend. He’s growing up so fast. That will be an interesting conjunction as he grows older, to feel the change of the seasons of his own life, as part of the world around him too. Soon we’ll be out catching the falling leaves, and jumping in leaf piles. It’s time… Autumn is here.