Summer to Fall

Fall color on October 26, 2017
in Bishop, California 
which is along the Highway 395 corridor

For me the seasons seem to be zipping by more quickly all of the time*. It seems to me I was just starting seeds in my mini greenhouse. Now I am pulling out spent plants and depositing them in the green bin for pick up.

*Early in my nursing career 

                                                      when I would visit my parents 

                      on their farm South of Shenandoah, Iowa 

Stephen B. Howard

my dear, dear, dear stepfather 

warned me of this. 

  

Hopeful fall will arrive soon
Also the maple tree's colorful leaves

The 2023 autumn equinox here in the northern hemisphere occurs on September 23 "officially" at 06:50. Many of my local friends are commenting that day light is arriving later in mornings. Since I am an early riser I for sure notice this shift.

Fall color along the Santa Fe River Trail
featuring the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
in the background

Frenchy's Field was a short walk from Santa Fe 1950's Stamm home. Then another brief walk through the park to the Santa Fe River Trail. Shasta and I did this almost every morning then frequently repeated it with Dwight when he was up and ready to begin his day. On many occasions we walked in the dry river bed rather than on the concrete sidewalk where Shasta could run off leash. Of course if a coyote was spotted we'd keep her on lease, otherwise she would be off chasing the interesting looking BEing.

The Japanese maple tree on the West side of my front yard still remains clothed in bright green leaves. The breath taking vibrant color of the turning leaves has yet to occur. I notice other local maple tree leaves are still green as well. On a recent weekend PBS Newshour I heard a clear explanation of why leaves on trees change color. As usual I found the scientist's clear explanation helpful in understanding why all the local tree's leaves mostly remain green.

Hopefully fall with cooler temperatures will arrive 
so the maple tree in my front yard
will display colorful leaves like in this picture.

Cathie and Rose
November 18, 2009
in Bridgeport, California

Dwight and I along with our dog or dogs often spent a month over Thanksgiving in the Mono Lake area. We usually stayed at the Walker River Lodge in the ground floor "apartment" where the view out the kitchen window is the Walker River. The surrounding scenery is spectacular in the fall with the air both crisp and clean. We noticed the air since we were living south of Sebastopol where the air quality was often compromised ie full of smog.

Dwight and Rose with 
the Sawtooth Mountains in the background.
We were on a few mile walk along 
the road up to Twin Lakes.

Snow always remains on the highest tops of the Sawtooth Mountains. And fisher people were often seen along the shores of Twin Lakes  reeling in trout when we would drive up there to walk. On Bridgeport's Main Street we would see the trout frozen in Ken's Sporting Goods cases that sit out in front of their establishment.

I feel so fortunate to have been able to spend so much time in the most beautiful area in the world. Also grateful to be able share the time with my husband, such an exceptional BEing, Dwight J. Sims. 

"As we attune to rhythm and flow of the seasons" (Jo Poore) may we all celebrate with a hardy

Fall in 2022

Autumn is coming. The air becomes fresh and crisp.

The fruits of summer are being harvested; the heart of 

labor is beginning to cool. There is a more relaxed feeling

in the air: The fiery activity of summer is replaced by the 

celebrations of autumn.

In spring, we all had to struggle to make the ascendancy of

the year. In summer, we reveled in the glory of fire and

vigor. Now, we can begin to let things relax. Just as the

pumpkins are beginning to fill out, the squash is hanging

heavy and golden on the vines, and the leaves are starting

to hint of warm colors, so too can we look forward to

mellowness and quietness.

This is the time for harvest. But every planting and growing

season also leaves behind excess and inevitable waste. The

dust of summer still lingers. The stubble in the fields will 

have to be burned. We must harvest fully and then clean up

fully. Harvest is also the time for cleansing and taking stock.

DENG MING-DAO

On Thursday, September 22 the Fall Equinox arrives here in the Northern Hemisphere. Wether we call it the Autumnal Equinox or September Equinox or Fall Equinox matter none. It seems to me the question is whether we are aware of the turning of seasons, the changes all about us in the vegetation and feel in the air; not to mention our BEing in tune with nature.

Mother, Father, God, Universal Power

Remind us daily of the sanctity of life.

Touch our hearts with the glorious oneness

of all creation,

As we strive to respect all the living beings

on this planet.

Penetrate our souls with the beauty of this

earth,

As we attune ourselves to the rhythm and

flow of the seasons.

Awaken our minds with the knowledge to 

achieve a world in perfect harmony

And grant us the wisdom to realize that we

can have heaven on earth.

JO POORE 

Here in Cotati we have already received some 1000% of our "normal" rainfall for this month of September. All the plants in my garden are shouting out "hurrah, keep the raindrops falling!"

Due to the very hot, hot, hot
spell 10 days or so ago,
the leaves on the Japanese maple tree
are just turning brown instead
of the vibrant orange/yellow of last year.

As we all honor Fall and all her glory may we have a hearty, fully joyful as well as emotionally releasing belly

The Japanese maple tree's leaves
were not very colorful this year.
The Fall color of the leaves
are not as spectacular as last.