Distraction works wonders.

 post #515

        Tuesday looms over my day today, a Sunday -- unless I can get involved in a project. Or if a Norwegian friend living in Canada calls because she is following our politics very closely and is disbelieving and terrified. And a poet friend gets closer to having her book published.. And then a former schoolmate, now living in New Mexico, wants a report on Senator Mitch McConnell's latest dastardly deeds. And I checked in with a neighbor, again by phone, to learn about how things are going on our ridge, and my daughter checked in as well with a Halloween update. And, this morning, I took part in the remote Quaker Meeting I am part of, via Zoom, from Lexington. For periods of time today I actually forgot that the election still hangs over our heads, and that there could be bad behavior by those not willing to adhere to a constitutional transfer of power.  However, for a while, I even forgot that today is usually the day I do this weekly post!!  The wind blew the leaves back and forth across the driveway, for hours and hours, which is unusual. But I didn't blow away, and I am now doing the post. (And it is still today despite my semi-annual struggle to get a few clocks changed, by simply a single hour.  Arghhh) 

       One day last week, the fall colors were dramatic. I had to stop here and there along the ridge on my way back from town:

Then last Wednesday was fairly warm but with clouds -- a great day for taking on my promise to my daughter that I was good for a couple of hours in one of the garden patches they have:

a rock that to me looks like an owl's head....

Their dog looks enough like a deer that he has to wear his orange collar this time of year.

The Steps, seen from the garden -- they appear in many photos over the ten years of this blog.

 

version #1 of found treasures in the garden

 

version #2, again with another dogwood leaf. I call this photo "the seed within."

Humor for the locked-down deprived -- thanks so much, Forrest, for sharing these titles. I thought them delightfully clever. I'm thankful for other humor found on line, since there's not all that much that's funny these days.  We have a lot of work ahead of us to bring sanity back to our nation.  Why would we want to reelect someone who can envision not transferring power peacefully!!! That's an attitude that harms us all. It's super shocking, actually. And scary.

     My friend George Ella Lyon wrote a 1989 children's book called Together, one of my favorites out of the 40+ books she has done.  It ends with words that also work for us this week:

          Let's put our heads together and dream the same dream.

 Note: George Ella has a new book out, VOICES OF JUSTICE, poems for young people (and older folks) about those among us who have worked for justice.  It's illustrated by Jennifer M. Potter.  Congratulations!!!

I'm still needing to speak out

     Two things today -- this was meant for a mid-week post, which is a rarity....because it takes discipline and time, neither being abundant in my world.  At least I finally was able to get this photo on the blog.  (By chance I moved it more slowly, and then it made its way from desktop to post.  Persistence required, and luck.  It belongs between the two other photos of her in the last post, but I'm not going to stretch my luck at this time by putting it exactly there. A week in between them is fine). 

    Also, I did find out how to receive comments in this revised system, so that's now fixed as well!  What isn't fixed is how to get every single person out to vote in this very important election. I will never know how anyone feels safe with a mentally ill person being in charge of things, like the nuclear button, or who's OK with those 545 kids at the border having been separated from  parents now lost because records weren't kept (because nobody cared, I assume), but the big thing by now is to VOTE within the next 9 days. Everyone.  Stay healthy as well.  That horrible virus doesn't care whom you vote for either.  

     Here's the letter I received yesterday! Yea!!

The mailboxes across the road from me -- again BRAVO RURAL POSTAL CARRIERS!!

my former driveway, showing the rebound still in effect from a horrendous "tornadic" wind storm 25 years ago.  I send condolences to all those affected by current tornadoes, floods, or fire. There are so many wrenching stories. Our earth needs our attention and creative problem solving, by all of us.

 

 the drive in view two days or so later:

 

Trees are tops!

three more photos while sitting at the pond after reading aloud a couple of chapters from The Secret Garden:

        It fascinates me how the leaves quietly move and rearrange themselves, even in a small pond.  Of course this is what we are hoping for in this election --  which could be setting us up for a healthier democracy if we all pay attention!  (Sorry, I can't help myself from including these current events comments.... Sharing here is one of the few things I can do to support the activists and the clear thinkers who are trying to help people to believe that change is not only possible but it is incredibly necessary.  My thanks for anything you are doing as well!!!)

The beauty of the season colors the fear of the future

post #515 

       In spite of the many possible difficult outcomes of the November 3 election, it's hard not to be guardedly hopeful when something as beautiful as fall foliage surrounds me. It also helps that so many fellow citizens have been flocking to vote, all across the country, despite so many deliberate efforts to thwart such an outpouring. I send DEEP THANKS to each and every one of you. I know as well there are storm related damages that don't make voting any easier. And for sure the fact that our current president can not guarantee he will accept not winning -- which, to begin with, would be so against the constitution -- is shocking and hurtful. The only possible fraud will come from Ego Man, and those willing to tear the fabric of our nation.

        So, here's to keeping our cool and getting out to vote. The ballot I sent for arrived, I filled it out, and my daughter and son-in-law took it with them when they went to vote in the county seat this week. They put it in the drop off box there.  Thanks go to our local county officials who are making this all work out and well.

        Time now to go on to some photos from the last week or two.  Please ENJOY!

on still another walk along the road

I was able to have a short visit with Sandy, outside, mostly sitting on that porch except when checking out all the goats.

These goats, shown here on the hillside below their home, were having a great time.

 

 

     Before then, I had been nearby to spend some time -- again outside and distanced - with my granddaughter.  I've been reading aloud The Secret Garden, about once a week.  Right now it's not a good idea to sit out on their deck -- there's a bumper crop of black walnuts which hurt when they fall on a person's head!              

So we went to their pond, which has a dam that's flat and good for chairs. The story has a skipping rope in it, and T. found hers and brought it along.

 

Needless to say, I was downright amazed to get this photo.  Its companion photo is vertical in shape, which seems to be hard for this revised blogger program to accept. I will try to catch it by surprise in a day or two....and add it then.

returning to the house

three more images, here and nearby:

This is a smaller pond, at my house, in autumn mode.

along the ridge, returning from town, always something lovely to see

a moment caught, from my front door

More of marvelous Melva's end of summer garden, part 2 of 2

post #511

        Here in northeastern Kentucky, we're having a wet, wet weekend, and, at last, the look of autumn. I'm honored and delighted to have the rest of my friend's garden photos (and her descriptions) to share with you! (I hope you have already seen last week's post..)

 Pokeweed, which I let grow because I love pokeweed's tender growth:

red cardinal vine, an annual which is worth seeding each year:

 

 red zinnia, another annual which is worth seeding every year:

butterfly weed with love-lies-bleeding in the background, upper right of the photo....every annual is worth seeding every year:

white marigolds, actually rather pale yellow, my first:

purple okra, for color and for savoring flavor:

green tomatoes, which have lost most of their leaves and so won't last much longer:

cosmos pink:

last of the leeks, a favorite for cooking:

potted sage, (bottom -- potted sage, /pineapple sage --mid-pot  / purple sage next to the pot, on the right); handy for tea!

LAST FIG RIPENING ON THE TREE -- which will have to be wrapped and kept over the winter in the garage once the leaves all drop.

             (note from me, Ann: How many of us would wish to spend the winter warmly wrapped and safely stashed in the garage?!?!?!   At times, this is a tempting thought....)

 

            Again, so many thanks, Melva, and congrats for your lifetime of learning from your love of working in gardens.  I do hope I didn't mislabel anything that's crucial!  

            Dear viewers, enjoy today's "seedy" post....

         

marvelous Melva's garden medley, in honor of summer's end, part 1 of 2

post #510                       

        My poet friend Melva sent me a single photo from her garden this week, and I then asked her if she could send some closer-ups...Actually I kind of begged her. I've been to her backyard, so I know her love of making a garden.

    She said that in checking around for these photos, she found more than she thought she would. Another gift from a garden. She grew up on a Kentucky farm, but mainly she gives meaning to the word "grounded". As she says, "the garden is for beauty and nourishment." And, with her, it's for sharing as well, and, in my view, making magic.

 Here's the single photo she sent me at first, of her end of summer garden in her back yard:

Then next is the first half of the 30+ photos, with the brief descriptions Melva provides!

White seashell cosmos, for the novelty:

pink to red yarrow, just for the beauty:

red and yellow Swiss chard, which continues to grow into late fall:

oregano, near the back door, for handy use:

 

last of the onions, with the last turnip behind:

 

green oxheart tomatoes, which may have to be brought in to redden:

lemon balm, for tea:

English thyme, also near the back door. This is one of four varieties I grow:

first, carrot leaves,

 

and then a carrot top:

 

picking the last big pepper  (only small ones remain):   

red zinnias, red/purple Swiss chard, and [yummy] carrots to the left:

purple basil planted between the tomato vines to flavor the tomatoes -- and also for eating:

Japanese eggplant, which grows potted on the back porch because it is the only way I can grow eggplant, keeping it as safe as possible from the attacking insects:

orange marigolds, to avoid garden pests:

Melva, thanks so very much. I believe the marigolds are considered essential workers, like we all rely on, especially during these difficult days. Please let me know if I misspoke about any of the actors in these sweet moments you caught this week. Bravo! I plan to show the rest next week, including your fig and fig tree.

Note: Yesterday I received the absentee ballot I requested in the mail. Now I will vote and then return it soon, signed in two places.  GO TEAM!