The Seasons Are Changing

I usually walk for exercise just about every other day, weather permitting. My walks are often around town, which gives me a nice three mile, one hour jaunt up and down hills. Often I see things and settings that catch my attention on a particular day. Sometimes these things are sights that I pass all the time, but for whatever reason just grab my attention at that moment in time. This is one that did a month or so ago.  

This is the backyard of a beautiful house perched high on a bend in the road. The owners have taken their outdoor shed and turned it into a beautiful work of art by training a rosebush up the side facing the street. They found a lovely black iron clock that they nestled in the climbing rose. Nearby is an inviting shaded seating area with wicker furniture and a table with a pretty red umbrella. All of this is surrounded by a stone retaining wall with steps leading up to the higher level. The house is a gorgeoous two story white clapboard with a large front porch and black shutters. I love this place and it is such a pleasure to pass by on my walks.

The seasons are starting to change here where I live. The days are much shorter now and finally we are getting some relief from the blistering heat and intensive drought from last summer. The rains are more frequent and as I started my walk one day this week the sun was trying to burn off an early morning fog. The earth was sparkling with dew and the scent of leaves and pine was heavy in the air. This is the time of year that I love. It makes suffering through the summer worth every moment. My morning glories are just beginning to bloom now. Very late this year, but I love them so.

I have finished my work in the Butterfly House at the nature park now. It closed to the public the last weekend in August. Soon we will be removing the mesh screen that surrounds the house frame and the remaining butterflies will be set free to migrate. Lately we have been harvesting vegetables from the garden and the produce is taken to the local shared harvest center to help those in need. There is still work to be done in the herb and flower gardens. Lots of deadheading, dividing, and removing of plants and general cleaning up is going on. Before we know it we will be planting seedlings in the greenhouse and the cycle will start again.