Thoughts on the End of Summer

Autumn Gold
Lumberville, Pennsylvania
24x24 inch oil

Fern Coppedge, 1883 ~ 1951 

American Impressionist

Yes indeed, those autumn colors aren't far away. Signs of fall are already being seen here and there in Vermont at this lower elevation near Lake Champlain west of the Green Mountains.

Fern Coppedge's winter snow paintings are a favorite. I learned about her in an art magazine I bought at a library sale many years ago. 

The backyard landscape in the photo has a familiar feel because that is similar to where us kids played in the backyard days of stay off the steps and don't climb the trees.

And so goes the longing for a few days of summery weather before the autumnal equinox on 23 September 2023. Time to consider scheduling a flu shot, putting away the sandals, and deciding if there will be a foliage photography tour. After summer's plans were wiped away by rain, I hesitate to put my heart on the future season. An improviso approach feels more comforting and practical.

Lincoln Gap Foliage 2021

Thus, taking in the days as weather and health permit is the pace of fall this year for me. 

The Beautiful Reseeding Morning Glory

Morning Glories on twine

     From a wildflower seed packet, the morning glories (photo) are the first green leaves to sprout along with dandelions. The original seeds were planted circa 2005. They bloom into autumn until the first hard frost.  

Amazing that is has been 18 years reseeding morning glories keep blooming in my planters, and from in the ground. Some years the twine goes across the top of the patio window. This year,  the plants aren't as lush.

Is there an old stand by flower reseeding in your garden?

Day 230 of Week 33, August 2023

Red Cosmos

The red cosmos didn't respond to Miracle Grow the same as the more common white and pink cosmos. Instead, the red variety puts the energy into stem and leaf growth.

The feathery leafed flower was put in a large planter mid to late June. Late August, this week is the first time the red cosmos has bloomed. Main stems are as thick as my thumb. Beautiful as greenery, it will make a nice tall border next year among Bachelor Buttons and white cosmos.

Have a Blooming Good Weekend!

Read a new author

Shop linen dish towels online

Design 2023 holiday cards

Cringe at Halloween in stores already

Change passwords

Refresh old website accounts

Dance a waltz by yourself

Tell an apple a secret

Make applesauce

Summer Fields & Summer Rain

At the Dead Creek Wildlife Refuge visitors area on Route 17, Addison, Vermont, the Champlain Valley floor is delightful to see, flat land stretching to the horizons north and south, and mountains west and east.

The heavy rain clouds can be seen for miles rolling towards the east from over the Adirondack Mountains in the west on their way over the Green Mountains.

On the one afternoon I thought to take a short trip to the visitor's viewing area parking lot, there were  pockets of downpours, less than a quarter mile visibility, with road ruts deep in water. Three downpours I drove through. Exhausting. I am grateful to God there were tailgaters behind me.

 

Route 17 Addison Vermont

Looking north towards Panton, Vermont, the line of mountains visible just above the tree line resembles the visibility in the downpours. It was unreal.

The Outdoors, Reading & Soup

Where the bird seed goes on the deck, birds are gathering again. 

One afternoon there was a small crowd of feathery critters. 

I thought the mourning dove was going to jump in the flowers.  

As I type, there is a flock of birds racing across the back yard in the rain.

Are their signs of autumn where you are?

Another rainy day here in Vermont. The h button is sticking on my PC keyboard. Laundry is caugt up except for a quilt and some blankets. Wednesday feels like Saturday. Beads of water dot the clothesline like crystals waiting like me for sunshine. I have a new to me book to read by Susan Wittig Albert. I suspect I might have soup today to go with the weather outdoors.

Lentil Walnut Soup

On the stove as I type

Style, Attitude & the Me of It

Dry Cosmos on the Stem
Watercolor study

 

Cosmos Drying
Digital photograph

The composition will include cosmos that are in bloom as well as buds in a blurry background.

Acrylic in progress

This summer has been one of abundant dull light for painting indoors.

Speaking of dull.

My wardrobe is Earthy colors, nothing real bright other than white. The other day I bought a pair of Cynthia Rowley long flowing viscose wide leg boho print pants. Think 1960-70s hippie era. Even the tie waist strings have wood beads at the ends. 

The photograph is taken at the hem area. 

Here's the thing. I have yet to try them on. They will fit, and be super comfortable. My issue is my attitude towards them. Although the do represent Me, I feel timid about wearing them for what they represent. Being a baby boomer, there's the hippie era episode in my history, high school, college. Actually, we were called freaks as in think comedian George Carlin. 

But that was then. I left all that behind in 1971.

I am here in the now. I don't mind looking like an old lady. I even like elastic waist pants. It took years, but I wear them all the time now. I only have a beer every summer to pay homage to my flower child era skills. I still use language I used as a teenager, edited to fit the person I'm talking to. 

What happened? Why the lack of embracing a part of my history that was as exciting as it was tragic? I remember the glow in my soul of being a writer, experiencing life to write about.

The answer that sticks out is the Attitude from judgmental folks labeling a person of any age, who wears certain clothes as getting high, ultra liberal with a stash of protest signs magically fitting into their pockets like Hermionie's bag in Harry Potter films. Seriously, you dress like that, many people will label you. 

Point being, I all on my own, on purpose, as well meaning as it is, has fit myself into a style that is not Me. 

So now I'm wondering what I'll look like when I decide to be Me.

I suspect there will be careful editing of my style because I've already searched online for temporary tattoos.

This will be fun.

Just Because You Are You

 

You don't need a reason to celebrate how wonderful you are.

You can make all of your life a celebration.

Attitude.

Positive Attitude

Every time I guess Wordle in 2 tries (3 times total thus far), I feel elated, blessed, hygge, numb stunned.

Wordle is good brain training.

"Paprika" Red Yarrow

"Paprika" Red Yarrow

Finding the "Paprika" Red Yarrow at the Green Haven Gardens on Route 7, is a thrill! 

The Pink Grapefruit yarrow I bought earlier in the summer is going by already. I'm hoping the red blooms after the pink for a summer of blossoms. The actual color is much the same, a deep pure red, as in the photo. 

Can't BeTrusted With Frozen Fries In the Freezer

Cross Cut Frozen Fries

Any style of frozen fries aren't safe around me because I will have them with almost every meal. The cross cut fries are new to me. I rather like them. I also rarely buy cookies because they will could be all three meals of the day.

Horrid eating patterns require creative management. As I posted in the past, I make rules about certain foods. Pizza every other month, not accumulative. Ice cream the same. No boxes of frozen treats like flavored ices and ice cream sandwiches. So far after a few years, my system is working well.

Are there foods you like that you regulate?

And a Anthropomorphizing We Go

The Yawn
Digital photograph face 2023
Torenia flower

Today here in the upper westside of Vermont the weather is partly sunny with eastward moving clouds in synch with a swaying the trees wind. Perfect for a day at Addison County Field Days. I'd love to be there.

Alas, after weeding yesterday, in not a good posture, I greet this lovely day with an ibuprofen breakfast to take the edge of a very sore lower back. I'm reminded that I haven't done my stretching exercise routine in months. 

It has been an interesting week starting off with great anticipation to receive a package. UPS delivered it Monday, and the post office returned to sender the next day despite a correct post office box address. Mistakes happen.

What I learned is this...the more I look forward to something, the higher the probability something will go wrong. Natural disappointment is a part of life. Like weird weather, I guess there are things to get use to. 

Have a Great Exercising Weekend!

Find a face in a flower

Make stuffed zucchini 

Tell a story to bowl of blueberries

Call a friend

Read about local comedians

Browse hiking boots online

Plan an autumn picnic

Practice gasping while researching camera prices

Sing an old song 

Thoughts On Gloomy

The Summer of 2023
Digital photograph

 As soon as I saw the  photograph above, I felt a request for a gloomy caption. The Summer of 2023 feels apt to me. This rainy season has shaded the wider part of emotions that run throughout the day and night.

Contrast. A happy object against an unhappy gray and gloomy sky.

It is fun though, to see the rain flying off the pinwheel when it rains.

I haven't been anywhere of note. No photo excursions. No picnics. No plein air painting. Eating outdoors, sitting on the deck, limping some, passing through the thick curtains of humidity has replaced my ambitious list of summery things to do. I looked to August to be better weather. Thus far,  it is a July replay.

Not to give up! An artist can paint sunny weather! Now there's an idea.