Old Picture New Autumn Leaf #24

 "It's like summer wear the world out,

 and by October everyone is just ready for a nap."

 

~Ta-Nehisl Coats

The Water Dancer

 

That's about the best explanation as I can think of to describe it. The summer, with temperatures that rage in the triple digits for days, and sometimes weeks, can only be described as the anger of a year, wears one out, and isn't that just the way it feels after you get angry? Tired. Maybe even sad that it had to come to that? It's only the 15th of October, not even one-third of autumn has gone by, and I am already mourning it's passing, because I know I am going to have to face all the color drain from the year, followed by a burst of spring color, that not only am I am not ready for after months of darkness, but which has always been just a little too giggly for my liking. It's like having someone tell you, "get over it" before you are really ready to.

 

 I know when all is said and done, having all that light around will do is force me back into my summer seasonal depression. My emotional, heartbreaking anger, where I carry my regrets and mourning, and all the sad negativity we humans aren't supposed to share in the open, will live inside of me for 6 months like a parasite. Loneliness lives there too. As does fear. But right now, in this October, I am okay, I will just need to stay on track. Frankly, I am surprised I am doing as well as I am doing! After spending most of the year unable to eat, I am finally getting back on a more normal path to eating properly. The birds will help, and have, as tools to my recovery, as will the movies and my reading. The tools are are here, it's just a matter of taking the old picture, and putting it in a new frame. Not very many frames have worked in the past, mostly it's just been trial and error, but that's the road to recovery isn't it?

~Me

Desmond Road In Farm County And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #23

 

"His eyes reflected the open grey of the autumnal sky."

~Juliet Marillier

Daughter Of The Frost

 

The farm country added some new ducks to it's various ponds this week. Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Ring-necked ducks, Green-winged Teal, and mallards all showed up in the pond on Desmond road. It's a happy feeling to see the birds enjoying autumn as much as I do. Soon, I hope, the Snow geese will arrive, and after that, who knows? All I know is I enjoy the annual migration of birds, and I can't help but marvel at their ability to survive and thrive. I didn't sit and count how many different species of bird flew past me today, because I was too busy enjoying the sounds of farm country and the world of Desmond road, in Galt, California.

 

 

~Me

Happy Anniversary And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #22

 

"So, I love you because the entire universe

 conspired to help me find you."

 

~Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist

 

32 years ago today I married my best friend. We were 11 years in admitting we were in love and then 2 additional years reaching the alter, but we eventually did and it's been quite the adventure. It's been the best time of my life. We have had fun, tragedy, deep sorrows, deep love, and times when it all couldn't have gone better or worse. Through it all, and at the end of the day, we have never gone to bed with a grudge or with dark feelings of parting. Our adventure continues a year older, as it should, with two people who see each other as they did on their wedding day, not as the elderly couple they are. He doesn't look a day older to me, and he continually tells me I am beautiful. 

 

I guess we are in love.

 

💓 

 

 

~Me

The Common Raven And Leaf Of The Day #21

 "Farther west, a raven floated down the road like an escort,

  a companion, making sure I got home okay."

 

~Rick Bass

The Sky, The Stars, The Wilderness

 

When I think about ravens, I don't generally think of comfort. I think of the poem, The Raven, by Edgar Allen Poe. Although, from time to time, I think about the raven that lived in Herman and Lilly Munster's clock, who always quoted that famous poem with, "never more, never more." Which seems fairly morose or, perhaps, I don't know, bleak. At the end of the day, I think it's just a bird, doing bird thing. I did spot he, and his mate, at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, where there are birds. Shock. Awe. Or maybe I am about to be hit by a nuclear missile. I mean a lot of other folks will be there with me when it happens, but that kind of thing always seems so personal when it plays out. Don't you think?

 

 

Great bird for October.

 Good Omen bird.

 I mean good bird to associate with bad omens.

 Sigh.

~Me

I have To Admit I'm Getting Better Every Day And Autumn Leaf #20

 

"When autumn meets tranquility,

 there you can see the King of Sceneries!"

 

~Mehmet Murat ildan

 

It's just a fact, I am feeling like myself again. I have a lot of learning about my new camera, and autumn light, but one irrefutable fact is that I am getting healthier every day, and that makes the learning easier! I ate a sandwich today that had mayonnaise on it, and while I felt a bit queasy afterwards, I didn't get sick. That is REAL progress toward being finished with Long Covid. I'm crossing my fingers about things, but hey, it had to happen sometime, right? And yes, that is a Sandhill Crane, not a seabird, but Bodega Bay is still on this week's schedule, as is the Sierra. My faith in things needs a little work. Every day when I get up, I promise myself I will try a little harder, to remember who I once was, and move on with the best part of me focused on the future and whatever time I have left on earth, because there will never be enough time to watch, and appreciate, the beautiful things in my life.

 

Greater White-fronted Geese...

~Me

 

 

On A Misty Evening In October And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #19

 

"Night, which in Autumn,

 seems to fall from the sky so suddenly, chilled us... ."

 

~Jules Burber D' Auervilly

 The Crimson Curtain

 

Forgive me, but it was a beautiful evening at Woodbridge. Life is very good when I am there. I feel like I can breathe when I am there. But happily, today, if all goes well, I won't be in Woodbridge, I will be in Bodega Bay, and points south along the coast, such as Point Reyes Station and Lighthouse, and if we decide to stay along the coast, we could spend some time in Terra Linda, where the best canolli in the world can be found. Cannoli from Gaspare's Restaurant can fix any bad day, like an old friend who drops by for a visit and a meal. Only I guess I am visiting their house. I have loved that restaurant since Woody Allen filmed a scene from Blue Jasmine there, and we decided to try it out. Delicious. But if we don't end up there, we will soon. It's autumn after all.

 

Gaspares Restaurant

San Francisco

~Me

Name That Bird! And Autumn Leaf #18

 "I look. There it is. I feel it. The insistent pull to the heart that the hawk brings, that very old longing of mine to possess the hawk's eye. To live the safe and solitary life; to look down on the world from a height and keep it there. To be the watcher; invulnerable, detached, complete. My eyes fill with water. Here I am, I think And I do not think I am safe."

~Helen McDonald

 

Isn't that bird magnificent? That is a red-tailed hawk. They live throughout the Central Valley, so finding them is not difficult. At all. The problem is, lots of hawks in the valley look very similar to each other, especially as they mature. So, it helps to have the right guides for learning about the birds. Currently I own the, Audubon Field Guide To Birding (Western Edition) and the Sibley Birds West. I purchased the Sibley guide just this past week, and I have already fallen in love with it's gorgeous illustrations. Audubon has a unique layout that I enjoy, and it's color photographs are great for IDing.With the two guides, I am hoping to do a lot better when it comes to cataloging.

~Me