Windy Days In November And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #50

 

“The wind makes you ache is some place that is deeper than your bones. It may be that it touches something old in the human soul, a chord of race memory that says Migrate or die - migrate or die.” 

 

~Stephen King

 

Yes, yes, I know. I used that quote just a number of posts back, but yesterday was like that. We are in November and the wind does something to one's bones. I want to find some real autumn color, autumn is a madness that only lasts a little bit of time, and then the death of a year come.s That makes a difference to me. I was sick for a large part of 2022. We held off a disaster with the midterms, now behind us, but there is unpleasantness in front of us, with Trump's impending announcement, and or, his impending indictment and arrest. God, how I am looking forward to his perp walk. Oh my, I digress. Here is the thing, I want more autumn color but it's like 2022 needs a little more inspiration to bring a little more color. Autumn is in my bones and I am waiting for now.

 

 

~Me

Thinking About Politics And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #49

 

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express

 their choice are prepared to choose wisely.

 The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” 

― Franklin D. Roosevelt 

 

I have heard my whole life the following words, "This is the most consequential election of our lifetime, it's the democracy, stupid!" so, it seems like we whined for nothing, because in those other years we weren't fighting the effect a known liar had on the electorate as a whole.The BIG LIE as told by Donald Trump and pals has completely replaced common sense and critical thinking, with voting with one's, ahem, "gut." But this time, democracy is at stake because the education of critical thinking has ceased as a tool of voting for so long, it's now a dead process for choosing a candidate. Will a snake oil salesman, Dr. Oz, win tonight, simply because he is recognized from TV? Will Val Demings be successful in Florida because she is an excellent candidate who will protect Roe v Wade? How about the issue of abortion in states with it on the ballot? Will it be shored up or will the right to govern our own bodies be lost forever, at least in those states? (Shakes head back and forth). I will keep you posted.

The night will tell. And democracy is indeed hanging by a thread!

~Me

 

Please Note! And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #48

 

"Ease your whiskers, rest your paws,

Pies and puddings fill the stores

Sweetly dreams the night away

Till sunshine brings another day."

 

~Jill Barklem

Autumn Story 

 

 

On a cool, crisp, mid-autumn day, at the yolo Wilderness area, I was happy to see a young otter, living his best life! While absolutely adorable, he was, however, also a wee bit oblivious, because there was a really annoyed Blue Heron just feet away, making a huge, "HEY NEIGHBOR ... WHATCHA DOIN FISHIN IN MY CHANNEL"? But, as you can see, the otter didn't mind the fuss, he went about eating his crayfish, and then he was on his way, completely unaware of his neighbors irritation. I have seen a few otters on Desmond road as well Yolo, and as a matter of fact I have seen more otters this year, then in any time in my life! 2 along Desmond rd. and 2 in Yolo. I adore them, but I can't help but wonder if, again, if Global warming has any part in seeing more rabbits, otters and other assorted creatures I never saw before.

 

 

~Me

 

NOTE: Today is the midterm election. It is especially stressful this year. The economy, Covid, stresses, such as whether Trump will ever see any kind of justice, Elon Musk and his nefarious actions, is that enough examples. If it's as bad an evening as it could very well be, I may only post leaves for a few days. Win, lose or draw I am planning a photo trip later this week. Maybe Yosemite. Maybe Monterey. We will see. Let's get through the midterms first.

 

VOTE!

Naps In Autumn And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #47

 

"It was the possibility of darkness

 that made the day seem so bright."

 

~Stephen King

 

Autumn colors, they will always make me want to take a nap, on a branch, on a cold day. Sometimes I am downright jealous of the owls, falcons, and even the little perching birds, because to them, they are home, and they are comfortable. Not that I am not comfortable, I most certainly am. This has been a difficult year, but I am okay, and getting
more okay all the time. Doing my version of the bird life is pretty darn good here in the condo. A rainy, cold afternoon, a warm blanket, a cuddly cat, and I am living the autumn bird life. I am on my own branch and I am doing a-okay.

 

~Me

Northern Harrier And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #46

 

"At no other time than in autumn does the earth let itself be inhaled in one smell, the ripe earth, in a smell that is in now way inferior to the smell of the sea, bitter where it borders on taste, and more honey t sweet where you feel it touching the first sounds. Containing depth within itself, darkness, something of the grave almost."

 

~Rainer-Maria Rilko

Letter On Cezanne

 

Click To Enlarge

Sometimes, when I am out taking pictures, I wonder what some of the artists I have admired most like, Cezanne or Monet, would think of the beautiful autumn scenes I am currently enjoying. I am sure they enjoyed as much their scenery, as I do, Monet had quite a beautiful garden, but I just mean right now in time when we are standing on the precipice of losing so much. The drought, no doubt caused by Global warming, has inflicted a lot of damage to the ecosystem of California. I mentioned a while back about the Monarch butterflies all but having disappeared from Pacific Grove, and right now, Yolo seems to have a lot fewer birds than last year at this time. The hawks and vultures were out and about the other day, but there were very few ducks, geese or even Ibis to be seen! So, I made the best of it. I got a better picture of a Long-billed Curlew then I had on file, and of this fella too, the Northern Harrier. I have been seeing more and more of it. I just saw one on Desmond road the day before I visited Yolo, and while there I saw another one. That's more than I saw all of last year, which is a shame, because what a work of art it is!

 

 

 

 

~Me