Autumn Leaf Of The Day #48

 

“There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky,

 which through the summer is not heard or seen,

 as if it could not be, as if it had not been!”

 

 ~Percy Bysshe Shelley

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #44

 

"The white towers and golden domes of the church gleamed in the sapphire sky. The luxuriant autumn asleep till morning. The silence of the earth seemed to merge with the silence of the heavens and the mystery of the earth touched the mystery of the stars."

 

 ~Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #13

 

“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!” 

~Humbert Wolfe 

 

I love early evening in autumn. It has the most beautiful sound to it. Geese, and other birds coming in to roost for the night, and leaves falling from the trees that are easier to hear, because all the human sounds begin to wane. I love October evenings. And at the end of the month, all of it comes together with the sound of children trick-or-treating. These are very happy sounds, and very rare.

Saying Goodbye To Summer

 

“Nothing ever really goes away--it just changes into something else. Something beautiful.”

~Sarah Ockler

  Twenty Boy Summer

 

On one of the last nights of seeing the bats fly from underneath the Franklin blvd bridge, a single crispy brown cottonwood leaf feel gently onto the wall next to me. There was a stunning sunset, and a few early bats were flying about, which all made for quite a magical night. With the night coming sooner, and the bat population waning, and a dry leaf, it was apparent it was the end of summer. I didn't need a calendar, because autumn was mostly in the air, but celebrating it early just seems wrong this year, so I held onto the photo until now. I am not feeling rushed the way I have in the past. Dylan's passing made me realize just how fast 16 years goes by. Don't take any single day for granted. Anyway, this is my tribute to the end of summer. It was hot this summer. Really hot. But here, in the last days, the temperature has turned and I have an extra blanket standing by. If I had to lose my boy, I am glad he left me in summer. You see, I need fall this year to be a gentle distraction. My grief is deep, and the election is coming, and there is a lot to unpack about everything, but for now, I am living in this moment. One moment at a time. One emotion at a time. One broken heart at a time.

The very first, Leaf Of The Day, photo posts on Sunday! Don't forget!

 

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!

Advice For The Practical Witch And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #37

 

"Keep calm and carry a wand."

 

 ~A. W. Jantha

Hocus Pocus & The All New Sequel

 

 

Isn't she a beauty? Purple is my favorite color to wear when I go flying on my broom. Although sometimes I wonder if it clashes a little too much with Mini Cooper broom, but Cooper and I don't much care what other witches and warlocks think, not at my advanced age. I am finally here... 60. I can cast any spell I want, and that feels good! Although with that advanced age I am a little more like Aunt Clara then Samantha, and I am well past the age of most Supreme witches, but that's okay too, I am here for any consultations necessary, just like the Owens' aunts, Jet and Frances. That's just where life takes you. As Sally Owens says, "Always throw spilt salt over your shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant Lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can." That I can do. Alan and I tell each other how much we love each other every day. We even send lovey texts to each other. When it comes to kitchen magic, I am starting an indoor Herb garden real soon, so who knows what magic might happen! I am considering making some holiday candles, with the essential oils I bought last summer. It's all quite magical if you remember to, "keep calm and carry a big wand."

~Me

#29 On The 30th

"They tell you to turn a new leaf 

and the complain about your faded color."

Nitya Parkash

No words today, well just one...

Happiness.    :)

 

Cottonwood Leaves And 9/11

"Only with a leaf, can I talk of the forest."

~Visnar Zhiti

The Condemned Apple: Selected Poetry

I know what the day is, it's 9/11.

 I have posted a remembrance of those lost, September 11th 2001, on this blog for years. David and Lynn Angell are, of course, in my thoughts, as are other's lost that day, but I think this year I am going to remember and reflect in private. I will speak about why, in time, maybe after November 3rd, but this year, for the first time, I just want to be thankful to those we lost that day by remembering in silence. I will also be remembering John Ritter, lost to us on September 11th, 2003. He was brilliant, and I still miss him so much.

For this post I thought I would share two beautiful leaves I found in the yard Wednesday. Cottonwood is quickly becoming one of my favorite leaves to photograph in autumn. While they don't have an especially striking color, as some leaves in autumn do, they are a deep green until autumn, when they turn a pretty lemon color, the tree is fairly interesting and the lemon color is quite pretty. As the leaf ages on the ground it becomes a light brown/red in color. As it becomes more brittle, they tend to get a lacy appearance. It's a beautiful leaf in it's own way, and I am happy to have been able to learn about more about the leaf and tree. I am probably going to feature the Cottonwood as my first, Leaf Of The Day, for this year's project. It would make sense, in that I have one next door that provides me with so many leaves to choose from. 

We'll see.

 ~Carly

September 11th, 2020

Stockton, California

Wouldn't It Be Nice

"Then the trees, after their long silence,

 began to talk again, in yellow and red.

 And the days began to shrink under one's very eyes."

~Hope Mirrlees

That's how I used to think about autumn. Like the the trees begin to speak again, when mean-spirited, oppressive summer is ready to lie down and sleep, but the weather this year is challenging my ideas. This year, this summer, shows no indication that it's cruelty will be backing down anytime soon. The temperature the last few days has broken records all over the state, and in my little corner of the world as well. The coming week is supposed to be a bit cooler, but not by much, and the state is still experiencing wildfires, which is playing havic with the air quality. Things are better than a couple weeks ago, but it really all depends on which way the wind is blowing.

This was the last unofficial weekend of summer. When I was a kid it was exciting because that meant that school was beginning in a couple days, most years anyway, it was the Wednesday following Labor Day. Everything smelled like new clothes and pencils. There was something about that, that made it all exciting somehow. Maybe it was because it was almost like it was a secret, but at the same time, if was a secret, it was more the worst kept secret in the world! But it was special at the time, and in my memory as well. 

Sitting here, with my childhood behind me for too many decades to mention, I find myself lonely for how simple and unafraid I was. We didn't have the wildfires we have today. There was no such thing as whole communities burning to the ground. In effect the entire state of California has been on fire for weeks, that was unheard when I was a kid. We also didn't have to worry about a mentally ill, out of control president, getting us all killed in our sleep. It's all so surreal. Both the natural world, and the world of politics, seem more like some sort of waking nightmare than any kind of possible reality.

I remember the last day, of the last weekend, of the summer of 1978. It was Monday, so of course I watched the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. Well, it was on my portable TV in my room, but I was preoccupied with the week ahead. I was busy choosing my new denim skirt, pink peasant blouse, denim purse, brown boots and brown canvas book bag for first day of school on Wednesday. I was excited and wanted to be sure that's what I wanted to wear. There was a guy, Scott, that I wanted to impress on our first day back. Little did I know I would see him smoking a cigarette, after Home Room the following Thursday, and fall completely out of the crush I had been carrying for most of the summer. Easy Come. Easy Go.

Fast forward...

I wish I wasn't so scared all the time. 

I feel like there isn't much more that can be said. At least not in this mean-spirited political season.

I remember having the jitters so bad, that I called KFRC on that Labor Day evening, back in 1978, and requested a song. One of my favorites that always made me smile, and feel happy and safe just by hearing it. Wouldn't It Be Nice, By The Beach Boys. It sure did that night, all those years ago. Wouldn't it be nice if things were still that simple?

~Carly

September 8th 2020

Stockton, California

Cottonwood Leaf

Stockton, California

September 6th 2020

Nikon

A Silver Cottonwood

"Every Winter, when the great sun has turned his face away,

The earth goes down into a vale of grief,

And fasts, and weeps, and shrouds herself in sables,

Leaving her wedding-garlands to decay... 

Then leaps in spring to his returning kisses."

~Charles Kingsley

Saint's Tragedy

I am becoming a big fan of cottonwood leaves. They have a lovely shape to them, but they don't produce much color. In summer they are a pleasant enough green, rather medium, I think, and then in autumn they turn a light beige color. They become fragile quite early in autumn, and therefore picking them up is something you can't rush. If left alone, they decompose fairly quickly, within a couple days or so, and when they do, they can transform themselves from that beige, to an almost silver color. It's quite striking as a metaphor for the inevitable end of another year. As always, here I sit in January, and instead of celebrating the newness of the year, I am still seeing the death of the previous season and date on the calendar. Another autumn gone.

Winter's Soggy Cereal

January 16th, 2019

Stockton, California

Nikon

~Mood: Quiet

~Me