Perfect September

"All the months are crude experiments, out of which the perfect September is made."  (Virginia Wolff)

This beautiful Monday morning I did what I mentioned five days ago - took myself for a drive out into the countryside.

A half mile after stopping for this picture, I paused on a bridge to see how much water was in the little stream -- and scared up a big blue heron.

Of course I missed a perfect photo op! 

The countryside around here is a sea of yellow in every direction.

I think these are Prairie Sunflowers.

Goldenrod is also plentiful along the roadsides.

As is Chicory - one of the few colors of blue that I like.

These were along the road between Green Valley Lake and Summit Lake.

A broader view of the wetlands between the aforementioned lakes.

Before driving across the dam at Green Valley Lake, I stopped to take this photo of the sun sparkling on the water.

It was even brighter than it photographs.

Grasses are among my favorite sights during the fall months.

I love their subdued colors.

Combo pic of Prairie Sunflowers, Goldenrod and grasses.

Home after my brief expedition to be greeted by these clouds and some changing colors across the pond.

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." (John Burroughs)

Froggie Went A-Courtin''

Frogs and toads are both amphibians and closely related.  When I think of one, I often think of the other.

The nursery rhyme song, which dates back to 16th century Scotland, is about a frog.

This post is about a toad and my thoughtful HD. (Hubby Dearest)

The photo of a toad in my flower bed is one I took  four years ago.

Froggie Went A-Courtin' 

Froggie went a-courtin, he did ride, sword and pistol by his side.

Rode right up to Miss Mousie's door, gave three raps and a very loud roar.

Said he, "Miss Mousie, are you within?"  "Yes, kind sir, I sit and spin."

He took Miss Mousie on his knee, said "Miss Mousie, will you marry me?"

"Without my Uncle Rat's consent, I would not marry the President."

Uncle Rat he laughed and shook his sides, to think his niece would be a bride.

Uncle Rat went a-running down to town, to buy his niece a wedding gown.

Where shall the wedding supper be? Way down yonder in hollow tree.

What shall the wedding supper be? A fried mosquito and a black-eyed pea.

First to come was a flying moth, she laid out the table cloth.

Next to come a Juney bug, carrying a water jug.

Next to come was bumblebee, set his fiddle on his knee.

Next to come was chickadee, danced a jig with bumblebee.

Next to come was Missus Cow, tried to dance but didn't know how.

Next to come was a big black snake, ate up all the wedding cake.

Little piece of biscuit lying on the shelf, if you want more you can sing it yourself!

Bud often brings me something he has picked up on his daily walk - a coin, a trinket, something shiny. Recently he opened the outside door and called to me to come see what he had brought. I wondered why he didn't just bring it in as he usually does but I went out to the patio where he proudly proferred a toad.

When he went past the club house some people were doing some raking and trimming and found the toad. They didn't know what to do with it, but HD knew - bring it home to me.

He knows how much I value the toads in my flower beds and under the deck. I wonder how many other women have a mate who brings them toads? I am one lucky spouse.

(Little brown toad I found under the deck also four years ago.)

Finding Joy

So many times I have lain awake dwelling on matters that I can't take care of or control anymore. It makes the future seem bleak when you can no longer enjoy the activities you once did. I know things seem worse during the wee hours of morning and most of the time I can convince myself to go back to sleep. But once in awhile.....

There are reasons things always seem worse at night. One is that the brain isn't fully functioning which makes emotions feel more raw and harder to control. Another is, when you're alone and awake in the night, you are more likely to contemplate all the what ifs. 

A few nights ago I was not able to shut off the negative feelings which is why the next morning I realized I need to actively seek new ways of finding joy. My main gateway to happiness has always been being in nature. I can no longer go for walks alone and I'm even uneasy about driving into the countryside, though I can imagine that as a possibility. 

Fortunately I have my magic window overlooking the pond, trees and a meadow - though I have been disappointed in a lack of wildlife this summer. Usually I see many deer with their fawns. This year, nary a one. There has even been a lack of birds, although the heron shows up from time to time and the hummingbirds come to the flowers everyday.

But the sun is moving back to the south which means we are getting more beautiful sunsets like this one. 

I enjoy photographing these and sharing them online.

Eventually I went back to sleep that fitful night. With the coming of morning my apprehensions left.  There was a line going through my mind something like "chasing the joy as it flies" but I couldn't remember what it was from. I nearly had it right a search led me to.....

Eternity By William Blake

He who binds to himself a joy

Does the winged life destroy

He who kisses the joy as it flies

Lives in eternity's sunrise

I believe this line from Amor Towles book Table for Two is relevant to this period of my life:

"Maybe when one shifted from the life of doing to the life of remembering, one became more sentimental, more susceptible to the influence of one's emotions."

 

Meeting Everly Jane

 

 

Is there anything sweeter than meeting a new great-grandchild?

Everly Jane will be one month old tomorrow. She is only the third great-granddaughter among ten great-grandsons.

Could she be any cuter? Sweeter? Not in this great-grandma's book. 

She was awake when we got there and I scooped her right up.

A little better photo of me and a good example of how well she holds her head up - which isn't surprising because she was doing that at birth.

Grandpa Bud even held her though she was wanting her bottle at this point.

From right to left - my grandson Devin, his wife Jessica holding her son Oakley and me holding Everly.

It was a short visit but long on delight. 

Addendum - An additional picture of great-grandpa Bud and Everly.

Looks like they are having a meeting of the minds.