November Sun
November 11, 2009
“The thinnest yellow light of November is more warming and exhilarating than any wine they tell of. The mite which November contributes becomes equal in value to the bounty of July.”
~ Henry David Thoreau
With one of the coldest and wettest summers now behind us, Mother Nature has decided a small dosing of sun may be in order. This past week has been glorious, especially being that it is November.
The dogs and I have been making up for lost walks and have been out and about under the blue of the sky, trying to take in as many of the sun’s rays as possible. With the ground now dry, most of our walks are taking place behind our house… on the dike at the far end of the field.
The entrance to the field is just a short jaunt to the end of our block. I love the long shadows of this time of year and how the sky just seems to open up and welcome us.
At the far side of the field there is an elevated dike kept somewhat groomed (not sure by who) for walking. The rest of the ambiance is as natural as any a prairie field with each season offering its own unique colour scheme.
Lately, while walking, I have been a little startled by some noted tell tale signs of man. Surveying posts now dot the path, every 50 feet or so. And out of no where, one day there appeared a bench… cemented in, no-less. I have to wonder… what is up with that!
It looks like changes are coming to our little prairie out back… not quite sure on my feelings about that.
Anyway.. right now this place is my and the dogs own little piece of Manitoba paradise and we love it, especially in this late autumn sun. The dogs are happy to tear through the grass, so many smells to explore. I am happy to feel warmth on my face… mitts come off, jacket zippers come undone.
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After our walks it has been too nice to head indoors so I grab a book, a coffee and head out back to my favourite bench to read and bask in the November sun. Coco finds his own comfy spot near by.
Every once in awhile we both look up to watch Sadie as she runs on by.
Where, oh where, does she get all that energy. :-)
October First… how can that be!
October 1, 2009
I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that the calendar is reading October 1st. It hasn’t been our usual summer or fall .. that’s for sure. Cold and dreary for much of July and August, thankfully September stepped in to save the year and our sanity. Summer in September, who would have thought.
Secretly I think a part of me is still yearning for our summer-that-wasn’t, but too bad, so sad. Reality, in the form of Jack Frost, has come a knockin’.
In the space of a week my garden has gone from finally displaying red tomatoes to once more being a patch of turned earth. Too quick for this old girl to take it in I suspect.
All that aside, with the cooler days and depleted number of mosquitoes , the dogs and I have had some glorious walks out back in the field behind our house. Much of the prairie grass is starting to show fall colours… rich waves of red and yellow.
I have always believed that the trees and the geese… they know… and that seems to have remained true even during this upside-down year. The leaves on most trees have held on to their green, and the geese, although seen practicing their V formations, have yet to fill our sky.
But last night I heard more than saw them. The night sky was alive with their waves of leave-taking calls. I knew the time had come.
The sight and sound of the geese gathering and flying over head is bitter sweet. Their honking in the distance and then the whoosh-whoosh sound of their wings as they pass directly overhead leaves me feeling small and in awe. I sometimes feel that it is the prairie equivalent of standing by the ocean… imparting that same sense of wonder.
As much as I wish it wasn’t so, October seems to have arrived. Time to let all summer thoughts go and get with the program. Now if only I could remember where I tucked away that box of sweaters.
more of the same for Southern Manitoba
November 4, 2008
Yesterday’s day can only be described as “balmy”… not a word heard often in Winnipeg in November. With temperatures soaring to 18C the day broke records that were set over a 100 years ago.
And the best part… today is promising more of the same. :-)
But it sounds as if “reality” will soon come a knockin’. The forecast for Thursday and Friday are laced with the words “cold” and “snow”… normals for this time of year… but not normals for us as yet. +sigh+
Thankfully, this last tidbit of news I plan to file under tomorrow’s tribulations. Today will be simply about enjoying “what is”. ( still minus gloves and scarfs ) :-)
I kind of fear that I am starting to sound somewhat like a “weather blog” so I had better move on to other happenings. This day promises a few.
High on my list of things to do today is to pick up my new telephoto zoom lens for my Canon Rebel. I have been pondering on just which lens to buy for months but after much, much thought I have decided on the Canon 55-250mm IS lens.
I really had no idea when I bought my DSLR camera that the type and quality of the lens would be the true variable in the photographic equation. The camera body merely sets the stage.
The selection and range in cost for a lens is mind-boggling. So much to learn and consider. I do admit to looking at and wishing for some pretty sophisticated glass.. but luckily common sense won out and I have decided on a good lens that won’t break my bank account. I know that there are better quality pieces out there but, from what I have read, this one will give me a good bang for my buck.
Canon EF-S 55-250 f4-5.6 IS
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In other happenings: This evening the entire family is getting together to wish our daughter and her hubby “Happy Birthday”. Jaimie turned 31 yesterday and her hubby celebrated his birthday a couple of days earlier. The restaurant choice was their pick… an Italian place called Monticchios. I haven’t been there as yet, but all the kids seem to know it and have good things to say. I love these times and these kids (soon to be more). :-)
As you can see.. my day holds much so I had better get with the program. I am hoping to get in a couple of walks with the dogs as well as read a few more pages of my books. I have two on the go right now… The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.
And to all my American friends: I know this is a huge day for you folks. We in Canada (and the entire world) will be thinking of you and watching with much interest.
So, ciao for now.
Wishing you a good one.
fall’s whimsy
October 25, 2008
What a difference a day can make.. especially this time of year and weather-wise. I awoke this morning groping for more covers, my ears catching the pit-pat of cold rain against the window.
Yesterday was such a different story with little in the way of wind and the sun bright in the sky. I didn’t realize, until I took my first step outside, just what a gift of a day it was. Standing on the back step, the first thing I felt was the warmth of the sun on my face. Letting out a small sigh of delight, I reached back inside, grabbed my fleece and then headed back out to the yard.
Funny how a bit of sun can release instant energy. Pushing the wheelbarrow and with large clippers in hand, I soon made short work of putting the lilies and Irises to rest. Sadie, loving the activity, constantly pulled long leaves out of the wheelbarrow leaving a trail of straggly remains in our wake.
I know every inch of my yard but even with that.. there are always surprises. Just by chance, as I was moving a finished pot, I happened to catch a flash of purple tucked away behind the garage. And there, much to my delight, I found growing wild and definitely not planted by me, the most perfect little purple petunia. Frosts have been heavy the past couple of nights ,so with that, and the fact that it found this spot on its own.. I was quite moved by its presence. “A survivor”, I thought.
Shadows are long this time of year. The only place in my yard not touched by shade is way at the back by the trees so that is where I hauled out and placed my lounge chair. Making myself comfortable with my book in one hand and my coffee cup in the other, I marveled once more at the day. The warmth of the sun settled on my face like a blessing. The coolness of the air that simply was there, rested on my skin in perfect harmony. Opening my book, I felt the peace that contentment brings.
As I read a thought formed and rose above the words on the page. How many, if any, more days like this would we have? Could this be the last? I realized that it very well may be. The bitter sweetness of this reality added a tinge of sadness and had me hold the day even more close.
Fall Moments
September 28, 2008
My most favoured season has settled nicely over southern Manitoba. Much of my time is being spent outdoors, often with camera in hand. Little of my time seems to be employed at the keyboard.. but that, I suspect, is simply the way of the moment.
As mentioned in a previous post, I recently enjoyed a most pleasant morning with co-workers/friends at Birds Hill park, snapping pictures and “catching-up”. Many fine photos were the result of that walk. One, by “photodave”, is a definite favourite.
Thought I might share it with you.
Yup.. that’s me and Coco. I love it! Thanks Dave for letting me share this.
“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” ~ Dorothea Lange
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With October knocking at the door, most years I am busy in the yard, pulling plants from planters, uprooting vegetables from the garden, reflecting on the summer past, spring still seeming like yesterday.
This year, even though I know the first damaging frost is only a dip in a clear night away, I have let my flowers stay. They still, for the most part, look so fine. I haven’t the heart to yank them.
Somethings are different. I no longer deadhead the spent blooms, so the old are now mixed with the new.. a somehow more apt reflection of the season at hand. My favourites, the airy Cosmos, continue to do well.
With the Autumnal equinox and Fall now official, the opening of a new bloom is somewhat like a warm sun-drenched day.. a gift.
Go, sit upon the lofty hill,
And turn your eyes around,
Where waving woods and waters wild
Do hymn an autumn sound.
The summer sun is faint on them –
The summer flowers depart –
Sit still — as all transform’d to stone,
Except your musing heart.
The Autumn by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
a good week
September 21, 2008
It has been a good week and because I am now enjoying 4 days off.. it is an even better weekend. :-)
Lots of photo opportunities these past few days, so I am thinking that I will share some of my favourites.
This past Friday my niece and her most darling little girl dropped over for a visit. They are in town visiting from Vancouver. Little MissA is the sweetest little thing.
She and Sadie are best friends.
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After a cold and wet summer, September has been gracing us with some lovely fall days. Yesterday started out on the chilly side, but the sun was shining and the winds calm. Two friends and I met at Birds Hill park for a combo dog-walk-photo-shoot.
Sadly, I had to leave Sadie at home. With her bad knee there is no way she could do the walk. Roland said she cried after Coco and I left. I am still feeling bad about that.
Coco, on the other hand, was thrilled at the opportunity to be out and about. He may be small but he is a great little hiker.
Birds Hill park is a provincial park just a stones throw down the highway from Winnipeg, and a mere 15 minutes from my front door.
Surprisingly the trees are still quite green, no dramatic change in colour as yet.. but there are hints and spurts of reds and yellows here and there. Hard to believe that tomorrow we will celebrate the autumnal equinox.
I love the fall.
Of all the seasons it seems to me that fall, and all that it promises, is perhaps the perfect time to practice the art of mindfulness.. embracing the moment and letting go of the past and the future. I hope to give it a go.
