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Sunday, September 25, 2011

An Autumn Sunday

Sunday morning, and as I sit at my desk and look
out the window onto the front porch, I can see leaves drifting down from the trees onto the grass;
there's a pumpkin at my front door and pots of mums tucked in the borders.
Green leaves are giving way to the golds and russets of Autumn already;
it really is Fall.

Yesterday, Howard brought home a half dozen mums that we placed here and there,
and he pulled our two stick scarecrows out of the shed; they are back on sentry duty for the season.  

Autumn is change and contrast -- it's the bounty of the harvest against the shriveling of the vines.
It is, as I wrote in a post just about a year ago, the silk of Summer


against the crunch of Fall.


I'm re-running that post today; I hope you missed it first time around!

****************************

(October 10, 2010)

The more things change, the more they remain the same.


It is remarkable, how one little patch of God's green earth
changes its wardrobe from a summertime riot of silky fresh color . . .


. . . to the crisp and crunchy textures and colors of Fall.


All in the blink of an eye.


I learned just a few years ago that the autumn colors of leaves --
those russet reds, those golds and browns, the yellows and plums -- are actually the real colors of the leaves.
Those colors have been there all along, lurking, hidden by the green.
The green is a costume.
A chlorophyll phantasy.

(Our technicolor forsythia in autumn.  The only time it's as beautiful is when it's in bloom.)

Knowing this has changed how I look at autumn color.
Now, I look at an Autumn hued tree and think, "Ah-ha!  I'm seeing the real you!"

That maple tree in the corner of your yard?
She's been hiding her glorious Titian hair under Plain Jane green all summer.

How kind of Mother Nature to clothe
her jewel-colored trees and bushes in quiet green
for the summer, leaving all the colorful glory to the flowers.


And how kind to give those trees and bushes
a riotous chance to shine before bleak winter.

Enjoy the color in your own backyard-- Cass

Linky Parties
At The Tablescaper, it is Seasonal Sunday.  Click here!
And at Happy To Design -- Sunday Favorites is on the menu.  Click here!
Seasonal Sunday Teapot copy

P.S. My apologies to the science teachers out there.  I should have paid attention in class, lo those many years ago!

8 comments:

  1. I think fall is beautiful. I love the bright colors and all the yard displays and the pumpkin patches, but I can't keep from being a little sad as I know that old gray winter is right on fall's tale. I have the same scar crow, I use him outside my shop door, every year. So cute. Have a beautiful fall day, Richard from My Old Historic House.

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  2. Good morning, Cass! I cannot get my "Howard" to bring home flowers. I think it scares him to try and pick them out. Flowers were not in his life before me. Now I think I have overwhelmed him.
    Tucking potted mums in the front..is exactly what I did..
    You are right...Fall is now officially here and I am delighted. I love all season..but Fall and Winter are my favorites.
    I loved your photo's of your home..you are living my dream...to live in an old home..but I do my best with what I have.
    Have a perfectly beautiful Sunday!
    Mona

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  3. We had beautiful Fall like weather last weekend. Opened the windows to feel the coolness of the air come through, someone was even burning wood in their fireplace. Oh how I love that smell!! This weekend is back to muggy, very warm temps :( I am so sad and I envy you. Our trees are still green although some are just barely starting to turn. Guess I'm just being impatient. It'll soon be Fall here too and it will stay.

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  4. A timely post from the past....love the way you describe things.
    Mama Bear

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  5. What a lovely way to think of the changing leaves - beautiful post!

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  6. I learned something! You know, I don't think I paid enough attention to that sort of thing in school either.
    Fun post.
    Kat

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  7. I did miss this post first time around! I am so glad, 'cause today it was all new to me :)
    Lovely pics, lovely words, awesome hubby!
    Happy day to you, Cass!
    xo, misha

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  8. Hi Cass...

    So happy to see you this last Sunday for the Sunday Favorites party, my friend! Sorry that I'm so late in getting by for a visit! This really is a lovely and sweet post! Of course, autumn is my favorite season of the year...I love the crispy change that you talked about! By the way, your forsythia bush is gorgeous in its autumn colors!

    Well dear friend, thank you for joining in with the fun of Sunday Favorites! I hope that your week has been going well!

    Love ya,
    Chari

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