A beautiful, cloudless autumn day out on the lake. The needles of the Cypress trees are turning a rich orange-brown color, adding to the beauty of the landscape.
The water level was the lowest that I’ve ever seen it. You can tell by looking at the lines on the base of some of the Cypress trees where the water level normally is.
“Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love—that makes life and nature harmonize.” ~George Eliot
In autumn, the temperatures gradually begin to cool. Plants dry up and scatter their seeds, berries ripen, and leaves turn into mosaic wonders. Insects soak up the sun’s warm rays. With all the colors and textures of autumn, it continues to be one of the most magical times of the year to me.
“If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then Autumn would be the magic hour.” ~Victoria Erickson
Some sunny days have helped to accent the autumn leaves which are now popping in vivid yellows, oranges and reds. This past week has been a great time to get out and enjoy the beauty that nature has on display.
“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” ~Lauren Destefano
Everywhere you look, nature is aglow with autumn’s golden hues. These are some of the beautiful golden treasures that I have seen and appreciated over recent weeks.
… Life on earth is truly a gift
every moment we must treasure,
it’s the simple things we take for granted
that become our ultimate pleasures.
~Kathy J Parenteau
Leaves aren’t the only yellow to be seen in autumn. Here are a few others that I came across during September and October.
“It is the color closest to light. In its utmost purity it always implies the nature of brightness and has a cheerful, serene, gently stimulating character. Hence, experience teaches us that yellow makes a thoroughly warm and comforting impression. With yellow the eye rejoices, the heart expands, the spirit is cheered and we immediately feel warmed. Many people feel an inclination to laugh when looking through a yellow glass.” ~Johann von Goethe
In autumn, the landscape is dotted with the vibrant golden-yellow blooms of goldenrod, a wildflower that grows in fields and along roadways. One insect that is commonly attracted to goldenrod is the goldenrod soldier beetle, or Pennsylvania leatherwing. Adult soldier beetles feed on the pollen and nectar, and forage along the flowers for insect eggs and aphids. The flowers also serve as a place for them to meet and mate.
“There’s something about autumn that wakes up our senses and reminds us to live … ” ~Unknown
A few weeks ago, my husband had a heart attack. It was the last thing that we had expected. He was only slightly overweight and at his last yearly checkup, all his tests had come back perfect. Thankfully, he is doing well now and we are learning to adapt to a few life-style changes. Times of crisis tend to cause you to reflect upon and appreciate the good things in your life and the people who are there for you during those times.
“If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It’s a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it’s time to reflect on what’s come before.” ~Mitchell Burgess
This past weekend, the rich colors of October were beautifully on display in the harvested produce of Green Acres Farm in Milan, Tennessee.
“My favorite color is October.” ~Unknown
Fall soybean harvest is in full swing, as evidenced by the dust clouds that can be seen throughout West Tennessee. Farm families call it “money”. Others might call it “the reason it does no good to wash your car in the autumn” and “the reason the throat feels tight and allergies have kicked up”. Once the soybeans dry out, a combine comes along, cutting and pushing the plants into the combine and collecting the seeds. It then discards the chaff out the back. The whole process results in a boat-load of dust and debris being kicked up into the air where it can be seen for miles around. And, as Isaac Newton said, “What goes up must come down”. Fortunately, “This, too, shall pass”. Soon, harvest time will be over, the dust will settle, and once again life in the country will return to normal.
“Dust is a protective coating for fine furniture.” ~Mario Burata
walking on a country road 