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| Pre-harvest moon (Harvest moon is Sept. 13.) |
I
thought maybe I was the only one feeling this, but Chris also observed that autumn
has “nipped in.” We’re loving it! Summer to
autumn is my favorite seasonal change. As the days grow shorter, the shadows
grow long in the afternoon and evening. The sun is still as warm as summer, but
mornings and evenings are cool. In the country, a kind of expectation seems to
hang in the air as the grain silently ripens.
Mike
suggested we begin to use the Magnum for our back and forthing. The all-wheel
drive is good on the grade. It’s also easier to load, and our things – and Bess
– are inside, out of the dust and heat. I drove it to the farm yesterday while
Mike came along on his XT.
We
had been away from the farm for almost a week. Cooler temps and the plant
nannies saved my gardens. I picked four yellow crook-necked squash and two
zucchini, some of which I will saute for supper. I was dismayed that the tomatoes
are so slow to ripen, but as I watered, I spied a bit of red peeking out from
under the plant. I picked at least a dozen ripe cherry tomatoes, some of them quite large, and they tasted so
good! It looks as if I might have to wait awhile for more garden bounty,
though. 
During
our absence, the horse came to call, leaving his cards in the yard. Mike collected
those into the compost bin. That’s the best thing about having the horse
around. We found more rodent activity in the lower part of the yard. Seems like
they started in the grove and have gradually migrated closer to the barn. The
yellow jackets are here and giving the hummingbirds – and Bess – fits. I’m kinda
surprised that the hummers are still here.
Yesterday
Mike built a new door for the woodshed. Ken came today to pick up some of our
lifetime supply of firewood, and while he was here, he helped Mike hang the new
door.
My
dad took this picture at Plank’s Pitch in 1957. On this morning’s walk, I tried for the same view. His has more personality than mine. KW
Great door, Mike. Great veggie's, too. Your Dad had some ominous clouds in his picture. I didn't see any in yours. I hope it doesn't get too cold before harvest gets here.
ReplyDeleteYes, he had a different sort of day, a different sort of camera, and the slides are old and slightly degraded.
ReplyDeleteThey planted late, so harvest will be late. We'll see what happens.
I watched that same moon rising last night as I did homework on the couch. Lovely! That’s a good squash haul. Nick is getting LOTS of cherry tomatoes on his gigantic bush. Not the best year for other things—partly due to the gardener (me).
ReplyDeleteI planted some beans that didn't sprout. I'm thinking I should try some veggies for fall, but the seeds have disappeared from the stores.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I like about my dad's picture is the fence. A rustic fence just makes a country photograph. And the road -- note the tracks. It just doesn't look like that today, but I remember it that way.