Nature's Paintbrush Goes Wild!

Really, I couldn't have done a better job if I'd had an air brush sprayer and gallons of gold, red, orange, russet, brown, deep green, or mulberry ink.

So, take a walk with me...

...or a ride with Rick...

...through some of the most beautiful country I know -- Northern Michigan in the fall.

Here's the view from the front porch on what was a splendid autumn morning, the lake still, the colors blazing.

All around me there is loveliness, like the neighbor's shed...

...and his dinner bell.

Certainly walking through the neighborhood the color dazzles, mostly yellow and gold.

I found this tree to be fascinating -- a beautiful birch.

But look up -- that's the secret to walking anytime! Was this a bug condo?

And in the same cluster of trees, an astounding bunch of fungi.

Here's a closer look.

What if I hadn't looked up? I would have missed this!

Later this month, I'll take you to the apple fest, a fiber farm, and a Halloween display I can't begin to describe! But here are a few spots I discovered on my perfect Saturday road trip.

The farm market? Yes, apples reign supreme. (And this wasn't even the festival!)

This lovely little barn was at the herb farm.

Driving on the road between East Jordan and Charlevoix, one has a great view across Lake Charlevoix into East Jordan -- a perfect small town.

I always loved driving past this barn.

Of course, there's nothing lovelier than finding the perfect leaf!

Yes, there are some stuffed in the pages of my book. For what, I don't know. Maybe just to remind me when the snow is two feet deep, the road I live on badly plowed and getting dressed is a matter of piling on layers and clothing that this, too, will pass. Not perhaps so quickly as the autumn leaves.

But it will pass.