"All of the pink flowers are gone, but look at these," said the man in the orange shirt, walking a milk chocolate brown chihuahua.
He was pointing to the golden rod -- that often maligned flower -- or weed -- that comes out when the nights get cooler and fall is in the air.
We were walking around the ditch -- he had gone one way, I the other. And somewhere along the way we passed and exchanged pleasantries, as all the ditch walkers do. He was captivated by something -- something in the goldenrod and was eager to point it out. A grasshopper. At least that's what we thought it was -- although he didn't move a muscle for all the time we were standing there.
I admired that -- it was rather difficult to photograph him with a few fairly gusty breezes whipping him around. But he stubbornly remained.
The ditch takes its own character in the early fall. There are more lily pads, but the flowers have gone.
My white heron had returned, fishing for dinner.
Harry wasn't happy to see her and quickly flew away.
But she stuck around, looking for fish and finding a few, too.
The ducks were having a time of it, looking for food...
...and just looking cute!
The light changes and almost every scene seemed like the inspiration for a painting by Monet. 
My orange-shirted friend is right -- there are new flowers out. The seedems are turning pink now -- I love these handsome blooms.
I don't know what these are, but their dark red cone-like flowers seem to be the very essence of fall.
Signs of fall are even coming to the leaves on the trees.
A sure sign.
A sure sign.
Berried branches seem all the more vibrant in the end of summer light.
My own yard is showing signs of wear. today I bid farewell to much of the basil, turning into a rather tasty pesto. And the sunflowers? They're looking good in the new little teapot I bought from Marilyn. I suspect I'll be enjoying these quite some time.
Things are changing for me, too. I retired yesterday, after more than 32 years at WKAR. I have lots to post about on this, some self indulgent, some reflecting, some with much gratitude... that's coming soon.
19 comments:
Wow congratulations on your retirement! That must be bitter sweet!
Your pictures are beautiful... though that grasshopper looked the size of a mouse!! And I always think they might jump on me!! :-0
Love the tea pot and its coaster!
Tammy x
Wow congratulations on your retirement! That must be bitter sweet!
Your pictures are beautiful... though that grasshopper looked the size of a mouse!! And I always think they might jump on me!! :-0
Love the tea pot and its coaster!
Tammy x
I always enjoy that you bring us along on walks around your ditch. Late summer, early fall is my favorite time of year; so I particularly like these photos. I hope this is the beginning of a wonderful retirement (although, I don't understand the desire to clean out the basement).
Those dark red flowers are sumac, I'll bet!
What a graceful (poetic!) retirement announcement, noting the beauty of that which is Now while still appreciating that which Has Been.
You always know how to write it.
Cheers to you, Jeanie! I am definitely staying tuned for What's Next!
XOXO
Maryanne in SC
I've been thinking of you - retiring on Friday the 13th in 2013 must mean good luck for you! I like the ripply water photos - and the sunflowers in your new tea pot.
What an exciting time for you...and full of emotion I imagine.
These are beautiful pictures. The one of the two ducks in the water looks like a painting.
BTW, is your e-mail the same? I sent you an e-mail yesterday, but I think the one I have is a work e-mail.
I love the big bug on the golden rod playing peek a boo.
Congratulations on your retirement. Blessings on and good health for all your future endeavors.
Of course I love the teapot with the sunflowers and even the cute trivet. Congratulations, best wishes, and just plain ENJOY retirement.
Love the golden rod and ducks in the pond, oh it all in fact.
Like Maryanne, I'm just sure the red blooms are sumac. It's one of the flowers we share. Likewise the goldenrod. I just learned this year that goldenrod isn't the sneeze-producer I always thought it was. Ragweed's the culprit - they look similar and bloom at the same time, so poor goldenrod's gotten a bad rap!
Congrats again on your retirement - though not an end to projects! I'm sure you've been feted as you deserve, and I'm equally sure the coming months will be delightful
What a beautiful lake! We have goldenrod here too, but yellow is always a colour I associate with Spring flowers. Having said that, I just came across a wonderful lake full of ... yellow waterlilies!
Congratulations on your retirement, Jeanie. Now we can expect more beautiful posts in the days ahead... These photos are amazing, and they give a sense of the season too. The yellow tone foreshadows the imminent fall. Migratory season is here. Love your bird pictures.
Beautiful photos! I love seeing all the colors, and just the beginnings of fall but the biggest thing is... CONGRATULATIONS! Now you can be a lady of leisure and if you're like most of us you'll be busier than you ever were when you were working. Now you have more time for art and all your other interests. I'm so very happy for you. Enjoy!
Somehow that grasshopper looks even larger than life in your photos, Jeanie! Love seeing all the flora & fauna where you are. AND LOVE those sunflowers! BIG CONGRATS on your retirement. Hope you enjoy this brand new chapter in your life. :o) ((HUGS)) P.S. As you know, I'll be on a bit of digital sabbatical for a while, but will try to visit you here when I can. :o)
So beautiful, these colors and changes coming on.
I love the stories you tell
with your camera and pen
...such a good read:)
Thank you,
Jenifer
Congrats on your retirement!! This was a great post, we have none of those flowers here and that grasshopper is great. The one referring to a Monet painting is perfect, did you edit that at all or did it just turn out like that? Love it. Not ready for the change in seasons yet, but it is here.
Congratulations on your retirement. I look forward to reading all those post about the different things on your mind....
The Golden Rod here has been beautiful too...and around here they call the dark red flowers a bottle bush....It looks the same anyway.....
HAPPY RETIREMENT FRIEND!! I have been thinking about you and was going to email you this weekend but I have your work email address, I think, so is there a personal one I should email? Or do you still have access to your KWAR one?
I hope the first few days of retirement have gone well. I am thinking of you as you make this transition, but I know it will be a good one for you and will allow you to really focus on YOU and your health.
I do have exciting news though - I signed up for French classes! I start next Tuesday!! It's just one night a week so very manageable with my work schedule. It wraps 2 weeks before I leave for Paris! If I like the instructor, I'll move right into level 2. I am so excited!
Sounds like you will have NO problem filling up all that free time you have now!
So lovely! Nice to see the sunflowers; my daughter sent a bouquet of sunflowers and yellow roses, etc. for my birthday and now I have the sunflowers drying. Also nice to see the white heron - we don't see those here. Must be hard to bid adieu to WKAR, but you can be proud of your many accomplishments.
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