The Birds are changing

Nature is starting to prepare for the winter ahead the lively little goldfinches who have entertained me at the feeder have list their vibrant yellow hue so they can hide in the trees. The gardens are yellowing though the zucchini is hanging on! A wonderful evening chatting and laughing with an good friend reminds me of the importance of connection. The evening on King West where all the young city folks hang out was revitalizing.  

The Date is Set

December 31, 2015. My retirement from work is scheduled. Feels odd after preparing for a career since starting kindergarten at age 4. Almost 60 years! I wouldn't have missed a moment but am now ready to leave the jobs for the younger folk and focus on enjoying the world around me and spend time immersed in creative pastimes. I enjoyed a weekend at the cabin practicing the way of life to come. 

The last swim of summer ?

Cool nights at the cabin but the water still beckons. The farms stands on the highways are full of bright pumpkins waiting for the celebrations of the harvest. My workshop kept me busy with preparations for the upcoming jewellery sales. A lovely weekend!

The last rose of summer

September is slipping away with blasts of summer heat during the day. The cooling nights remind me of crisp autumn weather to come. At last I am emerging from my preoccupation with an intense period at work and can lift my head to look at the wonder of the world around me. I see the children back at school full of excitement for the reunion with friends and anticipation of the mystery of the year ahead. The blooms on the fall flowers vibrant next to the seed heads of the summer glory. Sedum, cleome and dancing cosmos. The wood at the cabin is stacked to dry for future fires. An Emmylou Harris concert last night at the iconic Massey Hall was a reminder of the enduring power of music and creativity. 

September

September is here with the stores full of school supplies and wooly sweaters even though it is so hot out that we stay on the house with air conditioning. The garden coleus and ornamental cabbage are giving hints of the glory to come. The mountain ash heavy with berries attracts the birds. The fall cooking continues with three batches of spicy tomato sauce that wi bring memories of the summer heat when winter arrives. 

The weekend at last

My energy was consumed by a busy work week so inspirations were saved for Friday night. As always, the weekly garden tour with champagne helped to me to relax and renew. As summer draws to a close, the quality of the light is changing as the sun gets lower in the evening. The clouds were spectacular as they moved across the sun. The garden is abundant with the crops of carrots and beets ready to dig. And of course the zucchini is plentiful!

Hot Summer Day

The air is sultry but alive with the sounds of birds and insects singing and buzzing and humming. Each type of flower seems to have its own special bee or fly or caterpillar. Relaxing under the wisteria in the shade watching it happen all around me. 

Moon River Musing

Back into the work week after a weekend  in Muskoka enjoying lots of swimming, good food and lively conversation. The young people full of ideas and thoughts about life and where they are in their journeys were refreshing. The mixture of old and new-the space station sighted overhead while a  freight train sped through the night on the rails nearby. A drone staring silently at us as we relaxed on the deck. A walk through the town learning the history fed by the waters surrounding us. Fresh, gooey Chelsea buns from Don's bakery. Heaven!

Summer Days

Enjoying the summer heat and the gardens are soaking up the showers. The flowers abound and of course the zucchini is rampant! A weekend at the lake with family was full of bonfires, fireworks and lots of food. A visit to the Rockhound Gemboree in Bancroft to stock up on beautiful beads for the year ahead was exciting. 

Panamania

The Pan Am games are over with the Para Pan coming in a week. What a party for Toronto and all the naysayers were proven wrong. The whole town stepped up to join in and celebrate the athletes among us. The mascot Pachi cheered on the crowd at the women's softball game I attended.  I think I like the fast pace of rugby better but the hot dogs and beer were the perfect accompaniment. The triumph at home was the first crop of beans and potatoes. The resident bunnies snuck onto the garden but the chicken wire fortifications will hopefully solve that onslaught. 

In the woods

Attended a staff meeting at the Heartland Forest in Niagara Falls which is fully accessible for folks in wheelchairs. The place was full of people of every age and ability enjoying a walk in the woods and wetlands and learning about frogs, turtles, botany and biology. The enthusiasm of the staff and volunteers was infectious! Even the mosquitoes could not deter us from taking the time to  examine the magical world. What a renewing interlude in a busy week.