Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Nature Notes: August

Here at the fading edge of summer, the lush greens and yellows of the fields have given way to breathy shades of cream and parchment.

Even the sound of the wind in the grass is different now, a dry rattle and a crackling underfoot where so recently it whispered and stroked us gently as we passed.

The earth all around is turning inward, even as it sends out seed for summers to come.

The vegetable garden, planted much too late, is producing a desperate deluge, an embarassment of riches in cucumber currency. Each day is a little shorter. The pumpkins may not ripen by frost.

The spring babies are on their own now. Young deer, rabbits, birds, and groundhogs wander about like teens at a mall, unwise and fearless.

Would they despair, I wonder, if they knew about winter?







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17 comments:

Carver said...

I'm not sure why your photograph isn't loading for me but even without it this was a great post. I can picture what's going on from your words.

Char said...

Lovely pics and prose.

Sallyacious said...

Oooh. Cucumbers. So you'll have pickles. Mmmmm...

There's something magical about the slightly overwhelming abundance of August in the garden. If you have any cherry or grape or plum tomatoes, may I suggest my favorite lunch? Half of a small tomato on a cracker with a slab of local sharp cheddar cheese. If you make a whole bunch of these, it's the Best. Lunch. Ever.

I planted pumpkins last year at exactly the right time. Even so, the only one I got was at the veeery tip of the vine and was only about half-grown by the time we got a killing frost at the end of October.

Carver said...

I'm glad I came back to see if the photos would load now. They did this time and I love them. I have a thing for tall grasses and queen anne's lace at the end of the season. Thanks for visiting mine.

MyMaracas said...

I'm glad you came back for another try, Carver! Thanks for your kind comments.

Char, I really appreciate your taking time to visit. I hope things are beginning to be better for you.

Sally, there would be pickles, if I were a more energetic farmwife. As it is, there is only cucumber salad. Tons and tons of cucumber salad. I will definitely try the tomato and cheese cracker thing. It sounds scrumptious, thanks!

ramblingwoods said...

Beautiful prose Vicki and the photos were a perfect illustration. You're right, later summer is setting in too soon.....Michelle

Kathy said...

No despair from the younguns ... they have only challenges to live to.

Beautiful pictures!

Rambling Woods said...

Vicki..I should thank you for participating in Nature Notes as it helps me during trying times. It is the smallest meme ever, but I appreciate that you always post for it....Michelle

MyMaracas said...

Kathy, I'm sure you're right. Despair seems to be a uniquely human thing.

Michell, I love that it's a small meme! It's so much cozier and more personal than the big ones. It's also the most thought-provoking one I know. Many weeks, it's what keeps me blogging.

Sarah said...

I love the way you describe the change in your field. Lovely photos too!

Nicole said...

These pics make me want to take a stroll with you there.
Beautiful!

moosh said...

I was walking Boss yesterday and noticed the brown grasses and Oueen Annes lace. You expressed beautifuly just how I felt. Thanks for puttting my feeling into words.

MyMaracas said...

Sarah, it is remarkable how different it feels now than it did in spring, isn't it?

Nicole, I'd love the company! Co-strollers are always welcome here.

Moosh, it sounds like we're kindred spirits. Thanks for your kind comment.

Unseen India Tours said...

Lovely shots and very well written stuff !! Enjoyed this post..Thanks for sharing..Unseen Rajasthan

FiveGreenAcres said...

Beautiful! All of it.

Bird said...

Beautiful. Late summer can be such a strange time, almost more melancholy than autumn in a way...

Kilauea Poetry said...

I came back to see if I visited you and noticed this blog too. I like the grass fields and the way you framed your words..that bellflower is pretty too. Can't remember if it has two l's in the Bell- ha