October Glories

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ~Albert Camus

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. George Eliot

Every month is lovely in its own way, but none is more perfect than October. A cool breeze carrying the season’s scent while geese fly overhead, bees hum around the last flowers, and weeds wave their final farewells. Best of all, the soul nourishing sight of bright leaves against vivid blue skies.

Here are a few glories we find here today.

 

“Fungi are the grand recyclers of the planet and the vanguard species in habitat restoration.” Paul Stamets

Lovely shrooms sprouting on the path to the barn.

One can never have too much basil on hand.

Last of the basil growing in pots on the porch

Parisian round carrots.

and two big pots of carrots, waiting to be nabbed for a snack.

Trumpet Man made by Kirby Weldon.

Trumpet Man,  wearing a new hat.

A few moments of gathering.

The garden, still brimming with possibilities, some for tonight’s dinner,

Red Kuri squash

and some for the season to come.

Brussels sprouts, hiding under sheltering leaves.

This time of year harvesting is easy,

Squash still maturing on the vine.

especially because there’s no pressure to pull a single weed.

I’m the only one here who likes nasturtium flowers in salads.

Some flowers are still happily blooming,

It’s all about the seeds now.

others are lovely in old age.

There are frost warnings. They give me a good excuse to spend time outdoors picking the last of the rainbow chard, beans, and other tender vegetables. Such bliss.

I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.  ~Nathaniel Hawthorne