The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold.
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall.
Originally a French song, "Les Feuilles Mortes", with lyrics by poet Jacques Prevért.
Recorded as "Autumn Leaves" by Johnny Mercer and many others...
This is such a melancholy song, but the lyrics are so visual and just go with the season, don't you think? For me, autumn is a time of reflection, and if not for the sunshine, I would easily drift into a melancholy mood. I'm dramatic that way. And yet it's still my favorite season...
Autumn is taking its sweet time moving into the Hollow. Changes are evident each morning, but they are subtle...as if an Artist slips in at night, painting one tree at a time...
And that's fine with me - it means a protracted Autumn Leaf photo season. I hope you're not sick of them yet, all of these fading oranges and yellows and browns. Soon enough, everything but the live oak and juniper branches will be bare.
So my favorite photos this week are from a walk Tom and I took with the dogs last Saturday. I had a long list of things to do, but heck, the sun was shining, the blue sky was calling me...how could I resist? (for more shots of our walk, click HERE. For more signs of autumn in Long Hollow...if you're really not sick of them...click HERE.)
I only allowed myself two "autumn leaf" photos. It was tough trying to choose, but I picked this one of a vine, because I don't think I've ever noticed autumn colors on a vine before...
...and this baby oak tree, just because it's so cute!
Despite the clear signs of autumn, we still have plenty of yellow blossoms lining our road (and a few lingering purples, too!) I love getting in close and seeing the amazing details.
In a way I dread the coming days of no color, but I suppose we should be grateful for them as well; otherwise I wouldn't appreciate the color so much...
We lingered awhile beside a pond, letting the dogs swim and explore. I was mesmerized by the dozens and dozens of blue damselflies darting here and there and everywhere on the surface...going so fast it was hard to capture them in my camera! From a distance, I could imagine them as tiny blue fairies...
And last but not least, I love this one of my Baby Belle. It's rare to catch her this still...she's as energetic as those damselflies, but you can tell she's growing up...childhood just goes by way too fast, so I'll put up with her pouncing and jumping and chewing, because I know it's not going to last forever.
For two posts now, I've neglected to mention what I'm grateful for (although I am listing them on Facebook, so I haven't completely forgotten to be grateful!)
Tonight, I'm remembering to add them here...
*I'm grateful for hot coffee and cold mornings and the chance to enjoy them both on my back deck...in the rocking chair I got from my sweet friend Gwen. I think of her every time I sit in it...
*I'm grateful for the glorious sunshine pouring on us the past two days, but I'm also grateful for the rain on Wednesday...not just because we need it, but because if it weren't for the gray days, I'd take these sunshine ones for granted.
*I'm grateful for the wonderful writing I came across today...two blog posts that are so wonderful that I want to share them with you. Take the time to read Thanksgiving Comes First by Cricket (it really should be spread nationwide!) and Go Gently, Speak Kindly by Aileen via The Magpie's Fancy. You'll thank me, I just know it. This is the kind of writing that inspires me and makes me jealous all at the same time. Sigh.
*Oh, and I'm grateful I get to see my middle son this weekend and spend time with good friends I haven't seen in a while.
What are you grateful for today?
