MONDAY'S MUSINGS—EXPERIENCING THE GOOD AND BAD SIGNS OF FALL

This is the view from my patio the week of October 15th

The Missouri Ozarks are amazing regardless of the season. We span 3 temperature ranges which spell some different weather patterns for us throughout the year and even more so in the fall. While September spells autumn for many in other areas of the country, September is still ‘summer’ for us. The light is waning but the daily temps are still in the upper 80s to mid 90s (by contrast, July and August are traditionally upper 90s to a little over 100) and the grass is still lush and green and we’re still mowing the lawn weekly. We’re still running the AC daily. The rivers and lakes are still warm enough to swim in despite Labor Day closures of the pools the rivers still have plenty of swimmers. But the temperatures are dropping and we are losing daylight.

Purples and pinks-Ceil Abbott

By the latter part of September, the walnut trees start coloring up in their yellow fall finery. They are the first to lose their leaves. The last week in September and first week in October is when many of the vines, shrubs, berry plants and under story trees start showing signs of fall color. My area is home to over 200 plant species and most display fall colors. An Ozark foliage turn doesn't happen as quickly as the color change in northern states. Here, in the Ozarks, we have two color peaks in the foliage.
  

There is the false peak which usually happens between October 14-20^th. False Peak is when you see the most intense color and the widest range of colors you'll see scarlet, deep mahogany, purple, black, blue, and multiple shades of gold. We have what you would call a 'slow turn' in foliage. It usually starts in the river and creek bottoms and then progresses up the hills. By the time peak color appears on the hillsides most of the trees along the rivers wil have long since peaked and dropped their leaves.

True peak will always occur during the last few days of October and the first few days of November, typically from October 26 to November 5th, give or take a few days. Peak foliage is highly dependent upon weather conditions. It takes clear sunny days with temperatures no warmer than mid 60's, and cooler nights with temperatures no higher than the high 30's to mid 4'0s, with a few nights in the 50's. This year true peak is a bit slow because it's been warmer during the day which delays the turn a few days. True peak colors are limited to the oranges, yellows, and mahogany hues. We have 36 species of oak here and each group had their own time table for turning and variations of colors.

The weather is giving its last hurrah before the onset of the cold here in South Central Missouri.  The days are very warm and sunny and the nights are jacket cool. Other than the trees we do have several more, not so pleasant, ‘signs’ of the coming cold weather. The wasps are invading my Mums and basking on the western side of the house. Nasty things. Another is the Woolly Bear caterpillars which are crawling everywhere—on the patio, up the sides of the house, on trees and shrubs, and in the yard. Weather is still warm so I’m usually barefoot and though I try to avoid them there are so many that I can’t help but step on some. Ewww.

Then there are the Asian lady bugs. They’re wonderful for taking care of aphids and such in the summer gardens but mid-October they start swarming and looking for a warm place to winter and that usually is inside my house or swimming in my coffee cup. Ugh. And they bite. I was lying down resting in the bedroom yesterday and happen to glance up to the ceiling. I counted 20 above my head. I decided to go rest in the recliner in living room. Dan cleared them out of the bedroom and he’s done this for several days, so I can sleep. Last thing I wanted was falling lady bugs. Did I mention they can bite?

While the Missouri Ozarks are gorgeous in the autumn when it comes to signs of fall and winter there are some I love and some I don’t. I’m not particularly squeamish when it comes to insects, except maybe ants, but I have to say I much prefer the fall foliage, migrating birds, and the changing of the angle of the sun and all the richness of light and shadow, to swarming insects looking at my house as their winter paradise.

Photos courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation, Ceil Abbott, and personal pictures.

MONDAY MUSINGS: GOLDEN FALL A TIME OF WORK AND FUN

It is fall, and while I decry the passing of summer and the diminishing light there is a beauty to fall I've always loved. The bright blue skies, the crisp snap of cool, the bright colors to the trees, the rich scents of the woods, and the sound of the huge flocks of geese flying south. The smell of wood smoke in the air. I love the golden sunshine bathing everything in warmth and beauty. Liquid gold.

Fall is also a busy time because we're preparing the house and fields for winter cold. Gathering wood, filling the propane tank, weatherizing windows and doors as well as the Dane houses. Stocking up on hay and feed. I planted more tulips for spring color. Be nice to look out my window in my office and see the bright colors while working next spring. Dan was out mowing the lawn for what he thinks should be the last time of the season--we'll see. I know there will be at least one more time to mulch the leaves that have fallen in yard. 

Fall has been a little strange this year. For one, it's the last week of October and we still have green leaves on many of the oaks. I noticed yesterday that they're starting to pick up small sections of their red coloring of fall. Still warm enough to go barefoot and be in shirt sleeves although the nights and early mornings are jacket weather. We've had the AC kick on several times in the afternoon. Last year we had a brilliant display of color that peaked by October 15th and that last week of October the front yard was full of leaves. Not this year. We've also spent some time doing fun things which is just as necessary as doing the fall chores. 

CANDLES

HANDMADE SOAP

This past weekend we went to a fall festival. It was good to get out among people and enjoy the beautiful weather we've been having. A friend of mine holds this fall festival. She's a natural health practioner, grows organic gardens and cultivates many herbs she uses in her practice. Through her, I have met many other small organic farmers and ranchers in our area as well 

JEWELRY

as a ton of crafters. Festival is on her huge place. Lots of vendors from all over Missouri with their wares, live music, good food, lots of laughter and good times. 

BREADS ETC

YUMMY PRODUCE

There were hayrides, mushroom harvest walks (by an
expert in the field), herb walks, soap and candle making demos, canning and cheese making.

In the evening there are bonfires, s'mores, coffee, beer and wine, conversation and of course music. Quite a few good musicians with everything from rock to country.

We had a good time.

  

WEDNESDAY: REMEMBERING YOU

SiaMcKye

Did I Notice Your Book, Blogfest

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com

http://www.ciaraknight.com/blog

Here I was, wandering around a quaint New England town looking for breakfast and a good cup of coffee (which is always a must for me), when I heard the voice of one of my favorite tenors singing NessunDorma. My ears fell in love with a place that unapologetically plays such music, my lips smiled as I heard a man singing bits of it as he worked. I breathed in the wonderful smells emanating from the diner. Yep, this is the place to stop for breakfast.

I hovered near the door listening to the murmur of voices, clink of tableware, and laughter from the good-natured insults, in Italian, and closed my eyes. It was just like coming home. I reached for the door and almost grabbed the police officer coming out with a bag and a tall coffee. Wow! Not a bad handle to grab. I heard voice in the background call him Petie.

As Petie ushered me through the door he assured me Uncle Sally did indeed have the best food in town. Who would know best than the town’s finest, right (and he truly was fine)?

This is not only the best town to visit but you’ll love the Gennovase family.

Remembering You 

Robyn Rand

When Genna goes home to Rhode Island to spend a long-awaited vacation, she finds that her family is falling apart and she has only twenty-one days to put them back together. 

Her new promotion as Executive Chef at the posh Littlefield Country Club in Delaware is a dream job. It’s more than the pay and benefits; she has the chance to achieve what she’s always wanted – her own kitchen – and Genna can’t wait to get started when she returns after the Fourth of July holiday.

However, her vacation is far from relaxing. Two men are vying for her attention – an ex-fiancé who wants to fix the mistakes of the past, and an old school chum who finds her irresistible, and inspires mutual feelings in Genna. Her aunt’s forgetfulness is also causing concern. However, the family is in denial; her cousins are unable to cope with their mother’s changing behavior and her beloved uncle, dealing with all the stress, has a heart attack. 

Genna steps in to keep his diner open and the family together while he recuperates, and she questions what’s more important – breaking the glass ceiling or remaining with her family. The clock runs out and Genna finds she is needed at her new job, needed by her family, and by lovers old and new. Now Genna must search her soul to find out what she needs.

My Review 

This is a book I feel should have more attention than it's received, because it really is a good story! I really enjoyed Remember You, check it out.

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Here’s a couple of pictures I took yesterday around the ranch. Our trees are at their peak and I’m sure going to miss these bright yellows when they fall. L

Sia's Field of Gold

Walking Companions--the dog was at my side.

The back pasture

 

MONDAY MUSINGS—SEASONS CHANGE

Some dreams are in the nighttime  

And some feel like yesterday

But leaves turn brown and fade 

You long to say a thousand words

But seasons change… 

You dream again and scenes remain 
But seasons change…

People change...

The seasons are changing around us and we change with the seasons. Each season has it's beauty, if we but look. Even the stark landscape of winter, still...  

As brutal as summer was, I’m not really looking forward to winter and snow. I know we need it, but still, snow? Ice? Freezing temperatures? Breaking ice in the water troughs? Ugh.

I have SAM, a seasonally affected muse. She loves the changing of the seasons—especially fall and winter. She’s not too jazzed by summer unless it’s an early misty morn and sometimes when the full moon colors the landscape in silver and shadows. She loves rainy days and when the snow is falling and it’s cold my muse loves to come out and play.

We had our first light frost last night and had to turn on the heat for the first time. The muse is rubbing her hands in delight. I took a walk in the gorgeous sunshine and everywhere I looked autumn color was beginning to show. 

I thought I’d share some pictures (you can click on the pictures to enlarge) of the beauty that surrounds me as I walk the property.

This is a walk just down from my house.

There is still more green than fall colors but I can’t look anywhere on the ranch without seeing evidence that autumn is definitely here.
  

This is one of the barns.This one is beyond my back yard. We have a lot of oak and they turn late, so colors of 
other trees are just beginning to show back here. 

In my front yard the oak on the left is just beginning to color. At the end of my driveway you can see another one of our pastures and there are lots of walnut, dogwood, and other trees which tend to turn faster than the oaks.

I ran across a waterfall of red. The color was gorgeous. I like to walk here every fall just to see how it looks. Some years it has more yellow to the underside of the leaves other years it's a deep red, almost burgundy. It never fails to elicit a moment of awe as I see creation's splendor. A feast for the eyes and for the creative spirit within us.

In your writing, do the seasons effect what you write? Are there seasons that seem to create thousands of words? Or do the words wither up and blow away with brown leaves before the cold winter winds?

• Do you have a SAM? A Seasonally Affected Muse?