September
The breezes taste
of apple peel.
The air is full
of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze.
-John Updike
Out walking yesterday under a cloak of clouds and a dribble of rain I realized how fleeting summer was. The buckeye trees (above photo) and the maples are turning yellow, the grass is completely golden and beginning to get short from all the cows grazing, apples are falling and the morning has a briskness not felt for a while.
I am not ready for summer to be over because it feels like it barely begun. Our summer was busy. It seems like there was always something to do or somewhere to go. Lots of firewood cut by the men, gardening and guests tended by me. I remember fondly back to childhood and the endless open summers that I enjoyed. I was a privileged child who had little to no chores. Spoiled brat really, but aah, those were the days. Skinned knees and sun burned skin, cool water and riding with friends. Watermelon, peaches and apple pie, sitting out under a star filled sky.
Now fall's door is just opening and we await the first calf's arrival, begin feeding until the rains bring up new grass, Mark makes countless trips up and down the road delivering firewood, I plant the fall/winter garden, harvest apples and pears and hope for grapes (they don't look too good this year) and I also begin another online college course. Someday when I grow up I might actually get a degree! Actually, I take classes mostly for enjoyment and mental stimulation. It is easy to let one's mind go the way of a lazy body. And while I might let the old body get a little flabby, a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Or so somebody once said!
Emma decided that her daddy didn't drive to good. So here she takes a try at it. She is cute as a button, isn't she?
Hi, says Mike. My sister's trying to kill us. YIKES!
Brandon says this is the dumbest face he ever made, but he thinks his sister is pretty cute in the photo so it is ok to post it.
Here is the cutie again, riding Charlie. She loves all the animals on the ranch and the ranch dogs have been spoiled all week by little treats and lots of petting!
One of the challenges they had all week was trying to catch the baby goats that I refuse to get attached too. I think they did eventually convince the kidds to let them pet them. I think treats might have been involved. It is always all about the treats!
Zac Chuck and his friend after a hard day of chucking! This is not an easy way to make a living and is not for the weak of mind or body. Well, perhaps mental weakness might actually be beneficial!
