Backroads of Morrow County Update October 26, 2019

Backroads of Morrow County Update:

Fall is here--cool, colorful, and changed. The trees along the highways and byways are gorgeous. Oranges and reds everywhere--some yellows and maroons as well. And with the rains and wind a storm of leaves caught up in swirling tornadoes of color as I drive by. And, of course, the greens have settled in to being the stars of winter waiting for their coats of white.
The change as always is in the vistas. Almost all of the soy beans have been harvested. They leave fields that look as if nothing was ever there. You can see the hills, the dips, the faraway houses and barns that have been in hiding all summer. It's picture postcard time. Farmers have started on the corn as well. Row by row leaving behind a meadow of stalks and on the backroads husks fleeing for safety from the hungry green monsters? Many fields have been plowed already--more than I remember from past excursions in the fall of Morrow County. One or two even have something coming up, long green parallel lines stretching across the panorama. Is it some strategy to prepare for next spring if it happens to be as wet as this spring? I have no idea.
Not much in the way of wildlife along the roads. I've seen a few deer feeding. They give me a wary eye and go back to dinner. Some have simply crossed my path and into the woods. And even though the woods are "thinned" out, they seem to disappear into thin air themselves once they've reached the edge of sanctuary. Some flocks of blackbirds and starlings litter the fields. They seem to have a fondness for spending time with the cows. And the domesticated beasts of Morrow County seem unaware of fall's coming--except for the bundles of hay that have already been set out for their snack times. One huge black Angus escaped from somewhere and was meandering aimlessly down County Road 20. No one would want to run into that monster--huge and fearless. He claimed the road for his own.
When I swing back into the driveway leading up to the cave, there are still some flowers hanging on. Still some brilliant purple blue monkshood, Still some annuals--the marigolds stand out. Still some phlox. And the birds are active at The Acres feeding stations. And the calico feline beauty is stalking out the place though I thing she likes the peanuts more than the birds. Anyway, the backroads are bright and lovely, and the last "road" leads home. And I have promises to keep.

Autumn at The Acres

Autumn is beginning to take center stage. The dogwoods have gone purple; The Ancient One--the old red maple at the turn of the driveway--is beginning to show its colors, as well as its smaller brothers in the Meadow. The bit of rain we got last week--what a lovely day--and the cool, crisp air is working its magic. I won't complain about another rainy day. Flower-wise just a few beds are still blooming--though, here and there, there are some solo showoffs. Mom's Memorial Garden at the turn of the driveway is glorious. Deep purple monkhoods, tons of blue forget-me-nots, still some marigolds--she would love it! I turn the corner at The Ancient One to head up to the cave and--a postcard in blues, purples, and yellows greets me. An anticipated surprise every time I come home. The container garden is lovely as well. Tons of annuals daring autumn to throw some frost its way. Pick a color--pick just about any color--and it's shining forth from the container garden. The third bloomer is the one I put gladiolas in at the middle of September. Must be six or seven beauties in there, and they have a background canvas of monkshood, pink phlox, and bluish-purple spiderwort. The Wild Area still has some yellow goldenrod and purple New England asters--and butterflies everywhere. Still some good walks at The Acres each day.
I also started bird feeding for this fall and winter. It takes awhile for them to hone in on the catering service--but not too long. As always the chickadees are first. Then, their playmates the titmice and nuthatches join in. By twilight a sparrow or two will have gotten the message and even a lone Cardinal. My feathered friends will keep winter in colors.
Delighted you've decided to visit Autumn. I always enjoy when you drop by.

Reflections

Autumn 2019 has officially arrived.  Time to reflect on the spring and summer goings on at The.  Acres---not that things have quit blooming.  There is still plenty around--the monks hood and fall crocus haven't bloomed yet--not to mention a few re-blooming iris.  But some musings on the last year are in order.
The weather was enigmatic.  All spring and early summer it rained and rained and rained.  I don't think I actually cut the grass until mid-May.  It was a hay field by then.  Tried to mow several times, but got stuck in the mud over and over again.  I wonder if the saturation of the soil had anything to do with the almost total absence of Japanese beetles this year.  Usually i have to battle thousands.  This year barely any showed up--a dozen at the most.  Did they "drown"?  Hope so.  I didn't miss them except in my paranoia that they were just going to arrive late this year.  I also wonder if the iris crop had any connection to the rain.  I had a great iris year which you know makes me ecstatic!  But it's puzzling.  Iris--at least the German ones--are not fans of wet feet.  Yet, they bloomed everywhere.  I expected a small bloom time--so many beds had been redone last fall, and iris usually take a couple years to bloom.  But not this year.  Whatever the reason a re-run next year would be fantastic.
I will give my Gardening Angels credit for five works of art at The Acres in 2019.  They planted one completely new wild flower up near the house--a tall bellflower.  It looks nothing like a bell, but it is tall--and a lovely blue.  Supposedly it's biannual so I'll have to wait two years to see if it returns--or, dare I hope--spread.  A second thing of beauty was The Bog.  There had to be at least two dozen cardinal flowers in there this year.  Now, that's spreading.  They mix in the crowds of hibiscus--from white to dark read, and with the yellow sneezeweed.  You have "to see it to believe it."  Third masterpiece--they brought back some poppy mallow--beautiful.  I have had some before but not for a couple years.  This time it bloomed literally all spring and summer at the crook in the driveway near The Ancient One.  And it was surrounded by a dozen bluish purple lobelia.  Lovely--wine read and purple blue go good together.  Fourth was the blooms on the white magnolia in the trees.  In the past it's been two or three blooms at best.  This year in the midst of the monsoon--loaded!  Finally, I'll give them credit for a brand new iris in Bed F.  Very little has bloomed in there for a couple of years, but this year a majestic iris bloomed that I didn't even know I had.  All in all, it was a good year for the Angels.
Work-wise I only added one new bed this year--up front; very small.  But I re-did a lot of beds, and still have a few more to go before winter gets here.  Should be fun and always adds to the expectations for next year.
The second half of summer has been the exact opposite of the wet spring and early summer--no rain whatsoever.  The Wild Area didn't mind--and I don't know yet who did, but I'll find out next spring.  Right now, The Wild Area is the show--waves of yellow goldenrod, islands of purple and pink New England Asters, a border of hundreds of heath asters, and small clumps of pink thistles.  Add a touch of blue lobelia, lilac bee balm, yellow sneezeweed, and darker pink coneflowers and you have another masterpiece--one I'm blessed with every year about this time.
All this to say that it has been another marvelous year at The Acres--weird weather and all.  Lots of walks yet to come--the leaves will change, the late flowers will bloom, the goldfish will re-appear for awhile, and snow walks will be here soon.  Too much beauty is impossible.  Thank you, Lord, for a lovely old age.

Impatience

I confess: I was too impatient. First time ever! The Wild Area is filled with purple islands of New England asters, and white islands of heath asters.

side note: if The Acres are any indication the monarch butterflies are making a comeback. A huge comeback. Never saw so many!

September at the Acres

Goings on at The Acres:
This afternoon was spent mowing the back meadow and paths in the wild area. I love to mow. A couple hours of solitude meandering through nature--even if by mower and not by feet--is quite peaceful. Just meditate, relax, and take in the beauty. This time of year the wild area is a yellow sea waving in the breeze. Here and there are islands of pink thistles loaded with butterflies and bees, small ponds of blue lobelia and hibiscus--white, pink, and red. Lots of purple iron weed as well. It seems to be a down year for asters though--unless I'm just being impatient (imagine that). Not many dainty white heath asters and even fewer purple and pink New England asters. Maybe I'll get a few more later. Tomorrow. I'll mow the front. The big mystery of 2019--other than the asters--is the almost total disappearance of the Japanese beetles. Usually, i have hundreds upon hundreds. This summer I don't think I've seen even a dozen. Now, don't get me wrong; I don't miss the pests. May they never return! It just seems a little strange.
The goldfish are back. I was a little leery because all summer I had a family of green herons hanging out at Iten's Pond. But today when I wandered by the pond--hundreds of the little golden beauties in huge schools. How did they know the green hunters had moved on? Must have an ornithologist on the payroll. The heron were too gorgeous and sassy to chase away, but it appears no damage was done--to the goldfish population anyway. The weather was magic as well. Crisp.
After a week of days at school and several evenings cheering on the Warriors in their athletic endeavors, home for the weekend restores my soul. Lazy days, lazier walks, refreshing ride on the mower, cool weather, beauty in all forms--blue skies with white clouds, flowers here and there (phlox and goldenrod everywhere), my feathered friends, the return of the golden stars of the pond in the midst of islands of water lilies, my soul dances. Thank you Father for the gift of beauty you've allowed me to enjoy on the last steps of my journey. Grace indeed!

Toleration

Tom, Mom, and the Young Turks have decided I can be trusted--well, at least tolerated. They stop by often, look me over, and go about their journey through The Acres. I must not be scary enough. They parade out of the trees, by the pond, pass by the cave, and then wander through the Meadow, into the Wild Area, and off to who knows where. Until tomorrow afternoon. I wonder if they want to celebrate Thanksgiving with me? Hmmmm.

Rain

Ah, a rainy day at The Acres. I have been waiting and praying for one of these. What a strange spring and summer. Two months of daily rain--at least it seemed that way; two months with no rain at all. But, today, it has been raining all morning! I love the melancholy grayness. I love the soothing sounds. I love the fresh smell. I love the cleansing. Sure, it will set me back a day on my reconstruction projects, but at The Acres time is not relevant. Things get done when they get done--if they get done at all.
The flowers--and weeds--will be ecstatic! I expect The Wild Area and The Meadow to burst into bloom--yellow, purple, white will be everywhere. Golden rod and asters will be waving in the gentle breezes of late summer and autumn. The Bog and The Pond will be ecstatic as well. Free refills. The Bullfrog Choir has been quiet two nights in a row. Get your tickets early for tonight's performance.
Rainy days and Mondays always make me dance for joy. The Lord and Creator of life gives rain to the just and unjust. And rainbows. And cleansing. And growth and new life. Showers of blessing!