Don't Squash My Joy

The leaves may be changing early because of drought, it's true. 

"Look, there's some fall color!"

"Naw, that's just the drought. (pause to spit) 

Those trees are a'dying, don't ya know." 

Please, don't squash my small autumn joy. 

Look past the drought--try harder--there's some fall color!

Sweetgum trees always rush to send out 

their first-of-fall ambassadors. 

Some zinnias sport season-long 

shades of orange. 

And nasturtium, well, I guess they take the prize. 

Especially if they're studded with water droplets. 

Droplets from my water hose, because 

don't ya know--

we're in a drought. 

 

Almost Fall and a Thank You Gift Offer

It's that time of year. 

The zinnias shrug into crisp September air 

and outdo themselves in height and color. 

Fanciful fairy rings sprout overnight 

in dew-drenched clover.

And you teach your dog to wear glasses. 

Why wear glasses? 

The better to READ with, my dear!

It's only two months until my project with Familius Publishing, 

Teach Your Dog to Read, 

comes on the market. 

November 8th is the big day. 

If you preorder, I'll send thanks in the form of 

seeds from my garden. You can choose one of these: 

Send your choice of seeds and your mailing address to simpsoncircle@gmail.com.

Bare Bushes

It's time to call it quits in the garden. 

Here on my one Kentucky acre, we've had drought conditions until just 

about two weeks ago. My container plants got just too shabby 

in the dry heat...so I fixed them. 

"Look at this," I said to my patient husband. "I fixed the container plants."

"You sure did," he agreed and took a few steps back.

Because, friends, I pulled them all up and threw their spindly stems

and crispy blooms in the firepit. What a relief! 

I plopped gourds and pumpkins in the empty containers—no watering needed. 

When we finally got a little rain, all the garden plants went back to work, 

creating new leaves and blooms. 

Look at this cypress vine, so cheerful in the summer-like heat.

Then this week on Monday, fall arrived. 

We've had a one-week color change with all the wonder of a true fall compressed 

into just a few days. Yesterday's wind and rain moved the color party to the ground.

Last night we swerved around another seasonal corner as temperatures dropped below freezing. 

I had time to save these beautiful blues, and a few zinnias, 

from the first killing frost.

The bushes are bare, but my windowsills are filled with vases of color. 

Fall Flowers & Family

The garden is starting to slide downhill in my Kentucky acre,

but it still has lots to offer.

The Coral Drift rose bush is turning cartwheels in a garden plot where everything

else is finished for the season. 

My garden true love, Heavenly Blue morning glory, finally reached the top of 

the tepee and is blooming like crazy. It's one tall, majestic cascade of sky blue.

But they're best appreciated up close. These lucky black bugs think so too.

More on morning glories from a few years ago here.

And as always, the zinnia is the hardy hero that saves the fall garden.

Zinnias bloom and bloom and bloom without any attention. 

Extra watering, deadheading, staking—it's just not going to happen in October. 

This photo was taken a month ago today. It was a Friday night, just before a backyard 

party. My husband arrived home from the vet with bad news—

our family dog only of fourteen years had very little time left 

and there was nothing to be done to help. 

"I want to get a photo of all of us with her."

My Middle Son put a hand on my shoulder and said, "Then we should do it now."

So we did. 

I stopped filling coolers and Steve put away the grilling tools. 

All the guys delayed their work/school/social schedules long enough to get this photo.

It's a keeper.

Deadheading

My zinnias didn't do so well this year.

Seems it's better to scatter the seed than to transplant seedlings.

Even if the birds clean up a lot of the seeds after 

I go back to the house.

But there are a few blooming plants out there in the zinnia bed. 

Not a riot, as in past years - more like a quiet get together.

 I've got some of these beauties, though!

Last night, as all my guys hit apples*, I deadheaded the plants I have, 

reminding myself that the old has to be pulled away to make room for the new.

And that the removal of the spent flower heads causes the plant to 

produce even more blooms than it would if they were allowed to remain.

The Lord is so good as He uses His natural things to speak wisdom to my heart.

I never feel alone in the garden - it seems like He walks along, pointing and teaching,

if only I can still my chattering soul long enough to listen. 

"Incline your ear ..." the scriptures say, and when I do, He meets me there.

Old things are being pulled away in our lives right now. 

Fifteen years of homeschooling is now a thing of the past and My Youngest 
will be launching into the local high school tomorrow morning. 
On Friday, our Middle Son will be moving into 

a dorm and beginning his college career at a nearby university.

Change is the name of the game over here, and how good the Lord is

to remind me of the appropriateness of it all. The necessity of it. The promise in it.

And the safety and peace He offers in its midst.

*Our apple 'orchard' is wildly out of control and has been for years.
The apples produced are tiny and misshapen - fine for the critters who enjoy them.
And perfect for some casual batting practice! 
All our guys happened to be home last night and after dinner, they ended up 
pitching and hitting apples. I loved having them all out in the yard to "play" again!