tasting the fruit
“Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” (henry david thoreau)
This morning’s bike ride into work was cold, frosty and uncomfortable. Even with gloves and a fleece headwrap over my ears, it took me forever to warm up once I got into the office. I longed instead to be wrapped up in a long sweater, leather wrapped calves and the clicking of boots with a scarf wrapped around my neck.
I cannot deny the fact that it feels like Autumn and big yellow leaves litter our street, our front yard even as I taste the fruit that I grew over the summer, fresh juice dribbled down my chin as my fridge fills with cucumbers, juicy sweet tomatoes, squash, carrots and beets. Bags of freshly picked apples wait for me to peel and cook and freeze and the ever emerging darkness starts to bring a different light to the world that I live in.
The seasons dictate how I live, what I do, my emotions strung into a line of yearly ritual in this land of extremes where my heart dwells. It was only a couple of weeks ago, when I couldn’t find escape from the relentless heat, highs hitting the high thirties (nineties for those on fahrenheit) and now I check the weather ever night to see if I have to cover my roses, my tomatoes because the frozen waver of a frost sits quietly in the air.
My son started school today and I feel myself dreaming of warm fires and pumpkin eyes glittering, walks through corn mazes and leaves crunching as my eyes seek out the brightest leaf in a valley that will soon be covered in hues of orange and yellow as green winks good-bye.
I find myself suddenly tired, weekends of activity and late nights processing photos, droopy eyed and in need of a rest, I actually contemplated taking a blog break but realized that likely a nap would suffice. I suspect that early evening will find me snuggled into the aroma of vanilla scented sheets as I wrap up into a cocoon of sleep, hopeful that I will soon awake from this slumbering dream to find myself rejuvinated by the crisp air of this decaying season, strangely filled with life as my world prepares for a sheet of white sleep.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I’m very behind in my commenting, so allow me to catch up.
First, I can’t believe you’re already dealing with the changing seasons! I guess that’s what happens up north. Your description of autumn made me look forward to it very much.
Second, your wedding photos are beautiful and I’m so happy that you love the work. It shows in the product. Congratulations on following your heart and getting that business off the ground!
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Oh I cannot think of snow. I just got everybody out of my house and back to school. Snow would have them all home again. But I think the temp. tomorrow here is going to be in the 90’s so no fear of the wote stuff.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:55 pm
The start of September’s always a whirlwind here. Which may be why I’m so tired also!
Cxx
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:59 pm
i feel so in tune to where you are these days dar, much love honey. and here’s to us both finding our perfect pair of boots this year, hehe (i think i found mine.) xoxo
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:53 am
i love your words
as much
as i love
your images…
when you said glittering pumpkin eyes,
i clapped my hands
just
a little…
i heart fall…
actually, i think i love the
beginnings
of all seasons…
its the dragging on
that wears me out…
especially winter…
heeheehee.
xo
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:57 am
That was amazing … you transported me into your world … so much so that I could taste the fruit … feel the crisp air … imagine the fire crackling and pumpkin eyes a-glittering.
Oh bless!
mich
x
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:30 am
I’m so not ready for the seasons to change. I’m still dreaming of days at the beach and ice cream. Not ready for Fall yet!
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:17 am
I’m right there with you honey! This morning in a sweater and thick socks…there is the undeniable brrrr…setting in. I too, sent my kids back to school yesterday…and contemplate pulling in what I can from the vegetable garden…
It’s time to start knitting and making homemade soup…
Although that said, knowing this climate we’ll get one more glorious burst of summer before she leaves for good. (I’m hoping anyway! :)
Love to you…
xo
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:02 am
It’s fall already? Oh, to live in a world of seasons. It’s still hot in Arizona. Like, hot. Like, 100 + degrees. We don’t have fall until December.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Your words are such a feast for my soul!
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:52 pm
do you know what you are? a Poet.
i never capitalize…god, i love you. i wish i was better at keeping in touch…but you are always in my thoughts, friend-of-my-heart.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Definitely not ready. Can I have some more summer, please?
September 4th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Daisies, your words are as wonderful as your photographs. I love the glittering pumpkin eyes reference in particular. The seasons do control a lot of our behaviour, it’s true. I am caving already with the crazy rains here. Enjoy the vanilla, the cool breezes and crunchy leaves.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
glad u chose a nap over blog break!
I didn’t think I wanted summer to end, but hearing your description of upcoming fall and the weather you are now experiencing.. has made me no so unhappy that it’s around the corner for us.
Warm hugs Dais!
September 5th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I love the transition from summer to fall - especially once the chill comes into the air - and it does seem sudden - and worrying your vegetables and wanting long sweaters also seems to be a sudden thought too. You paint such a gorgeous description of where you live - it makes me want to go there.
Annie xo
September 5th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Noooooooooo! I’m not ready! I’ve read all your posts, when did it get cold. I’m not going willingly! XXOO
September 5th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
It’s been hot as hell here, but your writing of all the coziness of fall has me hoping to see the leaves turning soon. Autumn, pumpkins, Halloween and apple pies are the best!
September 5th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Oh yeah…love that lone raspberry pic - Beautiful!
September 7th, 2008 at 8:17 am
beautiful…in Croatia is still hot, more like summer than autumn, xoxo
September 7th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Such a stunning image, which makes me crave fresh raspberries. :-)
I hope you enjoyed the weekend! xxoo
September 7th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Yeah…I think Autumn is going to happen really fast here in Alaska. Faster than I am use to. I snapped a few pics to catch the chancing seasons
I loved your wedding pics by the way, never had a chance to comment. Things have been madness around here!
September 8th, 2008 at 5:10 am
i’ll join you…for the nap…
uninterrupted…maybe just with butterfly kisses on our cheeks!
miss you xx
September 8th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
you are beauty in every sense of the word.
xoxo