Monday 22 September 2014

LIFE: When We Wish Away the Seasons

fall

Fall is a funny time of year. Some call it the spring like blossoming for trees. While in spring we find beauty in the pushing up bulbs from beneath the soil once covered in inches of snow, we hear the lambs and we see the cherry blossom. In autumn, while the dying, the death of the leaves, it comes with such beauty, a beauty that comes from mother nature, one final bow before the snow, the final curtain call of the seasonal life starts again. 

Some people find a higher being in a church, or in verses of a book. The more I work, feel the soil between my fingers, create life in a planting a bulb or taking a cutting in the hope of giving new life. The more I work in the garden, the more peaceful with the world I've noticed I've become which in a long drawn out way, is helping me with working on that self love mission. Mother Nature, is something bigger than us all that creates such a wonderfully colourful, world around us, even as one season dies.

Fall
(yes we really do have a weed growing half way up the maple tree)

Out of nowhere while potting around in the garden, one crisp, golden leaf floated down onto our deck. Where it's travels had taken it who knows, none of our trees nor the neighbours have started their change into their autumnal clothes. I took it has a sign of things to come, of the cooler days, the darker nights, of the reds, the oranges that will grace the edges of the maple leaves in the weeks to come, of the world slowly down, recovering, taking a slower breath. As I plant the bulbs that will sprout out through the soil and be the welcoming sign of springs arrival come 2015 others are wishing autumn away and are already onto Christmas and winter. While many may herald the arrival of Autumn by the meteorological definition of September the first, for many it's welcomed tomorrow - the autumn equinox (September 23rd) and some of us just go by phenology - when the life cycles, the plants tell us it's autumn. 

Sometimes I think we could all take a step from mother natures book and work and flow with the seasons, rather than wishing one away for another and find beauty in each season. I'm finding as a newbie gardener, the garden tells you what time of year it is, not a date on a calender.

20 comments:

  1. I love every season for different reasons.., okay Summer I like the least because of the heat and rain but when I was in school summer was my favorite! (3 month break from school, who wouldn't love that!?) the leaves still aren't changing here... I don't consider it "fall" until I wake up, go outside and say "ooh it's chilly" once I say it's chilly it is officially fall for me lol


    Jessica
    the.pyreflies.org

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    1. Haha it's crazy the length of school summer holidays over here, it's a month longer than the UK. Spring and summer really seem to merge here for me, there's days when spring is warmer than a UK summer day, it's still weird to get my head around. But yeah, chillier days when I can wear my cardigans and scarves, autumn is on it's way for sure!

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  2. I've been seeing Christmas pins on Pinterest for months already. Come to think of it, I don't think they ever stopped showing up, even in the dead of summer. Ugh. Can't we at least wait until Halloween is over first?! I tend to go by the plants around me as well, and the general trend of the temperature rising and falling, to determine the arrival of a new season. While I love a holiday as much as the next person, I don't want to rush into them prematurely. As much as I enjoy autumn, it is a sure sign that winter is getting closer, which I can't bear to think about! It is the one season I have no patience for.

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    1. There's even some Christmasy things turning up in store's its crazy. Just give me the Halloween candy right now and i'm happy. Have to admit, I did start some crafty things for Christmas this last week, mainly because if I didn't start now, it'll end up being like last year when it was all last minute or just never got done!

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  3. I agree - the calendar so does not govern when the seasons change. To me, it's definitely a feeling. It's the way the air starts to smell when summer fades, the slight chill that's brought on by cooler nights, the hot cup of pumpkin tea that warms you as you walk to class, and of course the beauty in seeing the changing colors...it's just a combination of these "little things". Personally fall is my favourite time of the year and I can't wait for it to be in full swing!
    ~ Samantha
    samsamcherie.blogspot.com

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    1. I think we get spoiled in Michigan - the weather so clearly tells you when the seasons change, and well, we truly get spoilt with all the leaf colors here. Blankets, hot chocolate and a night in front of the TV that's my autumnal position on an evening :)

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  4. This is such a beautifully written post, especially the first paragraph :)
    It's still sooo warm here at the moment that it really doesn't feel like autumn at all, apart from the shops selling all the cold clothes! x

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    1. Thank you. The weather is all over the place here too, especially in the last week or so, it's going from being rainy, super cold (today) and then for the rest of the week we're going to be back in the high 70's or so. Night is getting very cold, but at least that draws out the magic leaf colours so can't complain too much! Bar not really knowing what to wear going out for either being too cold or too hot!

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  5. Your words are so lovely in this post! I definitely feel more at peace with the world when I am outside in the garden, no matter what time of year it is. Happy Autumn!

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    1. Yeah being and working in the garden has been helping a far bit with my anxiety, great escape from the world.

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  6. Beautiful pictures! I love fall and especially the changing leaves. Happy fall! :)

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  7. Yes, I think it's so sad to see people wishing their lives away so that it's the next season already or whatever!

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  8. I love being outside in Autumn and just seeing all the little changes that happen. The amazing contrasts in the colours is what I love to see the most as they seem to change every day. I love the words you use in this post. Really beautiful x

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    1. Yeah, now that we have some trees, i'm noticing the day to day changes, even just the little twitches between the colours, wonderful just being able to look out a window and see all the shades.

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  9. I do like autumn and we have already started moving into it, so I'm quite enjoying the changes. But I agree, one season at a time, let's not all rush to Winter and Christmas. Although, I do love snow! I love each season but I'm happy to wait around :)

    Autumn, for me, makes me think about starting again. Instead of Spring which might be odd.

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    1. No do not mention the S word, that's nearly as bad as the C word. If the weather hears you mentioning the S word, it'll want to do it, and then you'll hear me moaning about being a chilly cold Brit who can't stand the S word lol.

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  10. Beautiful post :) i love all the seasons for the different things they bring and get excited for each one! I love when the leaves change colour and these are lovely photos :) x
    amber love

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  11. What a lovely post. I don't mind the seasons... except for winter :(

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  12. I love all the seasons, although Autumn might be my favourite. The leaves have started to turn here but we still keep getting really hot days where is feels like summer so I don't really feel like Autumn has properly set in yet. I am in no rush for it though.

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  13. This is exactly how I feel t the moment. I have to keep on reminding myself to enjoy whatever moment I am in at that time and not to wish the time to getting my visa away!

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