Autumn magic

To start with, remember the gleaned crab apples and the making of jam, or was it jelly? Here's a picture of the finished product. I can vouch for the sweetness of the taste.

crab apple jelly                © harrington

Second, please notice that not all oak leaves turn simple, basic brown, at least not yet.

maroon oak leaves            © harrington

Third, enjoy (secondhand) the magic of late afternoon Autumn sunlight. Yesterday was a wonderful day for a quiet walk with a camera instead of a dog. I hope you find as much or more pleasure with this Autumn as I've managed so far. The sunlight being filtered through these pine needles was enough to restore my belief in magic and woodland fairies. Ted Kooser nicely captures October's magic in his Letter.

"Tinkerbell" pine needles        © harrington

A Letter in October

By Ted Kooser

Dawn comes later and later now,
and I, who only a month ago
could sit with coffee every morning
watching the light walk down the hill
to the edge of the pond and place
a doe there, shyly drinking,

then see the light step out upon
the water, sowing reflections
to either side—a garden
of trees that grew as if by magic—
now see no more than my face,
mirrored by darkness, pale and odd,

startled by time. While I slept,
night in its thick winter jacket
bridled the doe with a twist
of wet leaves and led her away,
then brought its black horse with harness
that creaked like a cricket, and turned

the water garden under. I woke,
and at the waiting window found
the curtains open to my open face;
beyond me, darkness. And I,
who only wished to keep looking out,
must now keep looking in.

Thanks for listening. Come again when you can. Rants, raves and reflections served here daily.