A delightful September day

This has been the kind of morning we tuck away to bring out come the second or third blizzard in January or February. We're pleased to report that the local asters are in bloom. We saw both large-leaved asters and sky-blue asters, many more of the former, as we poked about some of the less well traveled corners of the county this morning.

sky-blue asters

Photo by J. Harrington

We took the Better Half [BH] for a cappuccino at one of our favorite local coffee shops. After sitting and sipping for awhile on their backyard patio, we wandered off to see if Wild River State Park and the St. Croix River were where we left them. They are and both seem to be doing well, all things considered, although our beleaguered drive may be in better shape than some of the roads in the park.

Coffee Talk in Taylors Falls

Photo by J. Harrington

Winterberry, a native holly, is adorned with bright red berries these days. Maybe we'll plant a couple of those near the wet spot in the back yard to provide some natural color in the Winter and forage for some of the local critters. Holly berries in early September does seem to be pushing the season, though.

Winterberry berries

Photo by J. Harrington

Both the BH and Yr. Obt. Svt. concurred as we arrived home that we definitely need to add more frequent excursions like this morning's to our weekly and monthly routine. Our regular beaten paths have gotten too well trod.

To the Light of September

By W. S. Merwin

When you are already here 

you appear to be only 

a name that tells of you 

whether you are present or not 

and for now it seems as though 

you are still summer 

still the high familiar 

endless summer 

yet with a glint 

of bronze in the chill mornings 

and the late yellow petals 

of the mullein fluttering 

on the stalks that lean 

over their broken 

shadows across the cracked ground 

but they all know 

that you have come 

the seed heads of the sage 

the whispering birds 

with nowhere to hide you 

to keep you for later 

you 

who fly with them 

you who are neither 

before nor after 

you who arrive 

with blue plums 

that have fallen through the night 

perfect in the dew

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