HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: What a blustery and rainy weekend we had–and just like that, whoosh, it’s autumn.
Look at these sparrows, who so politely lined up on the window sill under the eaves of our garage to get out of the deluge of rain. I love the special sparrow spacing, it's quite mathematical!
The leaves are wildly turning, and the sedum are darkening red, and the weary tomatoes have given up the ghost for the year. As I have whined in this space, worst tomato year ever.
Jonathan has gone to the basement to turn off the irrigation system. The pool guy is coming to close the pool. Our window air conditioners are looking forlorn and out of place. My little summer dresses suddenly are gaspingly out of season and upstairs they go, into the third floor storage.
I got new sweatshirts and a new sweater with a duck on it that I love but you will never see me wear it in public. And I am trying to figure out what I did with all my coats. I put them somewhere…
How about you, Reds and readers? What changes do you see where you live? And how do you know fall is here? What do you to prepare welcome it?
Oh, please, could we stop changing the clocks? I absolutely despise changing back and forth . . . .
ReplyDeleteWe're drying out from all the Nor'easter rain; the leaves are beginning to turn and the deer are moving around quite a bit as the temperature drops . . . and just when we were getting ready for cooler weather and I was digging out sweaters and jackets, we got a mini-heatwave . . . it's supposed to be 78 today.
[The clocks turn back an hour on 01 November at 2:00 am] . . . .
Yes, it would be nice not to change the clocks--although I do love getting that extra hour... ANd it's SO confusing! I keep wondering if I am supposed to be sleepy or not..
DeleteSame here. Am I supposed to be sleepy or not? Diana
DeleteSigh. I hate this time of year. I'm going to go out and rescue the last of my tomatoes today. My deck is covered with wet leaves. The chairs are still on their sides from the nor'easter. Pretty soon the local hens will slow down their laying and I'll have to say goodbye to my beloved farm eggs. Maples are starting to dress up in clumps of brilliant red (okay, that part is pretty). I hate waking up in the dark and knowing it won't be light for hours.
ReplyDeleteAt least I have vanquished my skin issue so I can wear two favorite sweaters that were too itchy last winter. And maybe I'll get Ida Rose and me matching IU fleece vests for her third birthday in three weeks!
OH, at least you HAD tomatoes..I am so impressed!
DeleteEdith, I think today was the last time I bought dry farmed tomatoes at the market. They are called dry farmed because it is a different process of growing tomatoes?
DeleteDiana
Here in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks we're at the height of our leaf color. In another two weeks (less if we have a big wind and rain) we'll be firmly in stick season until early May. Sigh. Though I am always excited to kiss all-day outdoor farm chores goodbye in late October, I am never excited by the long months of clouds and a visual palette of grey, brown, black, and dark-green-that-looks-black. (Selden)
ReplyDeletep.s. Hank, I love your photo of your sparrows! Such beautiful soft colors and of course, the orderly file out from under the dripline. (Selden)
DeleteOh, so gorgeous! And yes, the sparrows. Such cuties. And I love the one who snagged the corner spot.
DeleteWe know it is fall because the snowbirds are returning from their northern summer homes. Traffic is increasing and the amenities are more crowded. Also, the temperature and humidity have dropped somewhat. There are some trees in Central Florida with leaves that change color and drop, but it isn’t happening yet.
ReplyDeletePeople here really crave sweater weather!
When it plummets to what, 68 degrees??? Ha ! xoxooo
DeleteI am a fan of sunlight and warm weather gardens. The darkness of the coming seasons leaves me cranky and lethargic. No fresh fruit except apples and pears…Every year I keep thinking about the light treatments for SAD but do nothing about it. I do love the colourful leaves, and the mums are looking great. I dread changing the clocks back. I do love wearing sweaters, and our walks are better when it’s not 90 and humid… And being Pollyannaish there will be more time to curl up with new mysteries!
ReplyDeleteSuzette and others with SAD, try the garage lights from Amazon (https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FGN67PV2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
DeleteNot advertising them, but they do come to your door! There were 4 in the box but you don’t need that many. It is a lovely bright light that perks up the day and the room. No heat, and a very low power consumption – I have 8 sets running over the geraniums and don’t notice it on the winter hydro bill. I may ask Jack if he call install one above the jigsaw puzzle…
Margo, I really am trying to avoid Amazon for many reasons. Do you know if those bulbs are available anywhere else? As a SAD sufferer, those sound like a winner. -- Victoria
DeleteANd we need to talk about favorite apples! LOoking at the bright side...
DeleteVictoria, I don't know. I am in Canada, so expect there are lots of similar lighting units available in the US. If you get a computer access and look at the specs, you should be able to go to a hardware store and search them out. The secret seems to be to get the LED lights with daylight colour and lots of lumens - I think those were 5000. I just got back from the $store with 2 standard 100 watt super duper daylight regular screw-in bulbs. These are going in the kitchen ceiling light. If nothing else, I will be able to see what I am burning!
DeleteI am the one usually complaining about rain at this time of year, but we did not get any – and so I am still complaining because it is dry, dry, dry. For some reason it all dumped on the Eastern Seaboard – sorry for you, but couldn’t nature just be a bit more fair? Still warm and sunny – 16-22C each day. Still no tomatoes – just a write-off season. Still bringing in geraniums – I know there are too many, but some will not make it. Enjoying massive and beautiful dahlias. Still trying to clean up JUNK!
ReplyDeleteSome kids are coming for Thanksgiving in 2 weeks (?), and then I plan on hibernating for quite a while. However, I am looking and making lists for the garden catalogues for next year. Jack has spent the summer cleaning up, and actually taking things to the dump (not the useless porcelain sink circa 1950 that we moved with us 25 years ago – still not used – oh well…) It does mean that the front of the garage is cleared so hope one of the loads of wood arrives before Thanksgiving – see note about kids coming – (right that is a pipe dream – they always have something else to do…)
Released our last butterfly about a week ago - #22. This one was a male and took forever to emerge, but he seems healthy, so let’s hope he makes it. I did not tag this year – too slow in deciding that I needed tags. I wonder if anyone is using the electronic tags in NS. These butterflies go down the eastern coast of the US and across the Gulf of Mexico which is a much harder flight that through the center of Canada. I wouldn’t mind doing it – maybe I need to do some research and think about it for next year.
The time change does not bother me, but for where we live, I hope that it is permanent daylight savings hours. I would hate to waste all our sunlight in the morning when I would rather be sleeping – right now it is up by 4:30am at its peak and just after 7 now.
How about making the sink into a planter, you will have drainage already built in and you can paint it another color
DeleteOh, you have dahlias!! Lucky you! They are always so astonishing. (Except for the earwigs, gah.) But the different types are so incredible..
DeleteSend me your address - I will send you the earwigs - free!
DeleteHere in central Connecticut, there are only a few trees beginning to change colors. But yesterday, Irwin and I drove to Mystic to see Jim Benn at Bank Square Books and were very surprised to see how much the leaves had already changed closer to the shore. That just seems backwards.
ReplyDeleteI love autumn and do not dread winter. I love to wear jeans and sweaters. I have already put most of my short sleeve shirts and summer dresses, my shorts and white pants into the closet in the guest room. Next week, I'll bring the woolen sweaters up out of storage and put more of the summer and swing season things away. I know where the winter coats are. As for activities, they will change slightly, but I like long nights and don't mind if it is still dark when I get up early. (I love Spring and Summer, too. I am glad I live where I can watch the seasons change.)
Last weekend, we had rain and wind, but other places close to us got slammed. Yesterday morning, my friend told me that Mystic had flooded and suggested that I double check before our drive down there to make sure the bookstore was okay. It was. I am very concerned about flooding in this house and feel like, at this point, I am getting too old for that type of concern. We will eventually have to move after 42 years. Where will we go?
After 46 years in our house my husband and I are listing our house early next year and moving to a continuous care community that is being built as I write. We will not have to manage our irrigation system, pool, home maintenance and when we are off to travel the front door gets locked and away we go! We’re ready to give up the responsibility that we’ve carried for 46 years.
DeleteJudy, that is always a tough decision. With climate change getting worse - everywhere has weather related problems. Of course, the nightly news makes it seem like places are either floating away, burning up or leveled by hurricanes.
DeleteOh, moving...ah. That is such a big question. xoxoo
DeleteWe have been enjoying the pretty kind of fall weather here in central Ohio for the past few weeks. Highs in the 70s, overnight lows in the 50s. There's been rain, but not deluge. Today it is predicted to pop back up to summer temps (high around 85) before a rainy day tomorrow that brings back the cooler temps. I am trying hard to live in these moments and not wallow in the misery darkness and bad weather are sure to bring. I have already had to give up evening walks, as sunset has shifted from after 9 pm to a little after 7.
ReplyDeleteThe extent of my "gardening" this year was four hanging flower baskets and a big red dipladenia in a pot with a trellis. Before we took our trip to Europe I disposed of two of the flower baskets that seemed spent, but had a friend plantsit the remainder. Now the last two baskets are about at the end of the line, but that dipladenia is still blooming boisterously. It can't take real cold, so its days are numbered, but I am going to enjoy it for every day that I still can.
Yes, you can really hear the clock ticking on the annuals, absolutely. I will be sad to see my gorgeous nasturtium-filled window boxes go.
DeleteHank, I love the sparrows! What a lovely picture. Here in GA we're still in the 80s although they are forecasting highs in the 70s next week. We'll see. At least, the humidity is tapering off so it doesn't feel as hot as it did in mid-July.
ReplyDeleteI'm ready to make soups and create fun meals that generate heat in the house. I've begun sneaking in warmer clothing to accommodate cooler mornings and evenings. I actually love the experience of finding "new" outfits that have been stored away for months now. It is like getting a new wardrobe without buying anything! On the other hand, I hate the loss of sunlight as I am very much a solar-powered woman. Margo's lights that battle SAD sound mighty tempting. -- Victoria
SO agree! I love when I see something and think--whoa, I had no idea I had this! SO weird.
DeleteHank love the photo of the birds!! I got a chuckle about your duck sweater. What a nice little peek into your day.
ReplyDeleteAww..xoxoo The sweater is very cute, but definitely an at-home ensemble!
DeleteYesterday was the most beautiful fall day here in Oregon. The sun was shining with a mild breeze from the north. Everything seemed fresh and vibrant. I'm a fan of fall! However, I still need to water occasionally because we haven't had much rain at all.
ReplyDeleteThe time change comes November 1. I know this is a minority opinion, but I would prefer to stay on standard time. As an early bird, I care more about morning light than long evenings. We tried staying on daylight savings time in 1974. Here;'s what Inside History says about the experiment: "When the U.S. extended daylight saving time through the winter of 1974 at the height of the Arab oil embargo, lawmakers hoped to cut energy use by pushing an extra hour of daylight into late afternoons. President Richard Nixon said the measure would bring “only a minimum of inconvenience.” But because January sunrises came as late as 9 a.m. in parts of the country, dark morning commutes to work and school quickly turned public opinion against the plan."
Gillian I agree about standard time, because according to some it matches "solar time more closely, providing brighter morning light and supporting natural human circadian rhythms"
DeleteHmmmm..thinking about this. It's really strange when it gets dark at 4 PM I have to say..
DeleteI agree very strongly about staying on standard time. All the scientific and health research says this is by far the best option. Switching is next best, staying on DST the worst.
DeleteI agree with leave it all alone! We are not improving anything by the time change. I was born at 2:22 AM Pacific War Time ie daylight savings time, it reminds me of sad times. Standard Time is perfect.
DeleteHank ~ Those sweet sparrows of yours are clever and smart. Symmetrically Lined up on your garage window sill under the eaves. They remind me of "birds on a wire" which we often see while driving down the roadway. Taking a break or taking shelter or perhaps holding a community condo meeting :-) there is a logical and resourceful reason for them to be doing so.
ReplyDeleteThis time of year is like the limbo of seasons. Some of my summer annuals are still hanging in there but the lantanas and vermillionaires were all destroyed by the recent nor'easter. The demise of those pollinators are also a reminder that Tinkerbell, our sweet little hummingbird, has officially said goodbye to migrate south to warmer climate. It saddens me that she has left the courtyard for the season. I will miss her daily visits and the bright orange, yellow and red flowers she favored to pollinate. Until the cheerful mum plants, kale and cluster of pumpkins grace the courtyard and front porch I feel this in-between time is a bit gloomy outdoors. A week of overcast weather and rain hasn't helped either. It's a bit mossy out there. But inside our home the autumn season is alive and well. Like old friends the pumpkin decor, magnolia wreaths, apple cinnamon candles and change of pillow covers are back to welcome this time of year. And by the upcoming holiday weekend the outside will look colorful again too. It just takes time and patience to revive everything again.
On the first of every month my Facebook page always post a Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit greeting in hopes that everyone will have a serendipitous month of good health and well being. I love to post Rowan the hare-brain wrendale design by Hannah Dale. He always looks a bit frazzled, fur askew with a bit of straw hanging from his lip...the way some of us feel at the end of a sometimes challenging month. But always hopeful that new opportunities will arise mixed in with some peace and joy. Now more than ever needed in this troubled world.
Oh Tinkerbell, safe travels and safe return!
DeleteI wonder if the sparrows' spacing has to do with the room they need to take flight?
DeleteI'm sure I know where my gloves and jackets are...right? As for the time change, we are giving that up this year in Manitoba. Sadly, though, the politicians have decided to stick with permanent Daylight Saving Time, which is the wrong choice, in my opinion. We shall see how happy the longer-summer-evenings brigade is faring in the deep dark and MUCH longer winter mornings come January and February....
ReplyDeleteGloves! I forgot! xx
DeleteHappy October! My favorite month, to be honest. I mean, my birthday, fall color, sweater weather, and of course, Halloween, my favorite holiday. No other month can compete, really.
ReplyDeleteLast night I went to a talk a friend gave about light. She touched on the seasonal changes, and DST vs. Standard Time, red light therapy, and lots of other light-related tidbits. Red light therapy does work, but at a cellular level so subtle that it may not be visible to the naked eye, in case you were wondering. Coincidentally, when I was shopping at Costco yesterday afternoon, I saw a red light/sauna cabinet: you can stand inside it (nude, presumably), and treat your entire body to red light. https://www.costco.com/p/-/homedics-2-in-1-portable-steam-sauna-red-light-wands/4201023343?langId=-1
On DST, Michele, who is a microbiologist and researcher at the University of Cincinnati, cited loads of research indicating that DST is very, very bad for humans. During the changeover to Daylight Savings, there are more heart attacks, A-Fib, accidents, and other problems than at any other time of the year. The change back time also has a bump in such events, but far less dramatic in number.
Hank, we are in sad solidarity regarding tomatoes. We barely had enough to make more than a couple of BLT's this year, let alone my normal frenzy of keeping up with ripening fruits. I actually bought canned tomatoes from Costco, since I didn't get to freeze any this year.
That's not good news regarding DST. It seems that standard time is a more in tune with the natural rhythm of things and is much healthier. I think it is time for some many reasons (health being a big one) to go to standard time.
DeleteYes, Anon, and Michele urged the audience to lobby our Congressional reps to make Standard Time permanent, not DST.
DeleteCurrently, a bill to keep DST permanent time has passed the House, and is now awaiting the Senate's review and votes, so we still have a chance to change this.
SO interesting and powerful how it affects us!
DeleteThe thing is, Congress DID make DST permanent at the beginning of 1974, during the first oil crisis. And people hated it! It was pitch black every morning, there was an increase in auto and pedestrian accidents, and the whole thing didn't last a year before it was reversed. What's the saying about those who can't learn from history...
DeleteThat was also mentioned last night, Julia. Sometimes I wonder how our elected officials tie their own shoes.
DeleteHappy October and Happy birthday month, Karen in Ohio! Anne of Green Gables loves Octobers too. It is going to be a hard month because my beloved Uncle died several months ago. He would be 95 years old on the 14th of October. I am not a fan of DST either.
DeleteDiana
Hank, leave the summer clothes on the stairs for a couple of days. The temp is going to be 70’s and 80’s today and tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThere have been attempts in Congress for a number of years by one of the MA senators. It is called the Sunshine Protection Act and would make the clock change permanent. This would ensure that there wouldn’t be a constant back and forth change with potential medical issues twice a year.
It has passed in the House, but the Senate has not done anything. Even if it does pass it would be too late for this fall.
I enjoy the fall colors, but I am a spring/summer person. Winter is fine if you don’t mind slipping and sliding on snow and ice that you can’t always see in the dark. I look forward to the longer daylight hours.and the first signs of the green leaves and flowers emerging from the ground.
Yes, you are so right..it is going to be in the 80s! Ridiculous!
DeleteMaybe the Senate remembers how this was tried in the early 1970's (1973?) and that they had to end up and undo it.
DeleteRight now in the San Francisco Bay Area we are in the high 70's and low 80's. No change predicted for the next couple of weeks. What I miss in the Fall and Winter are all the melons and other fruit.
Fall here happens in late November. Another 100 degree day in barely inland California. Southern edge of the Bay Area.
ReplyDeleteOh, so you have plenty of time! xxxx
DeleteWe have had a very rainy summer here in the Laurel Highlands. And it's supposed to be 80 degrees today. That said, I do see touches of red and gold in the trees, so fall is definitely on the way. The wood is stacked for the stove, we've lit the pilot light on the gas fireplace. The Hubby is making plans to put the patio furniture away. But I've not yet pulled out all the sweaters, etc. I know there will be at least one more warm period.
ReplyDeleteLiz, I finally wised up and stopped using the closet in my son's room for storing HIS old stuff, and put all that upstairs. Now I can keep both my winter and summer things on the same, easy-to-access floor, so I don't need to be so strategic about which winter clothes are in my closet and which in-case-it's-Indian-summer clothing is still available.
DeleteYes, the trees often seem to change overnight, don't they? SO amazing.
DeleteI'm caught in the middle! I'm visiting in east Texas where it is still summer. Then we're heading north to Deadwood, SD for a family reunion. I packed a duffel with thermal knit tops, etc. for the cooler (I hope) weather. Then back to Virginia mid October for beautiful fall colors.
ReplyDeleteDeadwood! SO fun to be there..that will be wonderful! Safe and happy travels...
DeleteWe've had some very warm weather in northern California. It's been in the 90s, I don't like the 90s. Rain is still elusive, the hills are brown and dry... And the colors .... yeah I guess the liquid ambers are changing. I don't like to wake up in the dark so when the time changes I'll wake up in the dark and I'll be even grumpier than normal. I have heard geese flying over my house the past couple mornings, or was it a couple evenings, I'm not quite sure, but that usually means that fall is approaching because they're leaving Spring Lake and Lake Ralphine.
ReplyDeleteOh, the geese...such a harbinger, and so sweetly reliable..xoxo
DeleteI will get 50 geese resting in my pastures some mornings. It is always touching to me. Another year. Sigh. (Selden)
DeleteConcerning time change, it seems that a lot of Canada is not going to change time this fall. They seem to be staying Daylight Saving time. I wonder what that will mean to the US states in the same ‘band’? As for when they sun rises – we are in the very east of Atlantic Time (an hour earlier than Eastern). My son is in the western edge. Although we are both in the same time zone, there is almost an hours difference in when the sun comes up here to when the sun comes up in his house – all due to geography. Same time zone, yet a different time. Neither of us milks cows, so no need for the extra sun in the early, early morning.
ReplyDeleteOh, that'll be SO interesting with Canada!
DeleteMargo, although folks have told me that cow story for years, I have trouble accepting it as THE TRUTH. But it warms my heart as I think of my “gentleman farmer” grandfather who first told it to me. Thanks for bring him to mind today. Elisabeth
DeleteWe were finally having cooler weather (high 70s to mid 80s) for a couple of weeks here in San Diego. (Btw, when you look at the “official” temperature for San Diego, that’s taken at the airport which is by SD Bay and near the coast. That is not reflective of the places most people live around here.) I just checked and there’s going to be an extreme heat warning from tomorrow, Friday, all the way through NEXT Thursday. Even the beaches will be in the mid-90s and the inland areas will be 100+ degrees. So no sweater weather for us for awhile….— Pat S
ReplyDeleteYes, the old temperature at the Airport---where NO ONE lives!
DeleteHi Pat S. I live along the coast in SD and it is a scorcher right now. I can't wait for cooler weather.
DeleteThough today is the first day of October and despite the first day of Autumn starting in late September, it still feels like Summer. However, I notice the days are getting shorter, I found the last of dry farmed tomatoes (dry farmed is a different process) at the market this week. Hoping to finish my big project of clearing out before we have to change the clocks. I really would like to put up the Christmas tree from the same company that provides Christmas trees for the Hallmark movies.
ReplyDeleteDiana
Yes, Hallmark does seem to have some holiday decor geniuses!
DeleteI love your description of the seasonal changes you can see right from your house, Hank. Here in northern CA, there are changes, too, although with some head-whipping confusions, i.e. 40's at night, high 80s in the day and a forecast of 90s later this week, after which a quick drop to 60s and 70s. If people are confused, think about what the trees, roses, and the tomatoes are going through! Migration is fully underway, the geese have flown noisily south, the hawks are streaming through the Golden Gate southward, the summer squads of little birds has thinned and the ones that were way further north are clustering at my feeder on their way south - or have taken up winter residence here. There is so much bird activity and it boggles the mind to think how far these winged things fly twice a year!
ReplyDeleteLovely description, Susan! Alas, we've had to stop feeding the birds (long naked-tailed rodents feasting on the bird seed) so are missing seeing a lot of our usual migrating birds.
DeleteOh, I often think about that, how the creatures must be confused. or--are they? Certainly the flowers are-for the past few years I have had tulips start to push through the earth..and then get zapped by snow.
DeleteHi from north Texas where according to our home weather station, we went 73 days without measurable rain. Also 100 degrees temps. I don't think we broke a record but definitely close. The good news is that since yesterday we have had four and half inches of rain and believe me, the ground has just sucked it up like a sponge. More to come in the next couple of days. Just to have an overcast day is a blessing! Next week we will be highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s and we can imagine autumn. Bliss!! A few sweaters will come out, fall decorations everywhere. I love this time of year, it is always such a relief after the summer. we won't see much color in the trees for another month, however, and I don't know how the drought will have affected that. I also don't mind the shorter days. I like the coziness!
ReplyDeleteYes, I kinda agree about the shorter days... But I have my windows in my study blacked out for Zoom, so I have no idea what's outside anyway..
DeleteI'm going to need to see a picture of the duck sweater. :)
ReplyDeleteHA! You will have to come over...xoxooo
Delete
ReplyDeleteIt has been a hot September, in the 90s, with a short period of respite at the end of the month, but then back up to 90 yesterday and today. Tomorrow brings rain and a drop in temps to the 70s. Such crazy weather. I am so glad to be showing the door to the hot weather though. I've got my jackets and sweaters ready to go, and my Halloween t-shirts will need a couple of additions. I rarely wear a sweatshirt because they seem to add at least five pounds to the way I look. Remember the old line about TV adding so many pounds to your appearance. That's me and sweatshirts. I so wanted to go somewhere for a mini-vacation this fall, but with our new/old rescue dog and his anxiety issues with separation, I may have to do that on my own. Our 50th anniversary if Oct. 23rd, so I'm hoping I can work something out for that where we can get a dog sitter for a night. October is my favorite time of the year. I've always loved Halloween, and I'd love to go to Salem sometime during that peak season.
Oh, Salem is WILD during Halloween--it is quite the circus! Tell us about the rescue dog!
DeleteWe of the North Shore NEVER approach Salem in October! Just...don't do it.
Delete