I love nature and all it includes, well, except for raking leaves and shoveling snow. I suppose those two tasks have more to do with my age and a bad back than anything else.
I know, there are many folks who consider fall their favorite season. Truthfully, I’m more of a spring person, but while outside raking and composting, I content myself with enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.
Our property borders some wetlands and woods. During the summer, I can barely see past the edges, but once the leaves cascade down, it is a whole different world.
I have a path into the area where I put things to compost so this past weekend while dropping off leaves, I took the time to really look around.
Available condo for winter camping. 
Kale still beautiful in the compost pile. 
Colorful floor. 
Pinkish leaves hanging on. 
Someone leaned a rebar between these two trees, and it grew into them. 
Golden leaves still holding on. 
Gorgeous green moss on a simple branch.
Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.
~Gary Snyder
Sending you best wishes for a beautiful fall week as we head into the Thanksgiving Holiday. If you’re hitting the road, safe travels, stay well, and enjoy Mother Nature’s canvas along the way.
NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
I can see how a bad back would make raking and shoveling less than fun. What a beautiful spot you have! Reminds me a bit of our yard. We only have an acre, but we live on the edge of a watershed so it feels like we have more. Wonderful ending quotation by Gary Snyder.
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Yes, back issues certainly come into play when certain tasks are done. Shoveling is the absolute worst. I thought you’d see a parallel to your woods. I like that quote too. Hope your patio chairs are still out because it looks like you may have one more beautiful day this week in the 60’s. Enjoy.
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Ouch! Hope you don’t have do too much shoveling. The patio chairs are still out! Hope to use them soon.
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Your canvas highlighting Mother Nature is very creative. I love the condo and the Kale is just beautiful. It always amazes me how leaves and plants and dried branches that are dying still manage to look so beautiful.
I like the quote from Gary Snyder!
You took wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing. Hope this is the start of a great week for you.
Ginger
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I dumped that Kale on the compost pile weeks ago, and it defies everything and continues to show its beauty. It just makes me smile every time I take a load of leaves back there. You have a good week too!
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Your photos are inspiring and I like the quote, too. Nature, no matter the season, soothes my soul, distracts my mind from thinking too much.
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That’s a perfect description! Being outdoors in nature is truly good for the body and the soul. Enjoy your week.
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Loved your message. Maine bus leaves for the Gardens @ 10:00!! 🚌
Sent from my iPad
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I hope to hook a ride on that ME bus in a few weeks and also provide service on the NH bus. 🙂 We’ll just be one beloved friend short this season, and we will both miss her terribly.
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What beautiful images! All that is hidden in the summer? Wow. You are so right and so is Gary: this is our home, not a place to visit. We can’t take for granted these vignettes that are ours for the seeing. (We also can’t take our backs for granted! Boy, can they scold when we’ve not paid attention!) Thanks for the wooded tour around your place; it is lovely!
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It’s kind of treacherous walking back there because of all the things hidden under the leaves, but I always enjoy myself immensely when I traipse around a little bit. It also makes me smile when I keep reading about not taking up your leaves because there isn’t a place for insects and small animals. I’ll keep raking because they only have to go a few feet to find all kinds of winter shelter. 🙂
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Beautiful, Judy! I like going for bike rides during all three biking seasons simply because I see a different landscape between spring, summer and fall – houses that were covered by the lushness of summer or a pond that becomes more beautiful with the colors of autumn. I’m glad you were able to take in this season on your property.
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I bet you see some similar sights from your rides, and it is like looking through different lenses. Hope you get a few more opportunities to ride before winter really starts coming your way. I’m guessing you feel about the same emotions when you put your bike away as I do my gardening tools. 🙂
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I think my bike riding days are over until spring, unless we get a day or two of unusually warm weather. And, yes, I’m always as bit sad when the season is over.
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Looking out at our woods yesterday, viewing the same kind of beauty, I thought I should take a photo on the first of every month for one year. I personally love the sheltered feeling that summer provides, but you sure see a lot more in the fall! Your photos are wonderful!
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That would make an interesting calendar – one photo each month. Yes, you glance and it may take a few minutes to figure out it is a tree leaning or something else that has caught your attention. The view is always interesting, but I am more observant to make sure I’m not trespassing in some animal’s bedroom.
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Love the photos Judy, especially the pretty little kale in the compost!
I have been rather lucky in my life at avoiding shoveling snow. However, my husband had a heart attack a few weeks ago so I suspect that will be a job I’ll have to take over!
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I applaud being able to avoid shoveling, but I’m terribly sorry to hear about your husband’s heart attack and hope that he is recovering. I inherited shoveling because of a medical situation as well. For a dozen years or so, I had a pushing system and not too many issues, but each year it becomes something I really need to avoid for my own health. Prayers for your husband’s complete recovery and light snow for both of us to push.
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Thank you Judy, your kind words mean a lot.
I will have to look for that push shovel!
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I have two of them. A small red one and a large yellow one with a wide handle that I bought at Lowes. It beats picking it up and doesn’t require ice packs. 🙂
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I’m looking for these!
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You live in a pretty area. The trees are majestic and I love the moss. Take care of yourself.
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I ‘usually’ know my limits, but sometimes I’m not as smart as I should be. 🙂
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Love those photos in the woods Judy. Thanks
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Thanks, John.
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Fall is definitely beautiful but I’m a spring girl myself too.
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Fall certainly has its own beauty, but it also is kind of depressing as everything dies out. Spring, on the other hand, is like a rebirth with limitless possibilities.
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The subtle beauty of late fall well captured, Judy. Take care of your back…hopefully a winter’s rest will put you to rights. Are you heading south soon?
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I try to only abuse my back during spring and summer and rest up in between. 🙂 We’ll head south the end of December for a January 1 arrival. We’d go a little earlier, but the condo is booked. Here’s hoping we don’t get more snow than I can push out of the way. 🙂
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You might get out before a sizable storm occurs. Seems like we don’t have many white Christmas’ anymore, but one never knows!
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Thanks so much for taking the extra time to look around and take photos, Judy. I miss the seasons so I enjoyed these perhaps even more than when we lived in the Midwest. 🙂
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It definitely is interesting from season to season. It’s kind of like the changes you go through in life in general. You’re getting ready for one of the best changes of all coming up. Best job ever!
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🥰
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As much as I prefer our warmer weather, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit a tad bit of jealousy when I see pictures of beautiful autumn leaves. Enjoy the changing of the seasons!
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I can make you feel better – it’s cold and windy in the 40’s here today. We received propane today, and the price is up 20% over last year. Walk outside and soak up some sun and smile. 🙂
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Yes, as commented by Janis, I can’t help feeling envious of your beautiful Fall colours, but I agree, sweeping up those leave every year would dampen my enthusiasm! Happy Thanksgiving week Judy.😁🌞
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I hope you have a great week!
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Such lovely pictures of fall’s beauty in your neck of the woods. A lovely stroll it was.
Have a fabulous week my friend!
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Happy week before Thanksgiving to you as well.
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How lovely to have this place over your back fence. Autumn colours are always so beautiful.
Judy, I was inspired by your watermelon growing success and bought some Sugar Baby seeds. So far I have two seedlings up but goodness, they’re slow growing. Did you find this too or am I doing something wrong? I sowed more seeds a few days ago but nothing is up yet.
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Oh, that is exciting. I started mine inside under lights so they came up pretty quickly. We had fun watching them grow, and the only challenge was knowing when to harvest them. I read numerous articles on how and when, but in the end I mostly guessed. I did read an article that it would help if you put the date planted on a marker and then you could count forward based on the package of seeds which would get you close to the desired date. I hope you have a couple of delicious watermelons to enjoy.
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My two little plants seem to have made faster progress this week. I’ll keep you updated. 🙂
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An excellent musing on fall landscapes and our home in the natural world. Enjoyed your photos of the crisp walk in the woods.
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Mother Nature does provide us with beautiful vignettes everywhere we look.
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I do like fall, but you’re right, Judy. it brings a lot of work to us. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures. We won’t be traveling, but even riding around town, you need to be safe. I hope you have a nice easy week.
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You are right about riding around town which can be just as dangerous. As it gets darker earlier, the joggers, bikers, and kids on electric skateboards and scooters popping up sure create a driving challenge.
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Oh, I do like the things you stopped to notice. The Kale is beautiful still, as are the wonderful fall color still hanging on.
The rebar through the tree is different!
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The first time I saw that rebar and every time since just makes me cringe. That rebar is long. I’ve never seen a piece that long, and it is definitely attached to the point that there is nothing I can do except show my amazement that the trees are alive.
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Beautiful images of fall Judy, it’s the only time I miss the north. My birthday is in mid November and I cannot remember a single one that actually still had leaves on the trees!! I don’t miss that part of it at all. Nor the winter that follows it. But I loved the autumn colors and their delicious smell. Stay warm up there and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours
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November birthday here too. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Enjoy your lovely weather.
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You have an eye for beautiful fall images. That kale is brilliant and so is the moss on the stick. Well done. Enjoy the sounds of the leaves crunching beneath your feet.
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That kale always seems like it’s saying, see you should have left me in the container because I’d still be beautiful. 🙂 Happy sewing, Mary.
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I don’t like raking leaves, but I do love using a leaf blower! Especially if the sun’s out and the weather’s dry. Shoveling is also OK with me, but only if I have all day to do it, and nothing else to do. But of course what do i wind up doing? Blowing leaves in the rain, and shoveling prior to sunrise, at the start of a busy day.
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You about summed both jobs up so thanks for the chuckle. 🙂 I’ll wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and won’t worry about whether or not you have a lot of good eats because I know you will. 🙂
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Fall is so incredibly beautiful and you captured it perfectly! Best to you and yours for the Thanksgiving!
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Thank you, and I hope all your chicks are home to roost for the holiday. I also hope the new job is going well.
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Sumptious leafy floor – as we don’t have an Autumn here, all these photos are very much appreciated.
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Glad to give you a peak at fall here.
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Lovely photos, they brought back memories of walking in the woods on our property in New Hampshire. The only time I would do it was in the fall when you could see your way through.
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Fall definitely provides a window into the woods which is always a fascinating place to check out when you’re a nature enthusiast.
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