Friday 17 October 2014

Seeking out the changes ...


Some photographs to show the beauty I have found in the garden this week

The garden is damp and shining with early morning dew
Bathed in sunlight showing through petals
 and throwing long shadows across the grass

Water droplets on purple ribbed cabbage - a different kind of beauty
Whilst the bright sunshine-yellow stems of chard
light up and cheer the soul
 
Autumn is a time for seeking out the unusual
something to catch the eye
as the flowers fade and disappear
Shadows thrown against a fence
The slow changing of the leaves - beautiful
in their dying colours
Tomatoes hanging on to their withered branches

Change is upon us
Step by step autumn arrives - stealthily
snatching the last glories of summer
bite by bite
 
Some plants flower in the face of all this
 as
The last rose petals fall at a mere touch

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thank you for the comments on my last post – they go unanswered due to a busy week and not much computer time.  I have been preoccupied with tradesmen.  A boiler service, a plumber to fix a leaky radiator, tree surgeons to manicure the trees, a window man to quote on replacing some units of the double glazing – all these things take time – and patience.  Hopefully everything will soon be back to normal.
 
See you next week - same time, same place

56 comments:

  1. The garden takes on a special magic with a light srinkle of misty dew. With tthe dust washed away, everything looks fresh and clean, even that which is dying back. Very pretty photos, especially the cabbage. Good luck with all of the workmen. Sounds very busy.

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    1. Hi Ann
      Glad you like my cabbage - hope it tastes as good as it looks. I think it is the autumnal light that makes the garden look special at this time of year - beautiful when the morning mists clear.

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  2. I loved your poem, a wonderful ode to autumn. It is a time for endings isn't it and a time for making new plans. Your pics show the season in all it's splendour, you just can't beat the vivid colours.
    I don't envy you all the tradesmen, I hope all the work goes well and you get your house back in order and a little peace when they have all gone.xxx

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    1. Thanks for your kind words. It wasn't intended to be a poem but it kind of reads like that. I must say, even with most of the flowers gone now, there is always something to catch your eye.

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    1. Who would have though that a common cabbage could be queen of the garden right now.

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  4. Lovely pictures charting the change of seasons. I've just managed to do a little gardening today for the first time since my elbow injury - it was lovely to be out on such a glorious autumn day.

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    1. Glad you are on the mend Su - and making the most of what bit of sunshine we have - for now anyway.

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  5. Still so much to see in the garden. Although it feels very damp now.

    Jean x

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    1. I agree - damp seems to be the word - but today I would add blustery too.

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  6. Lovely images - you've been playing haven't you?

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    1. Oh - I've been found out - playing just a little bit.

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  7. I always enjoy your writings, this time a beautiful poem about autumn. Together with these pretty pictures, especially the 3 last ones, apples, cabbage and tomatoes it's again a wonderful post. Thank you Elaine,

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    1. Thank you Janneke - kind of you to say so.

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  8. The light in that second image is beautiful.

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    1. Thanks - not sure how I managed that - pure fluke!

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  9. I love these reminders of fall- a slowing down and a stopping of bloom and growth. You've captured that quiet fall quality of the light.

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    1. Hi Barb
      Autumn seems to be slow-coming here - so many trees are still green - probably because, as yet, we haven't had a hard frost. But yes, the light at this time of year is quite special.

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  10. There is beauty in (almost) everything if one takes the time to look. I'm often saying "Gosh, that's so beautiful", whilst other around me have blank faces. I feel we are kindred spirits.

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    1. When you are a blogger you have to take everything into consideration - and yes, it is surprising what catches your eye when you just slow down and take notice.

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  11. There is so much to enjoy in the garden and beyond in the hedgerows and country lanes and urban parks at this time of year. I love your descriptions and photos of these changing times:)

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    1. I went out into the fields that back on to our garden today and was surprised at just how many leaves aren't changing colour yet - most disappointing - I was hoping to take plenty of photos and came back with none!

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  12. A lovely autumnal post. The poem and pictures are wonderful, and I especially like the second one.
    I hope that everything is soon back to normal for you. Flighty xx

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    1. Thanks Flighty - it's my favourite too. It will probably be the end of the month before all the work is finished - everything just seems to be happening at once - isn't that always the way.

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  13. The sepia tones are so appropriate - a fitting metaphor for Autumn itself. Re the tradesmen: I know exactly what you mean. We have just finished having a bathroom rebuilt - a long job involving lots of different craftsmen - but it's finished now and it looks good. I hope you got some good results too.

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    1. Thanks Mark - I did a bit of photo editing to get the right feel. Our plumber came but won't be able to sort us out till the beginning of November - they always seem to have a lot of work on don't they. Glad your bathroom turned out ok - it good when a plan comes together - it's just the upheaval I don't like.

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  14. There's still plenty going on in your garden, Elaine, even with autumn taking hold. I specially love that purple stemmed brassica, a wonderful photo. And the photo of the fennel seed head, looking back up towards the house with gentle sunshine flitting across the garden. Very appropriate to the season. Have a good week!

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    1. Sadly I have been pulling out all the annuals so day by day there is less colour in the garden but I needed to get all the bulbs planted so they just had to go. Some days the light is so lovely I have to get out there with my camera and try to capture it. Hope your cold is better now - enjoy your week.

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  15. I hope that this week is less busy for you!! xx

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    1. It will be, thanks - it is all the waiting for people to turn up that seems to take the most time - you feel as though you can't get on with anything just in case.

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  16. Hi Elaine,
    This is why I'm so glad that I live in the UK. I love the changing seasons. It's amazing how much colour that there is in the garden at this time of year, isn't it ? I still have a fuschia in full bloom, a profusion of Japanese anemones, a few cyclamens and a riot of different colours on the trees.
    Beautiful photographs, summing up Autumn in the garden, perfectly. I have popped over from Tom Stephenson and Mise' blog.
    Have a great week. XXXX

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    1. Hi Jacqueline
      Thanks for visiting - I agree totally - each season has something different to offer and it is surprising what you can find still in bloom even at this late stage. Enjoy your week too.

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  17. Some beautiful images Elaine. I especially like those three golden apples. We are having fun here too with boilers and plumbers but hopefully it will be all systems go after tomorrow. Looking forward to being warm again.

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    1. It's definitely starting to feel colder that's for sure.

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  18. I loved this: "stealthily snatching the last glories of summer bite by bite"
    You've captured some beautiful colors of the changing season.

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    1. It's all change round here - colder, windier, rainier - changeable autumn.

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  19. I love your words Elaine xx and I am not just saying that because you like mine! Xxxxxxxxx

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  20. Beautiful words and pictures. Sarah x

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  21. Dear Elaine - your words paint a picture of things that are beautiful in your world. You write so well. Enjoyed seeing the gorgeous photos of the end of your season. Swiss chard - hmm - do you cook it or eat it raw? I have some I am planning on picking this evening for our dinner. Trying a new recipe. Have always ate it in salads in the past but going to cook it this evening instead. Take care and thanks for sharing a piece of your lovely world.

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    1. I usually cook mine a bit like spinach - although I usually add it in with other things - not my favourite vegetable but useful when there's not much else about.

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  22. Boy, do I get what you mean with busy. It's been very busy over here too: lots of appointments and things to do. I had read your post earlier but then realised I'd forgotten to comment. Lovely stuff, Elaine xxx

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    1. Thanks Isabelle - life can sometimes get a bit like that and then nothing happens for weeks.

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  23. Oh wow...beautiful words to accompany breathtakingly beautiful pictures :)

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  24. Really beautiful pictures! I love every one!

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    1. Thanks Erin - it was a perfect day for taking photos.

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  25. Oh! It is beautiful. I do love an autumn garden :)

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    1. I agree there is something about its fading beauty after the glories of summer.

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  26. Ooh...love the vintage look to your snaps.

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  27. Bite by bite...

    Lovely photos! You make me want to go hang out in someone's garden...because mine is nonexistent.

    Unleashing the Dreamworld

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  28. Lovely post. I'm intrigued by those beautiful mottled leaves that look as if they have been splashed with gold. What are they? Something like Pulmonaria?
    All the best :)

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    1. Yes - it was the sun shining on them producing that special effect

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