Endings always bring new beginnings

The urge to play with paper comes more often than I have the chance to do it but I made this card the other night to send to a friend along with a litle present I have had for over a year and never mailed to her. As summer drapes her shawl over her now fading flowery dress and readies herself to step aside allowing fall to have a grand entrance I thought the words of Dickens on the inside appropriate for the time of year and my feelings of summer soon leaving.

 

 

 

"Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own."

Charles Dickens

 

Summer has been beautiful and wonderful, and although it is always hard for me see my beloved summer leave I know it is soon time for change and I welcome it with arms and eyes wide open.  It is only days away until the summer lot takes on a whole new look of fall and abundance. I can hardly wait to see the pumpkins arrive with their colors and textures and to begin to make displays. Its alot of work but its GOOD hard work. How can anyone not love the site of a fairytale or cinderella pumpkin...there is something magical about how a tiny seed can grow something with such character. 

I hope that each of you who read me here will buy yourself a pumpkin this fall and enjoy the proicess of doing so. Pumpkin time is how local produce markets and garden centers stay in business once the bulk growing season for local veggies and fruits dwindles. Please support your local farm stand markets in your area for your fall needs, Yes you can pick up a pumpkin and put it in your metal shopping cart (and probably for cheaper) but if you appreciate the wealth that the American farmer gives to your life in summer support the farmer by visiitng a local market not a box store, or a grocery store for your fall pleasures. Treasures that what pumpkins and gourds are!

Speaking of leaving, Nik who came again this year and worked with us at Stoney's along with his friend K have now gone back to Russia. As I write this they should be landing on the soil of their home country... two fine young men whom I had the pleasure of their company this summer.

I took this photo of them in lhe last minutes before we all said our goodbyes. I will rememeber them as this...Nik with his great big beautiful smile and i will always remeber his words when you said Good morning Nik, how are  you? He would answer, "Good, always good!"  Nik and I will write now and then to one another and touch base with our lives, I hope. He will always have a little place in my heart with his name on it and I will always think of him kindly as my friend in Russia.

KL spoke little English upon arrival but his friend NIk helped him along in the very beginning translating if need be in Russian, and by the time KL left he spoke fluently our native tongue. He too is a fine young man and I enjoyed getting to know him as the summer went on. Both boys weeded the zinnia field for me and I know they didn't enjoy doing it :-) but I thank them for keeping the field in good order. I will miss them and I hope that in this lifetime our paths with cross again. Bless you both with all good things in your life Nik and KL.

It's almost time for the zinnia field to be where collards will grow this fall through winter. I still pick daily but the flowers are getting smaller and fewer and the plants are getting tired now. These are pictures from yesterdays pickins' so you can imagine how beautiful they were in their prime. 

In the language of flowers zinna means, "thinking of friends."

I'm thinking of Nik and KL and how good it must be for their family and friends to see them. And I think of all the friends I have met through blogging. Thank you all for what you bring to my life by visting here.

As one season comes to an end I look forward to new beginnings. Fall to me is the season in which we are reminded to be grateful for our abundance.  In these troubled times for many and the mess our country strives to rise above I hope that you will take time to measure and appreciate your abundance. For me it will have nothing to do with monetary value, but rather with the joy of friendships, the blessing of good health that sustained me today and hopefully will tomorrow and for the bounty of the harvest that fall will soon bring. May the bright orange of a pumpkin cheer you, the many textures of the season serve to add depth to your being, and your heart be lightened with inspiration.

Abundantly yours,

Carolyn

Comments

[darla]

I love the changing of seasons, any season. The new one coming up is always my favorite for the moment. Glad you had time for a little creativity, I think we all need that. Love the zinnias but I can't wait to see what magic you work at Stoney's for the fall.

Darla

[Ardi]

Each fall when we're at the cabin, I wander out into the stark meadows and gather a blessing. Each of the buildings has a blessing outside the door and this trip I picked one to put outside our door. And I always think of you when I pick them. Your autumn bouquets and arrangements always make me smile and so your post about friends is all the more true - the boys brought joy into your life with their smiles, and you have brought joy to mine with your posts and friendship.

[Leslie Garcia]

Dear Carolyn,
Your flowers are amazing! They warm my face! I am so glad that I read your words about the close of summer and the opening of our next season of life...Autumn. I will buy those pumpkins you wrote about...I am actually looking forward to it now. Wishing you friendship and best wishes for the coming days. I love it when you post a blog!
In gratitude,
Leslie

[Rain]

I always enjoy your blog and the colorful photos, the way you use your life to create beauty. Sad about Dewey but anyone who raises livestock knows that story all too well. Just tough sometimes.

[Fran aka Redondowriter]

Those zinnia photos are spectacular. I've started decorating the house for fall and I know you are ramping up at Stoneys for fall, too. Hope you and Arnie are well.

[Beth]

Beautiful zinnias. Lucky for me, a farmers market is set up across the street from work every Tuesday. I've had pretty zinnias on my desk for several weeks. Will look for pumpkins tomorrow!
Your posts are always so thoughtful. Thanks for reminding me of all I should appreciate. I'm looking forward to fall, new beginning, too.