Autumn Harvest

Week of 09/14/2008 Good days for root crops.

It's mid-September, and Summer's green is beginning to evolve into Autumn's splendid show of colors. It hasn't gotten quite cold enough at night for a frost in the valley, yet the colorful signs of the fall season have started to appear. Some of the large Maple trees have rich green leaves on one side and fiery orange and sunburst yellow leaves on the other side. The long, slender leaves of the Sumac have turned from dark green to warm yellow, tipped with hot orange-red. Bright, fuzzy red clusters of Sumac berries point upwards at the ends of the branches. They will provide the wild ones with food through the coming cold winter months.

The long rows of soybeans are now vast fields of Autumn yellow, and the leaves in the cornfields are turning to dry yellow/beige. Large flocks of Grackles drop into the rustling rows with a clattering chatter. Their day begins with them dining on the tasty yellow kernels that have been waiting for harvest time.

The golden seed heads of the tall poster grass in the meadow is covered with a silver dew that sparkles in the early morning sun. The many dew-covered spider webs glisten like shiny jewelry as every drop of moisture catches a ray of sun. Black and yellow Garden spiders, one in the center of each wet web, are warmed as the sun slowly spreads over the meadow.

Grackles in the cornfield.

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Three does stand in the hayfield at the edge of the woods. Their coats are turning from summer cinnamon to soft brown. They peacefully nibble away and enjoy the welcome warmth of the new day.

This is truly harvest time, as we are fully reminded when the huge, white full moon rises over the tree tops. So bright is the glow, that long shadows are cast from behind every tree and bush, and the rippling river sparkles with moon beams. From the damp coolness of the night, a Screech owl sings in the bright moonlight. He trills his song soft and low and watches a moving shadow far below.

Spider webs glinting in the sun

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Soon the frost will shrivel the large, green leaves on the long, green vines, and expose fruit that has been hidden underneath. The shiny orange globes then are easy to find and harvest. Think of Jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin pie; both are trick or treats for your eyes.

Autumn trees in the fog.

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I crumble the dried heads of Bergamot, coneflowers, Black-eyed Susans and Gray goldenrod into my hand. As I walk through the tall grass, I toss the seed. Hopefully there will be some new color in the meadow come next summer. This is a very relaxing and rewarding job, as the smell of dried grass and flowers sets my mood. The spicy scent of the prairie covers my hands, and often I put them to my face for my nose to taste.

Dew glistening on a spider web.

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The tastes, smells, sights and sounds of Autumn are all around. I take it all in, eagerly, because soon I know they will slip away, quieting my senses until the next warm Spring day.

Let yourself be distracted from the worries and pressures of your everyday life, and let Nature set a peaceful pace. Go outside and feel the Harmony that your senses were intended to experience.

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