Busy day (6)

(Grounded.)

Sometimes I think the autumn season is the epitome of the idea of wabi-sabi.  It’s on days like today that one can really see natural processes at work.  It is, in many ways, the season of decay.  The gusty winds have torn more leaves from the trees and the air smells earthy, with that underlying scent of dying vegetation.  In other words, it looks and smells like autumn.  More like later in autumn, but everything seems to have come early this year.

I find it interesting to note that at the height of summer’s growth and the beginning of autumn’s decay, the colors are somewhat similar:

It rained like crazy here this morning.  It was the kind of morning that encourages you to curl up in a comfy chair to read a good book or just relax as you listen to and watch the rain.  I was not able to do either of those things as I had errands to run this morning, including a much-needed and long-overdue hair cut.

(Looking out the window at a rainy day.)

I did get my walk and outdoor time in this afternoon.  The heavy rain had stopped and we were left with a misty kind of day.  Stepping out the garage door I was greeted by…

… a green frog.  We frightened each other.  You can’t tell by looking at him in this picture but he is a pretty big guy.  I knew I had frightened him when he puffed all up, trying to make himself look even bigger.  (I missed that shot.)  We may have to rename Breezy Acres and call it Frog Land or something of that sort.

(Wind in the maple.)

Since it is such a gray day, I went out in search of color.  There was one red leaf in the branch pictured above that grabbed my attention.  It almost looks as though someone shined a light on it.

The rain has perked up the jewelweed so it might be around for a few more weeks.  Did you know you can use jewelweed as a poison ivy remedy?  It’s pretty handy, too, as it often grows right next to poison ivy.  To use it, crush the stems to extract the juice and apply it to the affected area.  The crushed leaves, applied as a poultice, are also said to work.   I can’t vouch for it, though.  I’ve never tried it.  For most of my life I was not allergic to poison ivy.  I could go out and pick it with impunity.  Whenever we had it in our yard, I’d be the one to go out and pull it.  That worked fine until I was pregnant with our youngest son.  I got my first good rash from poison ivy during that pregnancy.  I’ve been allergic to it ever since.

(Water above and below — leaves floating on the pond after the rain.)

Well, I’d better get back to work.  I have a few chores to do before I can settle in for the evening and relax.  I’m almost hoping the rain continues into tomorrow so I can sink into a comfy chair and read a good book.  Or just listen to and watch the rain.

(This morning’s view of the pond.)