An Autumn Day

This weekend was a good one for exploring some of the delights my community offers. The city threw open its doors to many interesting spots. First for me was a visit to the gallery.

One church invited people in to hear the organist, while another had its bells chiming out melodies over the surrounding area.

 

I think I found my next car are at the automotive museum. Would you care to join me for a drive in the red beauty found in the bottom photograph? It's a 1931 Alpha Romeo.

Going further back in time, I visited some historic homes by the lake

and took in the views at the beautiful park.

All in all, it was a lovely way to spend a few hours on a sunny, autumn day.

I appreciate you taking the time to visit and welcome any comments.

If you would care to visit me on Facebook, I am here.

I'm pleased to be linking with Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

A Walk

Something I like about the region in which I live are the many walking trails. 

Recently, I followed one that led through:

meadows of goldenrod,

asters,

clumps of sunshine,

and a touch of thistle.

One side path led down to the lake,

 while another invited me to a wetland area.

There was also a portion of the trail that danced through the woods,

 and under a grove of sumac.

Lending a smile to the day was this creature, hardly part of the natural habitat, but happily hugging a white pine tree in the conservation area.

There was a lot to see and appreciate in under 2 hours.

I appreciate your visit, as does the purple tree-hugger.

A Few Quick Photos

I haven't been blogging very often and confess to feeling that I haven't had much to say.

I'll let a few garden photographs speak for themselves as the final days of summer finish their journey and pass on the reins to the next season.

Back in the Garden

After thinking about the beginning of the school year and my memories of one particular first day (prompting a few of your own), it was time to get back to the garden and check on what is still alive and kicking.

 The rudbeckia are doing well and make for a cheery bouquet.

The spirea is getting its second wind and starting to flower again.

A few roses are following suit.

Indoors and out, I'm enjoying the late summer blooms.

I appreciate your visit and the comments you leave. Thank you.

I'm pleased to be linking with the Cottage Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage.

First Day

 First Day

I can remember my skinny, ten year old self 

sitting at the worn, wooden desk

the kind that had the chair and table as a singular unit

with a too-small drawer beneath the seat

and a long-unused inkwell

my desk was in the row 

by the old, soaring windows 

that creaked when opened and shut

les fenêtres, we would learn from our French teacher

 un pupitre, les élèves, un stylo, la craie

 the clackety-clack Venetian blinds were raised and

sunlight strode in to investigate the supplies I'd been given by my Grade 5 teacher

 notebooks that held the upcoming thrill of writing on the first page

a bubblegum pink eraser, all edges intact, no errors yet made 

  a newly sharpened pencil that said learning was the point

a wooden ruler, one foot long, dependable

 several map of Canada book covers to fold around my texts

from sea to sea to sea to 49th parallel

 and 

best of all

in their small cardboard box 

with the image of an idyllic snow-covered cabin in the mountains

a fresh packet of eight Laurentian coloured pencils

Thank you for your visit here today.

 You are welcome to add your own memory.

Labour Day Weekend

In lieu of showing you the garbage cans of branches and bags of garden debris,

I'm opting to show you some colour.

 

Sunny yellows remind me that summer will still be here for a few more weeks 

and that Mother Nature follows her own schedule, 

not that of the school calendar.

A flowering branch from a neighbour's shrub tells me that second changes come,

that not all blooming comes in the spring of life.

Roses also provide evidence of that truth.

Bloom.

Big, juicy, red tomatoes shout about the abundance of harvest time

and tiny green ones teach patience and the joy of anticipation.

Happy Labour Day Weekend to you.

Thank you for visiting.

I appreciate your comments here and on Facebook.

Have a lovely week.