For this perfect day, my only option was to swing wide the windows and steal little moments of nature's glory.
Projects, dirty dishes, dinner, Facebook, unanswered emails ... all waiting.
But I delayed ...
Dawdled on the front porch glancing at the green Maple that will soon be amber,
No longer denying that the Honey Locusts are proclaiming autumn.
Listened to the last cricket songs of the season,
Snapped mediocre photos with my phone, too enchanted to try to capture perfection with a better camera ...
And toasted a most excellent summer, and the last perfect day before winter.
Beautiful words for one of the last sunny days!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Oh, I'm sure we'll have more sunny days this fall and winter! But they won't be "perfect" weatherwise--at least not my personal definition of "perfect." ;-)
DeleteThe cooler weather is supposed to come in here today too.
ReplyDeleteYep. It's coming down from the north, Lisa. They're already talking frost in Central Wisconsin and hard freeze in Northern Wisconsin for tomorrow morning. The only good thing about it is the fall colors will start to be more dramatic. Time for socks, sweatshirts, and boots.
DeleteI'll raise my glass to summer too and here's hoping for a magnificent autumn :)
ReplyDeleteCheers, Aaron! Autumn is nifty, and arguably visually "perfect." But give me a day like yesterday in Southern Wisconsin and it's hard to top it anywhere in any season. Light breeze, crickets chirping, butterflies, bumblebees, blue skies, high 70sF ... the list goes on. Oh well, good memories now! :)
DeleteThe perfect way to nurture the soul. I'm hoping, though, we will have a few more perfect days before winter:)
ReplyDeleteYes, it was incredible. I'm sure we'll have some lovely days, Rose. To me perfection is crickets, no socks, shorts, light breeze, butterflies, hummingbirds, bumblebees, etc. Some of those things are done for the season. But we will have some stunning days ahead, no doubt! Cheers to autumn in all its glory. :)
DeleteI can't really complain about rain, but it has been a perfect September. First bulbs planted on Sunday. No frost yet so Toad lilies are beginning to bloom. Hoping for an equally lovely October.
ReplyDeleteNo complaints from me about the rain! Love it! The plants love it! Yes, it has been an amazing September! I enjoy October, too. It just isn't "perfect" weatherwise--the way I define it, anyway. ;-)
DeleteI hope you get a few more perfect days...here in Houston we get our perfect days, what I call porch weather in October and November. We are all breathing a sigh of relief to have survived another summer. Happy Autumn!
ReplyDeleteHouston in October, November, December--I'm guessing that's pretty close to perfection! Yes, porch weather is the best! Here in the north, we (or should I say "I"?) thrive in the spring and summer, savor the autumn, and survive (but just barely) the winters. Happy autumn to you!
Deletetonight, we have, another dusting of snow on the mountains promised.
ReplyDeleteChilly like your wineglass!
Snow in the South African mountains in springtime! That sounds lovely. Enjoy the beauty and the promise of spring and summer to come for you. :)
DeleteSound delightful. I'm often so busy in and out of the garden that I don't stop to just appreciate the moment. I must change that...after I do a bit of mulching ;)
ReplyDeleteAs I'm aging, Margaret, I'm learning to savor the perfect moments a little more. That doesn't mean I stop the busywork altogether. ;-) I just pause to take it all in and reflect a little more. Mulch away! (Thanks for the reminder--I need to do that, too.)
DeleteDear Beth, I am so glad that you took a moment to pause and take in the beauty of this wonderful autumn day in your neck of the woods. Isn't that what living a life to the fullest is all about? What scares me though, is that you said enjoying the "last perfect day before winter"? How about a glorious autumn? I hope that it stays mild for you a little longer, before the harsh winter sets in!
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Christina
Yes, agreed--life is good! And yes, autumn is incredible--visually, at least. Oh, I'm sure we'll have some lovely (and even warm) days before winter. But they probably won't have that "perfect" combination (as I described to Aaron above). It's OK. Now I have the memories. And springtime is only six months away! ;-)
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed your perfect day. You are one of the lucky people who sees and enjoys the natural beauty around them. Some miss them all. For me 4 seasons are perfect. Each one makes me appreciate the next all the more! I wonder if the frost is due here tonight? I guess I'm ready.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Becky. No frost here yet and none in the foreseeable future, which is unusual for this late in the season for us. For so many years, I was in such a rush with family happenings and work that I feel like I missed out on the joys of the natural world. I'm trying to make up for lost time a little bit. I enjoy four seasons, too, but the three I enjoy the most are too short, and the white one is too long. ;-)
DeleteA fine way to spend the last perfect day. The weather here has been kind of odd - warm and humid, then cool and rainy. I'm counting on a few more good days (if not perfect) before winter sets in.
ReplyDeleteOdd here, too. Yes, it looks like we'll have a couple more weeks of very nice weather. Yay! Not perfect because the crickets, hummingbirds, and most of the butterflies are gone, but still lovely.
DeleteA girl after my own heart-:)-:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie. Gotta take advantage of the good gifts while we can. :)
DeleteThe perfect choice for Fall Beth, on days like these you have to reach out and grab every last moment and live it fully.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
Jen
Absolutely, Jen. I had no choice, really. That perfect day was too distracting. I did get a few things done, but wow--it was an amazing day. And that chilled wine capped it off perfectly. ;-)
DeleteIt really is a most perfect day, before winter. Make the most while it is still shining and warmer. I can have some more photos from your loan with that lovely sunshine.
ReplyDeleteI'll take you up on that offer of some warm photos from your beautiful blog. :) As you know, I truly enjoy visiting your blog--and especially in the middle of my winter when you are warm.
DeleteSuch a sunny nice day! We have been having hot heat day since May, it seems so long..
ReplyDeleteSorry for the oppressive heat, Endah! The opposite of the problem I have in the looonnnnngggg winters around here. But I have to say that our summers are amazing. At least we have that. :)
DeleteFeels so poetic!!! You did well delaying all work and just enjoying nature at your own path! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lula. I knew it was truly the last "perfect" day of the season--at least the way I define "perfect." Autumn is nice around here, though, too. So, I'm settling in. :)
DeleteKindred spirits, Beth! So happy to hear that you made time to enjoy the perfect day! Both Saturday and Sunday, after long morning walks, I spent the afternoons reading a wonderful new book on the front porch, in the company of butterflies and bees. The crickets and cicadas were my musical treat. Let's cherish these perfect days while they last! ♡ Dawn@Petals.Paper.SimpleThymes
ReplyDeleteYes, cherishing the beauty is a wise thing to do. We must take advantage of opportunities sit outside and read and revel while we can. I'm planning to take some walks during the next few days, too, as we're forecast to have some "near perfect" ones. ;-)
DeleteYou made the right choice...dirty dishes can wait.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! And they were the perfect distraction that evening. I'll never regret delaying cleaning to enjoy the more important things in life. :)
DeleteWhat a great thing to get outside and enjoy some fine weather before the cold sets in! It's been so dry here that I've been glad of our recent rainy spell, but I do wish the temperature wouldn't have dropped quite so drastically.
ReplyDeleteRain is good. But cold is not fun--at least in my opinion. I prefer to avoid socks and coats and scarves and gloves. Looks like the next few days will be pretty nice, so I'll be outside as much as possible. Still much gardening to do before the cold settles in...
DeleteOh, I know the feeling, the summer is ending, the nights are getting colder and the winter is just around the corner – and all you want is for the weather to stay just like it is – perfect – for as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteLet’s hope for a nice long autumn and a short winter for us all, over here autumn has barely started and it’s 4 months until the daffodils are flowering in my garden :-)
Yes--absolutely! Only four months for you, more like five or six for me. :( Autumn is pleasant, though. It just isn't quite "perfect."
DeleteYou chose the better part. Love seeing fall through your eyes.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dee. I love autumn. But summer is so amazing here. Time to embrace the new season, though, I guess. I'm thinking about some crochet projects I need to catch up on. ;-)
DeleteHi Dee, There is something hypnotic about a beautiful autumn day! We have had some beautiful ones, too. I'm hoping for a few more before the snow flies. Happy Gardening!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm sure we'll have more beautiful days. The colors will be incredible. I'll miss the crickets and the hummingbirds and the perfect weather but, God willing, they'll be back in May. Happy gardening to you, too!
DeleteI hope that last day is not a prediction. Considering our recent cold weather I am still waiting for the last perfect day.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we'll have more beautiful days before the winter, but wow--that day last week was seriously perfect. No frost yet, so the flowers and the veggies are still growing. Maybe I'll get a couple more Tomatoes out of the garden before the first frost.
DeleteAutumn is definitely here -- the trees are starting to change color and it's been so chilly and blustery the past week, hasn't it? I've spent the past two weekends helping a friend rake up monster crabapples and prepping gardens for winter. I've also been trying to get a few last good long walks in, knowing it won't long before frigid temps set in.
ReplyDeleteYes, it has been chilly. I'm looking forward to the next few days. I hope to get out and take a few hikes. And yes, much more gardening and winter prep to do!
DeleteBeautiful series!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I'm so grateful for those perfect days!
DeleteAlways worth taking the time to enjoy days like that, they feed the soul during the long cold wet days of winter.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Janet. Or at least they make up for the long, cold, wet winter days ... sort of. ;-)
DeleteA perfect day is worth savoring. Emails, projects and chores will all still be waiting. But I think, surely there will be another day just as perfect before winter! Does your winter come so soon?
ReplyDeleteNo, winter is not here yet (thankfully!). I was just reflecting on how "perfect" our summers are, and that was the last day of the crickets, summer weather, and no need for jackets. Autumn is beautiful here and comfortable, just not "perfect." ;-)
DeleteWe are still enjoying late summer/early fall here where the predominant color is still green, though a slight bronzing seems to be taking place. I make an effort each year to enjoy fall, but it keeps me melancholy as I know it is just a slow slide into winter.
ReplyDeleteOh a perfect day to end summer Beth!
ReplyDelete