Wild August Garden

"Tree", ink, 2010

Fall colors are beginning to appear here in more

abundance than usual this time of year. 

Our drought has continued, over a month

now of no serious rain. An occasional sprinkle 

here and there, but not enough to keep even  

some well adapted native plants from wilting and 

yellowing in anticipation of dying back. 

The birch leaves are all turning yellow, 

much like the color in the above drawing. 

The small water bowl in my garden holds the most precious

resource for the birds as all the ponds and mossy pools have 

dried up in the surrounding forest. Mornings it is visited 

by robins, juncos, thrushes, blue-jays and chickadees, 

bringing their appreciation and songs. Swimming at the 

river is still a treat, though the low flow means one needs to 

be on the lookout for leeches. A long, undulating dark thing

I thought was a stick came after me on Tuesday, but turned 

out to be a blood-sucking leech thing I just avoided.... ugh! 

In the studio, I have had moments here and there to explore 

and keep ideas flowing. Still playing with bleeding, this time 

with branching systems and tree-like forms.

My garden is surely a late-summer garden. I love the 

abundance of spires and umbels and lacey wisps in the 

August garden. The once green teasels have turned 

brown, and the blue globe thistle dances with the 

tall, airy coreopsis. 

 Lack of water has challenged my little garden this summer, 

 I'm just keeping things alive, not wanting to use too much 

water. I had a moment of panic when my water ran out 

while watering the garden the other day, and began major 

conservation - dug a hole in the woods for an outhouse, 

quit showering and bought water for drinking. Luckily, 

the lack of water for a time was due to a momentary water 

pump glitch, and it seems there is still plenty of water in 

my well. It was an important reminder, however, to feel my 

gratitude for the abundant aquifers in these hills and to 

consider being a little more vigilant with conservation. 

a garden on the edge... dry, dusty earth...

brown-eyed susan

 The wild abundance I love in my August garden is 

luckily still present even with the drought as many 

native plants are blooming away with just a little 

assistance from me.  

Quan Yin welcoming visitors to the house. 

Shooting photos amongst queen anne's lace 

yesterday in the slight breeze... 

A peach and yellow petunia calling out to pollinators 

with delicate and sensual forms. 

Things going to seed, 

and flowers on my windowsill. 

A beautiful butterfly in the moss garden today....

 Pasha called me out yesterday for a walk in 

the unusually crunchy hemlock forest.  

Not one mosquito followed me....