"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....
