I love the change of the seasons, with each change there is something I love, but especially fall. It is such a relief when the summer heat is finally over and the cooler days come. I'm sad that the garden is for the most part done for the year. I could still be growing fall vegetables but I was too lazy to till up the summer vegetables and replant for fall, extreme heat makes me not care. I still get a tomato every few days but they don't taste great this time of year, they are small, the skins are tough and the tomatoes get very acidic in fall. I could still be picking okra every single day but I just got tired of it. I am getting a few, very few, bell peppers. But, for the most part it is over. The flowers are still pretty though.
The fall wild flowers are starting in the pastures. They are beautiful and the native grasses are at their peak right now - long and tall they sway in the wind with their heavy seed heads. There is one (I need to look up the name of it again) that if you catch it just right when the seed head is almost in full bloom, you can pull the seed head out and the tip of the stem is tender and sweet to eat. (Emily thinks I'm crazy out there eating grass :) Our weather has just been delightful. My walks are just glorious, never fast enough to be really good for me, but I just can't hurry when all around me is such beauty to behold. I have to stop and look at each new flower and every butterfly and watch the bumble bees with their legs so full of pollen I am sure they won't be able to fly. On this mornings walk I watched a hummingbird on the purple nettle, it was magnificent. This afternoon I saw a hawk swoop down and snatch a snake.
There is not much work to do outside right now, it is too early to prepare beds for winter and the mowing has all but stopped. But, I've noticed that if I don't take the time to go out and just be I start feeling depressed and disconnected. So, I take long slow walks and golf cart rides. I go sit in my healing circle (of trees)and talk to the universe. I need that spiritual connection and out there is where it is for me.

p.s. I don't actually hug trees but I do like to lay my hand on the bark just to feel the texture and I keep thinking that someday Grandmother sycamore might just speak to me :)