September 24, 2010
The mountains are sun-baked and slowly taking to flame as the maples kindle red and the aspens rain gold. The crabapple tree is dropping fruit the size of gum balls – a perfect fit for little mouths. I laugh each time the boys scramble out onto the pavement so they can feel the warm sun and hide apples inside their cheeks.
I should have paid more attention to the softening afternoon light, the honey locust hinting yellow. I felt the nights cooling but the change still took me by surprise. By the time we settled onto the couch for books tonight (tiny teeth brushed and tub-hair dripping) our windows were already dark.
The little ones are sleeping now and I can hear our bamboo chime knocking. Knocking the crisp hollow of Autumn. She’s been calling, coming to the door with her shoes blown off – kneeling in reverence at the sight of nature unveiled.
Early in the week a hot breeze blazed my cheek and it felt like Summer again. I noticed the popsicle stains on the driveway, picked up the swim toys, turned the wading pool over, and looked for a handful of forgotten grapes on the vine. I was almost fooled.
But watching the harvest moon slide over the mountain tonight like a mother pearl strung against black velvet, I know it is over. September is in full glory – beckoning us outside for stories on blankets, picnic lunches at noon, tea parties with baby dolls and strollers, and fairy tables. I found this in Sami’s bedroom today.
Her very own fairy plant. Mixed mud packed into a thimble with a strand of morning glory pressed inside.
Yes, Autumn is falling, growing into herself. And here are all the moments I never wrote about. Never will. The pictures I haven’t had time to look through until today. It was an Americana Summer – with rodeos, parades, balloons, pioneer heritage, and family.
Maybe the stories will speak for themselves.
Okay – I have to say something here. Doug thinks this picture resembles the cover album for a heavy metal band. The hair, the marker make-up, the distant look in their eyes. It reminded us of these guys. (An innocent, watered down version of course.)
Goodnight Summer.
Sarah holman
I loved your pictures. Especially the marker make-up ones. i think we all have similar pictures.
alison
oh cath, what a beautiful welcome to the fall, and the pictures capture perfectly your fun filled americana summer. my favorite of course is the marker make-up! i got a kick out of eliza's lips:)
KESLER KREW...Cami
summer, life, is so, so good to us. i luv the pictures that are perfect thru their "flaws" to the human eye (ie, not everyone looking at the camera, not everyone in their matching outifts & perfect hair, the over smiles, the simpleness, etc). can't wait to see what fall brings!
*cami
catharvy
Sarah – you reminded me of the picture in the sink with mom's lipstick. It's almost as scary!
Ali – The lips, the outfits. The look is slightly atrocious. But what a laugh we had!
Cami – the "over smiles" – what a great description. And yes, I could win a prize for days of the week I didn't do my girls' hair this summer! Hope you're settling in. Let's get you up here for a visit!
likeschocolate
So beautifully written! I love how you said fall is growing into herself or something to that effect. Anyway, Happy Fall! What great photos!