Turning the calendar to September is not my favorite thing to do. As a former elementary school teacher it always meant the end of summer freedom and back to work full time. But as a long retired person I honor the calendar declaration that summer ends, and autumn begins, on September 22.
The sunflowers in the garden are tall and stretching for the sun, which we have had plenty of, but our tall trees shade the patch too much of the day. Now the days are cooler and cloudier, with possible rain. We need rain.
School is starting and daughter Jill is back at work. Irene is settling into her new apartment in Bellingham, anticipating her senior year at Western and enjoying her full calendar summer.
Yesterday, September 1st, marked the end of an era here at the Reeder Homestead. Tom decided it was time to end his 40 + years of Bonsai creating and maintaining. Over the years he has created about 25 little tortured trees. Some were just experiments and not long lasting. Some expired after ten or more years. He sold a few. The ones in the header photo are the survivors. Now they need more maintenance than he can give them, what with all of the other work that needs doing around here. Yesterday we took them to Bonsai Northwest to be sold either outright or on consignment. Now they are in someone else's hands. Part of downsizing.
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We have "harvested" hydrangeas to be dried for winter flower arrangements. They are hardening off in the garage, stems in shallow water.
Some that are picked too early may shrivel. We'll see. There are more in the garden but I wanted to get them before rain spoils them.
While leaves haven't started turning yet on the trees, the dry summer is causing browning up on maple trees. But there is plenty of orange in the raised beds. While lack of sun makes it hard to get many blooms, French marigolds and orange cosmos are exuberant!
Spring, summer, fall, winter, enjoy every day. I'm trying to.
I always admired Tom's Bonsai trees but I sure do understand things getting to be too much. It's happening here too.
ReplyDeleteOh I understand about the downsizing, I liked Tom's trees:)
ReplyDeleteThings are turning towards fall here. My neighbors brought over a bag of cookies for the first day of school. It brought back old memories.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see you are able to add your photos again. Your gardens are so lovely!
ReplyDeleteOur Manitoba maple is losing leaves, but I think it is mostly stress as we haven't had much rain since June. We've had a few times of heavy rain since but not regular or steady rain.
Sad to hear the bonsai are leaving, but I know that they will make their future owners very happy.
I gave up on bonsai plants at the very beginning because of the upkeep. I do have bougainvillea bonsai "trees" that are super hardy and give me joy and pride since I haven't killed them all these years. Tom's plants were outstanding!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter in Seattle is a teacher and had to go back to work this week - though I do think she enjoys it. She also loves gardening in the Pacific Northwest and has flowers and harvests to enjoy.
Oh my gosh… Having seen Tom’s bonsai in person… I feel a little sad that he’s had to give/sell them. They must have felt like family, BUT I do know how much care it takes to maintain them.
ReplyDelete