Learning to be still, to really be still and let life happen – that stillness becomes a radiance. — Morgan Freeman
In August I savored the stillness… the bird song has slowed. Gone is the territorial songs marking nesting territories so it seems that the birds, as well, welcome some quietude to their day. Late August is not completely silent though… the cicada drone is an ever-present hum.
This month I delighted in a wee hummingbird who has marked the feeders as her own. Watching her chase off other hummingbirds was a bit like watching a quidditch match… and just as fun!
Though the humidity kept me indoors most afternoons, I did manage a few times to do some porch stitching. But indoors or out, I have welcomed this quiet practice into my day. I now can get 2 squares done in an hour and set up my squares for the next day. I have found a rhythm to my stitching… and I have discovered that I prefer using some wee pins to baste the piece down versus doing so with a needle and thread. I am getting much better and using my milliner’s needle to turn the edge under as well… and my corners have improved dramatically! But still… I don’t feel any urge to increase my speed… I am savoring the quiet time with just a needle and thread in my hands. Slow, quiet making is the perfect sweet spot.
I have also been loving every bite of my tomatoes… and I am making notes on what worked and what I can tweak for next year. One thing I could not count on this year were a helpful army of bees to pollinate my tomatoes. Sadly, I have noted a sharp decline in the bee population… it makes my heart sore and I have mourned their absence. In their absence, I have become a master pollinator…but I much prefer the visiting bees so my plans include a “Cosmo Hedge” with hopes of enticing more bees, however many, back to my yard.
The days are now markedly shorter and my garden is looking… spent… tired… more than ready for a break. I still have some yarrow blooming, but soon that will be at an end as well. I have some iris to dig up and divide and that is my plan for September. But my brain has been thinking of spring… I have the Mother Lode of Bulbs coming and so I will have a busy autumn getting them all tucked in for a winter’s nap!
All in all… the stillness of August did have an incredible radiance to it. This might have been the best August yet… and I will continue to savor the final days of it!
Happy Friday, all and I will see you back on Monday with an update on my word!
Thank you for describing your points of silence and wonder in your backyard so beautifully! This is a lovely way to start my day (and now I’m even more curious about applique).
What a relaxing post Kat! Thank you. I’m enjoying your talk of stitching and I agree that the quiet, slow stillness of it is wonderful – no need to rush and increase speed. Just savor the moments. We have noticed a decline in bird song for sure – no mating calls, no nesting calls, etc. We still have a lot of produce to harvest, but the garden is gearing up for Fall with new seeds planted for lettuce, spinach, turnips, etc.
I love the days shortening and the birds getting quieter – sigh! lovely thinking of you sitting and relaxing and BEING with what is.
This post is so calming to read! Though I’ve still been enjoying the occasional birdsong, that cicada drone has been so prevalent (I’m hearing it right now!). I’ve been finding that the bees have really been enjoying the salvia I planted this year, and they always love the Russian sage that wandered under the fence from our neighbor’s side years ago. I’ve even transplanted some of it to the backyard with the hope that it will fill in some of the empty areas and bring more bees to the yard.
Have a lovely weekend!
Beautifully described scenes in your garden. Hand stitching is wonderful, especially out of doors.
Ah, the optimism of fall bulb buying! I generally fail with an order of any size. But I have faith in you. Your spring garden will be a riot of color!
You have captured the essence of August. I’m glad you are enjoying the hand stitching. The cicadas chorus is quite loud here, a sure sign that summer is winding down.