September tries its best to have us forget summer. — Bernard Williams
Yesterday, autumn arrived and I am feeling a deep sorrow in my heart at the end of summer… which is the most curious coming from a person who never really liked summer at all. Yes, I am grieving the end of summer. And even though September began tempting me with some decidedly autumnal weather earlier in the month, I am happy that that cooler weather has given way to a return to warm summer days.
I am not ready to give up Porch Sitting at all. It is my most very favorite time of the day. Now some might say that it all is just a colossal waste of time… sitting quietly in the morning, sipping my coffee, listening, reading a poem or two, and jotting down my thoughts. But for those few moments… as I am “in the world” and not in my house, I have discovered and experienced things I would have missed if I was “busy” doing something else in my house (and trust me… the dust will wait!!) I am contemplating figuring out a “Mr. Heater” that can help me extend my time outdoors! (Thanks to Kym for putting Mr. Heater on my radar!)
Some treasured moments from my “summer sitting” time:
- The oriole feeder that not a single oriole visited, but I discovered that the house finches dearly love some grape jelly, so I kept it full for them. Watching them feed their babies a “spot of dessert” was just so fun. But the most fun visitor to the oriole feeder were the wee Downy Woodpeckers who sipped the hummingbird nectar… and yes, that same oriole feeder saw loads of Hummer’s each and every day!
- I also discovered that juvenile Red-bellied Woodpeckers also love hummingbird nectar. They were regular visitors to my hummingbird feeders!
- I delighted in the chipmunks antics at avoiding the squirrels but still getting their fair share of peanuts. They grew so used to me sitting on the porch, that they stopped ‘taking the long way’ back to their nest, and instead scampered past me!
- It was the summer for rabbits in my yard as well, we had a plethora of babies all summer long and as we close in on autumn, I find myself happy that three have evidently decided that our yard is a good space to hang out. I see them regularly.
- I have been amazed at how very smart blue jays are! I, perhaps, learned the most about them this summer! Their “bird bath” antics though are most hilarious! They have brought laughter to my days, which was so appreciated in the days after we lost Sherman. A good reminder that laughter does not diminish sorrow but it does ease it for a bit.
- I reveled in the long days and mourned when the days shorter length became evident. And I really delighted in a season that contained four full moons… two of which were super moons!
- Yes, I even tried to spend some time outside when the sun was down! I did okay until the mosquitos got very bad but I very much loved watching the fireflies.
- And speaking of insects…I know many of you had a bout of super noisy cicadas however, I found their drone delightful on a sunny afternoon! And as August gave way to September I am delighting in the songs of the crickets as the sun sets.
- My butterfly bush was seriously amazing this year. It was immense… and full of blooms from late June to now… yes, it is still going strong! I watched a plethora of bees navigate systematically from bloom to bloom. I delighted in the abundance of butterflies… swallowtails, monarchs, and fritillaries galore! I also watched hummingbird moths as well as actual hummingbirds!
So as I turn the page of summer and I try and ready myself for fall… I am most thankful that I am here to experience the seasons!
What memories of summer will you carry with you into fall?
See you all back here on Wednesday for some Unraveling!
Your porch time sounds so lovely Kat! I enjoy our back patio in the afternoon with Fletch – that’s when we watch the birds and laugh at their antics. The catbirds (and there are a ton of them) are constantly scolding when Mabel is around (with good reason). I was just thinking the other day that a Mr. Heater might be a good investment!! I don’t really mind the shorter days – I love having candles lit for dinner and I’m enjoying making more hot meals these days!
Wow – what a way to enjoy your own backyard, Kat. I am amazed by how much you learned about your fauna! Porch time doesn’t seem like wasted time at all – I hope you find ways to extend it as long as possible!
I couldn’t agree more with how much I enjoyed summer this year and was upset at it ending. I loved my afternoons sitting on my new furniture in the garden. It was too short. Thankfully we had one last week of sunshine but now it’s raining! Ah well that’s life!
Lovely!! I am not going to miss the humidity of this summer, but I’m not quite ready for summer to be gone… already lamenting the day that flip-flops won’t cut it. I saw the first frost advisory of the season last night for counties a bit north of me, but still! Winter is coming. 😉
I just saw a Downy Woodpecker (a female) on my run this morning! Seeing birds in the neighborhood has been a highlight of my summer for sure. There are tons of the usual sparrows and robins, but I’ve seen numerous goldfinches, a couple of hawks (or maybe the same hawk several times), and even a hummingbird.
I’d love to live next door and join you (quietly) in your porch time. We live on a somewhat noisy street, so I mainly hear dogs barking and kids walking to the middle school. I love that your oriole feeder was a busy place even if you didn’t see an oriole!
I love how you summed up your summer here with all of these memories. And I think you will like that Mr. Buddy. We have one, too, that we used for our Civil War camping days and it was great.
What a delightful lens for looking back on your summer. We, too, had a bit of ‘cross feeding’ among our feeders, which I found discouraging at first (b/c I SO wanted to invite orioles to the fruit and jelly and bluebirds to the meal worms…neither of whom should up, BTW). But I soon got over it and enjoyed my ‘regulars,’ as well as a few fly-by guests. I vote for a Mr. Heater for you. From the sounds of it, you’d miss your porch time. Maybe a few adjustments…?!
You certainly had your spirits lifted by spending quiet times in your special outdoor spot……what a great reminder this post is of those minutes/hours spent there..
You could extend it by sporting the whole ‘granny grey’ look – wearing a top coat and wrapping a blanket round your knees😊
As you know I ‘skipped winter’ and am now looking forward to spending time outside on our deck. Even though the birds will be different, hopefully I’ll get the same pleasure as you did.
Gardens really do feed the soul, and I’m so glad yours was such a source of solace. XO
I love our chipmunks (frodo loved to chase them in his youth). They run right past me on the patio if I’ve been sitting for a while. I am glad we are in the next season and I hope that the weather soon reflects autumn!
What a lovely post. I think being outdoors is the best kind of medicine for all kinds of things. You certainly found many moments of quiet joy.