Saturday, September 24, 2011

The Gypsy Garden

September has been a beauty this year. With a flush in her cheeks and with a twinkle in her eye, she has begun casting her golden light over the land. I've remembered all that I love about this brilliant month. It is such a fleeting and magical time (and not just because my birthday is in this month!). Really, that deal summer made with winter, the one where winter agreed to her turning to gold and crimson and dancing out with an entourage of swirling leaves and flocking birds, was a clever deal.

 

It starts off with the subtlest blush in the mornings. Even green is a little weary of itself and longs for a bit of flash

 

The garden begins to look a little ragged around the edges, like someone who has spent too many nights out dancing under the moon and now they are a little muddied and their hair a bit wild

 

I've felt like dancing myself these last few weeks. Somehow, this season, with its insouciance stirs a little gypsy in my soul. (My English grandmother always claimed to my dad that there was some gypsy blood on her side. We never knew if this was true, but it seemed terribly romantic to me as a child.)

 

In recent years I've become interested in gypsy music. For an excellent radio documentary on the original gypsy music click here.

I know what is coming. I know the lassitude that deep winter brings. I know all about the days ahead of curling up on the couch with a good book and a glass of wine, candles lit in the late afternoon.

Until those days come, I am dancing in the golden light. To say goodbye to summer, my husband and I waltzed in the back garden in the late evening light. I said my own goodbyes in a field under the stars looking out over the ravine. But today it's time for one last joyous spin, and to thumb our noses at waiting winter. Join me, won't you?



11 comments:

sweetbay said...

Autumn is a magical time of year ~ a last burst of exuberance before winter slumber. Your photos are very magical and beautiful too.

Andrea said...

I love the way you wrote this as romantic and beautiful as those flowers. Even if it is just one plant, your photos are really great substantiating what you said. That subtle pink 2nd photo is very beautiful, a big coquette for me! lol.

Marguerite said...

What a lovely description of this season you have written. Until fall arrived I hadn't realized how much I enjoy it but it's hard not to love the sudden crispness in the air.

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Sweetbay, I love this time of year. The transition, where it all turns to gold, is magical. :)

Andrea, The second photo is a Limelight hydrangea. I am simply smitten with it and pray it makes it through the winter. Fingers crossed!

Marguerite, This season is so fleeting and yet it is invigorating. Must be the energy we need to get things done before winter arrives. I love it!

GRACE PETERSON said...

A very well-written piece, Ms. S. We've got to enjoy what tiny bits of friendly weather we have. Beautiful photos too!

Casa Mariposa said...

I love this post!! Perfectly written and described!! Fall has come early for us but the extra moisture has helped me with all my transplanting. I hope winter doesn't hurry.

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Grace, September is such a great month, and when it is golden and lovely it is hard to beat (except for maybe May!) :)

Casa, We are just passing the peak of fall colour right now. I would love for it to hang on until Halloween but I expect the trees will be bare by then. Hope your garden gets everything it needs this fall!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Oh my goodness Ms S !!!!
I so loved this post and I so envy yoour wonderfl garden at night with the privacy to do what ever you enjoy and watch the night sky .. yes, I agree there has to be a wild spirit in most gardeners that is some what a kind of gypsy twinkling in our blood .. we so admire life in our gardens .. ah yes .. early evenings .. that doesn't bother me as much as the dark mornings .. that was my time. But I will adjust .. and count off the days after Xmas ? LOL
Joy

Rebecca @ In The Garden said...

Great post, you're right about autumn leaving plants and blooms a little rough around the edges. Such fun that you mentioned Gypsies, just a few weeks ago my kids & I were stopped by a stranger at a playground, and he see we looked shockingly like Roma Gypsies, so I've been doing a little research ever since lol. Great video. :)

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Joy, I can't even think about how dark it is going to be very soon. Thank goodness for Halloween and Christmas to brighten things up!

Rebecca, So neat a stranger would say that to you. I am thinking I might dress up a little gypsy style when I take my son out on halloween. I am also hoping to find some more good gypsy influenced music. I love the dance song in the video - it makes me smile. Hope your October is glorious and golden!

OF SPRING AND SUMMER said...

Hi Ms. S,
I love Hydrangea so much. Your photographs are beautiful. Lovely post!
Have a good week.
xoxo Ingrid