Tweet
Fall 2012
My my my. Where do the days go? Here we are on September 22, the first day of Fall, and it seems like it should still be Springtime. The picture to the right was taken Wednesday morning and the tree is across the street from my sister’s condo in Manchester, NH. Soon all of New England will look very similar. It has been a number of years since I’ve spent a fall in New England so this will be a refreshing change of pace. The news will be giving the nightly report on where “Peak Foliage” can be viewed so that the tourists can go look at the colors and sightsee
Later today I will be going up to the cottage of one of my sister’s friends and former co-workers for a “CISSYfest” where folks will be trading stories and memories of my sister. The cottage is on Squam Lake (the film “On Golden Pond” was filmed there.) It will be fitting as my sister did love the outdoors, though she and her friends were usually camping on Lake Umbagog.
There really is nothing like a fall day in New England. So much of the country’s heritage began in this area. One of the things I like is just driving around and seeing what I can see. Much of the southern New Hampshire area has built up tremendously from when I first came here in 1975. And I know that was built up from earlier in this century. Just down the road in Derry, NH you can still stop and visit the Robert Frost Farm. Even with the “progress” around it, you can still get a sense of the New England of Frost’s time and how it came to influence much of his poetry.
So on this first day of Fall 2012, pull up a chair and let’s talk about fall days.
110 Comments
A cool, grey day to start with here in Manchester starting out in the low 50s but climbing to the mid 70s
Good Morning, Very nice topic. Here in mid-TX we have had some lovely days….more fresh and spring-like really. Thoughts about you and your sister. I hope you have a good gathering.
I lost mine about 5 years ago….the election has reminded me of her alot, a very harsh critic. She would have had lots to say about R…and piercing. I can hear her tone and smile. RIP
Cissy had stayed out of a lot of politics all her years as a reporter but I’m pretty sure she had been enjoying her freedom to discuss the issues after her retirement a few years ago
G’Morning, Dakine and RevBev
Love the tree shot. Do you know what kind of tree that is? I have a Crepe Myrtle on the hill above my house that looks similar. Lavender blossoms.
Bev – I’m happy for you that you’re enjoying nicer weather. Still getting into the 100′s in the afternoon here. It’ll change soon enough. I’m looking forward to fire place weather.
Thanks for hosting today, Dakine. Fine job.
I think it’s an oak but wouldn’t be willing to bet on it
Thanks….sure is early out there. You may have to have a nap;)
Good morning dakine01 and thank you for the post.
Good morning everyone.
dakine, what a good post this morning. In the midwest we had such hot days for a long time and the changing of the trees is about three weeks ahead of schedule this year. Many of the festivals who have tried to schedule around the foliage are going to be disappointed this year I am afraid.
Yeah, it was a hot summer here in NH so tended to forget that Fall was on the way then just the other day I was looking and noticed the tree starting to turn. So far, the one I took the pic of is the only one in the complex turning but that will change shortly
At least it has been cooling down at night and this week, for some reason, I slept extraordinarily well. But, last night I had a short and troubled sleep. ? Who knows. And, yes, I will be taking a nap at some point today. :)
My condolences for your loss.
Ive lived in Northern California since returning from Vietnam in the mid sixties. The only thing I miss about my Bronx,New York birthplace is Fall.
We have not had our first frost yet but the weather is a changin’ for sure. Into the 40′s and supposed to get to the low 30′s tonight.
That could change though, the weatherman last night predicted cloudy, overcast for today and it is blue sky and sunshine right now.
Just took the dog out and it is jacket weather.
The nightly cool down up here this summer allowed me to avoid using the air conditioner most of the time, even during the hottest days
Yeah, since I may still be up here for another month yet, I’m thinking I need to call Florida and have a couple of sweaters and a little heavier jacket shipped up (and maybe a couple of my flannel shirts as well) Right now, all I’ve got is a lightweight barn jacket and one sweatshirt
Frost? What’s that? Ha.
Jacket weather? What’s that? Ha, some more.
Hi Hi, Mr. Canyon.
Good morning all and thanks for the post and host dakine. Well done.
As my fellow central Texas resident has already reported we have had a change in our weather. Over night lows have dropped to the mid to high 50s/ low 60s but the afternoon highs are still in the upper 80s. Actually had to wear a hoody on the ride to work this past week.
Will be thinking of you this weekend as you celebrate the life of your beloved sister, dakine.
Good morning, everyone. Nice topic, Dakine01. Oddly, there’s not a lot of color here in NW Indiana yet. I would have expected to see more, what with the dry summer and the heat. I have a couple of huge oak trees in my yard, and they’ve been raining acorns for a couple of weeks, more and heavier than I’ve ever seen. Speculating that it’s the summer drought and heat causing that. I could probably literally rake up a trash can full.
And I brought in my big house plants that have been getting BIGGER on my deck all summer. Phew, what a chore. But temps have dipped into the 30s, so it’s time.
Good morning rickd, where are you you in northern California. (if you don’t mind me asking)
We have such a cool, fresh morning….and as someone famous says, Im off to corrupt young minds…” It’s fun;) Later, kids.
Thanks oldnslow. It’s obviously been a rough summer for me but as we all know, the leading cause of death is birth. No one gets out alive, just a matter of when and how long between the two occurrences. /philosophizing
Have fun RevBev
Good morning! People in New England are lucky for the foliage. Down here leaves just turn brown and then turn loose.
Thanks for the post, dakine01. It may be an oak, maybe with acorns, but not every year. The wonderful cool in New England is something I enjoyed of course, all summer, now am having heat again in N.TX. The first day of Fall, the temps are predicted to go to the mid 90′s. It still amuses me, telling people here, I got apologies when the temps in NW PA hit the mid 80′s. Sorry to be missing the trees turning.
(i really, really miss the edit function over here at myfdl)
Are you and Dan’l going to head back before winter sets in?
As my mom is celebrating her 99th Birthday soon, I guess I’d be inclined to say, hopefully, as she’s tired of being old.
Can’t stick around to chat, unfortunately. Headed to Farmer’s Market to get a couple dozen eggs, then home to put together an “eggs day ahead” casserole to take to Indy, then off to Indy for a benefit event for the Indiana Autism Society tonight — my daughter-in-law is Exec. Director.
So everyone have a great weekend and enjoy your fall activities, whatever they are.
You have fun as well MsMolly
Thanks….you gave us a lovely post. Later…
In PA they’re waiting for the first frost to bring in the corn for fodder. And then the garden gets plowed under. Of course, here it’s time to do that anyway, since the drought took it all out.
Most likely unless something happens. The official estate sale was last Friday and now trying to figure out how to sell the items that didn’t get sold including antique chairs, a Hoosier cabinet, about half the pottery, and glassware. Trying to get a couple of consignment shops to come look though they want a bit much to do the consigns plus have listed some of the common household/kitchen items on craigslist
Excuse my manners. I am sorry for your loss. The trip today and the memories hopefully will be a great experience. On Golden Pond, what a way to reminisce today.
Good morning demi. I think our 100 degree days are a thing of the past, but I do not mind as I can get some things done outside without all the heat.
Thank you. I’m taking a bunch of pictures up to let folks look through and grab the ones they are in so that the memories can continue to be shared.
Good Morning dakineo1 and pups,
This morning I had some very distinct recollections of my Dad from when I was very young. We had to go “up to our land,” a lot about two blocks away from the apartment our family lived in. In a few my daughter and I are going over to our land. There are a couple of wind falls that may have some interesting craft/art project lumber uses. Just found this image, first to come up at google, part of why my home is a tourist destination. We (people who live here)have learned to be considerate of cars driving 30 mph in a 55 zone occupied by a couple in their mid-eighties and lines of cyclists, motor and human powered, this time of year. Sorry, that I
needwish to bug out of the house here. A beautiful day in the neighborhood as someone famous said.msmolly,
You sure are a busy lady. Stay safe and have a great time!
And I too apologize for manners going missing, sorry you lost some one dear to you. The antiques might be advertized at eBay, that’s been suggested as a way to get best results, but I never have.
James Whitcomb Riley. 1853–1916
“When the Frost is on the Punkin”
WHEN the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin’ turkey-cock,
And the clackin’ of the guineys, and the cluckin’ of the hens,
And the rooster’s hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it’s then the time a feller is a-feelin’ at his best,
With the risin’ sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.
Thanks Ruth. I know I have talked about Cissy a lot these past few months but obviously, she is what is on my brain. We all have to deal with these types of losses and it is ongoing (I lost a younger cousin to a stroke about a month ago and her mother (one of my first cousins) is having a Memorial for her today in our hometown as well so there are constant reminders of the losses for me.
Thanks, a wonderful view. Have you ever done ‘ojos de Dios’, out of yarn and twigs? They’re wonderful and pretty easy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQma3yuqvWQ
Good Morning, Margaret
I know that you’ve lived in several different areas. Which place did you enjoy the autumn the most?
Nice demi, thanks.
Just phoned my teen and she isn’t quite ready, go figure. Have a cup or two of coffee here yet and I’m going take time to crack a couple of eggs.
I’m not sure I’m able to answer that. My Autumn experience isn’t that diverse and I’m not a big fan of Autumn anyway. I guess I’d pick Austin cause that’s where I really want to be.
(I won’t post the slightly risque version of this I learned as a young’un) :})
Sad to say, I grew up in a family that didn’t get along, so we children never got to know our cousins. I think it would have been wonderful, but who knows? You are really fortunate to have family to remember.
Do you know, I visited Glen Rose where the dinosaur tracks are, a few years ago on a beautiful fall day. Texas has some good color, occasionally.
Hi, Nonquixote
Some kind soul here gave me a tip for how Sonny can grind up his dried peppers. Was it you? He used the coffee grinder and it worked really well. Full shaker of tiny red bits and seeds.
I’m thinking it was your suggestion, and if so…Thanks!
I would like one poached egg, please.
Right.
You might consider writing a country song, Autumn in Austin, something, something, something. :)
Funny, I nuked some eggs this a.m., a different way to poach. (And btw thanks for your comment at the art post.)
Oh, what a tease you are, dakine. I didn’t know that before.
We always learn intersting new things about each other.
De Nada, baby.
Hello Ruth, No I haven’t. (hope the image link works)
I think I have a spalted maple, with a couple of 10 foot logs, 20+” diameter in a formerly standing dead tree. A little exploratory with a chain saw and a hand plane will tell if I have high value veneer or firewood.
I’m just now slowly getting to know 2nd cousins from my mom’s side of the family (my maternal grandparents were divorced when Mom was 2 and her sister new born). There are 32 2nd cousins in total (including my brother, sister, our 1st cousins and myself)
But on Dad’s side, I was the youngest of the first cousins and the children of 1st cousins have grandkids now so the lines continue
LMAO. Sure! Just add a line about how worthless my man is, how terrible my job is and how wonderful the Lord is and I’ve got a number one hit.
There are some maples in Houston that can get pretty spectacular if they get an actual Autumn. Or at least that used to be true but from everything I’ve heard, it’s a pale comparison to New England.
My kids liked to do them as little folks, made ornaments for awhile. If you have gnarled logs, though, you can get some interesting gnome-like creations too. We never got that ambitious.
Add a hound dog and Bam – top of the charts.
Nice you get that chance. My sister is making a big effort to get to know family history, turned up several strange instances of kids being farmed out to aunts when their mothers died early. Those things happened really regularly, as it seems farm work was not that healthy in early history. The family is still fractured.
I think my kids made those at summer camp. Where are they now? Some box somewhere.
Will there be a choochoo?
Peggy – referring back to last week’s PUAC, I went to the 99 cent store this week and bought just a bunch of first aid stuff. And, I went to the thrift store and bought a smallish soft suitcase/back pack with wheels and a handle. Now, I’ve got it all together, next to the piano near the front door. Thank you So Much for that post because it got me off my duff and now I’m feeling much better prepared.
Molly! If/when you come back to read the comments…
Charles Pierce is on UP. Thought you’d like to know.
And prison? (The ‘perfect’ country song)
My “kid,” will usually, quickly resign to the fact that we are out of the range of a wireless internet service there and hopefully will then turn to some mindless daydreaming and exploration of the nearby fields. Something today’s youth get far too little of, imho. Craft projects could emerge. ;^)
Good for you Deb! I’m glad you found the post useful. :)
Is that you, Mom?
Hey our friend spud has learned to play ‘Ghostriders in the Sky’ to bring back my early memories.
This guy has got a choochoo for ya.
I paid $5.98 for the case, but when I took it outside to spray it down with simple green, a dollar’s worth of change came out, so, really $4.95. Room for the first aid stuff, some canned food and a few pieces of clothing for each of us. I still need to go to a sporting goods place to buy some space blankets. Is that what they’re called?
I should probably add a book or two.
Good to change the scenery occasionally. I remember feeling put out when we were put out to play, myself. I don’t suppose birdwatching is an interest?
My dad’s favorite song (Vaughn Monroe version)
The opening lines of Keats’ Ode to Autumn capture the essence of Fall for me.
The mix of beauty, melancholy and mortality makes it a season for reflection.
Yep, I call them space blankets too. I also have a book in my bag. Forgot to mention that last Saturday.
Oh, now, that’s sad.
I got my love of country music from my daddy. I had a friend a while back who had married into the Carter family and when Johnny Cash came to town for a concert, I got to take pop and we sat Up Front in the family seats. He was thrilled to pieces.
Too funny. A friend does pictures of his skeletal dinosaur in different settings, showing progress of work on his farm/vacation home. None in space yet.
May I ask, is there water? Because in tornado alley, we’re brought up keeping some spare jugs of it around just in case.
Good idea, a carrying case.
Thanks, nice. Of course in TX we naturally love the fall, since we barely make it through summers.
I keep three gallons in the kitchen. Maybe I need to buy another rolling case for the water.
I’ve been noticing some older folks who walk to the store using those cases to carry their groceries home, and that’s what gave me the idea.
Me, not so much. I’ve always tolerated the heat better than the cold. I do love the lower electrical bills that Fall brings but I don;t look forward to the higher ones that will come in winter.
There were no complaints about accompanying me, “in case I needed some help,” so I relish that a wonderful and joyous first step. Anything after that is considered a huge bonus.
Thanks people for letting me follow the couple different lines of conversation here. Motivating out the door for sure. Coffee is gone, small lunch, thermos of tea and a snack is packed.
Thank you for hosting, dakine01. Recollections of dear family departed spark wider appreciation in me and autumn is my favorite season this time of year. Live in, today.
That’s beautiful. And, I feel like I’m in the autumn of my life.
Sigh.
PW upstairs with Come Saturday Morning: Did Voter Suppression Laws Get Passed in Your State? Tell Us About It Here in case you are interested
I refuse to complain about the hot in order to reserve my right to complain loudly and often about the cold
We don’t walk much around here, but I’ve seen those other places, seems like a good thing to have around. It would look funny if I carried things home in my rolling trash can, that I use to get stuff out to the garden sometimes.
I can tolerate cold a little easier. Flannel, blanket, book, fire in the fireplace or some layers. But, when it’s hot and ya get nekked, or nearly, what else ya gonna do?
Having lived in the Northeast for long periods, I really do like putting on warm clothes instead of taking stuff off, and besides, you can’t take enough off. But that’s just me.
Gotta cut out a little earlier than usual today. Thanks for the great post dakine1 and have a great day all. Give Dan’l scritches for me, (but don’t tell Kuroneko).
Wishing you a good day together, and how lovely that helping out appeals to her. Good going.
Up here in northern Iowa, the usually orange and red maple trees just turned brown and dropped their leaves this week, I guess from the drought, though there are lots of nice yellow leaves on other trees.
Tonight it’s forecast to get down to 27, so that will be the end of my garden. I’ve got mixed feelings about it–it has been so dry that I got really tired spending an hour a day watering stuff, but no more fresh herbs and tomatoes.
Very good point. I’ve found as I age and summers get warmer that I’ve changed my feeling about Fall a bit. I don’t dread the coming winter like I used to but a really cold, blustery day could change that.
Laters!
Have a fabulous day, Peg.
And, don’t forget that you are not wrong. Not by a long shot.
You find the ol’ swimming hole, that’s as far as it goes. Hopefully you’re near a good deep one.
Too many years like that here in N.TX., but it makes us value fall when we have good colors much more. We never had a good freeze here, all last winter, hope you enjoy what you get.
Sit under the shade tree and long slow talking conversations (that’s where the image of the slow talkin’ slow movin’ southroner originated doncha know)
T’anx Margaret and have fun
Demi @ 79
I understand the “sigh.” Yet, I try to embrace this wisdom as I move along through life.
Shade trees are an institution not enough of us have taken in, couldn’t do without them myself. (High ceilings too.)
Now I do have to run some errands, thanks for the post and host.
What fall means to me…By spudtruckowner
I have to wear shoes, fuck!
Good morning kids.
ROTFLMFAO!
Thanks, oldgold. That scripture has helped me through several dark periods. We are but a blink of an eye, and that is somehow comforting to me.
I do now. Hadn’t thought of it that way. :)
Talk to you later, dear.
Ha! I’ve been living in flip flops since May, and just this very week a went out and bought some more solid leather sandals, ones I can wear with socks this winter. Sonny says they look Roman, but the mister knows better. He said they’re flower child sandals.
Oaks turn later, and their leaves become interesting shades of brown. That is very likely to be one of the various red maples, and the fact that it is turning a little early means that it is stressed in some way.
You have shoes?
Now ‘mout.
Yes dear. Even full blooded hillbillys have shoes. We get them for our 6th birthday.
Well, I was never much good at the Boy Scouts outdors craft (including ID’ing trees)
Here in the White Mountains, on the New Hampshire/Maine border, the leaves are in the early stages of their autumnal splendor. Red maples on the borders of wetlands and in shallow soils are about half way there already. I had a neighbor out raking leaves (way, way to early). The potatoes are mostly harvested and the corn is next. I am seeing buck rubs along the deer trails, and a moose crossed the road in front of me a week ago in the early stages of his rut. It’s fall in all the ways that make it so good, and a little early in view of the temperatures we still are enjoying.
And, if someone hasn’t got their wood cut, split, and stacked, they’re in trouble.
I figured that was probably the case. Though the TV stations haven’t started the foliage reports I guess they will in a few days (or if they have, I haven’t noticed them)
I have one more cord to split and two cord in the barn. My log splitter operator left town. But fear not, I can handle it.
Good morning, pups. Good to see you are enjoying the fall. We will be back in Quebec in a few days to experience. Here in Britsh Columbia the weather has been gloriously clear. I love the low light at this time of year, lengthening the shadows. Saw a flock of about a dozen Dall sheep the other day trotting along the side of the hoghway as if it belonged to them.
You mean it doesn’t?
Hi Knut. Still warm and muggy here. No sheep. A coyete once in a while, and I have seen deer on the road. Mostly squirrels and opossums. And, assorted family dogs and cats.
Best wishes for a great weekend.