And So It Begins

Winter is playing a game of peek-a-boo with us,

you know how it likes to keep things fun.

A little frost here to decorate the flowers that remain,

a dusting of snow there that disappears by mid-day...

It knows how downright unenthusiastic we can be

when it first arrives so it likes to keep us guessing,

is it here or is it not?

We become increasingly grumpy and morose

as everything around us shrivels up and dies

once the cold temperatures set in.

Our colourful landscape is stripped bare,

reduced to black and white.

And the plants that once brought us such happiness and joy?

They've turned into scary-looking monsters

that shiver in place and haunt our garden.

But, this does happen every year.

Don't lose heart.

In no time, once our eyes lose all memory

of what vibrant spring, summer and fall colours look like,

all that white fluffy stuff

will appear more and more beautiful.

Of course, there are also winter survival strategies:

You can always pretend it's just not happening.

This liar seagull is splashing around

in -1 C sun-dappled water,

but you'd never know it.

Because it's swimming in the balmy waters

of Lake Denial!

Dreaming of warmer temperatures

and soft, flower-scented breezes works well too.

If you do it right
by the time you wake up
it'll be Spring again!

But, probably the best strategy of all

is to find your inner glow,

(we all have one.)

Surround yourself with the warmth and light
of family and friends.

Laugh, complain,
be daring and go outside.

There's plenty to enjoy about every season.

Onward To October

October began today with a quick change of weather

plunging us instantly into Autumn.

At the end of last month,

we were equally awed and spooked

by a Blood Moon caused by the lunar eclipse

on September 27th.

Since then, we have been treated,

nightly,

to glowing red skies and

sunsets,

with such a profound glow

that their colours seep into my windows

drawing my eyes, like a magnet,

to the sky.

Even the flowers,

long since having lost their petals

but eager to join in the celebrations 

have taken to catching the last light of day

in their seedy legs

causing all kinds of eerie patterns

for me to capture.

For now, I'm enjoying every red moment :)

And before we know it,

Halloween will be here!

Red

The colour you can't forget.

It sparks a fire in your eyes

that travels to your heart

and all of a sudden you want to dance.

A Time For Tulips

They seemed in a rush this year,

to meet the sun.

And their colours have been

out-of-this-world,

on fire!

They mirror the glowing rays

that pulled them

from the cold, dark earth.

Atop long slim necks,

their heavy heads sway with the breeze,

dancing to the music

we call

Spring. 

Valentine

My dashing Valentine!

He brightens up even the coldest day of the year;

dazzling me with his

apple-red plumage,

lifting my spirits

with his chirp and his charm.

Today, he returned to the feeder

with his girlfriend

and a Chickadee buddy.

...such a popular guy!

Our Red Flag

The perfect symbol of fall in Canada:

A red maple leaf

Keep The Flame Burning

Leaves grow old so beautifully

Paint The Town Red

Walking through my garden daily now, checking to see what's coming up.

I've noticed that many of my spring shoots are red.

Above and below are Bleeding Hearts

they are about six inches high right now.

Here's one just on its way out of the ground.

I think this silly shoot finds it too cold

and is heading back inside last year's stem.

This is a tulip plant, the flower will be white,

still, love the red tips.

This is a lilium

coming up so beautifully.

Another lilium, not so lucky,

already eaten and it's barely out of the ground.

Funny, the Red Lily Leaf Beetle that's eating it

- is also red.

Here's another tulip

with such bright red tips

I can spot them from across the garden.

A clematis leaf bud

A hosta leaf

And finally,

a leaf so red

it's hard to believe

in no time it will be a deep dark green.

A peony bush!

This one is feeling shy

But there is no hiding

this kind of 

Paint-the-town red!