What a shame that our yard is shaded by Silver Maples (Acer saccharinum)! At the present moment, a lovely blend of scarlet and orange would please me more. Rather, their leaves are turning a pale motley of green and transparent yellow. I once received the advice to plant a beautiful tree outside the kitchen window, so as to have an enchanted focus while doing dishes or other mundane tasks. I must spend too much time in the kitchen, because at this point I’ve re-imagined an entire arboreal 
sanctuary on the other side of the panes. Complete with sub-canopy beauties like azaleas and rhododendrons . . .
No matter that the giants actually in residence provide ample, cool shade during stifling summer sun rays. What one wants during the fall is color. It’s a sentimental time, a passing of life en masse, the gloried walk into the sunset, perhaps to return in another incarnation, perhaps to remain but a memory.
Thought slivers of what beginnings I’ll awaken to next spring flush to the front of my head with the wood stove’s warm undulations. But for many moments of the day, nature’s twilight of productivity passes less markedly. Dinner plates consist of arugula greens, shredded carrots and apple bits. All continue to grow well. The little ducklings round out the yellow portion of the rainbow, and grow 
rounder too. What easy weight gainers!
Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry) sprays it’s candy purple goodies into the disinterested air. With nary a critter to enjoy the fruits of its labor, this plant seems entirely narcissistic. Our raspberries, on the other hand, continue to ripen fruits daily, a timely late season blessing and offering. This remains a mystery as they are not a late season variety. Maybe it just took a while to get their reserves up and pump out the goods?
Related Posts:
I am in awe of the greenery. I should have my father come out and see how you’re doing with the animals–he needs a few more projects now that he’s retired.