Glimpses of the Fading Summer

And the beginnings of a beautiful fall. 

Up A Road Slowly

Three days ago, I turned eighteen and officially entered my life as an adult. 

Interestingly, at this time of transition for myself, the Harold B. Pricklepants Society is reading one of my very favorite books of all time. It's simply the story of a girl growing up. When I read it I feel like I'm reading Julie Trelling's journal.  I love stories about fellow writers.

Now I've grown up, or have I? I feel that I still have such a long way to go. 

Like Julie, I am walking up a road slowly, wondering what is at the end.

 

I stopped and laughed!

(And totally agreed.)

A Post for my Vegetables

This is definitely not a good year for squash and zucchini. My plants are pitiful! And I haven't seen very much squash in our local grocery store either. My radishes haven't turned out as I expected either. They're too small. However... 

 

...my tomatoes are doing quite well. I've already had several good tomatoes from my single plant, and it's still producing fruit, even though it's September. It makes me a lot more grateful for the heat.

Grow, tomatoes, grow!

My pea trellis has not disappointed me in the least.  It's very happy and prosperous this year. 

I love going out and picking the little pods off the vine. It's so satisfying, and they taste great! 

And last but not least, our apple trees are truly producing for the first time since they were planted.

What I Saw Today

 If I remember correctly, this cloud of dainty, little, star-like flowers is a called clematis. 

As far as the names of flowers go, I am not much of an expert. My mom is the master gardener, at least as far as flowers go. 

 

I just can't get enough of these roses!

September is such a beautiful month.

Waiting

Waiting for what? you ask. Mostly cooler weather. Oh, Fall, when will you return? After that early storm, Indian summer set in just a couple of days later. Now we are in a heat wave and more than ready for fall. If I ever had any melancholy about bidding adieu to summer, as I always do, I do not now. It's too hot! Thankfully today is supposed to be the hottest day and then it will be cooler. On the bright side I can still sport my Hawaiian dresses.

I am also waiting for all the household modifications to be finished. Our new multipurpose Tiki Room is nearly done, and we've been working on moving bookshelves and all the books in them from Rachel's room to the office.

It was nice, in a nostalgic way, to pull out all those children's books and young science reads that I have not looked at in, oh, a very long time. 

I do love books, but I am lazy by nature, and moving massive amounts of books from one room to the next can be very wearing, not to mention irritating with all the dust we've kicked up in the process. But one mustn't shirk duty, and I think all the book moving may finally be finished. Now if only I could have a nice chilly day so I can curl up with one of those books.  

The First Sip of Cocoa

After a very mild, beautiful, enchanted August, September hit and BAM! Literally. Today it is pouring rain and we have some serious thunder and lightning. It's a little scary, but exciting and cozy, as the first thunderstorm always is.

I cannot recall it ever storming like this so early in the year. Usually Labor Day weekend in Grass Valley is a time for barbecues and swim parties. This may be a much harsher fall and winter than we are used to. If we are getting rain this early, maybe we will get snow earlier than usual too. Maybe I will finally get the white Christmas I've been praying for!

For now I will be content with the pouring rain and enjoy warm cups of cocoa (in giant Mickey Mouse cups) and playing games of Irritata with my Mom, (our own modified version of Aggravation.)