Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go – Unknown

Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have. – Unknown

Nature is so mesmerizing; there are days it is hard to take it all in. Wilhelmina and I started our day on the front porch. Sam had left hours earlier to go fishing. The hummingbirds were still feeding, though numbers seemed down a bit. They fight a lot more than they feed. Even so, they’ve been such a delight to watch. They will be moving out shortly as the typical fall migration takes place in August and September. Their plan is to feed vigorously in the morning and start their journey around midday, then feed again in the late afternoon. That would mean possibly some of the hummingbirds are from parts unknown while the earlier birds have already gone further south.

Flowers are still blooming profusely so it doesn’t seem like we’re moving into fall. No fall leaves falling. No Bodock, Osage Orange, Hedge apple or Horse apple balls, as they are called, decorate the grounds. The only thing confirming fall is watching football and waiting for basketball. It doesn’t even seem right to hang out fall wreaths decorated in autumn colors or changing out summer tableware and tablecloths. And certainly not changing over wardrobes. I remember my school days started with plaid skirts, cardigan sweaters, and knee socks. Our cheerleader uniforms were wool skirts and sweaters. Everything changes in time so I suppose fall will come soon enough. Fall’s such a lovely season.

While I was reminiscing over fall memories Wilhelmina curled up and fell asleep. It occurred to me though I think of her as a kitten she recently turned 8-years-old. By human numbers she is 48. Not really old from where I’m sitting. Wilhelmina was born with vision issues but her hearing and quickness is like lightening. My cat Jack was stone deaf. When he died, he was 16, which was 80 in people years. I was rather proud of him.

You may remember from last year I was so fond of my treefrog pets. There were at least six or so. They would come every evening attached themselves to the window under the lantern by the door. The lantern attracted insects and the insects attracted treefrogs. Sam made a treefrog hotel and I put little watering features all around. I’ve not found treefrogs to be afraid of humans so I was able to be near them, talk to them, and feed them. Winter would come and they would hibernate elsewhere.

This year they did not return and I missed them until last week I found one. I scooped it up and hurried to the frog hotel by the window. That night I left the lantern on and he stayed. While Wilhelmina and I sat on the porch that next morning I saw him hiding behind the water bucket. I hope he stays and brings friends.

On another note, since the snake ate my goldfish in the fishes’ lily pond, I have refused to purchase any more goldfish. Just recently we noticed leopard frogs have moved in.

Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].