As September rolled into October we started to get into the swing of the new school year schedule as well as reflecting on this years growing season. The final push of dahlias flooded our vases and gave us the abundance we had hoped for as the pollinators and other critters started hording the resources offered as the night time temps started to plummet and old man frost knocked on our door.
Its funny how even the tiniest creatures in nature seem to have the wisdom of the seasons change, observing their behavior will always teach me more than any youtube video or homestead handbook.
Catching the sleeping bumble bees heavy with morning dew as the morning light warms them back into an afternoon frenzy always brings me joy!
Dahlia dazzlers all around giving a show and rewarding us for our spring compost amendments and frequent waterings.
Not sure if it was the drought or just a more abundant predator insect population that led to much less japanese beetle pressure this year, either way it was nice to not seem to have to fight the beetles for every bloom like last year.
We had a few varieties that didn't shine as much as we'd hoped and a few that we lost due to what I believe to be chipmunk pressure. Apparently in a drought, those plump tubers become alluring snacks!
Maple always enjoys a new bouquet to inspect while perched in one of her favorite windows.
The blooms were so plentiful that after filling our drying hooks we got creative and made use of the excess when we found time.
As September faded into October we welcomed some rainy days, even if they landed on the few days off I took for my birthday. With Hazel in school, Cassi and I took advantage of a quiet morning exploring Two Lights and even found a little inspiration to paint away a couple hours of time.
Sometimes I daydream what it would be like to just paint for a living... finding the time and the creative energy to stay productive while being a present and supportive father and husband can be very difficult.
Though as the waves crash into the jagged Maine coastline and the tides ebb and flow with the gravitational pull of the cosmos... I am reminded how small and insignificant a piece of art can be in the greater zeitgeist of nature. It humbles me that maybe my most important role is to pass on and share my passion for exploring, observing and enjoying the ride of creativity and connection with this place and time we call home. Though like the horizon on a foggy, stormy day these goals and ambitions can become blurred by ego and the" look at me" culture that social media age instills in society.
Slowing down and finding these moments to observe, reflect and create will always ground me and focus my priorities and make me appreciate all that I do have to be thankful for.
Speaking of being grateful...
Big shot out to my favorite Autumn apple stop... Sweetser's Apple Barrel in Cumberland!
I look forward to this lil gem being open every year, they always have a great selection of Maine heirloom apples, cider, winter squash and of course baked goods!
Only thing better than a tall glass of cider on a crisp autumn day is getting to go see David Byrne when the sun goes down...
A rare occasion, Cassi and I got out for a date night and after securing some tickets early this summer we were anxious to have one as October began! It was a bit hectic getting all the stars to align but after a lot of juggling and some generous help from Cassi's sister Jessi, we found ourselves able to enjoy a quite dinner of sushi followed by an inspiring performance by the creative and ever quirky David Byrne!
A great show full of energy, positivity and artistic expression.
October 8th -Merrill Auditorium- Portland Maine
Setlist
Heaven
Everybody Laughs
Strange Overtones
Houses in Motion
T Shirt
Nothing but Flowers
This Must Be the Place
What is the Reason for It?
Like Humans Do
Independence Day
Slippery People
I Met the Buddha at a Downtown Party
My Apartment is My Friend
Hard Times
Psycho Killer
Life During Wartime
Once in a Lifetime
Encore
Everybodys Coming to My House
Burning Down the House
As October wound down the colors faded from bright crimsons and yellow to brown as the nights grow longer and the frost blankets take longer and longer to thaw in the afternoon sun as it gleams through the blue autumn sky.
Our minds begin starting our winter checklist of storm windows being hung, dry firewood stacked, hoses and garden tools being exchanged for rakes and tarps and studio organizing. We also are getting ready to celebrate Hazels birthday, Thanksgiving and the final plunge into the holiday season of 2025!
But before we start on all of that, we did reach a milestone... as Hazel inquisitively watched me carve "magic wands" for her Harry Potter themed party, she insisted it was "taking too long and she was bored..." after thinking about when I got my first jack knife I started to think... she can do this!
So after talking to her about respecting sharp tools and guiding her through the process of always carving away from you, she was well on her way helping in the process. Though, it also gave her a little respect for the work I was doing after finishing up her first wand, she decided watching wasn't so bad!
