Autumn and Thoughts of Winter

Greetings to you. Ann and I continue with settling-in nicely into our new home and apartment living while enjoying Autumn.  The leaves of several trees across the street are gone, exposing the lattice-like branches.  Soon we will be able to see Lake Wingra from our living room windows and deck.

The tree to the right is west of our deck and still has its yellow garment. Note the blue sky. Hardly a cloud in the sky on this perfect Fall day. This will be a good day for another Autumnal walk.


To the left is a tree I noticed while walking through the UW Arboretum, a short drive from our apartment. I can walk to the Arboretum from our apartment as well, which I did a few weeks ago.  It's nearly a two hour walk, which loops around Lake Wingra.

Usually I walk through the adjoining neighborhoods.To my surprise, I encountered two young Sandhill Cranes, near Midvale on playing fields of an elementary school. Both birds leisurely enjoyed the sun while paying little attention to me, and to the thirty or so children playing soccer, about twenty feet from me and the birds. Here's hoping the two become more concerned about "us humans". 

On the same day, and along the bike path, I met this reminder that Halloween is fast approaching.  The homeowners always hang this one and two others goblins in a tree bordering the path.  I will miss all the young trick-or-treaters who knocked on the door of our home on Keyes Avenue. Our securely locked building prevents any ghost, goblins, etc.  from making their way to our apartment door.

Fall is also evident in the Prospect Gardens as the following four pictures reveal. Tomorrow, we will continue cutting back the plants and getting the gardens ready for winter. We also have another work session scheduled for October 22nd, both 9am to noon. If you live in Madison, please join us.


The blooming Purple Asters, pictured to the right, announce that Autumn is once again with us. A last splash of color before the browns and tans totally take over the Gardens.

Another late bloomer is the Saw Tooth Daisy. Like the Aster, these plants spread easily.  In the last few years, Saw Tooth Daisies have spread east and west of the Gardens, including a large patch about a half block east towards Camp Randall and the football stadium. 

This picture shows the transition underway in the Gardens. There still are green plants; more than usual because of the rainy Summer and Fall.  The splash of yellow reminds me of the passing summer while browns of the mature plants underscore the arrival of Autumn and the inevitable Winter.

I am pleasingly anticipating Winter more than usual this year.  No longer will I be removing snow with the trusted "Snow Commander" snowblower.  I enjoyed this task and often found myself clearing neighbor's sidewalks with the powerful Snow Commander. Get that machine going and sometimes I just couldn't stop myself!

Now Ann and I can sit back and enjoy the falling snow as it piles up on our deck.  Being on the third floor and watching the snow fall surely will be a pleasant experience.

Enjoy this transitional season, as Ann and I are doing. Fall is a reminder that life indeed is made up of seasons and transitions.