Fall Equinox

 

                It is the Fall Equinox and the weather is changing to misty fog which burns off in the afternoons. The damp air smells, some mornings, of the ocean and others of the woodland duff from the forest which is north of town. The scent of apples and figs mixes in with field burning and a bit of dust on warmer days. The world feels like it has slowed way down and is balancing for a few moments before it slides into winter.

                We have been moving slowly through the local woods this weekend. Yesterday, we wandered out to the wildlife refuge to observe changes in the fields and forests. The woodpeckers have loaded their oak tree branches with acorns; the ponds are dry, but damp; all of the flowers have dried down and sent their seeds into the soil. Leaves are just about to turn and fall. This morning, I walked up to Bald Hill with friends and took my trimmers to cut back hawthorn and rose hips (as well as the occasional blackberry vine in the path) for the dining room table. Again, the world was hazy and quiet.

                The garden is closing down. The tomatoes are putting out just enough ripe fruits for dinner; the squashes are all into the larder; the greens are about as big as they are going to grow. We will just be eating down in the garden from now on.  The fig, jujube, and persimmon trees are bent down with fruit. At night, we sit under the Bee lights and read until our toes grow chilly while the cats prowl around.

                Making dinner these days is an in and out affair. I start in the garden with the basket, harvesting beans, eggs, greens, and zucchini. Then I come in and plan—what can we eat with what we have? Inevitably, I need to go back out for lettuce, or basil, or some small tomatoes….continue cooking, and wander out once more for something else.  We eat what is in season and in the back yard; September is an easier time to do this. Soon, it will be days of greens and squash and rice.

                I am not working this year, for the first time in a long time. I love September—always have—but, this year, the golden slowness of the days and light is especially beautiful. I feel my mind and body coming back into balance with the natural world as I watch these changes.