About the time mid-August rolls around, my garden is tired. And I’m tired…of weeding, of pinching back, of pruning…all of it. Fallen maple leaves make their new home amongst the plants ~ their presence heralds the arrival of Autumn.

The hydrangea changes from white to soft green.

I know this is part of the cycle. Nevertheless, it always makes me a little melancholy.

Some plants, like my sedum, don a new color.

I used to say that Autumn was my favorite season and it still might be. But since we have lived in the Cottage, I have been blessed with a garden and I love it so. I hate to see it fade away for another 9 months or so. By the way, we moved into MHC 4 years ago on August 30th. What a wonderful day that was!

I managed, in true Claudia-the-procrastinator fashion, to avoid doing the two things I needed to do yesterday. My husband shot some photos of me for my work-related web site and we were so pleased with the results that we merrily drove off for lunch and a visit to the bookstore. Next thing I knew, it was time for dinner. So I must tackle both tasks today, along with cleaning the oven. Last night husband was making a delicious pizza when the kitchen filled with smoke, setting off the alarm and prompting a call from our alarm company. Many windows were opened, fans turned on, and the alarm company was reassured that all was well. But something was smoking in that oven. Some cleaning must be done.

I just realized that this is my 301st post! How did that happen? Have a wonderful day!