• I did a lot more raking yesterday; piles and piles of leaves. Then I mowed the dog corral and the front lawn for the last time this year. Since this weekend is going to turn very cold, with a frost warning, I figured now was the time.
Soon, I will be out on the porch, gathering up my potted plants to bring them inside once again. Where the heck am I going to put them? I can’t ignore them, they’ve been hanging in there for a year and half, planted last summer, overwintered, back outside for this spring and summer – performing beautifully. They need to be rewarded for their stellar performance.
The leaves are off all of the trees, save for a few on the catalpa. Leaf clean-up, at least as much as I’m willing to do, is over. I ignore the leaves in the back forty.
As far as garden clean-up goes, I really do nothing. Shocking, I know. There’s a lot of advice, all of it good, about putting the garden to bed for the winter. Maybe I’m a wee bit lazy about it, but there’s a method to my madness. The leaves that have fallen stay on the garden beds. They work as mulch, protecting the plants, and eventually decomposing to add nutrients to the soil. The perennials stay as they are. I don’t cut them back. Why? A couple of reasons: they function as architecture for the winter garden, their shapes beautiful in the bleaker winter landscape. And they provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife. So they stay as is. In the early spring, as I clean up the garden beds, I trim any dead leaves and stems. But not until spring.
I don’t do anything to my roses, either. Last winter was hard on them, and this winter promises more of the same. I may trim a dead cane or two – I had to do that in the spring – but, for the most part, they really seem to do just fine. They come back strong every spring.
This is just what works for me. I live in a northern climate, where it gets very cold and there is usually a lot of snow. The cottage gets a lot of wind, as well. The perennials in my garden beds come back beautifully every spring. And they look gorgeous in the snowy landscape.
• Scout and I had a little adventure the other day walking on the library grounds. As soon as she hit the long, winding driveway, she started to gallop. That girl! Of course, she was exhausted all day yesterday, but I aim to make sure she has a two or three adventures every week. She needs the exercise and the stimulation. I had a lot of fun with her that day. We even walked from the library to the post office, where she went inside with me to mail some bills!
She also watched the World Series with me last night:
Honest. She kept poking her head right up to the laptop screen, eyes wide, watching the action. She’s cheering for the Royals. So am I. Game seven tonight! Oh boy.
• I don’t know about you but I was a big, big fan of The Association when I was young. I saw them in concert. I played their albums over and over again. Now, these many years later, through my husband, I am a friend of Terry Kirkman, an original member of the band. (I can’t tell you how thrilled about that I am!) Terry wrote some of their hits, including Cherish, which has to be one of the most beautiful pop songs ever written.
Yesterday Terry posted a link on Facebook to a Pat Metheny version of Cherish. Since I am also a big Metheny fan, I immediately clicked over to it. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness again. This has to be one of the most beautiful versions of Cherish I have ever heard. So beautiful that I couldn’t stop playing it yesterday. Over and over again. Then I bought it on iTunes.
Enjoy.
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Happy Wednesday.
Thank you for the morning song! I love how it built in complexity. (And I was remembering most of the lyrics as I listened, too!)
It’s so beautiful!
Oh Claudia, it is beautiful! Thank you for introducing us to a new musician. Your lawn and the gardens are always so inviting. I miss having a yard, even miss the work a yard takes. Give Scout a hug. :)
Hugs,
Deb
I will, Deb!
That Scout! One amazing doggie. I had my husband come in and hear “Cherish”. He started taking guitar lessons at age 69 (now he’s 71) and he so enjoyed it with me. Thank you.
You are very welcome, Tana. I keep playing it over and over again!
That is beautiful Claudia. I’ve always loved that song. I have an iTunes gift card and think that Cherish will be purchased before the day is over. Good for you and Scout! You have gotten a lot accomplished in the past few days and Scout looks as if she’s enjoying life in it’s fullness. I’m also partial to the Royals after growing up in Omaha and working at the College World Series for years.
Blessings,
Betsy
I like their attitude and the Giants have won a couple of times recently – so I’m going for the Royals.
I treat my perennials just as you do. Besides, that natural architecture in the garden, serves to remind me that under all that snow…there will again be life! And thank you so much for that wonderful rendition of one of my all time favorites! I found myself singing the words right along. I think I wore that Association album out…great song! ;)
It’s such a wonderful piece of music!
One of my absolutely favorite all time songs. Listening to it right now. Thanks for the reminder. Scout looks so cute watching the World Series. :)
xo
Laura
She’s a baseball fan like her mom and dad.
Oh, how I love The Association! Another great band coming out of Southern California in the 60s. I think Never My Love is my favorite, with Cherish a close second. Thanks to YouTube, it’s easy to reconnect with what I consider one of the most exciting times in music. I was in college during this time, and I played The Association, John Denver, The Eagles, and James Taylor albums all the time when I studied. I can’t imagine my life without this music, and I think it’s really neat that you have become friends with Terry Kirkman, who has written one of the most-played songs on radio. Imagine that!
I’ve worked with a lot of well-known, even famous actors, but I’m more in awe of Terry Kirkman! I loved all of the music you mention. I once ran into James Taylor roller-blading in a Boston Park. He sat down right next to me but he was clearly having a day of fun, so I didn’t bother him.
Hi, Claudia. I have to tell you how your post starts on my browser:
“I did a lot more raking yesterday; piles and piles of leaves. Then I mowed the dog”
I thought, well, that’s interesting and wondered how Scout felt about that! All became clear on the next line, of course, but it was funny for awhile.
I’m glad you’re getting used be being back home. There’s no place like it, you know.
Mowing the dog! Very funny! I don’t think Scout would like that at all, Marianne!
Love The Association! My favorite has always been “Windy.” Their musical arrangements were wonderful and I wore out my albums listening to them :)
I’m a romantic, so it’s Cherish, Never My Love and Everything That Touches You.
So cute to see Scout looking at the computer screen. I have one cat that loves watching the computer. Check out my recent post on my old birthday dog.
I will, Gina!
The photo of Scout watching the game is the best. That little girl is so smart she probably really WAS following the action. Except for the fact that game 7 means the end of baseball for this year, I can’t wait for it to begin. I even have hot dogs and peanuts-in-the-shell ready for “dinner in the park.” Rooting for the Royals – it’s been 29 years for them so they’re due. Enjoy the game!
Oh, maybe I should get some tofu dogs for tonight! Good idea, Janet. Come on, Royals!
But, yes, waaah! End of the baseball season!
Oh! One of my all-time favorites just went from terrific to sublime! Thank you for such a great start to the day
Sublime is a perfect word for it, Margaret!
I think your property looks great! We let a lot of our flower stalks stand through the winter as well. The birds do enjoy, for sure. Love that shot of the sun and blue, blue sky. Thanks for the song reminder…will check out the Pat M. take on it, as I am really a fan of his as well. So glad Scout seems to be doing well.
She’s doing pretty well, Vera. We took another little walk today.
Lolo thanks Scout (& you) for being a Royals fan! LET’S GO ROYALS!
Just got the new television in time for the game tonight!
Oh! The Association…..Cherish and Never My Love. Wore the album out while in college. This wonderful version just reiterates how very beautiful the song is. It was just natural to sing those pretty lyrics along with his guitar playing. What pretty music for a bit of a blustery fall day here.
I am with you in leaving the remainders of the gardens to go through the winter. It always makes me happy when a bird lands on any of the “remainders” above the snow. It makes me sad when the gardening season ends, so I leave the cutting back until the spring as well. So far I haven’t had any problems. I think the plants that are OK to plant up in our region or zone are pretty hearty.
Hope you are having a wonderful day, and again, thanks for sharing the beautiful music.
You are very welcome, Chris!
The Association..swoon..lol..oh my gosh I loved those guys..Cherish is one of those songs that will be loved forever..Please thank Terry for sharing the beautiful words in his head with the rest of us..and the world..I also do the same with my plants..I do believe it is good for them..they must like it because they keep coming back..lol..Miss Scout looks as if she is enjoying the game!
the song was amazing..as it will always be..
It’s simply a gorgeous song done impeccably by Pat Metheny.
Oh….. That is beautiful!
It sure is!
We also let the leaves cover our organic garden… I miss it already. The Hubster is really the one that takes care of all the “winterizing” outside. I have to say I get a bit blue in the fall saying goodbye to my beautiful summer. I got such a kick out of scout watching the game. soooo cute!!! Have an awesome day Claudia.
Blessings, Joanne
Scout is unhappy. The Royals lost. (So is her mom!)
I saw the Association perform in their only British appearance in 1968 and live they were wonderful. I told Terry Kirkman about it on the Association website a few years ago and he kindly replied with some of his memories of that gig.
Cherish, written by Terry, and performed by the Association is an achingly beautiful song in the lyrics melody and harmony. I am using it as one of the songs I use to help my high school students, in London, new to English to learn grammar, as well as the beauty of the song. They are shy about singing, but after I gave them all headphones, to listen individually, unbeknown to them the melody is so infectious that they were singing out loud without realizing that I could hear them!
Please pass on my love of the song to Terry. My other favourite Association song, again by Terry, is ‘Everything That Touches You’. I think he must have a special sensitivity and spirit that shows through these songs.
Now the slightly negative bit – probably because the song means so much to me – I’ve been a Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays fan for over 30 years, BUT, great musician though he is, I do not like Pat’s version of Cherish – it adds nothing and fails to capture the beautiful realization and acceptance of unrequited love. Yes, I know many people have covered the song, and some songs can take on a different life when covered – but not Cherish, it’s too special!
Hi Peter,
Well, obviously I disagree with you about Pat Metheny’s version, and so, I think, must Terry, as he’s the one who originally posted the link, with additional kudos to Gary Jules Alexander’s original chord progressions. I think it captures perfectly the haunting beauty of the song. But it’s all a matter of personal taste, isn’t it?
I DO agree with you on the beauty of Cherish and Everything That Touches You (long one of my favorites and one I hardly hear mentioned, so thank you for that!) Written by a true romantic, I think! And I love how you are using Cherish to teach your students – what a wonderful idea.
Yes, you’re right – it is matter or personal taste; although happily this is within music that we both like. And yes, thank you, I think I am a true romantic, especially when it comes to Pat Metheny and of course Lyle Mays – the Lennon and Mc Cartney of Americana jazz. I introduced my wife and sons to their music via records, concerts in the UK and in Europe.
Do you know these beautiful acoustic pieces- the first one is the theme to a film from the book ‘Map of the World’?
Yes, you’re right – it is matter or personal taste; although happily this is within music that we both like. And yes, thank you, I think I am a true romantic, especially when it comes to Pat Metheny and of course Lyle Mays – the Lennon and Mc Cartney of Americana jazz. I introduced my wife and sons to their music via records, concerts in the UK and in Europe.
Do you know these beautiful acoustic pieces- the first one is the theme to a film from the book ‘Map of the World’?
And here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY2wJo3Q69c
Hi, Claudia. I had the great pleasure of seeing Pat Metheny in an outdoor concert on a beautiful June night at Wolf Trap outside Washington D.C. he played “Letter From Home” solo and it was so beautiful. The audience was totally silent and the sound floated up into the star-filled sky. Such a poignant love song. I’ll never forget it! Thanks for reminding me of this great musician.