A Late Summer's Morning

Today is day #2 of everyone being in school and just Lila and I at home. Although I find myself longing for fall, when I stepped outside in the cool late summer morning air today, I was inspired by nature's autumn preview. I stayed in my yard and took some pictures of colors and textures that caught my eye - that made me feel content.

Our hydrangeas' blooms have changed from mid-summer's bright blues and purples to late-summer's mauves, pale purples, and greens.

Well, all but this lone blue hydrangea that is simply refusing to let go of summer!

Even our scented geraniums' green leaves are beginning to brown. There are still a few fuchsia colored flowers left, which did not go unnoticed by this busy bee.

Before we wandered into the back yard, Lila agreed to pose for a couple of pictures. She loves the cooler morning weather!

The only real remnant of summer in our back yard is our lavender; however, even its normally dark green leaves are beginning to yellow. Lavender is, by far, my favorite plant. I use its essential oils daily - it is an antiseptic, a stress-buster, and anti-inflammatory. It is beautiful from spring through fall, and its scent soothes me like no other.

The real clue that fall is just around the corner are our apple and pear trees, which are bursting with nearly-ripe fruit.

And my husband has worked hard this summer to stock up on firewood so we can enjoy our autumn night fire pits. The grains of the wood grabbed my attention today, and the cracks looked to me like simplistic starbursts.

By mid-day, it felt more like summer than fall, but our mornings and evenings are definitely becoming cooler. It won't be long until my favorite season arrives...but until it does, I will continue to enjoy the gorgeous, short-lived shades of late summer.

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