Here on the hill, we are beginning to get quite ragged, worn, and tired from a long, hot summer. When out watering the plants earlier, I kept thinking of the words from an old Merle Haggard song I heard while riding around in the tractor a couple of weeks ago. "The show's almost over, let me sing one more song..."
The bees and butterflies were, in fact, putting on quite a show, just as the hummingbirds have been doing for a couple of weeks. They seem to know, too, that the show's almost over.
The summer tanager that sang his heart out those long summer days,
has ceased singing now, though I still see him occasionally. He was never shy, nor abashed to come ever so near to sing his sweet summer's song. I want to say to him, "Come...Sing just one more song."
Most evenings we have been watching Downton Abbey. We started with Season One and are now almost halfway through. You might think a tractor-driving gal and a cow-punching guy, who ordinarily watch cowboys and Indians, wouldn't care for such, but we actually are enjoying it. I keep my eyes glued to the screen so I don't miss a single costume, but I most enjoy the goings on downstairs. My favorite characters are Mrs. Patmore and Daisy. I am quite sure I would never want to have servants, but if I should, I would definitely want one who would cook and clean the kitchen. I will go now. I have a pound cake in the oven and a mess all over the kitchen. "Daisy...."
There's a new post over at Linnie Butts & Company. Riata has a new school dress that the girls would love to show off. Just click on the old sewing machine picture above.
30 comments:
Hi Mary, Lovely photos-butterflies and birds always make me smile. I can almost smell fall in the air already
Yes! Yes! I always cook as though I have the scullery maid following behind. But - she is never there....
Downton Abbey was wonderful it finished in the UK some time ago. Mrs Patmore was my favourite too - a lot happens to her as the story unfolds and yet she is an unassuming character :) Lovely photographs - I have never seen a red bird like the one in your picture.
I can see summer closing here too-ragged butterfly wings, shorter bird songs, goldenrod coloring the fields. It's pretty, but there is a certain sadness in saying goodbye to it. I always feel it anyway. Your tanager is beautiful. I have never seen Downton Abbey, but I have always been intrigued by it. I know I'd love it too. Oh yes, how lovely it would be to have a cook!!!
Yes summer is winding down here also. that red bird on the fence post is darling. I love fall it is just not long enough.
Cathy
We have awakened to a couple mornings of fog (this one included) and that's a sure sign that fall is on the way. I'm sad because I know the much-dreaded winter is close behind. I have never seen a scarlet tanager other than in pictures - what a spectacular bird! As for Downton Abbey - I have never watched it. Didn't think it would be anything Resident Chef would enjoy but if you DH does then maybe there's hope! Like you, I would mostly watch it for the costumes.
Yes, summer IS almost over. Ding! Dong! I hear school bells ringing. I don't watch Downtown Abbey but do like the Life Below Zero episodes and the Mountain Men shows.
Yes, summer is winding down but its not quite over yet!
Your photos are all so pretty!!
It would be a sad world without them, for sure! I just had to grab my camera. I saw a 98 degree day in the forecast, so hang on! Summer's not done with us yet.
I love this comment, but I have no button for that.
I love some of Mrs. Patmore's quotes. Such as, "I just sent you for a glass of water, not a trip up the Nile."
I thought of you this morning when I found a ragged Luna Moth in the trail. I wanted to bring it home and press it in my pages but that would have meant carrying it in my hand for a couple of miles. I know you would love Downton Abbey. Summer's end always makes me feel sad too.
The Summer Tanager was such a pleasure this summer. His song sound somewhat like that of a Robin.
Smoke from the fires out west has filled our skies lots of days too, but not like you have had to endure. It is so sad to think about all the destruction and suffering. Watching Downton Abbey has been a little break that I had been needing. I know that you must love those beautiful costumes too.
It was a surprise to me that Dan was interested enough to watch, so you might give it a try. Now, he addresses me as "The Lady Lordship." I love that! :~)
We have never watched Life Below Zero, but will check it out. We have watched several Mountain Men shows. It seems those school bells rang awfully early this year.
I can't resist a butterfly picture. As I said above, we have a 98 degree showing up in the forecast. Doesn't sound like summer is over quite yet, for us.
The show may be almost over but you'd never know it from your beautiful photos. We will have our hummingbirds for another two or three weeks, then they'll depart for better climes. They may already be thinking about it given the torrential rains we've had over the past few days.
You sure got some great pictures of the butterflies, and that Summer Tanager is gorgeous. I wish we had them up here but we do have the Western Tanager who if pretty gorgeous too. I don't think we have them here in the Fraser Valley though and I haven't ever heard one sing.
I have not watched Downton Abbey but plan to this winter. Right now when I have free time I'm out on the back porch sitting on my swing. Now that it's cooler I have a cozy blanket over my knees. I find that funny because inside I don't feel like an old lady.
Such lovely photos once again My Lady Lordship! 😉 Yes, Summer is packing her bags I believe...but, here, I don't think she ever 'unpacked" to begin with. Never have we had so much rain in the summer. 10"+ in 2 weeks time. The past week or so has at least felt "summery" temperature wise, but it's somewhat too little too late at this point in time. I've never seen Downton Abbey but so many are enamored of it that I would like to see it someday....I think it would be right up my abbey...er...alley.... But, I will have to get a Smart TV first.... Stay cool....98º...eek! ~Robin~
I've read so much "good" about that program!!
Beautiful late summer blossoms Mary.
We anticipate spring and summer every year with enthusiasm--the planting, harvesting--the long hot days. By mid-August the gardens are tired and so are we! Thankfully, each season offers its rewards.
I think most of us are looking forward to the time when we need a cozy blanket over our knees. I know I am.
I actually think hummingbird migration has already begun. We are having so many visitors to the feeders here that it is hard to keep them filled.
My Lady Lordship! Ha Ha! Actually I think the program would be right up your "abbey"? Now, I am going to come visit your blog and try to figure out where you are on the map. 10" in two weeks is a lot of rain!
Get your blossoms ready, Anni. The hummingbirds may already be headed your way.
Summer is a wonderful time, but there's just so much work to be done that we get tried and tired by its end.
Another great post! Looks like the show is about over here too. I would love to watch all of Downton Abbey but have only seen bits and pieces here and there.
What beautiful nature photos! I have never seen a scarlet tanager before...thank you! I have only a few hummers but then I guess they prefer the real thing and we have lots of blooming trees here right now. I've watched Downton Abbey before and it is good. Now, I watch Heartland Ranch (250 episodes) on Netflix and I watched all 3 seasons of Virgin River....both very good! I've been watching Heartland for years. I am anxiously awaiting Fall and cooler temps. Summer is not my favorite. Take care and stay cool!
We are rewatching Downton Abby now...not every night but a couple or three episodes a week. And enjoying it as much as when it came out.
I love fall...I love how you wrote about the changes. I was startled one night a week or so ago when I went outside one night. All the sounds were fall! And noticing leaves here and there...not maples, but just the odd YOUNG tree with a yellow leaf or red.
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