Thursday, September 12, 2013

September

September. I love this month. I used to love it for different reasons than I do now. When I was a kid, I loved it because it was "back to school" month and the month of my birthday. These days, school starts in August most places and when you get to be my age, you don't get quite as excited about your birthday anymore. I love it now because it is the month that ushers in my favorite season...fall. I mean, I'm very grateful the Lord has given me another year but I don't need anything more than a mirror to remind myself how old mature I am getting.

And as I think back about starting back to school when I was a little girl, an image comes to mind of something I haven't seen for years. I was reminded of this over the weekend as I was photographing the beautiful goldenrod that is currently taking over the country sides. How many of my more "mature" friends ever used one of these in first or second grade?


And speaking of goldenrod, it is just so beautiful and I never even realized it until this year. I love it that as I have gotten...ehem...more mature, I have come to appreciate the beauty in the simplest things.



I was blessed with the opportunity to go out last weekend to a lovely nature preserve in Fancy Gap, near our cabin. The hubs was napping after mowing the grass (that was nearly mid-calf in height, which wore him out a bit) so I drove a few miles down the road to where it was located. It was a perfect day...cool and breezy with bright blue skies and puffy clouds.


The area is called Devil's Den because of some old and treacherous caves that can be explored.
 I actually hesitate calling it anything remotely related to the devil...
...because it is a heavenly place to be sure. 


The preserve consists of 280 aces of private unspoiled land on the crest of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, with a beautiful view overlooking the North Carolina Piedmont. Here is Wikipedia's definition of escarpment: An escarpment is a steep slope or long cliff that occurs from erosion or faulting and separates two relatively level areas of differing elevations. Hmm...you learn something new everyday!


On top of it lies this lovely slice of heaven. There is a bench planted  in the ground (so as not to tumble over and fall down over the drop off) to sit and enjoy the beautiful view. I sat there quite a while just breathing in all of the glory of this place. All I could hear was the breeze gently blowing which sounded a lot like God telling me how much He loved me.


The preserve also includes birding and wildlife nature trails,
and this lovely meadow where the tall grasses had just recently been mowed and baled. 
There's just something I love about hay bales.



I walked and walked, all around the perimeter...
...the tell-tale images of left-overs from the summer were so evident. 

I normally don't like Japanese beetles at all...
...but these guys took my eye as I was struck by their lovely iridescent coverings. 
What do you suppose they are doing....hmm?


Strolling along a little further and as I gazed down the hillside, I spotted the old homestead that was built back in the 1880's. The first and only other time I had been here, the old house was off limits to the public and there was a fence of some sort built around it. Today I was able to walk right down to it and gaze into the windows....


...if only they hadn't been boarded up.


Can you just imagine the stories this old house could tell if it could talk?


I could have stayed there for hours...not another soul did I see except for some butterflies and a couple of lovely gold finches who flew away before I could get a shot with my camera...but I don't think they actually count as souls, do they?


It was time to head back before my hubby thought I had gotten kidnapped or something so back down the road to the cabin I went. Before I could make it home, the goldenrod had beckoned me once again. I couldn't resist getting another few photos.


Aha...I see someone else likes goldenrod too!



It was a splendid way to spend an afternoon in September! 

I leave you with this lovely poem.

***************************************************

September
by Helen Hunt Jackson
(1830-1885)

The golden-rod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.

The gentian’s bluest fringes
Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun.

The sedges flaunt their harvest,
In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
Make asters in the brook.

From dewy lanes at morning
the grapes’ sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
With yellow butterflies.

By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather,
And autumn’s best of cheer.

But none of all this beauty
Which floods the earth and air
Is unto me the secret
Which makes September fair.

‘T is a thing which I remember;
To name it thrills me yet:
One day of one September
I never can forget.

*************************************
I hope you go out and enjoy your September this weekend!


sharing at:

http://www.sunnysimplelife.com/2013/09/from-farm-blog-hop-and-amish-bread.html
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/09/saying-goodbye-for-summer-and-simple.html
http://www.impartinggrace.com/2013/09/grace-at-home-no-73.html
http://jannolson.blogspot.com/2013/09/share-your-cup-thursday-73.html
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/09/amaze-me-monday-24.html
http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2013/09/sharing-his-beauty-linky_15.html
http://sundayview.blogspot.com/2013/09/inspired-sunday-ready-for-fall.html
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/09/make-it-pretty-monday-week-67.html
http://whatjoyismine.net/2013/09/mondays-musings-787-wives-of-the-bible.html
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/09/182nd-inspire-me.html
http://www.flusterbuster.com/2013/09/flusters-creative-muster-party-38.html
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/09/wow-us-wednesdays-136.html
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2013/09/fallin-for-copper.html
http://www.deeprootsathome.com/encourage-one-another-wednesday-link-up-104/
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2013/09/friendship-friday-fall.html
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/home-sweet-home-137.html
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2013/09/welcome-to-show-and-tell-friday-i-made.html
http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/09/fridays-five-features-no-9.html



34 comments:

  1. Your photos are stunning. I also love the fall season the most. It is just a beautiful time of year!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for you kind comment and for stopping by!

      Blessings,
      Debby

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  2. Enjoyed taking this walk through your photos. It is a wonderful time of year.

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  3. A balm for the soul.......a beautiful post! I always love your photos and the words were so comforting. What a beautiful place God has created! Thanks my friend!

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    1. Thank you, Lisa, for your sweet comments. I am so glad I found this place!

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  4. Hi Debby! What beautiful photos! I really liked the one of the path you walked on. I also love to think about the history of old houses. They look so broken down, but were full of life at one time.

    Have a good weekend!
    Ceil

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    1. Thank you, Ceil...it was a glorious time of discovery and reflection. Yes, if those walls could talk...

      Blessings,
      Debby

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  5. What gorgeous spaces and places and words. I, too, love September, but even more, October (and not because it's my birthday month ... hehe ... I'd just as soon forget that).

    By the way, Happy Birthday, whenever it is.

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    1. Thank you, Dayle...it's tomorrow! Like you, even though I love September, it's those lovely fallish things that come a little later that REALLY make me happy.

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  6. Hi Debby, such beautiful photos! I attended a vintage sale yesterday, and being out on the rural highways I was amazed at all the gorgeous goldenrod. I wanted to stop and cut an armload for a bouquet, but was seriously worried if hubbs and I wouldn't wake up with stuffed heads and sore throats, LOL! but it's wonderful to see it blooming on the roadside. Thanks for coming by and the sweet note, Debra

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    1. Hi Debra...thanks for stopping by! Yes, the goldenrod is so thick here too. It must be from all the rain! u

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  7. What an absolutely wonderful post ! The photos are so beautiful as well as the storyline : )
    I do not remember that particular tablet but I do remember writing in cursive in second grade on and I am dismayed to see schools delaying it till 4th or 5th grade or opting not to teach it at all! Sheesh! All of us MATURE folks will have a secret language soon :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your sweet comments! I remember that yellow writing paper like it was yesterday! I agree totally about the writing cursive thing...it is scary to see children growing up and not learning just the basics in school anymore.

      Have a great week :)

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  8. I have always loved goldenrod and in fact was photographing some in a field yesterday. That poem is wonderful.

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  9. oops...I meant to continue saying that your photography is wonderful as well and that the spot you were in is absolutely beautiful. (I hit the wrong button by mistake...new computer)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting! It was an awesome place and I can't wait to return!

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  10. Stunning! Thank you for sharing! And I loved the poem - I love September, too! "With summer’s best of weather, And autumn’s best of cheer." I think it's the perfect month! Have a wonderful week.
    Janet

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Janet! I also just loved that line in the poem. I'm so glad you stopped by!

      Blessings,
      Debby

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  11. Your photos are just beautiful...I feel like I walked along with you. I can't wait for fall to arrive here in Texas!

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    1. Thanks Tina...so glad you enjoyed the walk! Fall is upon us here in NC...that is until the next heat wave :( You never know in NC. Thanks again for stopping by my blog and have a good rest of the week!

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  12. I love the hay rolls too! Your bee photo is awesome! I posted Halloween Banner to Fluster. That's where I saw your post:)

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    1. Hello Michele! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comment!

      Blessings,
      Debby

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  13. Beautiful pictures! I felt like I was there with you!

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    1. Thank you, Carmen...so glad you enjoyed your visit!

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  14. Oh what gorgeous pictures. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  15. You completely captured September for me, Debby Ray, with every beautiful memory from my childhood that I carry with me to this day. East Tennessee is so like the Blue Ridge area of NC. This is a wonderful post that I will feature on Inspired Sunday tomorrow! Thank you. Just gorgeous in writing, photography, and spirit!

    Laura

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    1. Oh my goodness, Laura...thank you so much! I am humbled and honored by this and I appreciate the opportunity you give all who link up to share as well!

      Blessings,
      Debby

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  16. This is a gorgeous post! I too love September. Spring is my favorite season, because of the renewal of things, but I also love the winding down of Fall. Your photos are stunning. I love those old houses and would be in heaven if I could enter into them also. Goldenrod is gorgeous, but It took over an area at my previous home. My dear son is battling it now. lol! He just pulled out one whole area and made it into a childs play yard. The Golden Rod was pretty, but was always covered with bees. Not the best for his two little boys. Thanks for sharing this with SYC. I will be featuring you later today.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thanks for all of your kind comments, for following me and for featuring me...I am quite humbled though encouraged! Yes, everytime I see the golden rod around here it is just COVERED with bees. I have become more aware of it this year than any other...it's probbly because I'm blogging...isn't that funny how we notice things more?? I'm actually quite glad of that :)

      Blessings,
      Debby

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  17. Gorgeous pictures, Debby!
    I love September too, but honestly, my favorite season would have to be summer. ;)
    *Sunny

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Thank you for stopping by today! Your sweet comments are such an encouragement to me.