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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

The Threshold





I've lived here all of my life and have noticed that we often have light showers or the first dusting of snow at Halloween. Sometimes ill prepared for the sudden change in the weather while out trick or treating I would shiver through the flimsy material of my princess costume, or clown, or hobo, or hillbilly costumes, as they were mostly pulled together from something we already had at home in those days.




And despite the crazy changes we've had in the weather of late, the rain has come again this year right on cue. It blew yesterday, and the first leaves fell in a shower of their own, cascading and swirling such that even if you don't usually pay much attention you can't help but notice. Nature has that way with things.




One day you step out as usual, only to see the threshold littered with another season. At first the fresh colors have a stunning brilliance, but by just the next day they have become dull and brittle. (At least it happens that fast here in New Mexico.)










The drama lures us out to the already neglected landscape. I was sick, and then busy, and then it was no longer the time for lolling on a summer lawn.




I really do sink at the beautiful sight of the ivy turning red, because it means that it will soon be all gone, and the brown and bleak of this high desert town will take its place. My little brown house looks so sad in winter without her leafy crown.




Even the vines seem to reach out to take one last hold of each other before the last shiver brings them down.


















But there are a few surprises tucked away and waiting for a fall inspection. One lone and brilliant rose soldiers on at attention in the garden. 




It chose a nice spot to hold sentinel, as the rain barrel makes a nice theater for one last shot before it's brought inside. . . . 




So another October passes by almost unnoticed but for this pause at the gateway. Tomorrow, on another Halloween, some young someone may insist that it's really not too cold, and that there's no need at all for anything extra over or under a thin costume. It will probably be a new themed outfit. Most likely purchased at the store. And I'm not saying that that's not all right. It's just that I can't help but notice. I know it's only the nature of things. . . .





So long October!
 See you again next year!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
 I'm looking forward to sharing another holiday season with you. . .

Jacqueline




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31 comments:

  1. Your home wears in fall finery well.
    How gorgeous is the red ivy covering that amazing gateway! Love it.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  2. All so true. I LOVE the photo of the chairs lined up with leaves scattered on them. Great shot!
    Brenda

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  3. What a lovely post to say good bye to October with your beautiful photos of your yard. I love the vines on the wood gate and the ones around the window 'holding hands' in front of the pretty curtains. Just lovely.

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  4. Thankyou for the lovely posting. it is reassuring to notice the change in the seasons and reflect on times past. A fine post.
    Regards Janine

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  5. Your gate with that beautiful red ivy is so lovely:) I always enjoy reading the sentiment you share in your posts. Happy Autumn:)

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  6. You have so much beauty there to share. I never imagined New Mexico this way! We've been having rain and will also have it tomorrow. Nothing will slow down these little monsters, and even though it will only be 60 degrees, I hope they are dressed warm and have raincoats! :)

    XO,
    Jane

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  7. Look at all those yummy colors.....wow !!!

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  8. What a lovely post. I dream of the changing of seasons. We don't have it much here in Georgia. Our leaves have yet to fall. Yours are so beautiful and your photos are great! Love this.

    Bonnie

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  9. Hi J,
    We are so far apart yet the seasons are right in tune, our leaves are falling so rapidly yellow yesterday and brown today... Moving so fast. I love the vines holding hands :-) And those big lovely shade trees too... Hope your sweet rose smells divine...
    Hugs,
    B

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  10. Wow What lovely beautiful photos I love them all!!!
    Love your lovely blog!
    Whish you a nice Halloween
    kathrine

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  11. Thank you for a lovely post, I love your photos.
    Happy Halloween

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  12. Your beautiful words & pictures have kept me such good company during my little medical hiatus. Love every single post, read & reread.....look at every detail in each picture. I thank you!
    Kari

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  13. That beautiful rose was a surprise indeed. We do not have any trees on our property, but we have a yard full of leaves. Our neighbor has three oak trees and one pecan right next to us.

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  14. so lovely. you've captured autumns beauty to perfection. i wish this season lasted longer...it is truly the most picturesque. sigh...

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  15. un magnifique lierre
    on dit que c'est un " cache misère"
    mais quand on voit la couleur
    qu'il nous offre à l'automne
    aucun regret de l'avoir laisser
    pousser
    tendresse
    edith (iris) France

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  16. That gate with red vines... Marvelous!!
    I adore this moment of the year. Here in Italy we are having many warm days.
    Hugs darling!
    Silvia

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  17. What a beautiful door wrapped in ivy! I love the Mexican tiles too, so Southwest and different from here. Have a Happy Halloween, Laura

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  18. Autumn is beautiful at your place Jacqueline. Yes it certainly is the nature of things. Change is always constant isn't it? When I think of some of the costumes my children and I went out in in the cold, I shiver just thinking about it.
    sending hugs...

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  19. Such beautiful fall photos. Love your vine covered gate.

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  20. Hi Jacqueline. It is a fond farewell. Such brillance gone very quickly. Just like life sometimes. We left last weekend to lots of pretty colors, and came back in two days to bare branches..Happy Halloween

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  21. Hi Jacqueline,
    Yes we are saying goodbye to October and all is beauty.
    Your pics are just charming and I love the leaves on the gate.

    Happy Halloween.
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  22. Beautiful pictures of your vines. So pretty one day and then the next they are on the ground. I love the way they grown around the gate.
    Have a Happy Halloween.
    Mary

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  23. What a lovely description and beautiful photographs of your fleeting fall landscape. Happy Halloween!

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  24. I didn't realize you got snow there, especially this soon. I always thought you had nice, mild winters in Arizona. We've had a touch of snow already, which is early for here. Fortunately it didn't last and I didn't even see it at work in the city. Most unfortunately it is raining here on Beggar's Night. Too heavy for kids to be out, but I'm sure a few will try.
    Love your ivy pictures. I can see why it makes you sad to see it turn. It is just beautiful.
    Cindy

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  25. It may not last long, but for now it certainly looks gorgeous. xo Laura

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  26. You have truly captured Autumn's fleeting beauty. Your photos are like poetry... xo Karen

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  27. Jacqueline, this farewell to October reads as poetry. You are a very talented individual. Your shots are equally as enchanting as your prose.
    Happy Autumn! ~ Sarah

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  28. Lovely post and beautiful Fall colors.
    Thanks,
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

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  29. Your gate and home look so lovely at this time of year, Jacqueline, despite how brief it might be. I love the way the leaves "hold hands" across your windows. And such a beautiful, brave Rose.... truly The Last Rose of Summer!

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