Some leaves are already beginning to change colour as the summer season dwindles to an end. The blistering heat of August has abated somewhat, and plants in the gardens are starting to get ready for autumn.
Rosehips are starting to turn red to attract hungry birds and the Black-eyed Susans are waving in the wind.
It looks like our family of hummingbirds have departed for points south, but in the meantime, other birds are enjoying the late-summer bounty of berries on the bushes at the edge of our lot.
At the denouement of the season, I found myself reading a book called “Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End” by Atul Gawande. He’s a surgeon who wrote about exploring what the end of life really meant to his patients and family members – a journey of discovery that surprised him. I think it should be required reading for all doctors, nurses, caregivers and family members as we learn to respect the true needs and wishes of the elderly, frail or terminally ill. We’ll all be there someday.
Meanwhile, we are enjoying the remaining cherry tomatoes on the plant that I honestly thought was a dud at the beginning of the season. Sweet, tasty pops of flavour and colour on a nice long weekend.
It is that time of year but no one is ready to give up on being outside just yet. Next week-end is our annual hot air Balloon Fiesta so here’s hoping for clear, windless skies!
Happy Labour Day everyone!
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