Last year

 

As the seasons change, it makes me acutely aware of how empty Naomi's place is. 

Sunshine

 

A plant in my office

Decay

 

Loss

 

They tell me fire is a part of nature

that this will bring wildflowers in the spring,

low blueberry bushes in the summer,

that it will open the seeds in pine cones

to grow to be habitat for warblers.

They tell me this will bring color and life and song

but all I see is ash and charred stumps

I hear the wind sweeping dust into piles

as my eyes water from the smoke

and I choke on my own breath.

I see no beauty yet.

I feel only ruins. 

Leaves

 

Renovations

 

I've been doing renovations in this doll apartment building that Betsy picked up at the side of the road. 

Soo locks

 

Reach

 

Darkness

 

The days are getting shorter. 

Lower Tahquamenon

 

Last market

 

Dried bouquet

 

Autumn

 

Tahquamenon Falls

 

Color drive

 

Sable Falls

 

I had Monday off from work, which allowed me to spend a long weekend in the UP with my parents. The colors on the trees were absolutely stunning!

Purple

 

Pumpkins

 

Quietness

 

Pumpkin pie

 

Mom baked the first pumpkin pies of the season. 

Red

 

Delicate

 

Dunes

 

Herbs

 

Signs of the impending frost

Autumn dinner

 

Fungi

 

Pressing cider

 

Cabbage

 

I grilled cabbage recently. It was not nearly as delectable as the recipe promised. 

Peppers

 

Punkins

 

Point Betsie