There’s a freshness and tranquility in the late summer garden that extends into early autumn.
The colours are more muted now, but no less impactful.
Green leaves are greener, the pinks of sedum and blues of caryopteris can be seen more clearly.
Even the trees are slow to turn orange and red this year, as if ceding the moment to the softness of this season.
Many tomatoes are still green on the vine.
So this is how the summer ends:
Not with a bang, but a flower. A flower and some fruit…
… and a branch of colour, peeking out to signal that autumn is on its way.
I wish I were the kind of person who totally absorbs herself in the great now of it all, blocking all thought of the passage of the season.
But you may remember: I failed Mindfulness & Meditation 101.
As with the great times with loved ones, I’m greedy to want this moment to last.
And when autumn blazes in with its glorious colours, I’ll find myself wanting to fix that in stasis too. For just a few more weeks.
It’s all a wan thought, a vain attempt, at holding off winter, you know. We are a winter country but I’m not a winter person.
Note to blogger friend, September 9, 2019
“Yes, Laurie, there is a bittersweetness in the air, a time when we lose one thing and gain another, and even the flowers that bloom now are a reminder of the end of the flowering season.”
Note to my journal:
“I’ve long thought that gardening is a form of art. The soil is our canvas; we paint with flowers, shrubs and trees — always paying respect to Mother Nature. So let us add gardening to the canon of visual and natural arts, and recognize that we are, perhaps, the most fortunate of artists.”
Cynthia Reyes 
Lovely, muted, post. Mine tonight is not dissimilar 🙂
Thanks, Derrick. Your English garden will bloom for much longer. When do you put the garden to bed?
Very gradually from October – but here in the South West it is like a child who wants to stay Up
A beautiful garden post. It reminds me of growing up in the northeast. Autumn brings relief to the heat, down here in the South.
Not with a bang, but a flower.
I love this phrasing! I am also about 3/4 of the way through your book where I learned some things I didn’t know especially about humane traps and fox pee!
Thanks, Fran. Thanks very much for buying my book. It matters! Glad you’re picking up a few new things too!
A lovely post. You also paint with words.
I’ll echo with “lovely post.” I think many of us, especially as we age, feel exactly as you do about winter. The cold, the heating bills, and the hard work dealing with snow are no fun. Then, there is the potential to slip and fall and break something. Like you, I want to clutch Fall and implore her to stay longer. But off she hurries, in her blaze of beauty.
Beautiful words, and the photos certainly draw us into the garden! I clearly remember my sedum (Autumn Joy) in Michigan, and how each day would bring a little more pink.
I think so too, gardening is a form of art. What a wonderful post! It vividly captures the beauty and calm of your autumn.
What a delightful post and tribute to the passing of seasons and our tendency to want to hold on. As another friend here said, you paint with words and are a master of your craft. I love the last two reflections and am grateful to have had a garden to co-create with nature for a while. For now, I must craft with words and photos. Happy Autumn my friend.
A beautiful post, Cynthia! Autumn is my favorite season as well. Like you, I would love to see it last, and last. I especially love your note to your blogging friend, and note in your journal. You’ve painted your soul on your words. It is a beautiful thing to behold!
Beautiful post Cynthia!
Thanks, Gail!
We’re seeing about 50% fall color now. It started early and is moving fast.
Nice tomatoes!
North of here, it’s starting. The first weeks of October should be brilliant.
“Not with a bang, but a flower”–brilliant turn of a phrase! This is such a special time of year and you’ve captured that beautifully!
Thank you, Kerry!
Fortunately, Mother Nature is very forgiving with our artistic efforts. Well, mine anyway. She most likely finds that you and Hamlin are amongst her best artists. I wish you a long, lingering autumn and lots of time to enjoy each gentle moment of it.
What a lovely blessing. Thanks for it. May I be totally original? I wish you the same!
A long, lingering spring and summer!
I have no doubt you will be!
The soil as a canvass – I like that. My canvass is rather blank but yours blazes with life and art. May your fall and winter bring joy also! Your lovely post gives us hope for the next season.
Hi Jo Nell: Once in a while, I write something lovely! Tee hee. Thanks for your generous comment, my friend.
Everything looks lush and lovely around a comfortable and pretty seating area. I wouldn’t be anxious for winter either. :-0
Yes, Judy. Let it take its time!
Nice post, very evocative of fall feelings! Love your journal note as well. Happy Fall.
Thanks, Amy!
Indeed, summer is taking its sweet time in giving way to fall. But so much beauty in your lovely garden, Cynthia. It’s just made to sit out in and – dare I say? – meditate or be mindful. Haha.
p.s. I LOVE the seahorse birdbath! Jeanne
What a delight this post is! I don’t like autumn as much as I used to do; there are too many sad memories and anniversaries. However, I love your autumn words and pictures and they remind me of the best of the season.
Love those photos, it’s always a little melancholy at this time of year, isn’t it? As a fellow flunker of mindfulness 101, rest assured you are not alone. I feel the same way. Winter is coming. And having to pile on all those clothes!
Cheers
MTM
Autumn is my favourite season! A lovely post of a beautiful garden Cynthia. By the way, those tomatoes look amazing!
Love your two notes at the end of your post, written as only you can.
Thanks very much!
The title of the post is like a poem, or the title of a book, ‘summer’s end’ being some dreamy, mythical place where magic happens.
I thought so too!
Beautiful garden 🙂
Thank you!
Nice looking tomatoes you got there! Our tomatoes have just produced a nice bunch for our salsa.