Just outside my front door, ice sparkles on the small brown bridge. I know the signs: autumn fled like a thief in the night. Only yesterday, leaves blazing scarlet and saffron hung like Christmas baubles on the trees. Now there’s nothing but a memory of those exquisite jewels. Time to burrow and savor the stews and the soups, flanked with chunks of wholemeal bread and the sweet preserves of summer.
Marking the passage of autumn, the season rich in ritual and symbolism, pagan Samhain, Catholic All Saints and All Souls, linking today to a nature-rich past, a time when light dimmed and night surrendered to darkness, when stars sparkled more brightly, when candles guided the way to the bed and not the TV screen. A different and harder rhythm, yes. When survival meant knowing, truly knowing, how to live on the earth.
© 2013 C. Bertelsen, including all photographs.
CYNTHIA D. BERTELSEN 
Merril, it’s actually warm today, I could feel it when I stuck my nose out from underneath the covers this morning! Crazy weather these days.
Jan, I’ve heard of the terrible storms this week in England, hope you are well.
Hello, Melinda! These photos are no of my land, but from an old place about 20 miles from here, Glen Alton, VA. Wonderful place. Thanks.
Wildsherkin, very glad to hear from you. I like your blog, too. Must be lovely to have access to the island.
Fabulous photos…you may not have 20/20 vision but you have a great EYE! Thanks so much for sharing these.
A lovely post – so beautifully said and illustrated.
Beautiful images, Cynthia. I esp. love the one of the soaring angles of the barn. Also envy your mushrooms and grape vines!
The photos were gorgeous,here in England it’s grey,wet and unseasonably warm,I envy you.
Beautiful photos. Here in South Jersey our leaves haven’t even finished turning red, gold, and orange yet. It certainly got cold though!