Winter's Hint

Most of October has been mild, but the first hints of winter have now arrived: Friday night a cold rain swept in. We turned on the heat. Yesterday the wind blew hard, and the air was raw. Last night's heavy frost was still visible this morning, and a skim of ice was on the horse tubs.

The fall color hasn't been spectacular this year. Colors are muted, not vivid. This was my view yesterday yesterday from the deck. . .

. . . and from the front porch.

Last week, Smith Farm looked almost summery:

Well, except for bare branches on the walnut trees.

No wild bright colors—just green giving way to gold. Enough of a hint to let us know that winter's coming. Maybe this poem by Robert Frost is appropriate:

October

BY ROBERT FROST

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—
For the grapes’ sake along the wall.

"Release one leaf at break of day."

~