On Wednesday, the Harvest moon brought in the changing of the seasons. A full moon on the equinox is a rare occasion and the next one won't happen for another 19 years or so (I think 2029). I've noticed that as I get older, time seems to move much more quickly. There is still so much I need to get done, but my time is running out. The sand in the glass has turned from molasses of youth to quicksilver of age. All and all, it sucks.
I did manage to get almost 100% of my yard completed this year. It's been a 5 year project and this year was the year to actually accomplish most of it. I managed to put in my ponds and plant all my trees (I think I even got a wish-tree to grow.. I believe I have a 5" mimosa seedling growing, plus 2 6" golden rain tree seedlings) that I wanted, for the most part. Some trees I want I can't have.. they just won't grow here (Jacaranda, crepe myrtle), some are just not too practical for my yard (Colorado blue spruce, northern catalpa). But, I'm pretty happy with the trees I have. I didn't get in all the roses I wanted, but who does? I still need to put in other plants for filler, but I'll have to wait til next year to see what's available with what companies and see about putting shrubs and other flowering plants in. This weekend will be the rest of the mulch that needs to go into the back yard, I'm not sure if I have enough. I seriously doubt it.
However, it's semi-official, my season for growing is almost kaput. As I was driving into work, I noticed that the misty drizzle we had here ended up being snow in the mountains. Sure, it was just a dusting and at over 14,000ft at altitude, but still, it's a herald of what's to come.
As I drove into work, I saw that a lot of the locust trees are starting to change their colors and lose their leaves. They're usually the first to go. My burning bush is just slightly tinged, but I know that it won't be long before it's totally aflame. I've also seen some autumn purple ash trees (mine included) tinging up as well. Of course, this is not good because I've got such new growth on all my roses due to the watering and this past misty-drizzle we got. Some of my roses never blossomed once, but my Oranges & Lemons has shot a 2' cane up in the past 2 weeks, it's a beautiful brilliant red right now. I dread to see it turn purple & black with winterkill.
Autumn is my favorite time of the year due to the color of the leaves, the crispness of the cool mornings and the brisk breezes. However, it also causes an ache in my heart that my so-hard-worked-for roses will be put to sleep for the winter, and perhaps, if we have another bad winter and I didn't take care of them just right, for ever. But I guess that's a chance that we all have to take, isn't it.
