Sunday mosaic #2
Posted on | October 31, 2005 |
The last farmer’s market of the season with pumpkins on the sidewalk, the tables heaped with squashes and knobby brussle sprout stalks. Already the lady who sells honey from her small batch of backyard hives is gone, and textiles—woolly hats and scarves fill up stalls where in mid summer sunflower bouquets and fancy heirloom tomatoes jostled for attention.
The sun, bright overhead against a backdrop of blue, makes the leaves shine golden even though the foliage season was a bust here, with a killing frost before the leaves could turn to crimson the way they usually do. We walk down to the lake with coffee and ham and egg sandwiches, still hot.
Bean, bundled in layers of fluffy fleece and mittens, screams furiously every time we add a layer, but naps contentedly as we sit together on the swing, kicking our legs and watching a hubbub of mallards quacking on the water. All the boat slips are empty now and white gulls perch on the power supply boxes.
Across the lake, a band of snow still on the mountains, but the air is warm in the sun. By midmorning we take a run, wearing shorts and hats and long sleeves. The edges of the path are slick and yellow with fallen leaves, wet from weeks of rain. Other runners are out. Everyone smiles as they pass, soaking up sun like lizards.
Downtown some shops have their doors open, and on the sidewalk a dog lolls, tummy up. Today teenagers are wearing wigs and bits and pieces of costumes. They walk down the promenade giggling, smoking cigarettes and looking self conscious. Yesterday the big parade brought throngs of kids dressed as cows, superheroes, witches and firemen and doting parents; tomorrow, trick-or-treaters are sure to come knocking at our door.
In the afternoon we take a drive southwest of here, to look at a farmhouse, then land, and lastly the town we’d maybe like to settle near. 180 years old with a gnarled apple tree out back, the farmhouse is a dream. A clawfoot tub, a laundry shoot, a huge hearth in the dining room. But as we leave we can’t help but notice how the unplanned urban sprawl has crept up: farmers selling acreage; subdivisions encroaching on the view.
A sunset for the first time in months, soft pinks spreading out across the sky like delicate gown hung up for airing. The waterfall pounding below the bridge in town sends whole trees over it’s crest. They gather at it’s base, circling, bumping up against each other like toothpicks. Bean stares wide eyed. I play with aperture, noticing the word Bean’s been saying all week on a sign on the window of an empty store.
We drive home in early darkness, daylight saving’s time has set us back. We talk together quietly as Bean takes a late nap. Stars are above us as we bring our things inside. We heat leftover lasagna and then eat pumpkin pie.
Comments
15 Responses to “Sunday mosaic #2”
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October 31st, 2005 @ 6:37 am
Wonderfilled blog …
October 31st, 2005 @ 7:13 am
lovely.
I drone on and splat photos –
you mosaic and lift me with graceful prose…
October 31st, 2005 @ 8:29 am
My list of dreams include someday having a claw-footed bathtub. I can’t imagine you wanting to live in another town–Your stories of where you are now are so beautiful. The friendly people, walkable lake/town/market, etc. So, I imagine that this new town is even better (minus the urban sprawl!). The ‘delicate gown’ imagery was perfect. Have a wonderful day!
October 31st, 2005 @ 9:32 am
Love the mosaic and the description of what sounds like a wonderful day.
I want a ham and egg sandwich now in the worst way!
October 31st, 2005 @ 10:01 am
Love the mosaics you created here…both the photographic one and the one you painted with words. As for that dreamy farmhouse…keep visualizing and maybe you’ll find one with NO suburban sprawl in site.
October 31st, 2005 @ 1:41 pm
I love the way you do your mosaics they are really neat.
October 31st, 2005 @ 2:52 pm
Beautiful post and amazing pictures. I felt like I was walking along with you enjoying the autumn air. I would be holding my cup of hot tea alongside you with your warm cup of coffee. I think you put into words why I love this time of the year.
October 31st, 2005 @ 4:03 pm
beautiful day…love the collage of pics..
October 31st, 2005 @ 5:21 pm
You did it again! POW! WOW!
October 31st, 2005 @ 7:32 pm
Wow! Those are great pictures.
Cheers!
November 1st, 2005 @ 1:31 am
Another lovely mosaic.
I so enjoy the way your mind works.
November 1st, 2005 @ 3:26 am
Wow, how did you DO that? (the mosaic of pictures, I mean)
November 1st, 2005 @ 9:28 am
Woman, a post of beauty! And the pictures!
‘fancy heirloom tomatoes’ - oh, my heart is enraptured!
November 2nd, 2005 @ 2:15 am
beautiful photos… beautiful day. i love when you give recap of your day — always sounds so wonderful.
November 3rd, 2005 @ 12:24 pm
Wow, you are as enamoured with the beauty of the visual world just as compulsively as I am! No end in sight to the stunning sights everywhere. Your eyes take it all in. We are initiates of seeing and loving what we see. Lot’s of love to you…