August 28, 2010

Bittersweet Conclusions.

They say that; "No man (or woman) needs a vacation more then the one who just came back from it", and let me tell you, ain't that the truth.

As I return to the familiar routines in my life, once again in solitude with only Batcat to keep me company, I recall with bittersweet sensation my experiences of the past few weeks. In not so distant future, these will become wonderful memories, which will keep me warm in the coming months, when cold and dark days will reign my part of the world. I decided to dedicate the next few posts to this recollection, but before I share with you those precious moments, let me first share with you - in pictures and words - the natural beauty that envelops my white house right now.

The eighth month of the year is closing towards its end. Slowly, there is a palpable change in the air. It begins gently, simply as a mild notion of a certain undefined difference, barely there. But within weeks this notion will turn into the change of seasons.

When I gaze upon my immediate surroundings, the summer finale is so very obvious everywhere. The light is slowly turning golden and the shadows grow longer, as the sun looses strength, moving lower across the sky. The days grow colder and the nights are no longer light. The Birch Trees are sprinkled here and there with golden leaves, the initial sign of the approaching autumn. If I look closely, the first mushrooms can be spotted in the shade of their rich crowns. Bushes and shrubs bear the first fruit and the evergreens are lush and majestic, as they reach the end of their growth cycle.

August in my mind is the tint of dark green and golden. There is a certain clarity to the air, making the colours in nature vivid and vibrant, as the haze of hot summer days disappears. It is the final month of richness and the commencing month of harvest, when crane flies fill the air, amidst the fluffy seeds of Thistles, while bumblebees and the scented bloom of Honeysuckle slowly depart. The early autumn Heather blossom replaces slowly the indigo blue flowers of the Clematis, which fall to the ground in a erratic motion, as the wind picks up in strength.

This is the last month of the summer and it is ending. As always - way too fast, leaving us before it even began. All that remains now is the notion that perhaps when the rich season crosses the seasonal doorway upon its departure in a few weeks, we might experience the final warmth of a few Indian Sumer days...

43 comments:

Regina said...

Time change so fast and here comes Autumn.
I hope its warmness will linger and stay with you for a while.

A wonderful weekend my friend.
xo

Nessa said...

Welcome back! It is amazing that August is almost over. Your Lady Bug picture really stands out for me. I haven't seen one in ages.

Brian Miller said...

welcome back my friend...you were most certainly missed. summers kiss was a little hot this year so i looj for to her sister autumns embrace...as with life...all things cycle beginnings and endings and looking forwards to next time....wonderful write...

Elisabeth said...

For us in the southern hemisphere, Zuzana, we are on the tail end of winter and although the blossoms are thick on the trees, the magnolias are abundant and jonquils sprout everywhere; it is still too cold to leave off coats, hats and gloves, still too cold to take comfort in the freedom of skin against air, too cold to think of Spring.

Lucky you to be heading for he autumn. I love all the seasons for their diversity. Each has its own special offering.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

I was pleased to see that you were back Zuzana! I trust your time away was truly relaxing and enjoyable even though getting back to "real life" can be bittersweet!

LOVE the photograph with the single golden leaf. Lovely! It is so hard to say goodbye to summer...sigh.
Welcome home.
XO

A Bit of the Blarney said...

So hard to let summer go if for no other reason that because the sun sets too soon. I do enjoy the "long days." But this summer I've not enjoyed so much the HEAT! Autumn brings its own joys! So glad you are back! You have been missed! Cathy

Betsy Brock said...

Welcome back! We've missed you! Glad to hear you had a wonderful vacation. Your photos have captured August perfectly!

Jerry said...

I spent a few years in the northern U.S. and gloried in the changing of the seasons. Now, living in Houston, we won't even see a glimpse of autumn until very late November and even that lacks the drama that I so adored. Thanks for bringing it back...and the contemplative pictures.

Sumandebray said...

good to see you back and blogging. Unfortunately all good things comes to an end. Always sooner than desired... Be it a vacation or the good weather... No worry, the good days will stay for ever

Sumandebray said...

good to see you back and blogging. Unfortunately all good things comes to an end. Always sooner than desired... Be it a vacation or the good weather... No worry, the good days will stay for ever

steviewren said...

I've missed your descriptions of the lushness of your summer surroundings. It's good to have you back.

The weather has changed here this past week as well. Instead of relentless tropical humidity, we have moved into a time of drier soothing heat. It's still hot, just not brutally so anymore.

I'm afraid we will have a brown Autumn though. The leaves seem to be turning brown from heat and lack of water. We may skip a pretty Autumn entirely. I hope not.

Anonymous said...

So beautifully written and photographed, Zuzana. I too am hoping for an Indian Summer - where the rich fragrance of the earth and warm days will linger just a little bit longer.
Thank you for your sweet visit to my blog. You are so dear.
~ Zuzu

Keera Ann Fox said...

This year I never heard so many say they wished they'd had a longer vacation - myself, included.

And I can smell fall is on the way. *sigh*

Kath said...

Oh yes, we always say we need a holiday to get over the holiday :D
Glad you had a wonderful break. Autumn is the most beautiful season, such colours are a joy. Thankyou for your sweet and thoughful comment on my BLog. XX

Roger Gauthier said...

Hello Zuzana, it's been some time... but I'm back and almost up to speed. I think.

What a lovely post you've given us here, so beautifully written. But! You should be happy not to have a real, true to form winter!

With a smile,

Roger

Anonymous said...

there is something sad and awesome about the end of August it seems. We wonder how the summer was, look forward to autumn, a time to reflect...

S. Susan Deborah said...

Zuzanaaaaaaaa! A big hug to you! So so happy to have you back. Ah! memories will remain but the present is lovely and exotic colours dapple your landscape. I was born in autumn!!!
Lady winter is lurking somewhere, let her! Just four more months for the year to bid adieu. Whatever, I am happy that you are back.

A great Sunday to you dear Zuzana!

Joy always,
Susan

Rajesh said...

Good to see you back. Looking forward to more posts on your experiences.

Unknown said...

Zuzana: There is so much love and grace in your writing of the seasons!The end of summer is one to savor, definitely!! Glad you are enjoying Batcat. I'll bet he's glad to see you!!! : )

sprinkles said...

Welcome back, Zuzana! I didn't realize how much I missed you until I came back to your blog. Now my day is complete!

I bet Batcat missed you too!

NENSA MOON said...

Hi Zuzana,
Glad to see you back!!
Hope you will have a beautiful autumn ahead with full of colour and joy..
Looking forward for your next post..

Have a great Sunday!!
A big hug to you,
nensa

Snowbrush said...

Summer ends too fast for me too. For you, winter is cold and darkness. For me, it's rain and about three more hours of darkness. I hate it.

J Cosmo Newbery said...

The psychologists tell us that the pleasure of a holiday is never as great as the anticipation of it or the recollection of it.

Sukanya said...

Welcome back Zuzana.. Lovely round up of pictures :) Waiting for your posts on ur vacation experiences..!!!

Take care.

Cheers,
Sukanya

Kat_RN said...

Welcome back, hope it was wonderful. Isn't it great to have such a lovely place to come home too? Great collage.
Kat

Kat_RN said...

Welcome back, hope it was wonderful. Isn't it great to have such a lovely place to come home too? Great collage.
Kat

tony said...

Welcome Back Zuzana.I Look Forward To You Harvesting Your Holiday Memories. xoxo

Sandi McBride said...

Ah Zuzana, I've been away too but not on vacation. I have to come home to Blogland to get a respite from garden duties and find this perfectly beautiful post. Thanks for making my Sunday!
hugs
Sandi

Lynne said...

Just loved catching up with you Zuzana. We too are also feeling the changing of the season's. How quickly time passes.

Anonymous said...

So glad to have you back, Zuzana. I hope it was a restful time for you. And, yes, I agree. There's nothing more certain than change, is there? :)

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Welcome back dear friend. Your holiday and travels must have been wonderful, I look forward to your recollections in the next few posts.

It's lovely to go away but always feels so good to come home, especially when you have sweet Batcat to welcome you!

You have captured the turning of the season so eloquently Zuzana - your description of the colours and the changing light is sublime.

Thank you for your lovely comment over at mine:-)

Jeanne
xxx

Paul C said...

I really enjoy your opening quote. It's so hard to return to routine after an enjoyable vacation.

SandyCarlson said...

Thank you for sharing these thoughts on late summer. You capture the feeling of these days so very well. I know what you mean about needing a vacation at the end of vacation!

Beautiful photos, too.

Blogaire said...

It's GREAT to see you back Zuzana, and with a wonderful description of nature's gradual change from Summer to Autumn. Hope nice weather prevails for a while to help prolong our happy memories.

Holly said...

It is so great to have you back Zuzana. I am soo happy for you that you got to spend time with your sister, and one imparticular 'favorite Irishman'. ;) But...at the same time I am so sad for you that those adventures are over for now. It is such a meloncholy thing to say goodbye to those dearest to you even when it is only temporary.

Your picture collage is breathtaking (as always). I am glad that you captured these summertime delights on camera to remember during the winter months.
Have a wonderful week!!
xoxox -Holly

Claus said...

I was wondering about the weather and its changes in nature on your side of the world, and expressed it in the comments of the latter post! :-)) Incredible how fast the year is going by, isn't it? September is upon us already, pretty much, and one can sense the "end of the year" approaching, with its inevitable change in seasons, weather, nature, and mood upon people. It has a certain appeal, doesn't it?
Have a lovely day my friend!

Zuzana said...

Regina, Nessa, Brian, Elisabeth, Jill, Cathy, Betsy, Jerry (welcome), Sumandebray, Stevie, Zuzu, Keera, Kath, Roger, Toemailer, Susan, Rajesh, Michael, sprinkles, Nensa, Snowbrush, Cosmo, Sukanya, Kat, tony, Sandi, Lynne, Tony, Jeanne, Paul, Sandy, Blogaire, Holly and Claudai – thank you dear friends for your warm words of welcome and kind compliments on my photography.

It is god to be back, even though I had a wonderful time with my family and even though the summer is slowly ending…
Xoxo
Zuzana

Rebecca said...

"The light is slowly turning golden and the shadows grow longer, as the sun looses strength, moving lower across the sky."

Wow! What a visual feast this conjures as did your entire post...Your descriptions are simply amazing...So glad you're back and had such a wonderful time!

Hilary said...

Such a beautiful and yes, bittersweet account of summer's end. You know I have the same emotions that you do about this, our favourite season. It's still very hot here.. I love it and cherish it while it lasts.

Anonymous said...

Summer is ending here too, but I do adore the golden light of those warm days in September that just make you feel glad to be alive. And then we also have autumn to look forward to...

Sueann said...

I have been enjoying the summer sizzle and I have to say I am a little sad at it closing. With the richness of fall looming ahead...I know that winter fast approaches. Winter and me don't see eye to eye! Though it too has it's beauty..I am not going to like the snow and ice at all!! Sigh!!
Wonderful post...congrats on your POTW!!
Hugs
SueAnn

Unknown said...

My first time here and so enjoyed reading your thoughts on approaching winter, something I'm looking forward to since I dont' live in Denmark.

Congrats on POTW mention!

Jane

Zuzana said...

Rebecca, Hilary, ladyfi, slommler and Jane (welcome), thank you dearly for your kind words and visit.;)
xoxo