A cold front is charging through Newnan Georgia. Overnight temperatures are predicted to be in the mid-twenties, and that means one thing:
Winter is here.
I will bid adieu to my fresh peppers and basil, my beautiful flowers will turn brown and die, and the brightly colored leaves that are remaining will become brittle and drop to the earth.
I know that it's part of the natural order of things, and it is mid-November after all. These are the days that I longed for during the oppressive heat of our southern summer, but now that winter is imminent, there is always a touch of melancholy associated with the onset of the long nights and the chill in the air.
But I will dry the last peppers and the basil, and preserve them for use in spicy winter dishes of soups and stews, and I will enjoy walking on cool and crisp evenings, and I will anticipate the holidays with some exuberance.
And I will ponder the certainty that I am in the late fall of my own epoch, and that my allotment of time is this realm is diminishing. I realize that the time is approaching when I too, shall turn loose from the branch and wither.
I can't stop it from happening. It's the natural order of things.
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Richard,
A nice reflective post. Wow, mid-20s. It was cold here, too, last night - mid-50s. :)
Steve
Steve...
It must have been cold enough for you to stay up all night, You're like me ... do you ever sleep?
Richard, It's the quality of life at the end that matters. Thoughtful reflections for a Sunday morning.
Wonderful photos you're doing! I admit, being a northerner native, I DO love the winter...like phrases of music that make up the whole score, I love the seasons and feel the energetic renewal and syncing of my spirit with the world around me... so do you do any canning or freeaing of those peppers? They are beautiful---you can have them all winter now...
Good morning Richard,
I see that you have a soft spot for those spicy HOT peppers too. We were in the 30's last night or darn close to it. :-( It's not even winter and I am ready for Spring to be here.
As much as I like the seasons I always feel sad when winter is coming. I wish it only lasted until just past the new year and then along came Spring. It always feels like Winter is the longest season of all.
HI Richard, I too have thought about the sun going down ... so if not now, when? Try to live it like you mean it, I used to hate winter, the short days, the gloom, the cold, now I appreciate it more for the long winter nights that I can spend curled up with a book. :) Perspective, its all in ones perspective and that changes like the seasons.
Rich...
Thanks my friend. Sometimes, I get a bit reflective! Have a great Sunday.
Mara...
"like phrases of music that make up the whole score" That's beautiful, I like that!
I dry the cayenne and Thai hot, and pickle the habanero and jalapeno! But I love to roast and skin fresh peppers for cooking, adds a wonderful "pepper" flavor and not just heat, although they are pretty hot! ;)
Don...
I LOVE peppers, and substitute them for fat in cooking! I also think that they chase colds away! THX
Richard, nice variety of peppers! And it looks like pesto sauce time! We've already had our first frost and there's a nip in the air. But only 5 months til beach badges go on sale!!
My friend you are so right they do keep the colds away. Just one problem with the tho, the older I get the less they like me!!
Richard - the days between too hot and too cold were too short this year. Some good looking peppers and basil, although I don't like bell peppers, most other kinds, especially any with a little heat, I enjoy. You have many seasons left, too early to be talking about falling from the branch and withering. There are a lot of untaken photographs between now and that great darkroom in the sky (ok, I know that darkroom is kind of passe in this age of digital images)
Stacey-Ann...
It is where you live! But to everything, there is a season! THX
Gail...
I like the "comfort of leisure" that winter allows. Not so many yard chores, more time for esoteric pursuits, and good snuggling weather too! Come to think about it, it's not all that bad, is it? ;)
Laura G...
And it will be here before you know it. Another good thing is I have an arsenal of seasonal pics to use. I'm getting cheered up by these comments!
Don...
I have to take one of those pills an hour before ... I'm talking about eating peppers ...make sure there is no confusion about that! lol
Mike...
Well, we have been talking about lenses and medium format and lots of other old school stuff this morning, so I guess darkroom works in OUR crowd! But I feel urgency with the photos ... I have so many I want to capture ... and I NEED to start cataloging them all!
I really need to take a class in photography. Your pictures are just soooooooooo nice and mine are always so...................
Anyway, here in St. pete we can feel the wonter too (just today I guess) Nice cold front but still sunny shies
I woke up with a blanket of white , VERY COLD, stuff all over the place. Currently it is 32 here in TN and expected to dip into the high teens with the wind chill ! Our stuff is already dead, :( it was so pretty. Oh well, will see it all next year.
Did someone say PEPPERS and one of those pills in the same sentence?
Richard, that was incredible. My youngest son and I were talking about many things and he said to me about our conversation that, "it was beautiful melancholy". Your post and feelings sums that up.
Bo
and btw, dude, your not that old!
Late fall of you own epoch? What is you live to be 80? Look how much more time you have.
Richard, is there something you are not telling me? Don't make me drive down there! (LOL) Old my A$$! You are a gracefully aging wine to be savored and enjoyed. You shall not whither away but shall be transformed in the twinkling of an an when Messiah comes. He is coming very, very soon my friend. Keep your faith. Watch the signs of the time. We are that generation which will see Messiah return. Love C.
My dearest Richard, it was with a heavy heart that I read your latest..... WTF?? You are not much older than I, so don't be going gently into that good night my friend. You have a lot of living to do yet, so make it count. Love you and your morose Italian soul! We can be a melancholy bunch when we are not making everyone laugh! It's kind of bi-polar... no? Loved the gorgeous basil... hmmm... could almost smell it.
Susan, thank you for referencing one of my favorite poems. We are in total agreement here.
My husband is Jewish and I am a Christian. You are a dear friend, Richard. When it comes to matters of the soul, we take it very seriously. I love this post, but it alarmed me because I have thoughts about when my time will come and I try very hard every day to let my sons know and feel how much I love them. I love you too, my friend. If I haven't told you lately, I apologize. I am very happy to be able to tell you now. :-)
Richard, I still don't know you like these other commentors, but if you're that old, you need a new picture. :)
Good post, great pictures. I just started my own picture library but they're nothing like yours. I need to take a class. One more thing to learn.
Back to the age and "the late fall of your own epoch", I just turned 51 and life couldn't be better. I am truly loving life and accepting myself so much more as I age. I did the Music City 1/5 Marathon this year. I echo C's remarks too! Connie
Anne...
It's cold and windy here. i can see the house behind me which means the leaves are down. As far as the photos, I have just had a LOT of practice! But Thanks.
Lissa...
I was just looking back at your blog and I missed a lot of them lately! I have a lot of catching up to do. I try to comment on everything in the group Whacked!!! and now that takes up a LOT of time!
Don...
lol
Bo...
Marvelous coincidence ...read the next comment for an explanation! Thanks, my friend
Mel-Susan-Carolyn...
The background: My daughter called me last night to tell me that her Thanksgiving visit plans were changing because her maternal grandmother (my former mother-in-law) would probably pass last night. She is under hospice care and is at the end of her journey.
So we are trying to re-arrange everything to allow her to spend time with her mother and hopefully, some time with us but her mom is a priority at this point. She lives about 40 miles from here.
Anyway, that's all there is too it!
Thank you, sweetie. I was really starting to worry. I am so sorry to hear this. Do what you need to do for your family. We will always be here for you. :-)
Richard, I'm sorry to hear about your former mother-in-law and that something you have been looking forward to, seeing your daughter, has left you disappointed. I still love you and your morose Italian soul. You are a real sweetheart. xxoo
Connie...
I turned 55 this year, but I feel much older. If you are really as old as you feel, I am 95!
I used to make several trips to the Smokies every fall, hours of driving followed by miles of hiking. It was glorious and grand. Now it's all I can do to keep the grass cut! I did mange to go up for one day this year!
Anyway, don't be a stranger. We have a lot of fun in the groups Club Chaos and Whacked!!!
Carolyn...
Thanks, and I love you too! BTW, I should have married a practicer of Judaism and I could have had TWICE the holidays! Now, that would be awesome!
Susan...
I am morose, mostly because I like the word! OK here's a fun story about my former mother-in-law. When my first wife and I were dating, she bought a Hank Williams SR (NOT junior) album. Of course, back then it was vinly, and she would put it on the record player and it waould play all day! (remember how the old turntables would restart on the same record if a new one did not drop!)
I can still hear it to this day:
"h-hey good lookin ...whatcha got cooking..."
Richard, NOOOOOO! 55 is not old. I started on AR this summer and am enjoying it more and more. I'm working on my writing skills but will probably never make the Master Blogger list. But AR makes me feel younger too!
We have to get you out of this mindset! :)
Richard, I love that song! I remember singing that with my Dad in the kitchen (LOL). My Mom loves country music and so do I. :-)
Richard....yet another great and interesting post. I'm a bit younger than you, but I find myself reflecting on life...it seems to be flying by these days....and I seem to be caught up in this circle of working like a dog to build my real estate business, which is now not building to well.
I think you (and I) have alot of time left on the branch. I've noted I'm not in the shape I use to be because I sit right here in computer world to much...but that is going to change now, and next year. Me First, Me Second, Me Third! Then will come blogging, real estate, yard work, house work and whatever else the day calls for!
Love the peppers....they rip my tummy up so they are all yours!
Connie...
I've always had to scatch and claw for what I have, but I'm a hard worker but that was never an issue when I was young and strong. I have done some things that you would not believe. I built 2 houses with my own hands. I mean from digging the footings to installing the doorbell. I enjoyed it, but it all took a toll!
There isn't ANYTHING I can't fix, except a broken heart! lol
CTS...
Yeah, but 5 hours in a row and you're signing away the farm! lol
Thom...
I take a pill first .. for the peppers! lol But I really miss working in Midtown, I saw a huge line at the Flying Biscuit last week! I guess you still have a lot of time left before the final round-up! lol Thanks for the nice comment,
Richard: What melancholy thoughts, but somehow perfect for Sunday. I hate Sundays...especially in winter when the days are so short. I guess my dislike of Sunday goes back to dreading going back to school on Monday as a kid. I've never lost that feeling, despite the fact that I love my work now and my schedule is often unpredictable.
One of our first snow falls today yesterday clean out the garden get theleaves up and prepare for the cold winter weather. I don't enjoy winter as much as I enjoy looking forward to a great Spring market. Time to get ready for a busy Spring.
Hi Richard... It was in the 30's last night here in Dallas... but will be back in the 70's by the end of this week according to the weather forecast! BTW, I know I have said it before, but you photography is outstanding... you are tremendously gifted!
The seasons are Mother Nature's way of reminding us the clock is ticking as we navigate our way through life. I say add some spice to every day--love those peppers, and I'm addicted to fresh basil.
Hi Richard. Seems a little grim this morning. I hope all is well down there in Georgia.
Let's not put you in the ground just yet!:)
Ken
Chris Ann...
I write what the way I feel, and I was a little down this morning. BTW I still have dreams about being late for school or not be able to find my classes!
Terry...
I think I'll look through a cheese catalog and WAIT for spring! lol
Steve S...
Thanks! The peppers were a set shot, I spent an hour arranging them to get them just right!
Norma...
I will miss the basil most of all, it smells and tastes like summer!
Ken...
As Susan said, I am a bit morose! Other than that, all is well, and thanks for asking!
Well, nothing lasts forever, even nice weather. It has started to cool down for us as well.
I'm a fresh basil and Jersey Tomato person myself ... I haven't tried it but I just might be able to live on that alone ...
JL...
Yeah, the Carolinas are supposed to get cold over the next few days!
Steve K...
Now, I would have to have a slice of fresh mozzarella and a piece of toast to go with that, now that is eating!
I just got back from being @ the beach all weekend w/my family. The air was sooooo windy & fierce we couldn't go down & walk on the beach! We did manage to hang out @ the hot tub though. Great photos! KM
Hi Kristin...
The wind is something that can really wreck a day at the beach! Oh well, I hope the hot tub was hot enough!
I do not like this cold sam I am. I do not like cold. I should have been born a bear so I could hibernate until spring.
We use a lot basil on our home made pizzas. The peppers in your picture would be just what the doctor ordered for our creations.
So Richard, what lens do you use for those fabulous shots? The color, the crispness, ooo la la!
Tammy...
Actually, that sounds great.
Scott...
I love basil on pizza too! It adds such a unique flavor and aroma!
Sharon...
Nikor 60mm Macro. It was one of the first lenses I bough and it cost $400 in 1985! That was a lot of money back then.
Old Man Winter comes around every year and now poor Richard can no longer relax on the deck and blog in his Drawers. Enjoy the peppers Richard as they are very tasty.
Cameron...
Thanks my friend ...way too cold for yellow shorts, even with a good pepper sweat going!