I love how the folks at Google play with their logo to accentuate events.   Today, they celebrate Autumn which officially begins at 11:44 Eastern time.

Autumn.   Already?   Seems summer zipped right by.   But then, we worked without taking any vacation time this summer, which means we actually spent most of the summer indoors.

Autumn.   One could see it coming.   Some of the maple trees in town starting changing color as early as the first week of August.   And this past week, we had our first frost.   This past weekend, we did an emergency harvest of the garden, collecting artichokes, string beans, tomatoes, chilis, and hops.   The delicato squash were also collected while the butternuts will stay outside a bit longer with the pumpkins.

Autumn.   One stroke of the horses' coats also provided clues it was coming.   They've been shedding out their summer coats and growing new thicker coats in preparation for the winter.   So much so that we had to clip Jeddien before going to a show two weeks ago.

Autumn.   The best time of year in New England according to many.   Pleasant day temperatures, crisp nights.   No bugs.   Amazing foliage displays, deep blue skies, puffy white clouds.   New England natural beauty at it's most colorful.   So peaceful.   So relaxing.

Autumn.   Nature's way of saying, "Get to work!   Winter is coming!   Lime the pastures.   Get the snowplow repaired.   Fill the barn with hay.   Put up the final winter fences while the ground can still be worked.   Cover the horsetrailer.   Put away the boat.   Cover the delicate perennials.   Put up the outside Christmas lights.   Test the snowthrower.   Put away the lawn furniture.   Stack another cord of firewood.   Position the generator.   BBQ while you still can!"

Autumn.   Sheer beauty and more work around the farm...