Tuesday, November 17, 2020

November's Changing Views of the Cottage Garden


 

The naked, silent trees have taught me this, --

The loss of beauty is not always loss!

                                                                                               November  by Elizabeth Stoddard

                                                                                                              

Last week, following a warmer than average start to the month, we had a hard freeze that changed the landscape. I took the pictures in this posting early in the morning, going outside in my robe and wellies -- afraid the warming sun would soon melt away the beauty. I love the glisten of frost on plants. Since then, however, a rain storm and strong winds have removed most of the leaves. The winds also brought down several dead trees -- more changes. Elizabeth Stoddard's poem perfectly reflects my thoughts about this month. You can read it in its entirety at the end of the post.  

 

The pond's heron decoy with frosted wings in front of the dwarf cutleaf maple (Acer palmatum)

The weeping cherry (Prunus x 'Snofozam') and smoke bush hang on to their last few leaves. 

The cottage garden is outlined with silver.
Arctic fire™ red twig dogwood (Cornus stolonifera 'Farrow') doesn't need leaves to be beautiful.
Swimming over waves of frosted lambs' ears.


Ninebark 'Tiny wine' turned a beautiful red color since I featured it in my last blog post.

By the time I got to the Serenity Garden with my camera, much of the frost had melted.
The foliage of the new Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) wasn't as colorful as I was expecting.
The frost lingered in the Kitchen Garden.

I am linking to May Dreams Garden's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day -- late to the party again. Sorry Carol!

I have much to do in the garden before winter truly sets in. It's been too cold lately for me to go outside. I would rather sit here at my writing table by the window and watch the frolicsome goats. Notice the plural! Yes, we have companions for Doodles who was so very lonely after Billy Goat died. They are two pigmy goats, a few months older than Doodles who was two in July. The three are getting along exceptionally well. 

 

Doodles at the front of of the picture, then Bilbo who is brown. Taz is at the back -- he is gray.

Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate this wonderful tradition. It will be very different this year with all the Covid restrictions, but I'm sure we will find new ways to connect with family.  Stay safe and well!

Love,

Pamela x   

November

by Elizabeth Drew Barstow Stoddard

 

Much have I spoken of the faded leaf;

Long have I listened to the wailing wind,

And watched it ploughing through the heavy clouds,

For Autumn charms my melancholy mind.

 

 When autumn comes, the poets sing a dirge:

The year must perish; all the flowers are dead;

The sheaves are gathered; and the mottled quail

Runs in the stubble, but the lark has fled!

 

Still, autumn ushers in the Christmas cheer,

The  holly-berries and the ivy-tree:

They weave a chaplet for the old year's heir;

These waiting mourners do not sing for me!

 

I find sweet peace in depths of autumn woods,

Where grow the ragged ferns and roughened moss;

The naked, silent trees have taught me this, --

The loss of beauty is not always loss!



I love reading your comments. I hope you leave one so I’ll know you visited! 

I look forward to visiting your blog in return.


15 comments:

  1. I enjoyed this blog very much. It makes me want to go out for a walk today. Lovely photos and so glad the goats are getting along.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's too cold for a walk today, Katharine. But warmer weather is on its way. Yes, we are relieved that the goats are getting along.

      Delete
  2. Awww, such lovely news that Doodles has some new companions, I'm sure animals feel loss as keenly as we do so let's hope his spirits have lifted a little. I look forward to hearing more about all three goats in future posts. We've had our first frost too, though it wasn't such a hard frost as yours. We've had some very windy weather and plenty of rain lately too. I really don't like this slide into winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I believe Doodles was grieving, Jo, and he was so lonely. He kept looking into Billy's crate in the stall -- looking for him. Goats are herding animals; you can't have just one. Oh, and winter is coming too fast for me, too.

      Delete
  3. Your autumn views and changing garden are lovely Pam and the poem is just perfect for the feeling of the season. I always enjoy seeing Doodle, Bilbo and Taz too! Happy autumn!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Autumn to you, Lee. It will be over in my garden sooner than in yours; I envy you. Enjoy.

      Delete
  4. I love that Stoddard poem. I may have to feature it on my weekly poetry post. The goats look happy and content and the garden as always looks lovely. Happy Thanksgiving, Pam.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wasn't sure if you had featured the Stoddard poem, Dorothy. I love it, too.

      Delete
  5. Oh yes, the frost on the plants is really lovely. I usually don't get up and out in time to capture it in photos; good for you! Have a healthy and safe Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not usually out in time, either, Beth -- hence the bathrobe.

      Delete
  6. Welcome to Bilbo and Taz! They don't know how lucky they are.
    Your morning trek through the garden was worth it, I love how bright and frosty it looks, and it really brings out the colors... unlike today's gloom :)
    Plenty to do here as well, but unlike goats my daffodil bulbs don't make me feel guilty when they're ignored, so of course I continue to ignore them!
    A healthy and happy Thanksgiving from here as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind comment, Frank. Yes, I'm glad I went outside that bright morning as the weather changed for the worse since. All the leaves have fallen from the smoke bush and cherry tree. I did plant a couple of dozen daffodil bulbs, but ignored the established clumps that need separating. There's always next year. Happy Thanksgiving!

      Delete
  7. A lovely post and beautiful photographs, so nice to see the one of Doodles, Bilbo and Taz :)

    Have a happy Thanksgiving, my good wishes.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanksgiving for Doodles this year - good to see some happiness!

    ReplyDelete