Life...A Changing Kaleidoscope September 2023

September 2023 Issue

Photo: Courtesy Kate McDowell

The joy of September's bounty of flowers and produce.Support your local country or urban farmstand.

Q: What is more useful when it is broken?

Q: I am easy to lift, but hard to throw. What am I?

Q: What goes up but never comes down?

Q: What weighs more, a pound of iron or a pound of feathers?

SEE ANSWERS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE.

Dear Friends,Hello September, goodbye hot, humid, and muggy days! It’s not that I don’t like summer, it has its good points. Those lazy hot days, the beach, boating and for me, no shoes –– now slowly on the cusp of being put away. Come September, something begins to change. It happens outside. The mornings seem quieter –– more still. The light has begun to shift –– we can see it linger on the treetops in late afternoon.

With the September or fall equinox, daylight hours become cooler and shorter. We will see the large bright “Harvest Moon” this month. The farmstand across the street from me is brimming with local produce. I am expecting packages of bulbs and plants –– my usual fall dilemma. I can never resist those special summer sales –– 100 daffodils for only … and the combo offers if you buy 200. I fall for this every year. I will now sit and ponder how on earth I am going to plant all these bargains before the first frost.I watch the sun beginning its arch, now shifting to the south and plan which windows will best harbor plants I’ll take in for the winter. The birds who brave the winter ahead of us, chickadees, cardinals, the titmouse, and woodpeckers, to name a few, have started to decide where their winter meal ticket will be found. Migratory birds and butterflies are in a feeding frenzy preparing to fuel up before following the sun south. Many have already left. Unusual flocks of birds make a stop and refuel at my feeders and birdbaths, indulging themselves with food, water, and baths before they continue their long journey. Geese gather readying themselves to fly in formation—honking their way south.I have an old walnut tree in my backyard and the squirrels are carrying its large brown nuts and burying them all around the yard. Their activity brings a smile because I know they will forget where half of them is stored –– which will result in the sprout of a new walnut tree next spring. The finches are feeding on the wildflower and sunflower garden blossoms now going to seed.I reflect upon the loss and catastrophes we’ve experienced over the summer –– and I find hope that perhaps the pain can be eased by the wonder of our natural world –– a silent afternoon, the patches of sunlight on treetops and the quiet beauty the transition to autumn presents. While September changes the outside, it represents a change inside of ourselves as well. Perhaps with summer’s passing –– and autumn already here, we can stop and ponder the most treasured gift of this season ––silence –– reflection –– and a clarity of light to see things as they are –– not lost in noise.Cheers!

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What is the Harvest Moon and why does it shine so bright? 

“Oh, shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky.”

The Harvest Moon is the full moon that happens closest to the autumnal equinox, the official start of Fall. For several nights in a row, a large full moon rises shortly after sunset. Long before electricity, farmers would take advantage of this bright moonlight when it was time to harvest. The extra light extended the evening working hours. Which is why it's called a Harvest Moon.

Art by Stephanie Piro

I keep pushing for meadow gardens: a little patch in your yard, your local school, along highways, or commercial buildings. Why?

Pets

THINK ABOUT A FISH TANK. WHY?While most of us associate pets with cats or dogs, there are many other wonderful pets which can enrich our lives.

Birds, rabbits, turtles, gerbils, well, the list goes on. In addition to my cat and former dog, I have found a fish tank to be fascinating, rewarding and incredibly therapeutic. One can have a simple goldfish (no not in a little bowl) or a collection of beautiful fantail goldfish in a proper aeriated tank or bowl.Goldfish can make vibrant, entertaining pets for any family and can live a long, healthy life when given the right environment. Their vibrant colors and personalities make them stand out from other pet fish species. Goldfish are a great beginner pet for anyone, even kids, and can be a rewarding companion for years to come.

Fall Planting

MOST GARDENERS KNOW IT’S A MUST TO PLANT SPRING FLOWERING BULBS IN THE FALL.What about other perennials, plants, and shrubs?

September Pests: Yellowjackets

Having a nice bite to eat outside and what comes along — pesky yellow jackets. They are scavengers of meat and sweet liquids, which brings them in frequent contact with humans. Do you know why?

End of the Summer, Low-Country Boil🍲🌽🦐🧅There’s nothing like ending the summer serving a low-country boil with everyone seated at an outdoor picnic table covered with newspapers instead of a tablecloth and tossing a huge platter of “the boil” in the center — then,  let everyone dig in.Ok, if you want it to be more formal, keep the “boil” on a platter.Paper plates, some forks plus tons of napkins and individual dishes of melted lemon butter, a saltshaker plus a fresh pepper grinder are all you need.Half the fun of this is messy finger food and good friends, folks!

Kitchen TidbitsEast to find excellent quality canned tomatoes for the price. 🥫Cento Italian Style Whole Peeled Tomatoes.Cento Certified San Marzano TomatoesThese Italian-style tomatoes have a strong sweet tomato flavor and contain basil.Courtesy: Wirecutter

After the hottest July on record,  orange smoke filled summer skies, devastating fires, and other news “stuff” I don’t even want to mention, I reflect upon one simple line from a little girl, wiser beyond her years.“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”    —Anne FrankAre we up to improving the world with single moments, or simply “too busy”  or complacent, with — “what”?                                                                    —Nancy Hungerford

Check out my new and improved website!nancyhungerford.com

A: An egg

A: A feather

A: Age

A: Both would weigh the same - a pound

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