Autumn is my favorite season. I initiate it by going to the cider mill and having one donut (cinnamon sugar) and one cup of fresh cider. THEN it’s fall. Autumn is a very sensual time. The colors are brilliant now as the leaves are changing. The dark brings more rest and the cold brings the comfort of quilts, hot soup, sweaters, and the smells of cooking.

The time leading up to the fall equinox is magical, preparing for the transition to winter. After the extreme heat of this summer, crisp mornings wake up something energetic and joyful, alerting us to notice nature’s details and to explore something not yet known. 

There are some early signs that fall is approaching. The occasional red leaf is showing, and it’s not even Labor Day and stores are pushing Halloween. Too soon for me. With all the rain we’ve had, I’m enjoying the extended time with fireflies, who are usually gone by this time in August. They love the moist warmth.

Just returned to the farm after 3 weeks in Peru. So glad to be back. This year, reuniting with old friends (humans and non-humans, places, mountains, trees) was important. We had perfect weather the entire time. I discovered new things among the familiar—always exciting.

Summer kind of jumped in and said, “I’m taking over” and voilá, spring was done. We went from frost warnings to 80-90 degrees within days. I will even put my houseplants on the porch by this weekend.

We finally have “NO SNOW” in the forecast. Days have been warm, in the 60’s-70’s, and Stitch and I have been exploring new trails. On one boardwalk trail over a marshy area, I saw tiny Dutchman’s Breeches, which I have not seen for years! What a treat! Trillium is blooming on the forest floor and we had nearly two weeks of Magnolia blossoms before the rains took them.

All the flowers and buds are popping out quickly during the week of warmer weather we are having. I think they want to be sure to grasp the opportunity before it might snow again. I like seeing what comes in, because I forget where I planted things. Surprises all over the grounds. My grandmother magnolia tree is gloriously opulent in full bloom for two to three days before the next frost or late snow shower. I’ve learned to appreciate her gift while I can, even if very briefly.

Spring equinox brought beautiful spring weather—right on time. There are four swans in the lake. They stayed even through the below freezing weather we had for the last couple of weeks, so I’m hopeful that we’ll have a couple of swan families to watch this summer. The bird feeders outside my tiny house office windows are hosting the change of seasons as different species of birds begin to arrive. I’ll put out some wool fleece for nest making soon.

This is a messy time on the farm in between winter and spring. Muddy, cold.
But signs are coming—the daffodils are emerging and the swans are back in the lake.

Every few years, we get a gift of a mild winter to help us regroup, cozy up, and go inward. I love spending time in the woods with Stitch. We were blessed with a flight of sandhill cranes with their wonderful calling that my neighbor says sounds like aliens landing. And fog makes the woods mysterious and otherworldly. Great time to connect with the Earth.

December is a magical month with many reasons to celebrate. Regardless of your spiritual faith, the return of the light and longer days always seems to trigger new beginnings in our lives. For me, it is a very sparkly time—I enjoy seeing the miniature rainbows on snowflakes and the glitter of the snow in the light of the barn. Clear, bitter cold makes the moon and stars shine brighter and all my senses are alert. Lights everywhere in celebration of the holidays help us all to feel lighter and more joyful. I put fairy lights everywhere this year.

November is a month to focus on gratitude. I think since the pandemic began, gratitude is always with me. I am especially grateful for my animal friends—Stitch, Charlie and Lester. Charlie and Lester are getting on in years and Lester’s sight has gone. Consequently, they spend limited time at the barn and more time nowadays acclimating to being in the house. They’ve done amazingly well for a couple of cats that used to be relatively feral.

My favorite time of year is autumn. In Michigan, so many beautiful colors—I love to watch the becoming, the gradual turn of the leaves that begins at the tips of branches and moves inward to the center. Or those trees that are green one day and bright yellow the next and seem to change overnight, like putting on a different dress.