I was inspired by the post today over at A Day That Is Dessert, and I found when I went outside with the 3 year old that we have lots of incredible beauty here in Los Angeles, too. The cliche on L.A. weather is that there is none, that we have no seasons. But fall is in bloom here, not only in the traditional sense but also literally in bloom– there are new flowers popping up in curious places.
our Japanese maple is turning stunning colors
our roses are blooming all over again
the alstroemeria are blooming again, too
What’s interesting to me about fall in the southwest is that it’s a combination of endings and beginnings. You can never quite forget that things will regenerate, since they are almost in a constant state of regeneration already. As the leaves turn and fall off the trees, flowers are blooming. This observation really struck me as I scrutinized my new peach tree: all the leaves have fallen off, but in their place are new buds, ready to bloom come spring.
leaves gone, buds appear
I love that little feather that somebody left on the branch. To repurpose The Smiths, “in the midst of death we are in life, et cetera.” (I much prefer to repurpose Morrissey than The Book of Common Prayer or the Requiem.)
The dog and the 3 year old were having a grand old time, too.
yes, he's filthy and wet from digging and running in the wet grass
he looks so pensive, but really he's just pouting from hurting his thumb
And, of course, I was delighted, too, because I had a delicious latte.
mornin' cup o' joe
“We know we belong to the land, and the land we belong to is grand…”
Happy Thursday!
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My in-laws live in Orange County and I always think the flowers there are so stunning–and they bloom all year! Really nice photos.
Gorgeous post. I appreciate this because I was always trying to get my head around the seasons in CA. In Northern Cal I thought of the fall and winter as the green season because it rained. Then it was brown in the summer. But there were always things blooming.
Love this post, Beth! I found myself grappling with this same concept earlier this fall. Came to realize that there is much to embrace about our unique climate and “seasons.” Nature is constantly in motion if we just stop to notice.
I’d like to order 1 Japanese maple, 1 cute dog and 1 super cute blonde kid. Wait a minute, this isn’t a catalog?