When I stepped off the bus today, coming back from the gym, I saw this fruit on our neighbor's tree. I think they are plums; you can see the pretty pink house underneath where they live. I have been watching this heavily burdened tree as the fruit ripens. They have a wonderful garden in their backyard as well, and they donated a few plants to our community garden earlier this summer. Yes, summer is definitely winding down.
They also have a small grape arbor. I think the birds have been making off with most of the grapes before they are ready to harvest, but I saw this pretty bunch in the sunshine that is still intact. I don't know what kind of grapes they are, but I don't think they are concord as I haven't seen any of them darken up.
When I walk up the stairs to my new place, I get to admire the lavender plant that one of the downstairs neighbors in the apartment complex has planted. Since we have been without rain for more than six weeks now, the grass behind the lavender is very brown, also a sign of the season. Last night, however, we received our first rain in awhile. Not enough to help the lawn, but enough to keep me from watering the garden this morning. It was supposed to be cloudy all day today, but you can see it's sunny, although the temperature has cooled down considerably from yesterday.
This lovely Japanese maple tree is beginning to turn; I know from past years that it will turn fiery red before the leaves fall. You can be sure you will see a picture or two. The change of seasons is just around the corner; the autumnal equinox is less than two weeks away and we are losing three-and-a-half minutes of daylight every day. In a week, that's almost a half hour, enough to notice.
Our usual "extra" Trailblazers' hike that was scheduled for today was put off until tomorrow, since we expected the weather to be cloudy and rainy. Tomorrow should be beautiful, and I'll be busy taking pictures so I can share them with you, probably Wednesday morning since we won't be getting home until after dark. Until then, I hope you have fine weather and blue skies yourselves!
:-)
glad you got a little rain at least. and those neighbors with the garden sound like nice folks to donate plants to you all. :)
ReplyDeleteI just noticed that you have a new picture in the middle of your header. It's beautiful. You're beautiful. What a great time of year. Plums ripening and lavender blooming. These are good days.
ReplyDeleteI like fall. The changes in plants animals and birds keeps me a mused. You've found some great examples of the change.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post. Autumn/Fall is one of my favourite seasons and I will be looking forward to all your photos.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day, and a wonderful hike tomorrow.
Your photos remind me of my dad's garden in the front, side, and back yards. He planted fruits and vegetables. Tour buses would often stop in front of our house in Manoa so tourists could photograph the gigantic watermelon papayas growing next to pumpkins, oranges, and roses.
ReplyDeleteThe plums look delicious. I think I would be making a friend of that neighbor.
ReplyDeleteThat lawn looks a lot like my back yard right now. Our front lawn is small so I do keep it watered but the back is so big it has to go without. A little rain would be very nice.
Hope you have a great day for tomorrow's hike.
Even though summer is winding down I bet the rain was welcome.
ReplyDeleteThe plums are beautiful. What a great way to end the summer.
Have fun on your hike!
Yes, yes, autumn is coming, my favorite time of year. I love it. I am ready for some rain though. I can't believe I said that. I'll be cursing the rain come spring.
ReplyDeleteSounds like-looks like-you have a little different views from your new home. Or you are just noticing different things closely. I love-love-love the fall. My favorite time of year and I always find it energizing!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have perfect weather and a wonderful time tomorrow. :)
nice...hope the weather is great for you tomorrow....cool on the plums...our grape arbor was wiped with the heat this year....did not last long...i love having fruit in the yard though.....
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy the fall. And your pictures are only adding to my comfort.
ReplyDeleteHappy hiking!
We are feeling fall in the air here too. It is sad and happy at the same time. I do love fall though.
ReplyDeleteOur Corinthian wind chimes made music nearly all night long as that front moved over us. I love the cooler day today.
ReplyDeleteNice photos of the plums and grapes DJan. I had never actually seen a plum tree before and the house behind it is splendid indeed. I love the abundance of flower and plant life that surrounds your complex. It is indeed a wonderful place to live. Yes, we were walking on the path down by the river last night and I captured my first photo of fall colours - WOW - once they start, its all beautiful, eh. Have a great hike tomorrow and thrill us with some more of your wonderful photos and stories. Have a great day :)
ReplyDelete....no, no....I want dark heavily burdened clouds, so heavy that they BURST with rainfall. I noticed the other day when we were out walking that there was one tree in the wooded area that has turned a rich, ripe, orange [the leaves of course]...so somewhere in the future I see cooler temps for us. And as I type this comment I see some beautiful cloud formations which makes a super sunrise.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are absolutely 'delicious' this fine day. I love the composition of the grape cluster with just a touch of sunshine.
Isn't fall an exciting time of the year!!Your new header is really neat.
ReplyDeleteThose plums look delicious don't they and I love plum pie!
ReplyDeleteYes the weather is lovely here in Knoxville, thank you. No complaints there.
Autumn is my favourite time of the year. Just such a beautiful time.
I feel fall in the air here in South Georgia, too.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos you have posted, Jan. Thank you!
The weather here in Texas is no longer in 3 digits, so yes, it feels like Fall 'might' be coming.
ReplyDeleteLoved your pictures!
Dear DJan, your posting today left me feeling contented. The cool mornings we have been enjoying here portend the coming of fall with those flaming red leaves you mentioned on the maple. We've been in a drought for really two years and a few days ago we had a slow, gentle rain that lasted almost twenty-four hours. I was talking with a farmer yesterday and he said we need such a rain at least once each month for the next two or three months if the water is to seep down into the soil and so help him with his crops next year. Peace.
ReplyDeleteWe only got .02 inches of rain, not enough to do anything but register as measurable and officially break the dry spell short of the 51 day record here at the airport.
ReplyDeleteToday it is sunny, but quite cool. I'm thinking I'll be turning on the heat before long.
Good looking fruit! I wonder if the Plums are good to eat?. Thanks for the views from your neck of the woods:)
ReplyDeleteDJan,
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful. I especially love the way you framed the little pink house with the plum branch. Awesome!
I don't think I've ever smelled a growing lavender plant. Are those really plums and not apricot? I just LOVE fruit straight from the tree. Maybe your neighbor will share some? Fall already? No wonder we're getting so much rain lately.
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