The breezes taste of apple peel

 

September along Route 15 South 

After the hurricane floods, yesterday came with sunshine, lower humidity, and beautiful cool air. Today it's more of the same.  I was up early both days, joyfully gardening.  Lots of overgrown plants to cut back, time to pull up the sunflowers and watch the butterflies. Yesterday, a new Monarch - you can tell by the sharp bright colors of its wings.  Also, a Black Swallowtail, a Great Spangled Fritillary, and lots of little golden Skippers.

Here's a September poem from John Updike:

"The breezes taste

Of apple peel.

The air is full

Of smells to feel-

Ripe fruit, old footballs,

Burning brush,

New books, erasers,

Chalk, and such.

The bee, his hive,

Well-honeyed hum,

And Mother cuts

Chrysanthemums.

Like plates washed clean

With suds, the days

Are polished with

A morning haze."

-   John Updike, September

I am right now eating a newly picked Gala apple from Pryor's Orchard just down the road.