Sunday, August 22, 2010

Monkey Business in the Sky?







I geared up and took a long bike ride this afternoon. Besides enjoying myself, getting a good workout and soaking up the sun's rays, I sensed a change. As I cycled across the dark shadows of trees on the roads, I observed that the shadows reached farther across the pavement than I'd noticed on previous rides.

I know the change in the angle of the sun's rays occurs gradually, but it didn't seem gradual today. If I didn't know better, I'd swear that Autumn goosed the Sun, causing her to take a giant (rather than baby) step in the sky. During last Sunday's bike ride, I first detected a few subtle signs of Autumn's approach. This afternoon I was overwhelmed by the obvious realization that Summer is truly picking up her things and packing her bags so that Autumn can settle in for his annual sojourn.
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I think I'll start watching the sky more attentively. Who knows what shenanigans go on in the universe when we're not paying attention.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome pictures, Shaddy.

I do hope summer ends soon. Autumn is such a fun time with all the celebrations that it brings like pumpkins and gobblins, turkeys and cranberry apple pie, and crisp clear night skies for star watching.

Gullible said...

Uh huh! I can connect with that post. The air smells of ripe currents and highbush cranberries. We Alaskans feel cheated--we had no summer this year.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post Shaddy, writing and pictures. I actually felt myself breathing a sigh of relief as I read it - I love fall, and am really looking forward to the cooler temps and haze-free landscapes. Thanks for the relaxing moment :).

xxoo,
Sarie

Vanessa Wolfram said...

I was thinking the same thing recently. Its so much darker at 6:00 am now than before. It "dawned' on me when I awoke this morning to baby babbles coming from the nursery.

That and the fact that the kids go back to school next week. Where did the summer go?

Cheryl Peters said...

DARKSCULPTURES: I'm looking forward to autumn too. I'll welcome the more pleasant temperatures and lower humidity with open arms.

GULLY: I feel bad that you missed out on summer this year. Hopefully, you'll be treated to a pleasant winter, if that's possible up there.

SARIE: I'm with you. Actually, I could live with fall all year round.

VANESSA: Why does it seem to change so abruptly? I hadn't noticed any changes in the morning but I know for sure it's dark much, much earlier in the evening. I often forget that all year long the days are either getting longer or getting shorter. And all without consulting us first!!!

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

artistic shots Shaddy!
Love the blue sky & cloud reflection~
Cheers to your creativity!

xo

Linda McMann said...

Great pictures Shaddy! Fall is creaping up on us too fast for me. Our grapes are very far behind this year - we just didn't get enough warmth here for them to ripen on schedule. We usually harvest the last week of Sept or first in Oct, but this year, it will totally depend on whether they reach a high enough brix (sugar content)before the rains come.

Natasha said...

Noticed last night how EARLY the sun was setting and those long shadows....

I'm definitely a summer kind of person, but find that fall in NC is the best -- the air is not so beastly hot and the ocean is still plenty warm to swim in.

Great pics!

Cheryl Peters said...

LENORE: So you think I'm creative. Well then, aren't I a smart one!! My day has suddenly gotten brighter and I thank you for that.

PARROT: You must feel totally helpless regarding your grapes. I certainly hope you'll be able to harvest them as planned or at least harvest them period.

NATASHA: Fall sounds fabulous in your neck of the woods!

kathanink said...

Yes, I esp love the photo with the magnifying glass, really cool!

Speaking of cool, I cannot wait for fall. It's definitely my favorite time of the year. We always go pick apples, it's a tradition for us.

Cheryl Peters said...

KATHANINK: Those are actually views in my bike's rear view mirror.

I agree. Fall is fabulous.

Jana said...

Your pictures are great - I love blue skies with fluffy white clouds. Autumn is right around the corner - I'd better get a pot of chilli in the slow cooker.

Cheryl Peters said...

JANA: I'm looking forward to chili also. That and lots of soups.

Gullible said...

Whoa!!! You guys are into fall already? Shoot, we are having our fourth day in a row of sunshine--summer just started.

Cheryl Peters said...

GULLY: It's about time!! I'd give Summer a good talking to if I were you. Sit her down beside Tern Lake and explain to her that she must share her assets with every state.