.
The day after the wretched election and before the great escape, we were merely depressed when we went out to troll around in the countryside searching for solace.
We hadn’t much hope of finding it, but the day was fair and Nature is always a help in difficult times.
.
Wild grasses stand out now that all other vegetation has died off. I think these are phragmites.
They are invasive but I like their look especially when they get snow hats.
Naked sumac bushes are bright red.
Nature is never dull.
.
Not quite all roads lead through Greenwich, but it does sometimes seem so!
24 hours between the images.
.
A few remaining leaves caught the sun and sparkled like polished gold.
To me this is more beautiful than the earlier stages of Fall.
.
It would be more accurate to say that it is beautiful in a different way.
.
Having no particular destination in mind,
we traversed some woods.
As is often the case in our travels.
.
Winter woods have an appealing look.
Though I will concede that you may need to be a Winter person to feel so.
.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
from: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
A favourite poem by Robert Frost
.
Finding ourselves on a familiar road, we stopped at another favourite place, looking serene with its copper carpet.
Carter’s Pond.
.
Looking good in Fall colours.
.
It appears not to attract much in the way of wildfowl.
.
The website states that there should be ducks and woodcock but we have never seen any here.
.
Hunters also come here looking for grouse and pheasants.
.
.
Trappers seek muskrat, mink or fox.
I hope they are disappointed.
Of course.
.
Culling a herd I understand, or hunting to feed oneself.
.
Killing innocent animals for fun?
When I was a kid, in the 50’s, many women wore fur coats that sometimes included the head of the deceased animal, draped around the collar.
I was once given fur gloves.
.
My aunty Kay was a very pretty blonde who looked adorable in the coat she wore that had a collar of silver fox fur.
How was I not horrified in those days?
When Kay died, I detached the collar from her coat and kept it, partly to remind me of her, but also to remind me of that beautiful fox.
.
I couldn’t bear to give it way, far less to throw it out, yet I seldom look at it.
It should perhaps be displayed an honourable way, but the honour would have been not to kill the fox.
Stopping by woods is a favourite of mine too. I think the final:
“But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
is just perfect to keep me going if I ever feel down!
I think where you stay is one of the few places that is not only beautiful during the four different seasons, but also in between the four seasons! The photos at Carter’s Pond are beautiful – serene (if one doesn’t take into account the hunting). Your aunty Kay’s coat reminded me of something else: Berto inherited a bag, made from a springbok’s skin, from his grandfather. Although, it’s beautiful and silky, it’s tucked away in a box in the garage.
The Frost poem is so evocative. I’m with you about pointless hunting which is merely intended to kill helpless creatures. Eating the animals is one thing, killing for pleasure is sociopathic behaviour that is the mark of potential serial killers. I’m glad to read that wildlife is not found at that pond, otherwise it would surely be in extreme danger.
Best wishes, Pete.
I agree.