The Land
is
so
beautiful
in
August.
The purple
season
bows
to
yellow.
A simple
walk
through the
grasses...
Brings
me
face
to
face...
with
the beauty
of
summer.
The flowers
are
beautiful,
yes...
But then,
so are
the
thistles...
the colors
of the
pokeweed
are
stunning...
Even the
lowly ragweed
throws elegant
arches
up into the
August
sky.
The yellow
flowers
bring
sunbright
to the
land...
and
the soft
grasses
flow
with
the wind.
My chest
thrums
with the
masses of bees
working
the prairie.
I enjoy
the
swallowtails
and
painted
ladies...
while scanning
the skies
for the
monarch
migration.
My
milkweeds
are
ready.
The pines
shine
with
streaks of silver
reminding
me
of the
silver shining
in my own
hair.
We are aging
together
the
summer
and
me.
and
we
look
forward...
to
the
beauty...
of
a
new
season...
yet
to
come
Today
I'm
planting
apple trees!
With
the price
of
gas...
...and
foods
skyrocketing...
we
will
love...
...growing
our own
food!
You
don't get
more
local
than that!
Besides
there's
nothing
sweeter...
than the
smell
of
apple blossoms
in the spring!
So
I grab
my
shovel....
and
my
gloves...
load up
the
wheelbarrow...
...and
head out
to
the field!
Of course,
I have
help.
Digging
the
hole...
Setting
the
tree...
Thank-
you,
Koda!
Go
help
your
Dad.
He's
battling
the evil
buckthorns!
They've
invaded
our land...
with
dastardly
dagger-adorned
branches.
Tom
cuts...
I plant...
...and
the dogs
get
in
the way!
Koda
finds an
old bone
to chew.
Marshall
goes
exploring.
I'm
finishing
my
tree planting
watering
my new
apple
trees....
What's
she got
now?
Oh,
Marshall!
Koda
just
watches
with envy.
It's okay,
Koda
We
love
you!
We leave
the
labels on.
(So I can
remember
what I
planted)
Cut
the
base
cords.
And leave
our
new
apple
trees...
to
grow
skyward!
Time
for
a
drink!
and
a
drink...
and
a
nap!
