The last of the summer wine

It feels that way. The trees around the garden have lost their leaves proper now. They look smaller, not puffed up with the leafage of high and late summer - everything feels smaller, denser.

And I feel a lot that way too. The splendour of amor - the high love of romance - all dropped away and my bare shape showing. It is a good time for pruning - can see myself more clearly. The right cuts can be made to prepare myself and the fruit trees for the Spring and Summer ahead.

I love the way nature surprises me. A lone chook has been persistently escaping the netted garden area - I watched her -absolutely intent to get through - caught her once, put her back and then redoubled my barricades. Alas, she found a way - my joy to discover her later clucking quietly to herself under a wave of tussock - a perfect nest for her daily egg - two of which were laid.

It warmed my heart that she found her little oasis to live out her chookness. A nook just for herself - then she toddled off wanting to rejoin the flock. I suspect the same will happen tomorrow.

It only requires that I get outside here and do some small act with this garden to open my eyes and soul to the wonder of life going on resplendently all the time, all around me. I do not need a screen - or any entertainment or distraction. I have at once been humbled, seen and filled up before I even take my second cup of tea.