Autumn promises

August 31, 2009


‘Colorado’ water lily
I’m walking on much cooler air this morning! On the way home from dropping my kids off at school, I was driving with the windows down, practically hanging my head out the window like a happy dog.

‘Colorado’ water lily
I passed a high school marching band practicing in the parking lot, and the drums and blaring trumpets and the teensiest nip in the drier air brought back a flood of autumn memories from my own high school years in South Carolina.

‘Helvola’ dwarf water lily
Every central Texan reading this knows I’m getting carried away by this little hint of fall in the air. We have more heat to come—at least a month of it, maybe two.

Stock-tank pond
But live for the moment, right? I’m going to get outside and drink up each minute of this. What a beautiful parting gift August is leaving us—the promise of a cooler season ahead.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

0 responses to “Autumn promises”

  1. Chris G says:

    HI Pam – I’m also giddy with the cooler weather! I run in the morning and this morning was so cool – I was so happy to be out before the sun came up to breath in the cool air. Also thinking ahead to my garden and what a relief it is.
    ChrisG

  2. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    Amen Sister, I am lovin this cooler weather too. I am also lovin that stock tank. I am eyeballing a spot in my garden. Yes, I am beginning to see a spot for one of these babies.

  3. I’m so glad you’re getting a bit of relief, finally. The big stock tanks really makes a statement in the garden. Sometimes bigger is better.

  4. Amy Emerick says:

    I know…it is a nice relief knowing cooler weather will eventually be here! I bet you love looking at your pond when you go outside. It is beautiful! I love all your water lilies.

  5. wiseace says:

    I could kick myself for never thinking of using a stock tank to grow water lilies. I love that first photo and now I see a much better way than squatting in the water to capture that perspective.

  6. Gail says:

    Hang your head out the window and garden without too much sweating. You all need the break and about time, too. Is the Colorado water lily a native or is that just a great name to go with its fantastic color? gail
    I don’t know where the ‘Colorado’ water lily originated, Gail. I do love the state of Colorado, but the name, which in Spanish means “color red,” doesn’t accurately describe the color of this water lily, which is a peachy pink. —Pam

  7. Enjoy every cool breeze like the last glass of the finest wine you’ve ever enjoyed!

  8. Glad you are getting some relief! Your water garden looks beautiful! I can’t grow water lilies because we have moving water (stream and waterfall).
    Cameron

  9. Frances says:

    Hi Pam, your stocktank pond is looking more lovely with each photo you post. The lilies are certainly flirting with your camera too! So glad you could hang your head out the window for some fresh air. I hate airconditioning in a car, but have to use it sometimes and can never get the temp right, too cold, too hot. Hooray for fall, even if your heat will return for a bit. 🙂
    Frances

  10. ESP says:

    AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
    I slept last night with my head straddled between my window and the bug-screen, taking advantage of, and breathing in, the slightly cooler night air! I did not attain the sleep that I most desperately need, but the concept that we WILL have a fall (and not a perpetual summer), has periodically been confirmed.
    Interested… How much evaporation are you having in you stock-tank in this hellish August month?
    It is looking great BTW.
    ESP.
    Not too much, ESP, surprisingly. With the small 3′ stock tank I had in my old garden, I had to fill ‘er up every day. But not the big one. It is partially shaded, which no doubt helps, though it’s not so great for water lily blooms. When the sprinkler system runs once a week one side of the tank gets hit, and that pretty much tops it off for the week. —Pam

  11. Pamie G. says:

    Where in SC did you grow up? I grew up just outside of Myrtle Beach! Pamie G. Canyon Lake
    I was raised in upstate S.C., Pamie, in a small town called Greenwood. We enjoyed vacationing in Myrtle Beach though! —Pam

  12. Cindy, MCOK says:

    Pam, hasn’t it been a delightful treat to walk outside in the mornings and feel cool air on your skin? I really hated to leave home and come to work today!