autumn colors...

the colors of autumn are astounding...  the myriad shades - the tones and variations... as though god, himself, has taken his fingertips and simply swirled through the color palette.  no matter where you live, it's a treat to see how the trees and bushes change their hues to striking oranges, reds, yellows, coppers... all blended together into magnificence and glory. 

and somehow... this year, late into the season flowers have continued to blossom - as though confused about any necessity to stop or cycle into dormancy.  bring it on, i say.  i'll enjoy it as long as it's there...

and then... once all the end-of-year pruning and hedge trimming had been done, guess what happened?  i was outside bemoaning the fact of how bare everything looked... you know how that is, right?  after the fullness of summer - with all the leaves, flowers - even weeds... you get so used to it all.  then when the inevitable happens... you know it must, yet it makes the bushes and trees appear so naked.  anyway, a little somethin' somethin' caught my eye.  "surely not," i thought... moving closer.  lo and behold - the bridal wreath, in sudden defiance, decided to sprout one tiny bud to blossom into a most perfect bouquet.  mind you... this bouquet is no larger the size than the tip of my little finger.

it's cascading in a most beautiful way... and coupled with the other autumn colors, well - it makes for a

happy day.....