by
Jean Hughes
October 9, 1995
Smell that fall! What a week! This morning, I am awakened by the tap of chickadee toes hitting the feeder, and the rap, rap, rap of tiny beaks opening sunflower seeds.

In my dooryard, I greet the first snowbird (junco). Fall has turned its nose into the winter wind, and I watch horizons creep nearer and nearer to earth. Far country, hidden since last spring, comes into sight again.

* * *
I have spent almost all this day out-of-doors. In the evening, I walk the fields to watch the daytime's light go out. A music-maker wind is playing on every leaf and flower stalk. I hear soft roars, as bare-limbed tree tops sway together.

I never tire of that momentous twilight glow that ushers in the end of day. It fades slowly, tonight. A hawk swoops low and calls a slow "sheeer . . . sheeer," then lights and sits in silhouette on a dead limb. Darkness finally brushes it away.


This week the children and I spent a day gathering walnuts and putting them through an old-fashioned corn sheller to remove the hulls. The contraption is supposed to run on the power from a tractor, but we learned the true meaning to putting your shoulder to the wheel. Black walnuts are worth the work, stained fingers and all, especially when they are used in this favorite recipe.

Autumn Brownies
Blend: 1/4 cup shortening and 1 cup sugar.
Beat in: 1 egg.
Add: 3 large, peeled, diced apples, 1/2 cup black walnuts, the coarsely
grated rind of 1 large orange and 1/3 cup orange juice.
Sift together and mix in: 1 cup flour, 1 t. cinnamon, 1/2 t. nutmeg, 
1/2 t. salt and 1/4 cup cocoa.
Bake in a greased 8 by 11 inch pan for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

It is amazing how quickly the hillsides are thick with golden-brown leaves that crunch underfoot. I take a shortcut to the creek, down a steep hillside. The trip is shorter than I planned -- it is slick under the leaves, and I take a long, unexpected slide! But I have remembered to sit down, not fall down, so all is well.

The meadows are still green. As I near the creek, six ducks hurry through the air in strict formation. They flap with steady rhythm, winging south. The mixture of crisp autumn air and new-morn sun is an elixir to woodsies like them, and me. I throw them a quack and it returns in echoes.

On this perfect, sunny, breezy day, glistening gossamer fills the air. Tiny spiders are riding high. In great numbers, they float up into the blue, like kites on miles of elfin string. Flamboyant nature, seemingly unorganized, gets the job of spider distribution accomplished.

* * *
I am a touchstone for the beauty of the hills. I record its daily changes. It never returns to yesterday or hurries to tomorrow. Today, pink ice glistens in the warm morning sun, for dew is frozen on the dangling pods of the wahoo tree. The beauty is dripping away, drop by drop.

* * *
This evening there is a muted sunset. It is one of those smoky-cloud sunsets, all pink and gold, that fades slowly into purple-blue. It leaves a part-moon looking down upon the peaceful hills. When I was a child I thought pieces were broken off of the moon when it was not full. Now, I wonder why half-moonlight is so quieting to the soul?

Silent Singing
     Tonight, the air is filled with life's worn melodies.
     I hear the singing of the last leaves in the trees.
     If only I could sing the song that's in my heart,
       then all the beauty of the hills would sing a part.
     The birds can trill, the flowers can bloom, the 
       trees can shade.
     But only to record and love is my life made.
     I stand on petty feet of clay while days are winging.
     But, for this moment, hear, oh hear my silent singing.
Copyright 1995, Jean Hughes.

Jean's book of ramblings and recipes "A Country Mile of Winter" and her book of poetry "The Earth's My Home" are available for $4.95 each plus $1.30 for postage and handling. Her nature letter "Diary of a Back Yard Naturalist", published 5 times yearly, is available for $12.50 per year. Ten of Jean's favorite recipes will be included free with each book or nature letter ordered. Order from...

Country Mile Publications
616 E. Monroe St.
Delphi, Indiana 46923

Return to the Main Page.