Last night’s 70-kilometre/hour winds tested the tarping system covering our roof. Paul was out there in the afternoon, re-attaching the tarp in various spots where the winds had torn it away, and there were several points in the night when we woke and listened to that Aeolian howl and its ferocious attack on the plastic sheet — astounding how much noise a flapping piece of plastic can make. But a check this morning showed that most of the cover had stayed in place to do its job; only one small leak had resulted in a manageable indoor puddle. The skylights should go in over the next few days, the plywood sheets put on the roof, and then the shingles and we’ll be done.
The rain’s coming in bursts now with prolonged and welcome interruptions of sunshine — in the next of those sunny patches I’ll try to get out and survey the storm damage in terms of branches and other garden debris. But meanwhile, I have some photos from yesterday afternoon when things were still calm. Above and below, the rich sinuous patterns on an old yew tree we were fortunate enough to inherit, a native tree that I treasure for its reminder, in my garden, that we’re here as caretakers only.
And the big-leaf maple, of course, does the same thing. I can’t imagine anyone planting one deliberately in a city-sized garden, but over here you’d have to be awfully vigilant to keep it out. Every spring, hundreds of volunteer seedlings make themselves known, and every few years we realize one of those seedlings didn’t get evicted in time. As weedy as they might be, though, it’s hard to regret the tree’s shade in summer, its colour display in fall, and its bare architecture in winter. (My gardening neighbour, Jane, celebrates the broad-leaf maples lyrically over here.)
Nearby, the maple leaves are echoed in a much dainter version — this cut-leaf Japanese maple is a brilliant chartreuse in the spring and an equally arresting mix of colour in the fall.
Plus I love its spreading shape, romantically illuminated here by this watery fall sunshine.
That misty light is equally transformative of this Miscanthus.
I’m afraid this will be a garden photo week — I couldn’t resist snapping shots of the berries yesterday, nor could I resist admiring purples . . . you’ll see. . .
There is something enchanted about these shots. If fairies existed I am sure they would choose to live in your woods.
Happy weekend!
xoxo
Maples are my favorites.
Maples are so beautiful … We're also having some rather wet and windy weather, so here's hoping for sunshine in both hemispheres soon.
I really enjoy these pictures, the juxtaposition of textures and temperaments: the bolder leaves of the native maple vs. the more delicate leaves of the domesticated Japanese cousin. Hope you get the skylights/roof done before the next big storm!
That was quite a blow…and we had 3 small limbs come down from the acacia tree that dominates our back garden…it could have been so much worse.
I hope no interior damage was done with the skylight renos.
Mater you have a keen eye for detail and it's evident in your composition of these images…
looking forward to more.
LBR: I haven't spotted fairies yet, but we've got dragonflies . . . and deer and raccoons! I hope your weekend is happy as well.
LPC: And they come in such fascinating and beautiful variety!
Tiffany: You'll be getting ready to leave your bad weather behind — hope New York puts on some good fall sunshine for you.
Pseu: Thanks! I really enjoy the seeing that a camera encourages me to do, the slowing right down. And yes, I'll feel much more sheltered when this roof is back over my head again!
Hostess: We didn't have any branches down, but what a blast of leaves and needles! In a storm like that, I wonder how wise the skylights are — even a fir cone bouncing on the glass sounds horrifyingly loud (and potentially breakable!). Lots of drama, at least!
I adore maples. We have a large one right outside my sewing room/office and I appreciate the summer shade, despite having a plethora of seedlings to contend with every spring (and later as they seem to find some little nook in which to hide).
Your garden photos are so fine, what with the contrast of colors and textures.
I'm sure it will be a relief to get that roof back together! Gorgeous photos.
Mardel: Ah, so you know exactly what I mean about those pesky seedlings!
Duchesse: Yes, if only the wind and rain will stop long enough for the guys to work safely up there!