Firewood was delivered to the edge of the yard the other day. I went out to start filling the wheelbarrow and stack it when I noticed these. Wild strawberries in September. They survived a summer of machine mowing, kids trampling, deer chewing, bunny nibbling, dog running, sun scorching and all else. Amazingly determined.
So incredibly small.
And that tumbled pile looked so incredibly big by comparison. Log by log, it's all stacked now. That kind of work makes you feel so good, so sturdy and useful. You really have the sense that you accomplished something. Outfitted in work gloves, a sloppy shirt, throwing those logs around like we do that all the time. Almost gives you the idea that you're entitled to lie around in the grass and pick tiny berries, count ladybugs, take a nap. I'm a big fan of naps.
Even though it feels like Sunnybrook Farm here, we are only 50 minutes from this.
Lucky us, we cleaned up for some hand-me-down gift tickets to the early rounds of the Open.
I know there is something charming or clever to say about Roger Federer in his trim red shirt, surprising and thrilling everyone with his athletic grace, intensity and good looks. He seems so close.
I'm way up high, nearly last row in a particle of shade snapping zoom pix as fast as I can.
Just watched the finals at home tonight with Mom and must admit we rooted for young Andy Murray, but congratulations to Federer (who wore the very same outfit tonight.) And to Serena winning her great contest last night. It always seems more exciting when you have been there. Just right down the highway behind Shea Stadium.
edit: Since Collette was so kind to comment on the lovely green-ness of the lawn, I want to add that we have never watered this lawn. Rain or sun, it does what it does all on its own, without any lawn applications of anything but bunny, chipmunk, squirrel, raccoon and deer droppings. Mother Nature is fully in charge here. :)
Hello Charlotte,
Yeah, I am also very happy that Roger Federer won! WooHoo!!!
It must have been nice to see the game live right there.
~ Gabriela ~
Posted by: Gabriela Delworth | September 09, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Oh, I love that feeling!!! Hard work is always good for the spirit, especially when it's firewood....you get to anticipate all those nights cuddled up in it's warmth!
Posted by: Missy Sue | September 09, 2008 at 12:22 PM
That woodpile looks familiar! Stacking logs does give one a sense of the pioneering spirit and confident self-sufficiency. The scent of wood-smoke on a chilly day sets my mind toward fall like nothing else.
Posted by: vicki haninger | September 09, 2008 at 02:08 PM
We were (of course) rooting for Murray, but I'm glad that he got through to the final at all, so congrats to the Fed :o)
Posted by: Angel jem | September 09, 2008 at 02:17 PM
What a grand time! That firewood looked a bit daunting, though! Lucky you at the Open!
Posted by: jeanie | September 09, 2008 at 06:20 PM
I'm a huge fan of naps and Federer too! I'm so glad he won and I would have loved to watch it from the seats way up high. How great was that?
The fire wood looks so lovley on that green, lush lawn.
Posted by: collette | September 09, 2008 at 08:11 PM
I do love this time of year- time for gathering in the firewood and thinking about evenings by the fire... My daughter found some wild strawberries the other day and used them to decorate her sister's birthday cake, it was just lovely.
Posted by: Jacquelynne | September 09, 2008 at 08:14 PM
As an exiled NYer, I miss Shea Stadium. Watching the Mets when they come to Dc to play the Nats just isn't the same.
Posted by: Barbara Jacksier | September 09, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Hooray for the little strawberry. We lived in Southampton 100 years ago and I had a prickly unruly bush tucked away in the backyard. Our first year there I hacked away at this poor bush every chance I got. At the end of the summer I discovered a few lush raspberries growing on the bush. Oops, I had no clue.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Crispell | September 10, 2008 at 12:01 AM
hi--just found your blog through katie at constant gatherer--beautiful! I was way up at a federer match too (maybe the same one!) and i was super happy to be there! love the us open.
Posted by: michelle@bluemoss | September 18, 2008 at 03:42 PM