autumn in nova scotia

make no mistake. autumn is here, and with it, sudden and alarmingly cold weather. it's not yet the end of september and already, my fellow farmers in training and i are wearing layers, down vests, wool sweaters, winter hats, which canadians call tuques--it's the french influence!--and scarves. YIKES! i fear the colder days that will soon make today feel "mild."

despite the cold and shorter days, autumn in nova scotia, is lovely. the farm is surrounded by greens--the lettuces, the forest behind the farm, blues--the bay, the sky, and warm oranges and pinks--the setting sun. autumn means prime time harvest season so even the colors of the produce, the cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, rainbow chard, and lettuces seem to be glowing more vibrantly. even they know the inevitable.

beyond the farm, about an hour and a half drive away in terence bay, nova scotia, lies hearn island. i was invited to kayak there with friends of friends and take part in "hearn-apolooza" an annual birthday celebration where dan, the birthday boy, and his friends partake in a most amazing and delectable feast of foods prepared over the campfire. the spread was impressive! coolers filled with grapes from dan's backyard, homemade grape juice, a ridiculous amount of cheeses and accompanying baguettes, chips and fresh spicy salsa--courtesy of yours truly, baked potatoes, veggie and feta cheese foil packets, grilled frog legs, caviar with cream cheese on top of belgian endives and cucumbers, roasted duck, smores, banana boats and to top off the evening, before falling into a satisfying sleep in my down sleeping bag, a final round of roasted marshmallows. DELICIOUS!

being removed from all the hubhub of city life means that i get to observe and delight in stars! unaffected by the dim of metropolitan lights, the stars from hearn island were beautifully bright. the milky way was mesmerizing and i even got to see two stellar shooting stars! star-riffic.

i love feeling this connected to nature and the wonderful opportunities to embrace the simple and wholly satisfying moments: the sounds of water from my kayak paddle, the wing span display of a sunning cormorant, the full scope of a sun dog, my hair smelling of campfire. being physically removed from an active urban existence has helped me to re-balance, to be more aware of the subtle differences in this rural life. finding an inner sense of quiet while harvesting lettuces or transplanting seedlings has become easier and i find myself feeling and celebrating gratitude more often.