The seasons are changing, summer running toward fall. It’s been cool here, cooler than I’d expect for September. I will miss the Contented Crafter in the coming months. Pauline, as many of you may have read in Alys’s lovely memorial piece, died on September 5th. I first met her when she came to DC as a member of the “blogging babes” and was privileged to show her, Alys and Kelly around DC. Since, we wrote, skyped, visited each other’s blogs and grew in friendship. I wish her spirit Godspeed and her daughters, Danella and Joanna strength and comfort in the times to come.
In the garden, I’ve been planting for fall as I clear space. If it’s a mild winter, I hope to have lettuces, beets, parsley and a few other things. I’ve had eggplants, peppers and green beans galore this year, along with a lot more tomatoes than I usually get. We’ve had a lot of rain, which may have helped.
In my garden, there is a mystery squash. I have no clue what it is, but I think it’s a winter squash and I have quite a few of them. If you know what it is, leave a comment.
Not an acorn squash, not an overgrown pattypan…
More to come soon on final donation weights and fall plantings. Take care all!
arlingwords 
Thanks for sharing Alys’s memorial. It is so sad for all of us.
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Yes; Alys really nailed it. I didn’t feel like I needed to add to it.
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So very sorry for your lost. How heartbreaking it is to lose a dear friend.
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Thanks, Laurie. I feel like we have a very supportive group, far flung as we are.
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A wonderful community of blogging friends!
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I never knew Pauline, not really. But I read many of her comments on so many other blogs and I feel so sorry for those of you who loved her and lost her.
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Thanks, Sue. It’s hit very hard.
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I can imagine it has, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.
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Loss is hard to bear, and even in blogging, we develop friendships despite the miles. This has been a tough year.
Your garden sounds like it had a bumper year. You got rain where we did not, so I’m glad you were able to give away a lot of produce.
It has been very fall-like here with night temps in the 40s and the leaves are starting to turn. What will I do when I can no longer can garden? Perish the thought!
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Snug in. Read. Bake. Clean too much.
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I like the first three… the fourth, not so much, ha!
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I took off some time this week and have been cleaning…not too much, just what’s necessary and has been neglected…so that’s why I thought about that. We seem to be heading for an early fall…I’d rather the summer lingered.
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I hope there are a few more warm days yet to come. Indian Summer after the first frost always comes to warm us for a few days.
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Yes. I always look forward to that last bit of warmth!
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Ah dear Pauline. Such a love. I remember her babe posts! Funny how we can get close to people were not close to. And here’s to being able to garden to the end.
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Yes. I knew someone in her 90s once who still gardened every day.
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A fine tribute to a dear friend to many of us, Lisa. Splendid produce.
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Thanks, Derrick!
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I hope you can find some comfort in the good memories you have from your friend.
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Lisa, I’ve shared with Pauline’s daughters. Arms around you. We’re all grieving this sad loss. ox
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Thanks, Alys! (((())))hugs to you.
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I’m sorry for your loss. Also, I suspect your mystery squash is an acorn squash.
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Nope… I finally realized they were coming from my neighbors plot. And she said they are crown of thorns decorative gourds. Won’t be eating that baby!
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Bummer. Acorn squash are yummy.
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I’m so sorry. I had no idea about Pauline. 😦 I was thinking about her last week when I did a quick scroll through my email notices of new blog posts from people I follow that way and didn’t see anything from Pauline. Oh my. That hurts.
Your garden looks wonderful. Enjoy the fruits of all your hard labor.
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Yes. I’m sorry. I knew she wanted to see you when she visited and it couldn’t happen. I’m glad you found out from me, rather than wondering. I hope you’ll be back in MD soon. It seems like fall here.
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Pauline’s passing was very sad news. Her family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. This whole year has been full of sad news from various quarters.
Your garden looks good, Lisa. Glad you were able to identify the mystery squash. I would have said some sort of acorn type hybrid. It does looks like a pretty gourd though! Maybe it can be dried and tuned into a container.
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Thanks, Lavinia. I think a lot of people will be glad to see the end of 2020. Now RBG has gone! I just hope the next year will bring better things. I will miss Pauline, but she had no fear of death. It was another adventure. So I hope she’s on it now. I like that idea of letting the gourd dry and making a container. It would be cute.
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Just when it seems this year can’t get worse, the bad and sad keep coming at us. I’m sorry to hear of Pauline’s death. And now RBG. What a mess these next weeks will be. Soldier on.
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You too! I bet you’re getting snugged in for the coming winter.
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Hello lovely. Such a sweet message for Pauline. I’m sure you’ve been struggling too. It somehow doesn’t seem like it could possibly be true, yet I know it is. Her messages and posts seem like echo’s here. I have a hard time visiting them just now but I’m glad I can when I’m ready. Arms around you Lisa.
Your garden is looking great. I don’t know what kind of squash that is either. The only one I buy regularly is spaghetti squash. I love it but Jim’s not a fan, so it’s not on the regular rotation, ha!
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Yes, I miss Pauline and cry when I think too much about it. Going to her site is painful. Even old comments, I miss her.Thanks for the hug thoughts. That thing is actually a gourd. Glad I didn’t try to eat it. Ugh.
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I’ve just caught this now. So sorry to hear of Pauline’s passing.
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Thanks for coming by, Bruce. It was a shock to us.
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I didn’t think I knew Pauline. When I heard people talking about her death, I wasn’t certain who she might be. But as soon as I saw her photo, I recognized her from other blogs I visit. It’s quite an experience, to grow close to someone we’ve never met, but it happens, as it did for all of you who were her friends. She clearly left quite a legacy behind.
It’s interesting, about your gourd. It’s a new one to me, but it is attractive. We have a native called the buffalo gourd — smaller and round — that I enjoy collecting and using in fall arrangments.
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Yes, but I think of those people who wrote letters to each other–for whatever reason–for years, and how close you can get just that way. So it doesn’t surprise me–and I like the fact that people do want to meet up after following someone’s blog. As for that little gourd, I think it WOULD make a nice container, but I’m not sure whether it will dry nicely…
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I’m certain Pauline is ever with me as everywhere I turn in my home there is a reminder of her dear heart. I so wanted to go visit her. Alys said it all so eloquently that I didn’t need to say anything more either. She was family in my house.
I love your garden and how lucky to find a gourd. They are nice to make things from. I’m late as this month has had a bad circus quality. I’m ready for autumn and a shift. We have more rain coming which is rare for Sept but the firefighters need rain so bad that I’ll take all we can get. I love the rain anyway because nothing will burn when it’s raining. Love seeing your beautiful garden. I should come take lessons. 😉
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Yes, I’ve got a card she made for me near my desk and her light catcher in the living room. I hope you get enough rain to douse all the fire and clear the air. What a time for you. I think the garden benefits from heat and humidity and I just plant what seems to work in that. Take care, Marlene.
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Condolences on your loss. It’s difficult to lose someone.
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Thank you.
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I passed by your garden last week and was tempted to help myself to something. 🙂
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As always, your garden looks so healthy. wishing you a nice winter harvest.
I still find it difficult to believe that Pauline is gone. One of the brightest, kindest people online. She and her doggie always made me feel that things were alright with the world.
As do you, Lisa. Thanks for being in my world.
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Thank you, Cynthia.
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This is a sad and beautiful post to read . Both your post and the many comments it inspired are a testament to what is best about blogging — the connections we make with each other! I also appreciate seeing how — if one lives in a warmer climate — one can garden deep into the fall. All the gardens around Boston are preparing for the first frost (which may have happened last night…) I also love your photo of the zinnia with butterfly. Thank you for sharing this post — full of your very human feelings of love and loss — with the rest of us.
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Yes, I do think the blog community is lovely–like sending each other letters about our lives. I miss Pauline and know others do as well. As for the gardening, I have planted a fall one as well. It will depend on whether it turns really cold or hangs in the 40s into winter. Las winter I had salad from a cold frame the whole time…basically I don’t garden in December, january and most of Feruary, but the rest of the time, something is going on!
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