The Changing of the Year

The scarlet runner beans grew so fervently over the summer, and here in August reached their peak of dense leaves filled with blossoms. I called it the Tower of Love because every insect and bird and chipmunks and probably a lot of other critters visited the flowers or the leaves or the basin I had them all planted in for a little bit of a summer dalliance. Growing on fallen branches I’d tied in a teepee shape it radiated the vitality of the season. Looking at this lovely spectacle and what came to visit it became a highlight summer mornings. These are but two of many photos I took over the summer, a little soft-focused because they are shot through the screen on the basement door.

But as summer turned to autumn the leaves began to thin and all her vitality is turned to a rather tired and shabby look, but the results of all the visits to those flowers became evident. It’s been like watching a friend grow and change, but not to die; I have more bean seeds this year than I ever have in all the years I’ve grown these, and we’ll see her again next year.

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For a print of any photo, visit “purchasing” for availability and terms. For photos of lots of black cats and other cats—and even some birds as I first published this post there—visit The Creative Cat.