Living in the country there are always roadside stands or farm outlets for produce of all kinds throughout most of the growing season, and sometimes year round. One creative apple farmer near me, has added a small petting zoo of farm animals to its attractions.

People can go into the orchard and pick apples, and the kids have donkeys, sheep, goats like this wee pregnant nanny in this photo to pet or look at and even horses and a pony to ride.

When I stopped by the other day, this lovely goat and her companion greeted me with their bleating "maaaaa" bringing a smile. I walked to the edge of their pen and was told by a young woman who was feeding all the animals, that these two like dandelion leaves and that's what they were begging for.

So of course I went and picked some. This gal stuck her head through the wire and I scratched her head and then moved down her neck to where the shoulders and neck meet. It's been my experience with nearly all animals, that is a "sweet" spot which they love to have rubbed and/or scratched.

A friend who works there, laughed at me as he pulled his truck in beside the pen. I always seem to be "loving up" the animals wherever I see them. He pointed out some chickens behind me. They were banties, tiny little chickens and the rooster! A tiny explosion of colour. I tried to get a photo of him.

He was having none of that! And quickly hustled out of the way and chased after the two hens who had escaped my camera very effectively.

I gave up and went back to what I was originally going to do when I pulled in and was immediately distracted by the goats. I figure the chicks were trying to tell me something and had to chuckle.

It's a joy to travel around the countryside in the northern hemisphere this time of year and see the harvest. And tonight is the harvest moon - it will no doubt be beautiful. And a reminder that though it's been a tough summer in so many ways for everyone, too hot, too wet, too dry - always too much of something - we still are fortunate to be able to enjoy the bounty of the countryside. At least many of us are.

May you enjoy this harvest moon day - and perhaps see something a bit different - like this rooster turning his back on me - and making you laugh or smile or even happy to be alive.

Fall, equinox and harvest

In the nearby town and along highways and back roads everywhere in Ontario (probably across Canada and much of the US as well), fall and the harvest are celebrated. Roadside stands such as this one, are filled with local produce, local baking, jams, jellies, flowers, pickles and more, much more. They are filled with people wishing to share - yes it's their livelihood but what a wonderful way to make a living - sharing the food you produce through your own labour and that of your friends, colleagues and family.

This weekend we experience the autumnal equinox, the balancing of night and day, equal amounts of light as we move towards the long nights, the time of rest to allow for regeneration and renewal of the land for the next year of growing our food. In this northern hemisphere its winter's blankets we expect. In the southern hemisphere it was the vernal equinox and the advance of growth and heat and light. A balance in the world, in nature that sometimes for the human species alone is hard to manage. We haven't as humankind has progressed been able to achieve or maintain balance, it seems to me.

However, there is always hope, always wonder for those who love to look around at nature and try to emulate the natural order of things. It's in the striving I suspect that one gains balance.

And the other morning, once again - just as the sun rose over the hill we call a mountain here in Central Ontario - a special omen. For me at least, this is a sign of hope, of togetherness and of joy. May each of you have a balanced day filled with hope that your dreams will come true.

On my way home late yesterday afternoon I noticed this huge threshing machine taking off the grain - looks like winter wheat - with the dust and chaff caught in the sunlight behind. It struck me as a typical late summer image - one that many of us have known since childhood, though this machine is a newer one and cuts a wide swath than several I've seen lately.

Grain used to be taken off the land by hand, scythes swinging in rhythm. If the farm family was lucky and lived in a friendly neighbourly community. The men would all work together to gather each other's grain. At evening, the women would have tables laid out under the trees heaped high with food, everyone contributing. It was a movable feast until harvest was over. It was hard work in the sun, and devastating if it rained and spoiled a crop before it was put into the grain bins in barns. But people seemed able to gauge the weather in those days.

This fellow in the photo was obviously working hard to gather in his grain before it rains today. The straw may also get baled before it gets damp. Lines of round hay bales wrapped in white plastic in the background of the photograph tell me there is a herd of cows that will be well fed this winter. And bedded well if the fluffy quantity of straw falling in careful rows is any suggestion.

We are so blessed in much of North America. Though we've had drought in many areas across the continent we will still (at least most of us if not all) will be able to feed ourselves this winter. Hopefully our cups will "runneth over" and we will be able to help those whose harvests are not so bountiful.

May you have a beautiful late summer day with all it's joys and bounty.