A Sense of Urgency...

"So many flowers...so little time."

   As the days grow shorter and the nights become cooler, there is a sense of urgency around my home in Maine.  The little chipmunks that live in the stone walls behind my house are furiously "to-ing and fro-ing" gathering in their winter stores.

   I've begun my autumn chore of  putting the garden to bed although, as I write this, there has yet to be a killing frost.  Most unusual for my neck of the woods.  Years ago we were happy to get through Labor Day without a frost...now it's Columbus Day.

   I spare the late blooming sedum and the wild asters from my secateurs...they are the bees last chance to gather life giving pollen to sustain them over the long winters months of snow and frigid temperatures.  They'll need it too if the Farmer's Almanac is correct in predicting heavy and early snow.

   I worry so for the bees.  They, like so many of the earth's creatures, are in peril.  Mainly, I fear, from the hand of Man.  Our climate too is being altered by our greed for fossil fuels and over production.  Some say that in the next century the Northern ski slopes here in New England will be unsuitable for skiing...not enough snow.

    Yes, there is a sense of urgency in the wind, on so many levels.  It is hard not to despair at times.   Here is a video for you to watch and to consider the plight of the honey bee.  Maybe it's not too late to help out our little friends.  Please post this on your Facebook page...spread the word!

The Dance of the Honey Bee