On a lonely road between Redfield and Gettysburg…
Sometimes just knowing that this place exists—a field of sunflowers in late September on a lonely road between Redfield and Gettysburg in South Dakota; an old white clapboard Church and a few gravestones—is enough.
Today it’s enough for me to wonder who put on their Sunday best to go to that Church. Though the sunflowers are likely gone, I know that this place is full of somebody’s memories.
This season—my favorite of the year–always puts me in the mood for memory and stillness. It is the “deepening season”—a season rich in gratitude—when I want to imitate nature and go down with my roots. It is not easy is it, this going quiet and inward? We are close to entering the artificial season called “the holidays”, just at the time when I want to scale back my activity. “I am less hungry for the busyness of the body,” says Mary Oliver in Winter Hours.
Me too.
But here at my writing desk I put off busyness. I revel in what I call my “Mind Pictures”. That name—also the title of a story I wrote—comes from clicking your tongue in the back of your mouth to imitate the click of a camera. I started doing it at about seven years old. (Cameras had a louder click in those days!)
I had one 
friend who would have dearly loved this photo. He probably would have placed one of his variegated scarecrows in the field, waving at the passersby on the road. Because that was the way he saw the world: a place he could make more beautiful and lighthearted at the same time. With a brilliant eye for design and color and very high standards, he has a lasting reputation in the world of design.
My friend was Don Birrell, former art director of The Nut Tree.
Don designed the articulated scarecrows that were planted in the annual humongous pumpkin patch there; colorful sentinels, merry and carefree, always decked out with the best the Goodwill had to offer.
When Don first visited our house in 1998 and saw our big vegetable garden, he said: You need a scarecrow, and proceeded to draw out a design for Patrick. This was a quick sketch mind you. But look at the architect’s calligraphy, the artist’s sensibility—even for a scarecrow.
We named ours Jed. I don’t think he has ever scared a single crow, bless his soggy stuffed heart.
If you are like me in the deepening season, what do you do?
Thankfully we have poets to bring us back to stillness. Today is a Mary Oliver day.
Please note that I am linking in with Michelle’s Nature Notes today with Jed, my scarecrow. It’s a little offbeat, but hey, Jed is the liveliest thing in my garden at the moment: http://www.ramblingwoods.com/
“Today I’m flying low and I’m
not saying a word.
I’m letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep.”
The world goes on as it must,
the bees in the garden rumbling a little,
the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten.
And so forth.
But I’m taking the day off.
Quiet as a feather.
I hardly move though really I’m traveling
a terrific distance.
Stillness. One of the doors
into the temple.
-Mary Oliver from A Thousand Mornings
Susan, this is my first e-dition of your blog newsletter, and what a lovely way to start the richness of the fall season. I adore the concept of the “mind pictures”, of taking that little mental snapshot. It reminds me a bit of what one of my art teachers would say as she gazed at a beautiful scene but didn’t have her sketch pad at the ready…”I am sketching with my eyes”…and she was, taking in every nuance. Thank you for the opening of the eyes and heart today!
Welcome Kate! I’m so pleased to have you subscribe. I’ll do my best to put out writing (seasoned with quirky and poignant) that will keep you engaged. I was really pleased to have someone comment on “Mind Pictures”, because that continues to be something I do as you describe: capture a moment in the present, just for itself, if I have nothing in hand to write about it, draw it, or speak it.
If you would like to read an excerpt from Mind Pictures in my book, here is a link: http://www.opentohope.com/when-mom-dies-a-big-sister-writes-to-her-little-sister/
My best, Susan
What am I doing in this deepening season? Making fires in the fireplace; wearing my longest, fluffiest robe; trying to remember whether my boots need waterproofing; considering making pumpkin custard (pumpkin pie without the bother of a crust). Reading.
Getting ready to write. . . but I don’t know what. It’s a time of immersion without knowing what I’m immersed in.
Nan, I know you to be someone who knows exactly how to prepare for the season. Coming in to your kitchen–with its aromas–is one of MY favorite autumn things. Let me know when you figure out what you are immersed in….It’s bound to be something of interest for me too.
…I meant to add that Mary Oliver is one of my favorite writers to immerse into as the season deepens. I spent much time getting to know her work last fall and winter and it inspired me, also. I am not familiar with Winter Hours, but it is now on my reading list. Sending gratitude…Kate
I think you’ll love Winter Hours. It’s deeply personal. A side of Mary Oliver we hadn’t known about because much of this book is prose.
I love the field of sunflowers, they are beautiful. And the scarecrow is cute! Have a great evening.
Hi Eileen! I’ll pass the message on to Jed….he likes to know these things. He has self esteem issues just standing out there in sun and storm, crows screeching, unable to give them a good smack.
Susie, I also feel like slowing down as the weather turns cool and rainy, so it’s nice to find a kindred spirit. Thanks for sharing a Mary Oliver poem I wasn’t familiar with, also. 🙂
Missed you at the pool on Tuesday! I would guess that we would be kindred spirits in this…..
Jed is one cute guy!
Ditto what I said to Eileen! Jed will be thrilled. (He is a simple guy, with simple pleasures….) I need to change his shirt though, he is a little on the ratty side. It just occurs to me that we are a little screwy–gardeners I mean. Talking about Jed like this. (Maybe we’ve spent too many hours in the hot sun-:)) Maybe that’s why I like other gardeners, we can laugh at ourselves.
Hi Susie,
Gee, what a great picture!
Traveling in S. Dakota was incredible. I am so glad our family took this trip. I’m still on a high and wondering how in the world I’m going to get back to Yellowstone to take more pictures. Maybe as a graduation gift to myself.
On this chilly fall evening we are enjoying black bean soup.
-Christine
I’m really grateful that you let me use your terrific photo Christine, I fell in love with it. So glad your family got to Yellowstone in a glorious season and just before it closed to boot. What timing. Yes, a graduation present for yourself. A photographer like you needs days to wander eyes-wide-open in Yellowstone.
Oh I love that field of sunflowers!
Thanks Karen! I have visited your site many times and seen your stuff on Nature Notes. You do beautiful work.
A thoughtful, insightful piece — thanks for the reminder to be still and grateful. Also the gorgeous sunflowers and the scarecrow, a delightful character.
What is it in the writer’s mind that wants to co-mingle silly with something of beauty and mass? Is it the juxtaposition we want? Something to highlight contrast? I just wondered if you could put it into words. I haven’t been able to–
There was a small village near where we lived in England that held a scarecrow festival every year. There was so much imagination put into the scarecrows. Your friend would have loved it.
I think this link will take you to some of the pictures: http://www.northamptonshire.co.uk/events/scarecrows230803/index.htm?
Shelley, I love the link to the scarecrow festival in Northamptonshire. What fun. Some of them even looked like elaborate dolls. Very clever. We went to one in New Hampshire one year during “leaf peeping” season and I’ll never forget it.
Oh I love your scarecrow… He is so cute…. Your blog comments are so thoughtful and fun too. Thank you for linking into Nature Notes this week Susie… Michelle
Hi Michelle, Thanks much, I so appreciate your hosting Nature Notes. I always see something new happening in another part of the country. Jed is pretty cute I have to admit. I wonder what people will think of him mixed in with all the other very specific “nature” things this week. I’m thinking it will be fun.
I remember The Nut Tree! It was a landmark we passed on our way to the Bay area from Sacramento. The deepening season isn’t very slow or still for me. It involves managing our schools giant science fair and lots of grading. I start seeds indoors and try to finish more novels. I used to live in South Dakota but most of my memories of sunflowers come from living in North Dakota, where they are grown as a crop. They are still one of my favorite views.
Wasn’t The Nut Tree just magical in the day? Now it is no better than a strip mall I’m sorry to say (except for the pumpkin patch) and some rides for kids. I suppose it makes a good stop to rest and eat on H-80 between the Bay Area and Sacramento. But I couldn’t bring myself to go back. Boy you teachers are the life blood of this country–working your fannies off for our kids. Bless you. I did not know that sunflowers were grown as a crop! Duh. Sunflower oil, sunflower seeds…..I just didn’t think of it.
I love fields of sunflowers…that first quote spoke to me about life in this season of less busyness…I have not put out a scarecrow in years…perhaps I should.