Off Season Island

     Yesterday Connecticut experienced the most glorious fall weather  -   Although my editorial job begged for attention at the computer, I just could not waste hours inside while outside was so gorgeous.... T-shirt weather even!   The leaves are peak, too.  🍁🍂So I put on my sneaks and drove down to our cottage, Stella by the Sea, to check on things after the recent heavy rainfalls and extreme high tides doused the landscape and burn off some fat cells (the never ending struggle). 

   Stella on the right was just fine - water turned off, lines flushed so no pipes will freeze during frigid winter months.  She's covered in acorns and oak leaves, the spent perennials need attention, but that's a clean up chore for another day. 

  

   A few of the  geraniums are still thriving, sorta hate to just leave them there to die. I did bring home one small pot and placed it among my houseplants, we'll see how it overwinters. 

  

   After inspections I walked the winding roads of the "island" , which is actually more of a peninsula, to  take in the fall splendor.  Truly the shoreline is never more beautiful than when cloaked in autumn golds, reds and yellows.  I wish I could shower you with the sweet scent of fallen leaves and  woodsmoke  as you browse these photos.   There's just a tinge of sadness, to see the chairs and picnic tables sitting empty, the boats tucked away, the window shades pulled down, curtains drawn, bikes stored in sheds, boat racks empty.  Even the summer chicken coop in one cozy cottage abandoned till next year. There are many flowers still in bloom, but the original planters who enjoy them all summer are long gone.  The little vegetable gardens abandoned too. 

   Below is an old outhouse located just across the road from Stella - once used by the occupants of  the  cottages before indoor plumbing. Now home to various critters in need of shelter.

        I've heard the same sentiment shared  over and over again from the "old timers" in this little  300 acre cottage community.  While it's been a waterfront  farm in the same family for over 300 years, since the late 1800's  the camp Tents, and eventually  cottages in the 1930's -  arrived to help the family support the farm.  This no frills little place with two coves on long island sound in the Atlantic  has brought so much peace to so many.  In these difficult times when I'm feeling really discouraged about the  fate of humanity if we can't find our way to unity, Stella has come to the rescue time and again.  Yesterday was no exception. 

    Thank you for your comments, I always appreciate that you give moments of your precious time to share with me.  May we all find our way back to Peace on Earth in the little ways we're capable.