The fall weather was dry. Dust rose behind cars and hung in the stillness. In the evenings it settled in the valleys and looked like fog. The leaves were changing colors, but they had a burnt-like crispness to them; their edges curled. The flowering weeds wilted in the warmth of the afternoon sun, and grass seeds were maturing quickly. At night the temperatures dropped, so Daddy put up the wood heater.
"There'll be a killing frost soon," he said, so Mama set about to gather in what was left in the garden: a few peas, turnip greens, and green tomatoes.
Honk! Honk! Honk! The sounds came from overhead. "Look, Mama! A black flying line!" said Charlotte and Mama explained to her, "Those are geese, flying south. They know cold air is coming. They're going where the weather is warmer."
Charlotte shaded her eyes from the sun and watched the geese flying in a v-shape; now and then a few birds strayed from the others and flew alone, but they always returned. By noon the sun had warmed the air enough that Charlotte wondered if they might turn back.....
(To be continued tomorrow.
I know some of you have read this before, but bear with me...)
(To be continued tomorrow.
I know some of you have read this before, but bear with me...)
Thanks for sharing this special childhood memory of the coming of the first frost and preparing for winter. I think the 'black flying line' is so cute. :)
ReplyDeleteThat stirred up some memories! I never see them now; it may be I'm just not outside when they fly over. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely. I'm loving your drawings as well as your posts
ReplyDeleteLove this childhood memory..I remember my Mother telling me about the birds flying south for the winter. As a little girl, that fascinated me..!
ReplyDeleteThese precious memories from your childhood are just wonderful Charlotte. I think of Laura Ingalls' books when I read them. Thank you so much for sharing. They warm my heart.
ReplyDeleteA black flying line! I love that comment. I see E. C. did too!
ReplyDeleteNeat story, Charlotte..
ReplyDeleteI saw some geese flying over in a big "V" the other day and thought, "I wonder how far away they're going..."
The Canada geese have been busy in our area recently. The other day I took a picture of them in the water - in the shape of a V. I'll have to write a post about it!
ReplyDeleteLoved your story!
Loved this one too -we had our killing frost over the weekend here.
ReplyDeleteJust wonderful! The v shape reminds me so much of the sand hill cranes that have just arrived here in our area. blessings,Kathleen
ReplyDeleteI love this post, as a little girl I loved the geese flying south.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Charlotte! I love your description of the approaching frost. This sounds like a sweet memory.
ReplyDelete