Charmed for Sure
Like a vintage lace tablecloth, the fallen leaves of the coral bark maple covers the dark foliage of the sweet box that grows below. The tree’s vegetation slowly falls away, carpeting the pathways, and leaving behind half-bare, scarlet red twigs that pierce the clouded sky. I find a trail of butterscotch and brown foliage across my dark taupe carpet, even though my shoes come off at the door. My dog’s thick fur traps the leaves; his long hair clutches them as he walks inside, then drops them one by one. Reluctantly, I pick up the strewn pieces of maple from the floor, for I am charmed by little bits of autumn scattered across the indoors.
by Debbie Teashon
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Wendy Tweton and Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners)