Friend Bella and I took a hike early in the morning, into the hills nearby. The slopes all around have gone from the winter green stage on through the golden months, and are now dull brown. But they are not unpleasant to look at from a distance, and in addition to the ubiquitous oaks, bay trees make dark green splotches here and there.
At close range one sees the hard and bare dirt, the tufts of grass withered to shreds, and minimalist lichens on the rocks looking healthy and pretty. Those autumnal scenes are bleak, compared to the real deserts I recently visited. We took our tonic from the fresh air, and I took a picture of the new-to-me and alien Purple Star Thistle, whose flowers beautify the neighborhood, while its thorns warn, “Stay away!” Honestly, I am minded to stay away from this particular park until the rains come and once again water the earth to green.
Gladsome Lights 
Beautiful
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It is nonetheless good to ‘get out’. I often say this, but as we grow older it is far too easy to make excuses to remain at home and, worse, indoors. I am about to join two friends for our Friday walk along the edge of town.
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My recent increase in hiking on the road trip has made me feel so good, it’s fed the desire to get out more this fall and winter, even if it is just to walk in the neighborhood. And I’ll continue at the beach!
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The Purple Star Thistle is beautiful. We have a lot of dried up thistles here that I always find fascinating. Fall is such a rich, beautiful season. Waiting for the rain though…
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