Fall Whispered in My Ear Yesterday

...a sweet, seductive whisper born more of circumstance and opportunity than substance and reality. But it still managed to send shivers of anticipation down my spine.

We wandered to Heather Ridge Farm

and upon emerging from the car were greeted by cool breezes, temperatures ten degrees less than down below, and views to steal both breath and heart....

We made our way up to the farm store and Bee's Knees Cafe, admiring the wrinkles and patina time had blessed it with, the strength with which it clings to its hillside.

We shopped with a purpose, because although Heather Ridge is renowned for many things, we made a beeline for....HONEY! Yes, we have bees, but so far have left their honey for them to build up their colonies. Heather Ridge sells a light Summer honey, and the beautifully darker Fall version I love. But their Irish-style lemon honey is rich and sweet, kissed with lemon oil and good enough to eat from the jar, which, ummm, we both do. Often.

We also did some freezer-stocking with amazingly juicy, beautifully seasoned hot dogs made from their own beef (I'm not a hot dog fan, but these rise so far and above what we call hot dogs that they deserve a different name), their homemade Italian sausage and a sweet, hearty Red Russian soup. Then we settled onto an umbrella-ed picnic table with iced coffee & chai, hot dogs & cole slaw. Our silverware was wrapped in cloth napkins, the placemats cut from colorful feed bags, fresh flowers adorned each table. A breeze ruffled through our hair, and voices were just murmurings in the wondrous silence. You know, as a society we don't realize how much noise punctuates our lives until there's none. The absence of noise soothed and relaxed us; we could have set up a hammock and happily dozed off in that blanket of quiet, the mountains our last view before dreams embraced us.

We're looking forward to visiting again in the Fall.

A long meandering drive later, we stopped home, picked up the dogs, and took them walking at Olana. It was much warmer there but the woods were shady. A break in the trees revealed an unexpected peek at the awe-inspiring former home of Frederic Church drenched in early evening sun...

      

Before we knew it, Lola & Yeti were ready for home and dinner, so with a last glimpse of the lake, we headed home.

And dreamt of the sweet promise of Fall.