Foretaste

Posted byGary FultzPosted inabundant life, accomplishment, canoeing, eternal, expectations, Flora, Food, Gary Fultz Blog, Nature, outdoor cooking steaks, outdoor scenery, outdoor spiritual truths, Photography, quality of life, victorious living, Winter preparedTags:, , , , , ,

I’m watching the geese and swans v-up for training the young ones for the long migration flight. The wasps are trying to eat our apples and fall raspberries. Various trees are showing their true colors as the green chlorophyll drains from the leaves. Seeds are falling onto the ground from trees and most plants as they dry up for winter. The cold will stratify the seeds so they germinate next spring.

To taste all the signs of fall in an exquisite gourmet stew one could come up with thousands upon thousands of ingredients. I suspect the best we can do is sample a few ingredients and be content. I personally like the 40-degree mornings when I can see my breath in thick vapor drift away with each exhale. The crisp air carries sound so well I can clearly hear a train rumble through the nearest town over 10 miles away. The nearby lake sounds of ducks, geese and swans contented with such a morning seem a stones throw away. Yes, it’s the foretaste of autumn.

This picture could symbolize so many aspects of life. I have two neighbors still flowering while their spouses are gone.

I have been collecting a few visual ingredients of fall. Consider it a visual foretaste of the beloved fall season attempting to hold back the winter for hopefully more than a few weeks this year. Click to enlarge any picture

These and so much more are the Hors d’oeuvres before winter. Enjoy, endure and get ready for winter… for a season.

“Oh what a foretaste of Glory Devine” The words to an old gospel hymn. It seems all of nature is getting ready for winter. It’s a dying time of giving fruit, dropping leaves and leaving seeds. I know where I’m going when I die. Yep “Blessed Assurance”. The old hymn is pertinent. That season is coming, but until then I still need to sweep all the falling acorns off the deck.

I have two bins full for the deer in winter.

I’m in that season now. It’s a harvest season. Gardens, orchards and in my case harvesting some wildlife and wild rice. May God bless your season.

63 pounds of wild rice ..it’s a start
Checking out wild rice while fishing

Gary

Published by Gary Fultz

Outdoors Man, Hunter, Fisherman, Guide, Writer / Author, Photographer, Public Speaker, Musician, Song Writer, Story Teller, Follower Of Jesus. Love God and family and total strangers

115 thoughts on “Foretaste”

  1. I saw the first colored maple leaf on the ground as I mowed the lawn today. The potato vines are dried up so it’s almost time to dig. My wife put up three quarts of tomatoes and picked the last of the green beans. It is harvest time, the foretaste of that greater harvest to come. Looking forward to that day.

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    1. As am I Robert. That day will come as sure as fall has come.
      I am still picking beans and broccoli. I planted in stages. I will quit on the apples when I get stung too many times. Meanwhile, the fish are biting. I am going to save enough for a nice fish fry for a large group.

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    1. Thanks Malcolm, autumn is the favorite of mine as well. Because the winters are harsh here, and I’m ok with that, It is the season of preparation and a lot of work. I have to walk the deep woods when the leaves fall off the trees. The remote wilds are magical in so many ways, never mind the dangers which adds its own mystery.

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  3. Autumn has always been my favorite time of the year.
    The freshness of the air and the colors – I love it!
    Here in London, we had a heat wave for the past weeks and today is going to be the last hot day before it will cool down next week and before the weather will behave more “appropriately” according to the season….but a few days ago, when I was outside early in the morning, I was able to smell the coming fall for the first time in the air….
    I’ve been wondering why in my life, every year, normally something new starts in September or October – no different this year! – but your article explained to me why: the harvest.
    We sew and plant (pray and fast and believe GOD), water and the sun (faith and persistence) bring growth and then the fruit comes in the next season – isn’t GOD amazing…..??!!!

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    1. I am so glad you brought the harvest up Eva. So much wildlife relies on acorns from the oaks, rice in the water and seeds from all the grasses and weeds. Then, there is us. We rely on fruits, vegetables, grain and meat in their season for the rest of the year…mostly autumn. Not getting the grain for flour would be a really big deal for most of the world. Yes, stay cool!!

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  4. The blooming flower next to the ones past their prime is a beautiful word picture. It makes me think of how the Apostle Paul said, “outwardly we are wasting away, but inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” Our backyard sunflowers have gone to seed, and the hungry birds noticed. I want to ripen like this as I get older, not rot on the vine.
    Well done, Gary. Enjoy the wild rice, and it’s mighty thoughtful of you to feed those deer. God Bless.

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  5. Fall in the US looks stunning

    Autumn in the UK, on the other hand, is mostly damp weather plus leaves rotting on the floor…not exactly the same!

    Great images and great gathering for the winter going on there!!

    One question…what is wild rice?

    Andy B

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    1. I live in FL, so your photos of the approaching Fall season is a delight to my scorched soul. This Summer has been the hottest on record. Our pool temps were in the 90’s. So I am looking forward to a drop in the heat. I can smell the sweet Autumn air in your photos. Thank you. But I also want to hear about your wild rice harvest. Where do you live that this grows? I’ve not heard of it that I can recall.

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      1. Thanks Deb. I tried to answer Andy on the wild rice. Here is a good link on wild rice https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_rice
        I saw how scorched Florida and the southern states were this summer…ouch. We had a cooler summer than usual with short bursts of heat (over 90). Now our nights are low 40’s and highs in the 60’s with possibly a few 70’s in the 10 day forecast?? We could also get frost this time of year which sweetens the apples even more.
        I have been to Florida many times…always in January or February…it’s a nice break when it’s-30 here

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    2. Yes Andy, our Autumn looks quite different here in the northern remote wooded areas of the US.
      Wild rice here is a tallgrass like plant that grows in our lakes. Shallow muddy bottoms with a foot to four feet of water are best. Wild rice is actually a grass seed and technically not rice yet is very similar to rice. It is black when fully ripened and any wind can blow it off the grass head and fall into the water. Most of our water birds that can dive or feed under water eat rice. Native people for centuries have harvested this rice as a main staple. All one needs is a canoe like watercraft, one person with two sticks to bend the rice over the side and swipe off the grains and another person to push-pole their way through the heavy grasses and lily pads. It’s an art form in skill set by itself. Then one must ignore the millions of bugs and worms in the rice which fall on you and they all bite. The other option to getting bitten is thick clothes and duct taping shirt sleeves and pant leg bottoms so nothing crawly can get up you leg or down your arms. Hand harvested wild rice sells for $15/lb right now. I hope that helps.

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  7. Gary, I was singing the hymn before I got to your words. My friend, you are a precious gift from God. Your stunning photos, words, and might I add, smile, all beam of the glory you share. Your first paragraph was captivating—the images were stunning, only 2nd to your words to describe them. I love the cool morning air too, Gary. I would never use your photos without permission, I’d always give you credit. May I? Look at that rice! I love your world, Gary! God is so good! Look at his bounty and beauty! My favorite time of the year! Many blessings to you and your precious family; whom I pray for health and happiness in the Lord. 🙏❤️

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    1. Oh dear Karla, you notice so much. God has given you an acute awareness level.
      Yes, you may. You do not need to ask. All I have was given to me to share when it comes to gifts talents and hopefully many of my words. as I was driving along yesterday morning looking at splashes of maple, birch, oaks and ash along the road, I suddenly thought “OH what a foretaste Lord Jesus” …Hmmm, I should share that thought….Inner voice said “yes you should”

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      1. Thank you, Gary. You are so kind. I do try to be aware. I pray for it! Thank you for sharing your gifts! That is what I try to do. This morning I was singing “I bowed on my knees and cried Holy…” I love how God inspires lyrics and songs. My life is a bit crazy right now, my friend. I’m preparing for a trip. And I’m navigating so many layers of preparing for my life-changing surgery at the end of October. So many appointments and so much communication. I take a deep breath and sing. I will enjoy the breaks to heal, but will miss everyone too. I’m always praying for you and yours! May our Autumns continue to be filled with miracles! P.S. I haven’t seen Matt and I pray he is OK! Please give him my best!

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    2. I will say hi to Matt (hopefully my trip works out) as well as keep praying for you. I’m watching scores of yellow ash leaves fall on the ground in the wind that just came up. I’m so glad our prayers are not like falling leaves. They go somewhere and always reach their destination. God hears them all and He cares, and that’s what counts.

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  8. “…the Hors d’oeuvres before winter…” as per usual, great pics and inspiring musings Gary.

    Thank you for the reminder that the beautiful scenes we’ve been blessed to enjoy in this fleeting world we call home are but a glimpse of the incomprehensible beauty of our eternal Home He has already prepared for us. Looking forward to sharing it with you someday brother. Be blessed and . . .

    Keep Looking up ^ . . . His Best is Yet to Come!

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  11. Beautiful post, Gary. The photos, the words and the sentiment. I love Fall, its coolness, the crispness and the stunning colors. That season in life can also be beautiful, an inspiring time. A happy man with a warm smile sits in that canoe. I see someone who is content and enjoying all the season has to offer. Lastly, think I could come to dinner? The last photo looks so good!

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    2. The park is great for bikes and trails. There are other parks nearby that have big camping spaces. One is in the pines (not sure the name of it) on the northeast side of lake Bemidji (Bemidji MN). I believe the Bemidji area has many biking trails?? It’s a ways WE live about 10 miles from Itasca

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  12. Rejoicing in your capture of autumn beauty although I am slightly envious of the 40-degree mornings. Ah, Florida … I love this time of year and the changes it brings. I am determined to enjoy this time of life as well. As always, Gary, thank you for a beautiful and inspiring post!

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed it Beth. I have watched your weather patterns, and you could use a good dose of northern air (ours is dryer in the fall).
      Yes, it’s good to bloom where we are planted and produce good seeds that last way beyond us.

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    1. They really are. Thousands of black birds will darken the sky and all turn quickly at the same time with no mid-air crashes….huge flocks of swans and geese gather here and take off suddenly with no starting buzzer.

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      1. Where I live, I see flocks of geese and sand hill cranes in flight. And we get red winged blackbirds and purple martins who do the daredevil swooping and diving, and like you said, no mi-air crashes! Truly a sight to behold. God knew what He was doing!

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    1. I appreciate that. I also wish there was a “pause” button on time. The closest I can come is the camera button to capture very small slices of time from a vantage point, instantly becoming history as time walks into the sunset.

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  15. Thank you for sharing about beautiful signs of fall. I absolutely love fall and your post and photos are causing my heart to pound!!!
    We are in Colorado, and are looking forward to the vibrant colors ahead. Today, there is crispness to the air…I love it❤️

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    1. Oh yes, Colorado takes a back seat to no other place in the fall beauty category I have camped in the mountains at 10,000 feet in mid October. Stunning golden aspens next to black forests with the high Rockies background. Beautiful until suddenly caught in a snowstorm. Love that high crisp air as well.

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    1. LOL Wynne. You bring up a woeful weakness of mine. I have laughs at myself often with all the obvious things I miss…except for missing the exits for gas and food when traveling. Then I beat myself up…actually the rest of the people with me take care of that.

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  24. By the time the geese and swans reach our neck of the woods, they’ve perfected the V formation. Thus, I’ve never given much thought to the process that goes behind teaching the next generation how to fly in the V. Feel like their must be a Biblical lesson in that somewhere. It must be a sight to see the training process. Your fall pictures bring a promise of brisk mornings and cooler days. Another season in which to be “Praising my Savior all the day long.”

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    1. You are right Beth. There is probably more than one biblical lesson. The V is probably the final lesson before the young ones are on their own. It’s a make-or-break long flight starting out as a youth and ending up an adult. From hatchling to flight lessons that time is spent learning how to swim, feed, be danger aware and become what created to be.
      Very similar to the disciples final charge “Go ye into all the world….” and what happens and is supposed to happen from there…while praising!

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  26. Thanks Alicia. I do tend to live in the moment when outdoors. All of nature does. I’m glad it’s catchy otherwise I might live way too much in the “what ifs”.
    I received my parched and cleaned wild rice today…Totally worth the effort.
    I’m still fighting the bees for MY apples…LOL

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    1. Two people in a canoe, one standing and poling the canoe through the rice and the other sitting just in front of the poler bending the rice over the side and swiping it off with sticks about 30″ long. Hand harvesting has been done for centuries. Much of the rice was used for grinding into flour after drying and separating the hulls and bugs from the rice. It’s actually more of a grain than a rice.

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      1. This is so cool to read about! I didn’t realize wild rice could even grow near you in Minnesota. I’m sending a prayer up to heaven that I get to harvest some one day. I know you already know that harvest time makes me feel magical inside.

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  29. I look forward to “the glory divine,” Gary, and what a beautiful visual foretaste you’ve provided.
    P.S. It looks like that little yellow jacket is getting a nice foretaste of the apple at the start of your post.

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  31. Thank you Gary. This is great. I appreciate this post. Autumn has become my favorite season mainly because early autumn signals the end of dreaded summers. The last two down here in Texas have been the worst yet. It was 108 eleven days ago and we still have a few 100’s yet to go. But autumn will soon win and I always look forward to it.

    You are greatly blessed to have a real autumn up there. Thanks for all the great pictures filled with the colors and harvest of the season. May your joy be full!

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    1. Thanks RJ. Temperature wise it was a cooler than normal summer with some heat waves that hit 90 which is normal. When I was a teenager, we had several years where it hit triple digits. You guys have been blasted this summer. Canada had their wood stove heating the northern area of the planet, so they were no help, We endured a lot of smoky air this summer,
      autumn will peak in a week with fall colors. Everyone is a good photographer in the fall
      take care and stay cool down there.

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    1. LOL, that’s sweet corn. usually I leave them in the husk but I had already taken the husks off when I decided to grill. Still very good. Next thing on the smoker grill is a huge beef brisket. Wish you were closer!!

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  36. Ahh yes, sweet bell peppers. That plant on our deck must have yielded 20 of those. My wife cuts them in half for a stuffed pepper concoction. We will use some of our wild rice for those.

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    1. Thanks Steve. Next year I will not advertise how much wild rice. I didn’t realize it’s like winning the lottery and all the relatives (and friends) line up…Kind of fun to talk to them again. My favorite line is “next year Ill get enough for you too, Lord willing”

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    1. Oh yes, old oaks with a bumper crop of acorns from the limbs that hang over both front and back decks. We are filling bins of acorns to feed the deer this winter. Better than corn to get them through the harsh winters here.

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    1. The autumn season is by far the easiest to get good photos of MAJESTIC COLORS. The rice is actually a small amount when the rice is thick and “falling”. It’s a green weight and that translates into about 30 pounds of finished dried and cleaned rice. A good take for a day of ricing would be double that, but I am a real rookie. The next time out I was a little better. Then the rice amount is split with the partner (who took my picture). But, I did end up with a sack full of finished and dried wild rice.

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  43. Gorgeous photos of my favorite season, Gary! Thank you. Also appreciate the great idea to save acorns for the deer in winter! I can’t believe we’ve lived in the Midwest for nine years now (FL transplants) and it never occurred to us that we could help them out this way when their food sources are diminished.

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    1. Thanks Nancy. Yes, last year we lost a lot of deer with 6 extra weeks of deep snow and cold. Way longer winter than normal. The does had few fawns also. This winter I will have 2 big bales of deer hay and a lot of acorns which are better than feeding corn. We have to make sure it’s only a supplement and not create “welfare” deer that hang around too much and get too tame. The wolves will quickly take the deer as they get very bold and hungry in winter. Right now there are as many wolves as deer so something will give this winter in the predator numbers.

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  44. Great photos, Gary, of my favorite (and now here) season. And I especially like this sentence: “I personally like the 40-degree mornings when I can see my breath in thick vapor drift away with each exhale.” I grew up in cold-weather climates, but now I live in a place without real winter, and I have to wait until late November before I can see my breath. I’m already looking forward to it!

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  45. Glad I could give some nostalgic moments Keith. Yes, you would be loving it here, especially mornings and evenings in the high thirties and low 40’s (mid 20’s has been lowest). The good news for you; November is closing in fast.

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  46. Gary, when I read your writings I get comfortable. They are very relaxing and leave me with a calm feeling within my soul. Thanks brother for being real and truthful!

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    1. Glad I can help in some small way from a long way away Ken.
      A healthy soul is sometimes hard to cultivate. We are always looking for a truthful perspective through the voices and fog of life aren’t we.

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  47. Pingback: Burgers with Friends- Fellow Blogger Gary – Jesusluvsall's Blog

  48. Your post was absolutely delightful. I think this one was my favorite one yet (although I enjoy every single one that I read!). Here in the Amazon we are very far away from a season that looks, smells, feels and tastes like what you are right now, but I felt like your post transported me there and all my five senses joined in. Now that’s some captivating artistry! I also thoroughly enjoyed the conversation in the comment section and your thoughtful reply to each friend stopping by. Jesus has put a whole lot of His beauty into your soul.

    By the way, I’m curious, what size are the bins for the acorns?

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    1. Thanks Jennifer. I know what you mean by being transported with someone’s blog. I believe it’s that gift of imagination put within our hearts helping as well.
      Those bins are close to 20 gallon bins so they hold a lot of acorns….all from two decks with the oak trees hanging over.

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  49. Thank you for sharing the veritable feast of beautiful colours in your photos. Another reminder that God’s creation is so beautiful and worthy of more attention than we could pay it in one single lifetime. Thank you also for your encouragement to enter into the season that is next for us. Here in New Zealand we have entered summer, and the sun in Wellington peeks through the clouds every so often. Today, in fact, is a beautiful day where I think I might go for a walk in the sunshine to appreciate more of where God has placed me.

    Peace be with you and as my grandad always said, God bless.

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    1. Thanks. Some parts of each season lend to great photos. We had the sun todays as well Hamish but it’s winter here. It’s actually quite pleasant at 10 (f) or -22 (C) today. I thank God a lot for natures beauty. I believe there is a discipline to looking, seeing and appreciating more and more of what is easy to miss.

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