St. Luke's Little Summer

"Since the gale the weather has turned soft and warm.  Mr Willet tells me it is Saint Luke's little summer, and very welcome it is." -from Village Diary by Miss Read

white-lined sphinx moth - Hylas lineata - a handful in our yard today

 Here we call it Indian Summer, but in England it is referred to as St. Luke's Little Summer.  It refers to the those warm, golden days that feel like a gift in October, as October 18th is St. Luke's feast day - not to mention my wedding anniversary. I've read quite a few books by Miss Read (Dora Jessie Saint, 1913-2012), but the first three in her Fairacre series are my favorites:  Village School, Village Diary, and Storm in the Village.  These all take place in the English countryside and revolve around Miss Read's charming school.  Much about her school reminds me of Charlotte Mason  and some of her methods are used, too.  At least while Miss Read is in charge.

The quote above begins a passage about a nature walk.  Here is a little more:

Miss Jackson and I decided to take the whole school out for a nature walk, to enjoy it all.  We made for the little lane that turns off by the Beetle and Wedge and rises steadily until it peters out high up on the windy Downs.

The children dallied in the lane, scrambling up the high banks to collect the hazel nuts which flourish there.

"Gi'e us a bunk up!" rang the cry, and one would obligingly put his shoulder down and hoist his friend higher in the hedge.  We meandered along eating nuts and blackberries and even sloes and damsons which grow thickly, powdered with a blue bloom, among their spikes.

We found a patch of dry grass half-way up the slope, sheltered by a clump of stunted thorn bushes, and here we sat to rest.  The view of Fairacre below us was clear in the limpid October air.  There is a unique atmosphere about a fine October day.  The sky is a burning blue, which combined with the golden and auburn glow of the trees creates a sparkle and glory unseen ay other more-vaunted periods of the year.

At first glance, they look like hummingbirds!

This sort of weather needs to be savored.  You will hear people around these parts say, "Now this is why we live in Minnesota!"

From joy to joy,
Nancy

puzzle action going on - these are favorites