This week has been beautiful. Bright sunshine. The bluest skies.

There’s no mistaking that autumn is here, but it’s my favorite kind of autumn. And my garden is still blooming.

Zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, dahlias, calendula, verbena, violas, sweet peas, nasturtiums, roses…

We’ve had our first frosts, but my garden is sheltered enough that not much was damaged. The basil. Some nasturtium leaves.

This moth sheltered on one of the frost-crumpled leaves caught my eye. Perhaps the least colorful thing in my garden right now. A small detail, but magical, too. I remind myself to keep my eyes open, always.

I’m also reminding myself that I have a choice on where I focus my attention, my thoughts. My days aren’t all beautiful, but even when I’m bombarded by ugliness there are always glimmers of joy. It’s a challenge to keep informed and not be pulled down and overwhelmed by the news. It’s so much easier for me when there’s sunshine and flowers.

Even when there’s not, paying attention, being curious, seeking beauty it all helps.

During the summer I saw more bumblebees than honeybees, but now I’m seeing honeybees everywhere. I’m grateful I have so much that’s still blooming and providing them food.

The butterflies, too, are enjoying my late flowers. Lots of cabbage butterflies, but also a few lingering monarchs.

Proof that it wasn’t wishful thinking alone that made me choose monarchs for next year’s October calendar page.

I’m still enjoying a few late roses. Finally free from Japanese beetles.

The yellow rose is The Poet’s Wife. It smells like lemons.

Surrounded by three varieties of “gem” marigolds, it makes a perfectly autumnal display. Will its other three buds have a chance to open before the frost takes over for real?

I’m still waiting for my last seed-grown dahlia to open, too. Those buds are filled with hope.

I love their shape. Beautiful even if they never open.

I haven’t seen a hummingbird all week, so I think they’ve finally left. Every year I get nervous they’re staying too long. That the flowers will all have finished and it will be too cold. The black and blue salvia, one of their favorite flowers in my garden, is still blooming. If there are any stragglers. I hope they’ll find it.

I’ve been collecting leaves on my walks. Remembering, again, how much inspiration the changing season brings.

I hope to see some beautiful autumn-inspired sketchbook pages from my Skillshare students as the season progresses. Maybe you’d like to paint with me, too*?

How are you managing these days? What are you noticing? Savoring? Where are you finding joy?

Have questions about Skillshare? I explain what it is and how it works in this blog post.