Franklin regards us
Franklin says, it’s technically the first day of fall, and we are . . . not there. We are . . . still green. Memes on social media show fall pictures with the qualification, “offer not available in (our state)”.
I would say, still green
Skies are vivid blue
We have some bright purples, thanks to the American Beautyberries.
American Beautyberries got a late start this year
Beautyberries have grown more lush since this was taken
Walk back a few steps, look up, and . . .
Pine Dreams
We did have a few leaves that turned slightly reddish late in late August. I had to really crank the saturation up in photo editing to show the redness seen here. That was likely due to dry weather, they turned early and then just crinkled up. Curious timing this year, for sure.
Dry pine needles and a few reddish spots
To see anything that looks remotely like fall forest color right now, we probably have to leave the forest and go look at our friend’s cat, Shelley.
Shelley the astonishing tortie
“Hey hey hey . . . ” says Franklin.
Frankie lounges
“Relax Frankie, you’re the star, you have more pictures than she does today.”
Pine lagniappe.
Evergreen veil
Don’t forget, our book, Catwoods: Stories and Studies of Our Feline Companions, is out now. Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online venues. In the upper right hand corner there’s a direct link to Amazon.
Stay tuned, autumn is on the way!
I live near a creek in a forest, in close observation and awe of the wildlife outside, as well as the domestic animals of the household. I'm writer Leah T. Alford. I was "catwoods" on this site Catwoods Porch Party, Itchmo Forums for Cats and Dogs, and a few other sites that may or may not exist now. I have now published a book, and the publisher wanted it called Catwoods. I never expected the book title to be the same as my username, so for now I've changed the username to Leah. For more info, click the "About" button above.
Catwoods Porch Party 
I’ve never seen beautyberries before. I love the purple, my favorite color. Are they edible? Shelley looks very sweet. Since I am behind, today was the first time I’ve seen her in your posts.
Purple is also one of my favorite colors, MNL! Shelley really is a sweetie, another kitty who came in from the street. I don’t get into town often enough to have a lot of pics of her, but she appears here every now and then. Beautyberries are used to make jam, you can find many recipes. But I’ve also seen articles that say if eaten off the bush they can cause vomiting. I’m a cautious person and would say, definitely don’t eat them, or any other wild berries, and anyone who wants to make jam should use only well-known recipes preferably from someone with a lot of experience.
Purple is my favorite color too. Shelly is adorable. Vomiting? that’s a little scarey. I think I’d buy the jam readymade from someone who knows what they are doing. Do you like the jam?
I’ve never tried the jam, I’m on a medical diet due to a serious gut problem. I see posts occasionally where people say they have made it. I think sticking with jam made by someone who is really experienced would be a good idea. And although I suspect it’s safer in jam than right off the plant, I’d still tend to be extremely cautious. Shelly sends her meows!
I am sorry that you have to be on a special diet but it’s important to manage your health, I know. As you get older, health takes center stage over everything. Midnight and Pinkie waves at Shelly
Your pictures are fantabulous! You almost make me like fall, almost. Those berries look like grapes a beautifully coloured grapes. The kitties, well of course they are the best. Two adorable loves.
Jean and Shoko
Jean and Shoko, thank you so much! I’m happy you enjoyed the pictures! And the kitties love what you said about them!
Good blog. Enjoy seeing the images, nice fruits and Franklin and Shelley are proper Sweeties though. Thanks for sharing! Saludos! Ashraf
Thanks Ashraf, I’m happy you enjoyed the post and the kitties! The kitties send purrs!
Beautiful photos!
Thanks!
My beautyberry was so late this year, it barely formed berries. Now we’ve had frost, I doubt they will develop. We are definitely on the north end of their range.
Happy week to you, Leah and gang.
Interesting Eliza, and I’m sorry to hear you missed out on beautyberries this year. Ours weren’t as prolific as usual and are now mostly gone. I’ve seen them last well into October here before. The dry weather was the cause our changes, I think. We do get rain soon, so they say. Wishing you and yours a happy week also!
It’s still very green around here too, but it is cooling off from our scorching hot summer.
We’ve been broiling lately but weather reports say we’ll have a cool off next week . . . until then, gasp.
Charlee: “Yep looks green to us too!”
Chaplin: “We celebrated fall here by getting a little bit of rain.”
Lulu: “Yeah, but it’s gone again.”
Charlee: “For now!”
A little rain sounds like cause for celebration, Charlee, Chaplin, and Lulu! We are hurting for rain here at the moment.
It’s the best time of the year. Although he prepares for the psycho black cat behaviour that kicks off in October …
I like fall too! I’ve been meaning to tell you how much I enjoy the adventures of Louis Catorze! They are great comedic art!
A friend came to visit recently and she remarked that life at Le Château is exactly as documented in Le Blog! 🤣 If you are ever in London, you must come over.
I would love that so much! Sadly, my traveling days are over. But actually, if by some miracle I was ever able to travel again, Britain would be the first place I would go.
Lovely stuff. The greens make me want to walk in the woods, and I can almost smell the forest.
Thanks David! I’m happy you enjoyed the pictures! I do love walking in the woods too! But being older now we take some precautions. These were taken from the road. We’ll walk into the woods when the tick population wanes, the poison ivy dies down, and the second snake breeding season is over. Hopefully just a few weeks off.
Lovely shots, Leah. Beautiful pussycats. Our Beautyberries are a lighter tone – I love to see them at this time of the year.
Thank you so much Kerry, I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures! I always love the beautyberries too. There are not very many this year, probably due to the drought.
What drought???? Just joking – we have had some very dry weather but Imelda washed all that away. My trees say thank you! I haven’t seen many either…
Frankie and Shelley be lookin’ gawjus. Big hugs
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
Frankie and Shelley purr thank you to Dezi and Raena! We send hugs and love in return!
Oh I do love all of the new colors that Fall (eventually) brings but I love being surrounded by green as well. Those pictures are just beautiful and I’m a bit jealous of your wooded scenery! My current area is more suburbia.
And Franklin and Shelley are adorable!
Franklin and Shelley and I thank you, KittyCatEnthusiast! It has been nice being in the wooded area but sadly, development has come to some adjacent areas and could change things. I feel the same about the seasons as you, I like fall but I’m ok with the green as long as it want to hang around.
I’ll look at Shelley any day rather than autumn leaves. What a beautiful cat. Oh, Frankie, of course you are gorgeous too!
Shelley and Franklin both purr thank you, RMW! I think Shelley’s very pretty too! She has an unusual combination of markings, at least in my experience. I even thought of doing a whole post about her markings one day, but it’s so hard to make time for everything.
I understand not having the time to post… even though I get up early in the morning and go to bed late, the hours,days,weeks speed by and I don’t get 20% of the things done I would like to!
Love the beauty berries And the cat beauty buds!
Franklin and Shelley and I thank you, Kim! I’m partial to the beautyberries too!
Once again, lovely photos Leah! Ah, the greens — they’re nice too, but I know what you mean about color. In Indiana, leaves are falling, but not turning color first. Just falling because they’re dying due to lack of rain. We’ll soon be going to Michigan, where the foliage “should be” starting to get into full-swing color. But again, who knows? This awkward climate stuff! But Franklin is looking dapper as ever (well, solidly handsome, of course, LOL). Wishing you all a wonderful autumn, whenever it arrives — I know yesterday was the “official/calendar” day. Have a wonderful week! Deb
Hi Deb and thanks for the encouraging words about the pictures! I’m happy you enjoyed them. Sorry to hear the leaves aren’t on schedule for you, either. We usually don’t have full color till late Oct. or Nov. but there won’t be much if the leaves all dry up first! Hopefully Michigan will be colorful! Franklin and Shelley send purrs! All good things and a fun autumn to you also Deb!
Beautiful photographs, I loved the colours of these berries. Cats as always are the best. Blessing and Happiness to them ALL, Thank you, have a wonderful autumn, Love, nia
Thank you so much, Nia, I am happy you enjoyed the pictures. The kitties Franklin and Shelley send purrs! I really love the beautyberries too, since purple is one of my favorite colors. Blessings and happiness and fun in the autumn to you also, Nia, with love!
I love too purple… you are very welcome and have a nice day, Love, nia
I tawd i taw a puddy-tat… i did, i did! 🙂
Ahahahaha Tom, it’s good to laugh! I remember Tweety and Sylvester well!
We are revealing our age here! 🙂
LOL I stalled for as long as I could, even used some current slang . . . as a decoy . . .
Congratulations on your wonderful news, Leah! I have no doubt your books will sell out!
Thank you Lauren, for the encouraging words! I hope you are right, that would certainly give us a boost!
Frankie doesn’t seem to mind about what season it is supposed to be. The leaves will fall in any case eventually–they always do! Don’t know if Franklin likes to play with leaves or not. Still green here but there is a chill in the air. 😺😺😺
As long as Frankie can soak up sun, the season makes no difference to him. I believe he’d swat at any leaf that came his way. Although we had a slight lingering chill leftover from the night this morning, it’s hot again now.
Beautiful! It’s still quite green here in Florida, as well.
I’m happy you enjoyed our pictures! I imagine fall is indeed slow in coming for you, too. A few leaves began changing in the last few days. It can be as late as November before we really get fall, it differs every year.
Multi-colored Shelley looks good on that multi-colored rug!
Take care —
Neil Scheinin
Shelley sends her purrs, Neil! All good wishes to you!
The berries are beautiful for sure😸You’re lookig great, Frankie and Shelley ❤ Pawkisses for a Happy Monday to all of you🐾😽💞
Thank you Little Binky! Frankie, Shelley, and I return greeting and purrs! ❤
I have not heard of beautyberries -can you eat them? Frankie and Shelley are adorable.
Frankie and Shelley are very pleased that you like their pictures and are purring a greeting! Good question about the beautyberries. I’ve heard of beautyberries being used in jams and wines, but also that they cause stomach cramps if consumed. So for absolute safety if there is any question I always say no, don’t eat beautyberries, or any other wild-growing plants. Here are a couple of links, there are many others: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callicarpa_americana
https://garden.org/ideas/view/wildflowers/147/All-About-American-Beautyberry/
Wonderful pictures! And I love the beautyberries!
Susanne, thank you! I’m happy you like the pictures! I always enjoy seeing the beautyberries this time of year.
I love the kitty photos. Our cottonwoods are starting to turn yellow. I ordered your book. I should have it by Wednesday.
Franklin and Shelley are pleased that you like their photos, Tim! In the last few days a few leaves have started changing but green is still the overall hue here. Thank you so much for getting my book, I appreciate it!