On September 23, the light on this planet will achieve a moment of perfect balance, a moment when there is a period of equal light and darkness throughout the world. And then it will tilt on, ever changing over the seasons until the next equinox. Like the planet, I experience my own moments of balance, especially when I’m in the garden. 
Life is a balance of holding on and letting go. ~Rumi
I’ve devoted this year to improving my health so that I can continue to garden. Daily attention to the foods I eat and working to build strength has improved not only my mobility but my balance, allowing me to weed a hillside or traverse the stone steps of the garden without fear. 
When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way. ~Wayne Dyer
Once again I can dance with the garden, a pas de deux that seems to leave us both pleased. I supply the plants and the support system, she responds with beauty that nourishes my soul and living creatures who fill the garden with color, movement and sound. We’ve become old friends, my garden and I – we have found our rhythm in this slow dance of flowers. (Click on any photo to see a full size image)
Last year, I focused on replanting the outer garden to grow more native plants, to support more pollinators in their life cycle. The results were all I hoped for, as the more naturalistic planting style fit our wooded lot and the upswing in insects and birds was notable. This scene was transformed from the foxgloves and peonies in May to the blooms of betony (Stachys) and milkweed in June, along with the emergence of native grasses.
July was filled with the graceful wands of tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) and the raspberry red flowers of bee balm (Monarda didyma).
The walk through this little garden is filled with the sound of bees and birds
though quiet on misty mornings.
You were once wild here. Don’t let them tame you. ~Isadora Duncan
This year, I took the same approach to the inner garden, letting go of many non-natives, especially many daylilies which found new homes
and replacing them with plants that support wildlife at every stage of their life cycle. 
Next year, those changes should be more evident in the number and diversity of insects and birds yet still add beauty and balance to the garden.
The balance of nature is not a status quo, it is fluid, ever shifting, in a constant state of adjustment. ~Rachel Carson
All the flowers of summer, from June to mid-September, are featured in this short film, with Miss Pixie gracing the garden from time to time. I was inspired by the beautiful soundtrack recording of Satie’s Gymnopedie #1 recorded on cello.
Bill and I celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary a week ago. The cake decorator got a little confused about the number – we’re still practicing how to pronounce 44nd 🙂
Pixie decided to erase the error by breaking her year-long record of no counter-surfing; she was feeling left out of the festivities and grabbed her own piece of cake. 
Honestly, it was a day of hilarity and celebration, from the time we removed the cake from its box and started giggling, toasted the day with Prosecco, reminisced over our wedding album photos, and laughed at Pixie’s antics. Forty-four years of loving and laughing has brought its own point of equanimity to our marriage.
When I awake tomorrow, the earth will be poised on its seasonal moment of balance. May you find joy and balance in your days ahead, no matter what comes your way. Happy Equinox!
All images and text ©2023 Lynn Emberg Purse except where noted
composerinthegarden 
Congratulations on celebrating 44 years together … and the cake looks yummy. Great video with an outstanding musical choice. I realize the connection you have with your garden … a connection of pride, relaxation, joy, comfort … it is your place for serenity … your personal haven.
On a side note, this morning, I did something I rarely do – looked at my Following settings. Interestingly, your blog was one of the ones that the WP gremlins changed. Glad to be back.
Thank you Frank, so nice to see you restore your settings and stop by! It has been a great 44 years – Pixie definitely agreed that the cake was yummy. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video – I’m finding myself filming more than photographing this past year. Yes, the garden is my place for serenity for which I am forever grateful.
Thanks for sharing this idea. Let’s follow our blogs. Anita
Congratulations on your anniversary! Your garden looks as fine as ever. Very best wishes to you both.
Thank you, Richard! The garden has had a good year and seems set to keep blooming until hard frost. I’ve been reading your posts but not able to find a place to comment. Perhaps the settings have changed?
Thank you Lynn. I have just changed my blog comment settings.
A gorgeous garden and perfect quotes!Congrats on your 44nd Anniversary! ❤️
Thank you for stopping by, Crystal. I very much enjoyed reading your posts.
My pleasure! Thank you so much.
Of course your garden, as well as your photography, is beautiful, as everyone here has mentioned. But I want to say that you are indeed a poet when describing your time in your garden. I love reading your posts.
Happy 44nd (!!!) anniversary!
Nancy Watson
Thank you so much Nancy for your kind comments, always a treat to have you stop by! I do try to share how it feels to be in the garden – it is a profound experience for me every day.
Lynn, I am in awe of how beautifully your photos and videos capture the magic of your gardens and flowers. And, of course, I do want to wish you a happy 44nd anniversary! 🙂 That’s a classic! This message wouldn’t be complete without adding my love of Pixie! Best wishes, too, on your health. All my best, Mary
Thank you, Mary – our 44nd was very special! Pixie appreciates your kind words, she considers herself a guardian of the garden. I’m thrilled that I can share its magic with others in some small way.
Congratulations on your anniversary! Your gardens look beautiful, and applause to you for making changes in your life that allow you to continue to work and play in your gardens. As we age, there certainly are adjustments to be made. I now own two two-wheelers for things I use to pick up and move. 🙂
Thank you, Judy – those life changes became imperative this year, nothing like pain as an incentive to change! Fortunately, the changes are working. You are so smart to use the two-wheelers – I have all kinds of adaptive tools and techniques to make gardening easier and less tough on my body. That also includes hiring two strong men to help with the heavy chores once a month 🙂
Appropriate for tomorrow’s equinox, equanimity also seems to have come your way. Happy 44nd. Most likely no one else has ever had that experience; you’ll always treasure the uniqueness. It’s good to hear that your decision to plant more natives has paid off. Likewise for your attention to eating more wholesomely. (I’ve never heard any of the Gymnopédies on a cello.)
44nd is unique isn’t it? A memory we will treasure and a darned good story 🙂 I’m trying to reach 70% native plants as a goal in the garden beds, already have that in the woods – the magic number to achieving ecological balance according to entomologist Doug Tallamy. I’m sure you see the relationship between wildflowers and pollinators every time you photograph plants on your travels throughout Austin. I love the cello version of Gymnopedie #1 – knew I would use it for something as soon as I heard it – unique certainly has its appeal.
It was lovely to see your garden, listen to music at the same time, and read your quotes. The garden is looking very lush and green, it must be a joy to walk through it.
Happy anniversary, and may you have many more.
Thank you Gerrie – you are entering spring as we are entering fall, so happy spring to you! So glad you enjoyed seeing the garden – even though we had hot temps and drought early in the summer, we did get plentiful rain for the rest of the season and the garden is still lush. Thank you for the well wishes.
The pronunciation of the number defeated me too. I love your garden. It looks like a garden should look these days. I hope that you have many more happy years together.
Ha ha, 44nd is a real brain and tongue teaser! Thank you for your well wishes and your kind words about the garden – letting the garden evolve has had good results and has kept me engaged and challenged.
Lovely garden tour, Lynn… your new plants give it a softer look, and clearly, the bees are loving it! Fun to see Pixie nosing about, too. 🙂 Happy belated anniversary, the typo and Pixie’s snacking made it memorable!
Thank you Eliza – I am really pleased with the results so far; it is such a different approach that it took me a while to get it right. Pixie is in her happy spot in the garden – keeps her active and satisfies her curiosity. Thank you for the anniversary wishes too – it was a wonderful day.
Just lovely to experience your heaven through all of its colorful seasons, Lynn! So thrilled to read your hard work to build strength and balance has helped you to reach your gardening goals!
Joy to your equinox and your autumn. XO
Thank you, Kitty – it is always a joy to have you stop by. I made a New Year’s resolution to improve my health and have kept to it; what a difference it has made! I’m mostly pain free and have enough energy to garden most days – life is good. Happy equinox 🙂