It Was a Warm Autumn Day in the Park

On one of the last days of autumn, I took a stroll through my favorite park. Autumn had painted the park’s pathways in shades of orange and gold. There were so many fallen leaves! The squirrels must have been pleased—their winter food supply might have even grown, thanks to all the acorns.

 

The water in the ponds had turned dark; dry leaves floated on the surface, and the dark trunks of the trees were beautifully reflected in the water. While I was taking photographs, a magnificent swan decided to snack on some grass that was still green along the shore.

 

On another pond, there was a small shelter and a feeder for the birds. A group of geese—very dignified and serious-looking creatures—were having a meal there. I was hesitant to get any closer, but a park attendant assured me that the geese were quite calm.

 

There weren’t many people strolling in the park—mostly pensioners and mothers with children, since it was a weekday. From a small bridge, they were watching the ducks and swans.

The first snow had already fallen, but it quickly melted away. November has arrived; time flies, and soon northern winds will bury the fallen leaves under snow, the ponds will freeze over, and the short, dark days will set in. So, let us look back on the vibrant autumn and look forward to the coming spring.

"Animals From My Album" by Jan Sokolovsky

The book *Animals from My Album* by Jan Sokołowski has long held a place on my bookshelf. Today, friends, I would like to introduce you to the works of this talented artist.

 

In response to the question "Why do I draw animals?", he writes: "Drawing animals is like hunting: there are days when fortune smiles and the hunt is successful, and there are moments when strenuous efforts go to waste. I believe that photography cannot replace a drawing or a painting. Photography and drawing are different things that cannot be compared."

 

 

 

He goes on to write: "The mobility of animals, their constantly changing facial expressions, and features that are entirely distinct for each species make it impossible to find a more difficult subject."

 

 

"Animals never seek to make the artist's task easier, even though some observers imagine that a beast... might take pride in its beauty and willingly pose. That a squirrel is restless comes as no surprise to anyone, but I myself would never have believed an elephant could be so fidgety had I not had the chance to draw one."

  

Sokolovsky recounts: "Among the many acquaintances and friends I have made while drawing animals at the zoo, I count children aged seven to twelve. They sit down beside me and... do their best to help. The children greet every new drawing with loud approval and urge me to keep working."

 

 

I showed illustrations from the book, accompanied by quotes from the artist Jan Sokolovsky about his work. It would be hard to describe the creative process any better. His pencil and painted illustrations beautifully capture the personalities and behavioral traits of the animals and birds. 

I hope this makes you want to look at the album yourself—or even visit the zoo, if it happens to be open right now.

Virginia Creeper

 

    

Virginia creeper (*Parthenocissus quinquefolia*) is an indispensable plant for vertical landscaping! It is a large climbing vine reaching up to 15 meters in length. Young shoots are reddish, later turning dark green, and feature tendrils. The leaves are palmately compound and oblong, with pointed tips.

 

 

It blooms in the first half of July. The fruit ripens in mid-to-late September. The flowers are greenish. The fruit is a dark blue berry that is not particularly palatable.

 

In my garden, I grow Virginia creeper in several spots, including near a trellis and a pergola. It anchors itself beautifully using its tendrils, twining around the upright posts and spreading onto the horizontal sections of the pergola, creating shade on hot days.

 

 

It is highly winter-hardy; growth begins in late April and continues until mid-October. It thrives in any soil type and tolerates a wide range of conditions. I have never noticed any leaf diseases, nor does it suffer damage from insects or fungal infections. It is long-lived—my neighbors have had a plant in the same spot for 30 years—and it withstands transplanting well; summer cuttings take root easily.

 

 

 

I prune it in the spring, removing dead shoots and excess branches. When I see it growing beyond its support or the designated area of ​​the garden, I cut the shoots all the way back to the roots.

Do you grow this plant in your garden, or does it grow near your home? Do you like it?