Gathering Treasures - The equinox has past and the days are shortening. Temperatures are cooling but the sun is still shining. One of my greatest joys of autumn is "gathering treasures"; pine cones, buckeyes, mosses, sticks, rocks and most any textural natural material. This year brought a wonderful surprise! The buckeyes in my neighborhood sport odd coloration. Rather than the traditional chocolate brown with an ivory "eye", they have distinct chocolate and mocha coloration. Yes, two shades of brown with the ivory "eye". What does this mean? Is it a harbinger of a wet and cold winter? Or, is it a result of a wet and cold spring? Or, am I over analyzing the colorings from Mother Nature's paint brush? Whatever it is, you will find me out collecting as many of these beauties as I can! (MORE BLOGS)