On this beautiful August morning, I notice a subtle change in the quality of light shining across the garden. It has taken on a softer golden hue, the color of late summer in Wisconsin. I can see the flower borders slowing down, the riotous colors and rapid changes of the early growing season is now replaced by the steady yellow- orange of black-eyed susans, creamy hydrangeas and maroon heleniums. There is a lazy languor among the butterflies and nectar drunk bees....and me. No more rushing to get everything done in our too short growing season. It's all been done and now we can finally slow down and just enjoy the pleasures of the late summer garden. I want to hang on to every golden moment and impress them into memories that will sustain me through the long winter months ahead. For all it's fleeting beauty, I am a willing slave to the garden and all of it's charms, whatever the season.