THE DUST WILL WAIT

I didn't get a post in yesterday for my 30 days in November. Yesterday's birding quest in the morning ended in the middle of nowhere in a downpour.  Yes!  I did look at the weather report -  it was off by several hours with the predictions. Grand Auntie Fern's check up at the clinic went well.  She is 104 and now in a care home. This summer she fell and broke her hip.  Things have gone down hill.  She is unable to walk.   However, her wonderful sense of humor is intact along with lots of 100 year memories. But short term has been zapped and she now thinks she is a little girl and wants to go home to live with her dad.   Her heart rate and blood pressure are better than mine; she may outlive us all.  Next week it is the eye physician, and the week after that is the dentist.  Hopefully there won't be any snow and ice until after these are completed for the year. Lunch with my "almost 17" year-old granddaughter yesterday was fun. ...

We were able to get out this afternoon and walk my favorite place.   I took this shot with my cellphone (which has lots of problems so I was surprised my quick photo looks as clear as it does. (My agreement to post every day didn't promise there would be words.)

It was a dark and stormy night.  Well, that is what the weatherman predicted.  So far, he was right only about the dark. In fact it got dark way too soon.  Booo to the time change. There is snow on The Blues and the furnace is happily chugging away at the expense of our pocketbooks. ElGee, the cat, has started draping herself all over us if we happen to sit down anywhere.  Her  favorite spot is on my computer desk...especially if I'm sitting there.  I get frustrated when she keeps rubbing back and forth on the screen in front of me.  Sometimes she even steps on the keyboard and clicks on something that causes me to pick her up and set her on the floor and shoo her away. The trees have deposited their attire on top of roads and yards and rooftops.  The leaves fly into our garage when we raise the door and accumulate on our shoes for deposit on my floors and carpet. The geese and ducks have chased the light of day from their far north ...

This is Day 13 in the Two Weeks of Autumn Photo Challenge and the subject is color. Here it is, October 5 in our valley, and things are still very green.  The fact that it rained last night - a very pleasant patter on the sky window -- could mean that things will be more likely to turn brown than the seasonal yellow, amber, and reds.  I hope I'm wrong. In the meantime we are still enjoying the pink Anenome and other plants facing east, and the Zinnias in the vegetable patch, The variety of blossoming plants on the north side of the house. Here's some proof that fall colors have arrived:  the American Goldfinch.  They have all lost their bright yellow spring and summer colors.  You may have to click on the image to see it there on the feeder. And, I noticed there were a few scattered yellow leaves on the ground.  I suspect by next week we will be seeing a lot more of those and our rakes, too! I'm so proud of myself ...  I finally di...

I've posted many pictures of the creek path and its wildlife -  as it is one of my favorite places to walk.   How I enjoy the birds! Yesterday at dusk I strolled up the path that was almost abandoned.  Hardly any walkers or bikers.  Hardly any birds. And then I heard the chatter of the Kingfisher.  Try as I could, my attempts to capture its dive into the water did not satisfy.  I think it took pity on me and flew above me into a tree and posed in silhouette. Day 12 of Two Weeks in Autumn Photo Challenge is over at Faye's.

During the summer the sunlight invades our yard at dawn and wakes us if we forget to close the shades very tight.  But as the sun moves with the shortening days, the neighbors huge maple trees block it and our yard stays shaded late into the morning.  As you can see, however, it finds its way between the branches and leaves to poke holes of light that shimmer around our yard.   The sun will return at yet a much southern angle as the leaves disappear and the days grow cold and short.  But for now, I'll take the dappled morning sunbeam hellos and enjoy. Join the sunlight on Day 11 of Faye's Autumn Photo Challenge!  Click HERE ~!

Day Five of Faye's Two Weeks Autumn Photo Challenge brings us Soup Weather. Faye didn't know that I threw beans on to soak Friday night and then made 15 bean soup on Saturday. Both those days, however, were in the 80's and didn't inspire the desire for a bowl of hot goodness.  But, the weather turned cooler on Sunday, the raindrops fell just enough to give the air that musky earth smell, and the wind picked off the first falling leaves and blew them down the street.   Thus, the bean soup hit the spot at lunch.  Afterwards my camera caught the blustery weather on my afternoon walk. Post your soupy weather photo and link up at Summit Musings .

Z-bub took me on a bug hunt this afternoon where he spotted this Bumble Bee.  My cell phone took this photo about two inches above the flower.  We let the bee be, and went on to capture a grasshopper. Update I'm posting this to the September 24  Two Weeks in Autumn Photo Challenge.  Pop over to Faye's Summit Musings and get snappin'!

Here it is, the end of October and the Fuchsia on my patio continues to provide some color and some distraction from the other things of the world.  Will it be tonight that the frost nips it away? There is a beautiful dogwood tree several blocks away that has various colors of green, yellow and red.  Will I'll remember to take my camera next time I drive past? We're having some cool rainy fall days.  I noticed that leaves on the driveway left behind their shape in silhouette after I swept them into the dust bin.  I wonder how long the stain will remain? Tomorrow is Halloween and the only decorating on my porch has been done by the hungry spiders.  Oh! And the birds have done a little splattering, too.  I wonder how many little creatures will grace our doorway tomorrow night? Trick or treat? (I am hoping for treat, how about you?)

My fingers are freezing as I type this. I just ran outside and removed as many leaves as I could from the tiny man-made creek that runs into the pond. A few days ago WR stated that he hoped the wind would blow all the leaves off the neighbor’s maple trees - and he got his wish. He even got a better gift with it. Many of those leaves blew over our fence and beyond. However, we still get to keep the ones that hit the water. Every autumn we are surprised. I remember several years ago having our grandkids help us rake leaves when they visited over the Thanksgiving holiday. I remember having a few brave roses thumbing their petals even into December. We always know that eventually winter will arrive, but never how or when we expect it. So is it we are surprised with the insidious creeping of Alzheimer’s in my sister-in-law’s life. This morning I need to wolf down my coffee and cereal and rush out the door. I am supervising the movers who come to haul her furniture and belongings to a...

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Someone else had the same idea today as did I. A walk in the park. I doubt she left her house with the thought that her distant image would show up on a stranger's camera, much less a blog. Whoever she be, I appreciate her accidental posing for me with such grace. A few weeks ago I would have sworn that we would be knee-deep in snow by now. But, here it is, November 2, and the fall weather has been most appealing. We trudge through carpets of leaves and sparkling showers of much needed rain. I lift my thanks for the sunshine that sneaks between the clouds and smiles through all the colors. I do love autumn.

Apples ready for harvest on Winesap Road / Saturday The pungent and delightful smell of apples envelops my car on the 10 miles drive between my house and my brother's. Jack Frost attacked both the flower and vegetable garden last night. As for the zucchini plant - we said F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. The hanging begonia was secured in the garage for the night because I just couldn't part with it yet. Last Thursday's rain in the valley left termination dust on the top of the mountains. That is a good place for it. Karmyn and I talked today about her experience as Tinker Bell covered in a snow suit one Halloween when she was small. I prepared three batches of grape jelly this afternoon. I picked them, crushed them, cooked them, and then hubby helped me fill the jars. Unfortunately, the first batch may need to be used as "syrup." Pancakes, anyone? The birds of summer have flown to destinations south. I've noted the return of Pine Siskins and Juncos. The familiar fea...

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After I dipped my Fuji Apple in Caramel at lunch time, I returned to work and finished the Coconut Crème Pie that was leftover from my birthday. I cringed when the afternoon sun cast my shadow across the parking lot. Ouch. Shade in the summer, heat in the winter. Speaking of heat in the winter…we purchased a cord of wood last week in anticipation of some cool autumn evenings around the fireplace. Instead, we opened the doors every evening this week. Indian Summer . Several times I’ve heard the cry of a Night Hawk and glimpsed it’s graceful pursuit of insects by the light of the street lamp. Maybe the cold front moving in will encourage him to begin his migration. I hope he doesn’t have to travel through southern California Tonight it might freeze. If it does, our yellows, oranges, and reds will turn to winter brown. Apparently, the length of the night has equal influence on the hues that paint the deciduous trees. I always thought it was the frost. ...

Was the moon bigger last night? According to Spaceweather.com it is. 14% larger to be exact. The moon is in it's closest orbit of 2007. Its Perigree. I love my Canon Power Shot (S2IS), but I haven't mastered all the settings. Like taking night pictures. This was the best of fifty. Join the wolves tonight and go check it out. Hooooooooowwwwwwwoooooooool.

The predicted high today is 78 degrees (26 C). What happened to fall? The beautiful ornamental cherry trees greet me on my way to work this morning.

Today was one of those fall days that blow away any doubt that the season has changed. Maybe it was just a normal autumn bluster or maybe it was the promised last hurrah of the Pacific typhoon Ling Ling. The tenacity of the multi-hued dogwood surprised me. It refused to release its garment to the windy blasts that flailed at my coat and turned my umbrella inside out. Wooosh! On the street and sidewalk, vortexes of colors flew in swirling masses then exploded in a kaleidoscope reminiscent of a pyrotechnic show. Afterwards, the leaves floated, tangoed, and frolicked on their way back to the ground. A number played hide and seek around the corners of buildings and beneath parked cars. Doorways enticed them, as did the shoes of people scurrying in and out. The scattered walk brought to mind a recent petal-strewn aisle of an outdoor wedding. An artist could take envious note of how the occasional raindrops painted the sidewalk with silhouettes of locust, ma...

So many apples and pears. So little time. (40 apple varieties, 10 pear) One sign claimed that an apple brushed your teeth better than toothpaste. This one suggests the aroma is as lovely as french perfume. Mmmmmm! My little grand pumpkins painted some of these little grand pumpkins. High Apple Pie in the Sky

This post will remain at the top of my blog through next Monday. I'm the lucky host for the next Fun Monday's subject: AN OCTOBER VIEW. So...welcome one and all!! The very first Fun Monday granted us all a view from every front porch. It was winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Not everyone has a front porch. Therefore, the rules will be more flexible for this photograph. (Of course Swampwitch has long ago tied them in pretzel knots with her interpretations.) Here they are: I want to see what you see on any given morning this week; from somewhere very near where you live. Front porch, back porch, down the street, around the corner. Just makes sure it's your neighborhood. Post a photo that will send me to the travel agent to book a weekend at your local Bed & Breakfast. Post your October View on Monday, October 8 . Write a little or write a lot. Link to this post with the participants list Have fun. ps, HOST Fun Monday o...