Musings

A fine day

Today was the second down-and-back trip of the summer. Usually, we go years without any. By down, I mean crossing the bridge and returning in a single day.

Our trek began with fogginess here and there. Then we got to a Great Lake (this time: Michigan), and pfft, no more fog. The blues were especially clear.

All objectives accomplished. Grade: superlative.

Crisp fall day

That’s how the phrase goes, no? And it was…crisp and lovely. Note that there’s still plenty of green in the tree leaves.

Solar and lunar

Porch view

The solar news is that despite temps maxing in the low 50s, we had enough sun that the porch was warm warm warm, so I opened it to let the heated air into the cottage. All yay.

Now, it’s dark, and the full moonlight is streaming into the eastern windows and we are lit again. Very happily. Even though it’s without toastiness.

No beach day

Definitely not a beach day. Temps began about 34°F, and got up to all of perhaps 51°F when the sun was out mid- to late-afternoon…complete with clouds and breezes. Still, we celebrated mint-choc chip ice cream and low-carb choc-chip cookies (with no wheat flour), the latter courtesy of our fine baker-neighbor.

Different species, different patterns

Despite recent windy phases, the maples are doing a great job of hanging onto their leaves.

The birches, on the other hand, are dropping theirs and making a carpet atop the grass.

Somehow I manage to forget that many pine needles also come down at this time. Don’t fret; the tree’ll look solid green come spring.

We will stay warm

You may be wondering if I put that leaf there. I did not. Serendipity touched my day several times in joyous ways—like this pretty leaf in an artistic location.

However, the weather is changing and tomorrow may be more slog than serendipity. I’ve been braced for this for several weeks, and now it’s coming.

Chin up

Foreground: I can almost make windrows with The Beast. Especially good to have the glaringly yellowy milkweeds down, although the grass looks surprisingly dull brown. Therefore, enjoy that spectacular sky.

Sun sparkles

The dawn came with cloudiness that persisted. By afternoon, the clouds became thin and dispersed. And the lake was still. Those are mini-wake waves, not wind riffles.

Winter eats

Apple in sun

We are enjoying a string of gorgeous autumnal days, and the deer periodically parade through the orchard, and some even bed down in it overnight. They are staking a claim, I suspect, to fallen apples after the snow descends.

Un-shrine

Not a shrine

Does this look like a shrine? It is not meant to be a shrine. It did not begin as a shrine.

Also: when was the last time you saw a boom-box in action?

Beautiful autumn day, with some outdoor chores, and a fine evening meal. Lucky us.

Also: news from the garden across the road…we have moved past the fence electrification season. This means the critters can access the maize and whatever they crave, without getting a buzz on.