Musings

As the daylight increased and night faded, I looked out the kitchen window and saw these parallel contrails, like etchings against the sky.

Posted at 10:22 PM | Comments Off on Contrail morn

My photo excursions bracketed the sunny part of the day. Here’s morning light on a cold-stunned insect. It was about 48°F.

And here’s the oblique late-day sun illuminating the woods. Note all the fall color easing in and screening the green.

As you might guess, it was darned pretty all day, sunny and felt warmer than the thermometer indicated. It had the high at 64°F, but, ooh, I love solar gain [under such conditions].

Posted at 9:25 PM | Comments Off on Bracketed photos

On the calendar, a visit to the small-and-wonderful local library to meet the State Librarian of Michigan. Unfortunately, he had to cancel last night: Covid. Maybe it’s just as well that we didn’t join the crowd that would have included three school classes…and possibly get exposed to Covid ourselves. However, we did get new library books.

I’m concerned about this new Covid, and will dig out my N-95 for future face-to-face activities. And avoid gatherings.

Later, the overcast became drippy rain while the car recharged. Drops and dust make art.

Posted at 5:16 PM | Comments Off on Covid concern

Every time we have these morning fogs, I feel compelled to stand in awe of the tree line and the sky color.

This time I also looked down and enjoyed the dew on the lupine leaves.

Posted at 8:33 PM | Comments Off on Morning joy

The too-hot is gone and the rain is gone. This is the early morning sunlight on the cardboard-walled ringfort. In the foreground are miscellaneous escapee plants, and probably weeds. In the center are many basil plants, and I’ll harvest one or two tomorrow for the appetizer I’m taking to a potluck that evening. In the background are some “wild”flowers; blooms so far are white (three types) and pink (one species). Outside to the right are rhubarb leaves.

Here are exploded lupine pods, still furry. I also found some blooming lupines in the field where I had cut the grass—and lupines—earlier.

Posted at 6:03 PM | Comments Off on Late-blooming tales

A week or so ago, the orchard smelled like apple juice. Now it smells like hard cider, although hours of rain and lower temps blunted the scent today.

Posted at 8:45 PM | Comments Off on Natural progression

I stepped outside this evening to try to figure out odd vehicle noises out on the road, and by my feet heard stampeding chipmunks…two, running like I broke up a party.

Meanwhile, here’s a tiny cucumber. The species is native to Asia, and now very widely planted and consumed.

Posted at 9:29 PM | 2 Comments »

I went to the lake alone for a pre-prandial, late-afternoon bathe and discovered I had some”one” looking out for me. S/He stayed around until I got out, then drifted away.

Posted at 5:56 PM | Comments Off on Eagle eyes

After a hot and sticky day, the temp abated enough for a sunset stroll. And what a sunset. Now all the windows are open to let some cool(er) air in the cottage, as it is finally in the low, low 70s.

Posted at 9:50 PM | Comments Off on Timing is all

Visual proof of season-changing underway…although I admit the color change was underway in August, which is far more of a headline IMHO than autumn reds in September in the Northwoods.

Also, I made mashed rutabaga tonight. First time for everything. Tasty, indeed, tastier than I thought it’d be.

Posted at 9:06 PM | Comments Off on Sample branch