Sunday, 2 October 2022
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.
Friday, 30 September 2022
Some time ago I decided that land management issues (read vegetation) would improve if I had a motorized scythe. Either that or a small tractor-and-bush-hog, and the latter is just too much equipment. Instead, I ordered a Super-Duper Trimmer. It came with a large-diameter string option, and two metal blades, one for tough grasses, and one with saw-teeth for woody brush. Our problem is robust-stemmed grasses. Mostly. And so: The Beast, with a metal blade. I finally got it to start today. You’d think: brand new—first pull. Not with my luck.
It is a beast. It does the job. The harness distributes the weight very well, and pfft: new tool. A fine calorie-burner. Set feet, swing shaft-and-blade to cut. Swing back, set feet anew. Repeat.
Not so happy that’s it’s a two-stroke, but the next-door neighbor fixes and maintains all types of motorized equipment, so I can pawn off maintenance on him and his crew. Yay on that.
Like the pink handkerchief sun valence? A fashion touch….
Thursday, 29 September 2022
While the weather is torturing Florida, here the sun arrived after a cool, clear, and brr cold night. It’s a weather upturn, good times for a while. And this barberry branch, down on the bottom of the plant, is sporting fall colors, while the rest is still in late summer mode.
The overnight cold was low enough that the roof of the garage (and probably the cottage) had a thin layer of frost, although the lawn was still green and untouched. Prediction is for a lovely weekend. We are lucky to be here. Outdoor chores await? What to begin with? Hmm?
Wednesday, 28 September 2022
I get seduced by the color shifts as time goes along in, especially, the maples. Despite this sky, we had some bright sunshine periods today. Just delightful. [Ignore the obvious keystoning effects; that’s lens distortion on buildings that are actually very aligned.]
Monday, 26 September 2022
Do I pick flowers, close-up? With the lovely name pearly everlasting?
Or do I pick the maple branch that has changed while its brethern are still green?
Wimpy me. I can’t choose. You get both.
Friday, 23 September 2022
Today was another morning I was seduced by the combo of ground fog and bright sun, plus a bonus blue, blue sky. So glad to have this trio as there’ll be rain for the next three-four days, according to my app. Can’t say the garden really needs it, as we’re (sadly) moving into the waning days of garden production. Last night was cold, at least in the 30s, and I’m sure there was frost here and there, but not in this spot. [Spatial] Variability reigns…until it doesn’t.
Thursday, 22 September 2022
I basked in today’s solar gain, which was tempered by the high temps being in windy-breezy 50s. Overnight will reach 41°F, if my app is correct. Sunny is great, but low 40s are super-brrrrrr in contrast (not totally, however).
Tonight should bring on the fall color in the maples, etc., I’m thinking.
Tuesday, 20 September 2022
While the Pacific spawned Typhoon Nanmadol, and the Atlantic Hurricane Fiona, both active today (along with an earthquake in Mexico and I don’t know what else worldwide), here it was breezy and sunny—just a gorgeous autumn day.
In fact, it was so pleasant we went to town, used the laundro for two big loads, and hung them out. All before noon. During the half-hour when the washers are busy, we scoot down the alley to a groc store (under fourth-generation ownership—small town), get a few necessities, and return to unload the washers and head home. We are efficient.
Sunday, 18 September 2022
When the morning begins this overcast, with ground fog, I figure there’s a good chance it’ll never get sunny.
So, I captured this kind of sunny.
Then, the weather changed, and it did get sunny. Now, however, I can hear thunder in the distance, although my watch-weather indicates there’ll be no rain tonight.
Hah. Using old-fashioned science, I stuck my nose out and, joke’s on me, it is raining.
Friday, 16 September 2022
The weather predictions had me worried that precip might drift in as we attended a potluck at the next lake south of us. It was windy, yes, enough to blow the smoke of the fire here and there, but no rain. I’m guessing these came from a tree at the contributor’s place, but I neglected to ask. Took my back to my childhood. We put up quarts of these and also froze halves by the pound from our tree. These had that golden almost crystalline tender sweetness. Best plums, consistently, and yet rarely in the store.