Sunday, 9 October 2022
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.
Saturday, 8 October 2022
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.
Friday, 7 October 2022
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.
Thursday, 6 October 2022
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.
Wednesday, 5 October 2022
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.
Tuesday, 4 October 2022
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.
Monday, 3 October 2022
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.
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.
Saturday, 1 October 2022
Impending sun: Manistique Lake.
Full afternoon light, cloudless sky: Manistique River.
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….