It was rainy Saturday so we headed to the city for some shopping. We ended up with .7' which was needed. I had a heck of a time digging a few carrots on Friday to put with my roast.

'bug, you mentioned the loss of barns. In Iowa there are matching funds to restore barns. They also have an All-State barn tour where the barns are open to the public each fall. There are several in our area that are on the tour.
The books will be a special gift indeed.

Cynthia, a new garden is always so exciting. It appears like a path will run through it. You will have to post pictures as it develops.

Deanne, you have some awesome plants, I can see why you want to save them all. Now I need 11 cuttings since I may end up with only 1 or 2 by spring. I've brought a lot in too and still have 1 container to dismantle.

Saturday we got the sales pitch on a Mac Pro. DH would have bought one for me right then but I need to know more and ponder a bit. I was inspired to even start looking by Chelone and Drema's conversation.

This evening we came home after dark and there was a deer lounging on the front lawn - arggg!

Below is a link to a few fall garden pictures.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Colors of Fall

A few more comments:

Marian, it looks like your son is working very hard. I'm sure this will make your winter easier.

'bug, love the little ponytail. Leo looks like he's filling out nicely. What is the shrub by the bridge that's such a nice chartreuse color?

Deanne, you have some awesome fall color.

Woody, I love the rose hips. Someday I'm going to have to try growing those Angel roses.

Michelle

Michelle, that is a kind of Amsonia, not a shrub. I almost cut it back but decided to keep it for color for a couple of weeks.
Here's a closeup. Sorry I'm not sure of the variety.
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And this is Amsonia Heubrechtii:
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And yes, we are losing many many barns in our area. It really hurts to see them collapse around me. They are a huge expense to keep in good repair. We spent a huge amount just to keep ours standing...and hardly anything on the house itself. The next owners may well tear it down....

Wonderful photos here over the last couple of days..lol Marian , I see Nolan is ‘supervising’ the laying in of the copper pipe.

Woody those rose hips are wonderful. I only have two roses that get nice hips, and they are both more orange in tone. This may change as I continue to edit my rose collection in the old-rose direction.

Thumbs-up to Ivys jaunty Pumpkin hat !

Over and out ..

Kathy in Napa

Glad to see Randy's guitar is still out...and in use!

Marian, how deep does the propane line need to be? Here it would be VERY deep. I can't wait to hear how you like it!

Deanne, the colors this Fall seem more spectacular than ever here. I think it is true in your garden as well!!! I'm not seeing as many birds as usual this year though. I'm not sure why that is. As to critters though, they are doing their regular "dig up the lawn" thing. Ugh.

So Julie, what are you going to do about the banana? Raise the roof? I hope things improve soon with DS and TCS.

Chelone, I thought of you yesterday when I passed by a sign which said "Sew Original". That had me thinking of many similar names: Sew Wonderful, Sew Complicated, Sew Perfect, Sew It!, Sew What? Just being silly, not really fond of this direction...

On with the day,
'bug

Remember that unidentified clematis for the clematis swag? This is what it looks like today:
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I still have no idea of what it is but it's certainly pretty - and floriferous and vigorous. I've never had a clematis bloom so well at the end of October.

The big Bra Bazaar trip was a true bonanza, Deanne. I arrived shortly after the door was unlocked was promptly greeted by a young saleswoman and I gladly put her expertise to work for me. I'm all for bargain hunting, but when it comes to bras... I feel full service and letting the specialists do their thing is worth every penny! She was charming, began by measuring me and then set about searching their racks for the perfect something for my "rack". :) I left with 4 comfortable, good looking, perfectly fitted "foundations". I suspect Saucy and I were in the same store... as the pricing was exactly the same. I was in and out in under 40 minutes and I tried on a lot of bras. Best of all, in a trip to a really "down and dirty" odd lot store later in the day with my friend I found 2 more of the same model I'd just purchased... for under $8/ea.!

My friend and I spent a fabulous day together doing all manner of piddly errands that she needed to do before her impending out of state move. :( And I actually felt a pang when we went to a very nice shoe "warehouse". I love shoes and handbags and I looked longingly at some really gorgeous shoes, shoes the like of which I USED to wear daily. Pretty ones, with highish heels and discreet details that nicely highlight toe cleavage... . Le sigh. I wilted at the sight of my Merrills, complete with grass stains from the last mowing venture. But it was a fun way to while away a grey day.

Fog has descended now, banishing the beautiful sunshine of today. But it's warm. The most vivid foliage is now mostly on the ground but there are still some handsome displays of tawny grassess and bronzed oak leaves. I was struck by an overgrown Yew hedge that has been invaded by bittersweet because the latter was bright yellow and in handsome contrast with the deep, vibrant green of the Yews. Our CH has turned in a respectable fall show, too, even though it sustained a terrible wound in an ice storm; one that split the main trunk right to the ground. We bound it together and it seemed to limp through the season, even flowering, but I have serious doubts as to its longterm vigor. It is still trussed up and relies on metal stakes to keep it in a upright position.

I've enjoyed all the pictures and all the news you've shared. Very exciting, Michelle, that you've been computer shopping, too! I don't think I can justify the expense of a MacBook, I'm afraid. There are too many other things that would be more professionally useful at this time... think hand tools... and the difference between a PC laptop and a MacBook is nearly a grand. Fear not, 'bug, that's not the direction I would wish to take. ;)

Warm thoughts to all.

Lots of pretty fall color going on in everyones gardens.
Love seeing Miss Ivy helping dad plant bulbs. I agree Leo seems to be filling out. I'm guessing he is eating better?

Deanne, I like the fall color of that sedum too.

Michelle I wish my Tiger Eye would color up like yours. Mine tend to lose their leaves befor the have a chance to color up. I'm seriously thinking of yanking them out.

Good to have everyone checking in. I enjoyed reading the updates.

We made another little trip over the weekend. This time to Branson for a family get together to celebrate our sons 50th birthday. Silver Dollar City had a fifty year celebration going on this year and if you celebrated a fifty year birthday or anniversary this year you got in free. So since we had our anniversary and both DS and DDIL had birthdays we all got in free. Only the grandkids had to pay. We also went to The Dixie Stampeed performance. I really enjoyed that, because of the horses. The food they served was tasty, but it was served without utensils and That was pretty messy.
We had a really nice cabin to stay at that had four master suites so everybody had their privacy but there were common areas and a screened in porch with a view.
All in all it was a good way to spend some quality family time.

I liked this metal work
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and this lady who made fiddles
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This young boy was enjoying learning about mules
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This was a neat water feature I saw downtown
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I still have lots of flowers blooming but not for long. Maybe one more day. We have done tons of leaves already and they are still blowing in. Keeping us busy. I'm feeling whipped.

Norma

Cyn the new garden area is looking good.

And Cindy Isla looks so tiny. I imagine the grands were thrilled to get to hold her.

I really like mules. They're hybrids and generally are sterile; and there are all kinds of mules out there! depends entire on what two ingredients are bred to each other... some are quite delicate and small, others are huge and very, very strong. Best of all, mules are SMART. They aren't "spooky" like horses, they tend to be more "practical" and easy-going and that's why they've gained a reputation as "stubborn"; they aren't, they'e smart!. And amazingly sure-footed... that's why they use them as pack animals and to tote tourists along the frighteningly narrow, winding paths that lead to the floor of the Grand Canyon. Like oxen, they are hugely under-appreciated in the lore of our country's founding. Horses have always been the "glamor boys", but they weren't the "go to" animal. Oxen and mules carry the cache of comparing a stripped down Hyundai or Toyota to a luxuriously appointed SUV. "Handsome is as handsome does"!

I love the faucet handles as flowers. I've always thought that door handles and faucet handles were delicate, pretty, and looked like flowers! Charms me to see them used so prettily.

Thanks, Norma. Woody, I've never had a clematis perform so nicely so late in the season. Lovely.

Hurriedly deadheaded rose tonight after the awfice and before the sun went ‘over the yardarm’ , our weekend rain (5 inches I hear) turned the fall flush into blobs. The rose foliage right now looks better than it has since the 1st spring flush, so I guess my labor day mini-pruning paid off. None the less there will be some serious sp’ing this winter.

On top of that we have a frost warning for tonight, so I had to rush around feverishly moving aeoniums and kalanchoes into the garage, begonias on the kitchen sink , and cuttings were hastily taken from favored coleus.I had already taken cuttings from the plectranthus . My pop up greenhouse still sits in the receiving dept at the awfice, plans were to bring it home Friday and set it up this weekend.

What a fun trip you shared with us Norma; I’ve only been to St Louis several times on business and never had the chance to visit some of the other towns in Mo. I too love the whimisical treatment of the gate valve handles. Very cool.

Glad to hear that all the bosoms have been safely stowed in new garments-you gals obviously shop at better lingerie establishments than I do !

Dinner !

Kathy in Napa

Just so you know. I'll probably be out of the loop for a while. I've used up my broadband allowance uploading to many pics for family on facebook. So will be laying low. :(

Norma

I haven't blown away yet!

Wind southwest 60 km/h gusting to 90 diminishing to 30 this evening.

Translation:
Wind southwest 37 mph gusting to 56 mph diminishing to 18 mph this evening.

It makes weeding and raking challenging, but the sun is nice. Maybe we'll get more wood stacked?

Last night I had to proofread "Submissions of Planning for Sustainability: A Provincial Policy Statement Collaborative in response to the on-going review of the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement, Environmental Bill of Rights Registry Number 010-9766 October 2010" - I've read easier stuff in the past....and would have preferred my book club read! A girl's gotta do what she's gotta do though...

Later,
'bug

Marie, the copper line only has to be deep enough that something running over it does not smash it! Ours is about 8 inches, since it is not in an area where anything other than the riding mower will be going over it. We will have to put boards over it temporarily, for the delivering of the tank. The fuel truck will not be driving over it.
I am hoping it will really cut down on my job of carrying in firewood. I may enlist the help of a neighbor to carry in a week's supply, into the utility room.

Marian, a week's supply in the utility room would mean fewer plants! ;) DH has rubbermaid containers where he stores kindling and wood - not far from the stove. Not exactly "House & Gardens" decor, but what can you do? This morning we stacked a bit more, but still lots remains.

I hesitate to drive to town for errands in this wind, so I guess dinner will be a strange mix of things. It sure is noisy out there! I hope branches don't come crashing down. One of my heavier obelisks did!

DH is in town for meetings this afternoon so now is MY time to do my thing at last. I sorted old plant seeds this morning and will give most away to my friends who are opening a nursery. Off to do a few chapters of my Book Club reading.

I am getting more and more nervous about DS's Haitian trip, especially the malaria and cholera aspects. He's a big boy, but man, motherhood never ends.
'bug

Not much going on at work today and it's gloomy, gloomy, gloomy here. But very warm. Tomorrow is supposed to be a corker but the cold air will blow in on Friday. It's OK with me, though. It's the time of year for it to get cold and since there is no way to avoid it, bring it on. I'll deal with it.

We have plenty of firewood, most of it seasoned for nearly two years. Two years is really the time required to fully season red oak and swamp maple; both are dense hardwoods and tend to retain moisture for a long time. Last summer was perfect for curing, too... warm and sunny. The helpmeet and I trekked through the Fairy Forest not too long ago and we noted trees that we'd like to remove to thin out the canopy, there are a lot of them and I think this fall/winter may be the perfect time to get it done. Oftentimes, however, what I think about something doesn't carry a lot of weight, if you know what I mean. ;)

Marian, I loved the shot of Nolon doing "the heavy lookin' on". It made me smile because it reminded me of how Mum used to mill around whenever we were doing something outdoors. And the same thing for my late FIL. There were a lot of interesting conversations and some fun memories shared and made during those times. Regulations for burying gaslines here are a lot tougher than they are for you! consider yourself a lucky woman. I know you will when it gets cold and you don't HAVE to carry firewood into the house. :) You are going to love that.

I am off to pickle the folding support legs for a drop down leaf on a table. The helpmeet graciously chamfered them last night and failure to accept the baton and run the final "leg" (sorry!) could be perceived as "taking advantage". Besides the hinges arrived today and the sooner it's done the sooner the entire project will be finished.

Woody, my friend that's moving out of state is the mother of the Wrecking Crew. The Crew was so happy to see me on Monday (I don't know why) which only serves as proof of their foolishness... greeting someone who hates their species? don't get it, at all. And I've noticed that the only leashes she now uses are the nice 6' leather ones I purchased for her when I first had the Crew for an extended visit. She no longer bothers with the "anti-jump" harnesses, either... since they offer no control when the fools decide to bolt and "greet" someone else's dogs. I loved the shot of Randy and the guests, it's what reminded me of the Wrecking Crew. Also, I have thought of his parents every so often and have utterly failed to ask about them. How are things in that corner, or is that somewhere you don't "want to go"? either way, know that such things are never all that far from my mind.

OK, time to ponder the next move here.

Chelone - Randy's mom has been in a nursing home now for a year or so. It seems to be a good one and she's doing well. Randy says she looked better this time than she did when he was out in June. His father is doing well and spends about 5 hours every day at the nursing home with his mother. Until recently, his mother was not eating well and his father's 'job' was trying to encourage her to eat! She seems to have moved past the fussy-about-food phase and is now eating everything she is given. Randy says she struggles to 'string five words together that make sense' but he feels that she is more aware of what is going on than she has the ability to express. She has a lot of restless energy and spends a lot of her time pushing herself around the place in her wheelchair. Randy has a 'girlfriend' out there - a one-eyed 90+ year old Belgian lady who sits at his mother's table at meals. She has no family and rarely has visitors. She remembered Randy from last time, probably because he can speak to her in French. She strokes his hand and says he's tres gentil...

Le sigh, Woody.

It's so hard. Mum has been gone for 3 yrs. (last Monday) and I can't say that I "miss" her, frankly. I miss the vibrant woman but the one that was merely a husk of her former self? Nope.

Hang on tight and focus on the bright spots. (((R&W)))

"Tres gentil" is tres important et tres elegant. Speaks volumes.

Woody, a week's supply of wood in the utility room wouldn't diminish the plants in there, but it would make it difficult for me to get to them to water them. I'll "burn that bridge" when I get to it. :-)
BTW, since we still have not had a frost, the plants are still coming in ! I pulled all of the Bengal Tiger Cannas out of their huge pot, this morning, and they are in a black plastic bag, in the utilty room.
The pot of banana plants is in also. And various other pots that I was not going to bring in. :-(
This friday morning should put a stop to that foolishness! It is predicted to get down to 31F.
Chelone, I have to smile at your comments about the "Wrecking Crew". And the one about Nolon's "heavy looking on". He is a watcher, just like his uncle B was. I wish I did not dislike being watched so much.
Woody, that is good about your MIL, and about your FIL.
Marie, I do not let the unsightliness of my living conditions bother me. I maintain orderliness, but am no longer good at housework. I do not see as well as I used to, and seldom notice the dust and debris unless the sun shines in just so. :-) I think I know now why my dear friend, that I called my adopted mother, kept her shades pulled all the time. Not only did she live to be 97, but she had glaucoma. Her daughter that lived not far from her, would come and do housework for her. As you all know, I have no daughter to help me.

We have been having the brisk winds here, also, and it has brought down more of the broken limbs and twigs from the 2009 ice storm. I take advanage of them to get more kindling. :-) I keep mine in plastic 5 gallon buckets, out in the storage area on the woodshed. We also have lots of kindling from other sources, on shelves at the south end of the woodshed. I have various containers back of the stove for kindling and wood.....an iron magazine holder, a copper thing that we cannot remember the name of (I think it is a magazine holder also..... it is an antique), and an icecream 'bucket' from an icecream maker that I inherited from the aforementioned elderly friend.

Some of our neighbores have mules. One has a burro. I prefer the burros. :-) I always wanted one.

Michelle, is was a hard job. I am sure you can see all the roots he had to cut through. And, of course, rocks every now and then.

Kathy, Nolon said very little towards the installation of the pipes. He prefers to just sit and watch. :-)

The fall colors here are the poorest that I have seen, in the 36 years that we have lived here. Too much just turned brown, and a lot has already fallen. The Ginkgo is lovely though. :-)

Marian

Hello everyone! Marian, this is the first year our Gingko has turned the promised shade of yellow since we planted it five years ago. When we were in Nova Scotia earlier this summer, we saw a Zonkey - a cross between a donkey and a zebra. He was a lovely animal, pretty and sedately friendly. TCS has a few photos in his room; he was in love at first sight!

I am quite a good housekeeper, if I do say so myself, but I spend about a half day every week day at it. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth doing, but then I recall my childhood in a less than well-kept house and I keep going. Still in the throes of adolescent rebellion perhaps?

I have spent the last two days trying to assist and comfort our best friends. Their niece and great nephew were struck by a train on Monday. The boy, aged twelve, was killed on impact and his mother is in critical condition with horrendous injuries, with no hope of recovery from some of them, a severed arm, multiple fractures, spinal and head trauma. We just met this woman at a family wedding in August. It is a terrible time for this family, and there is very little that we can do to help.

It has been unseasonably warm here for the last few days. We also had a windy night last night, but the warm sunny weather of today will turn to cool and rainy tomorrow. All of my plants are in. I hope I can cut the lawn just one more time before the onslaught of winter. The more work you do in the fall, the better the spring I guess. DH and I sat on the wine deck today for probably the last time this season.

So things are pretty quiet in my neck of the woods. Gearing up for Hallowe'en and a birthday party at a local bowling alley for TCS, turning nine already! Then it's full steam ahead for Christmas. Gee, it's almost Spring already!!

Cheers,

Julie

World Series tonight, so a brief hello.. the frost didn't happen though it got down to the high 30's.Now the rain is back in, so the frost scare is over for the present. However all winter gear including scarves, gloves , rain rigs and hats have been dug out of summer storage. The rain and the woodsmoke are fragrant !

'bug and Marian, I think here it would be required to install rigid copper pipe as opposed to soft copper tubing, but the depth is probably not an issue since our ground doesn't freeze. Marian, I'm happy to see you here with us, I missed your posts .

All for me ...

Kathy in Napa

Julie...what a terrible accident! Were they crossing in front of the train ? I am afraid it will be very hard to comfort the family. My mother was a vry good housekeeper, in fact a little too picky! If we so much as dropped a piece of lint on the floor she would demand that we "Pick that up!". My lapse in doing my housework is due to the constant pain in my arms and shoulders. She did not have such problems. She didn't even have headaches.

I do not think propane gas freezes. Fuel oil does, if it gets a ways below 0 . The fuel oil, at the ranch in Nevada that we lived on, froze up when the temps went down to around 50 below! The gas lines to the tank are exposed from were they leave the ground to where they are attached to the tank. Gasoline does not freeze either.

Our Ginkgo:

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Only a few of it's leaves have dropped since I took this pic.

Well now, I have read this idyll and feel a tiny bit caught up! I feel like I need to chime in on vacuum cleaners and computers. We gave in and bought a Dyson "Animal" upright a few years ago. It was not cheap by any means, but I have not once had to sit down and clear out a mass of dog hair, which was a regular occurrence with other vacuums. It sucks up the dog hair well and does not choke on it.

My computer is a Dell laptop that I bought reconditioned for a pretty reasonable price - in fact, it probably cost about as much as the vacuum! It's worked very well for me. I just replaced the battery last week which is the only thing I've had to do. I think that the laptop is over three years old, but I'm not positive about that. I keep thinking that I should try a Mac, but since this one is working just fine I don't feel the need to make a change.

We had a couple of days of extremely nasty weather, with terrible winds that just didn't stop. Fortunately, the warnings began to appear late Sunday afternoon so we took the time to walk around outside and secure everything. All is well. The funny part is that the Hamburg chickens, who have insisted on roosting on top of the run every night, finally went into the coop on the second night of wind.

Chelone, after some initial trepidation I have been letting the chickens free range every day, whether I am here or not. I only keep them in when the weather is really nasty, like it was the last couple of days. We're far enough from the road that they haven't come close to wandering out into traffic. I'm now alternating breakfasts of oatmeal and poached eggs.

Speaking of chickens and eggs, have we heard anything from or about Mary lately? I miss her!

V.

I miss Mary too V ! Your winds were the stuff of national news (heard about them on NPR no less) and I'm glad to hear Chez V was spared any damage.

Marian, one of the streets I drive on in and out of my neighborhood is lined with Gingkos, and all along that street the fall color is very inconsistent. I guess the watering or lack thereof and very micro-micro climates are to blame.Our color is late here.

more baseball...

A quick pop in here. I've spent quite a lot of time on Amazon ordering some fun things for Kenzie's birthday and a little something for me too.

We had 2 days of incredible winds also. Along with it rain and even some snow. Today was much better. I was even able to do a bit of garden clean up after work. Warmer weather is on tap for the next little while.

Marian, your ginkgo is quite lovely.

Norma, I enjoyed your pictures from Branson.

Julie, what an awful accident. Sorry to hear of it.

Michelle

No freeze..but our first light frost. It is on rooftops, and a lot of the honey locust pods. I had brought in more potted plants yesterday, not to keep all winter but to get through this frost. I will put them back out on the deck, to enjoy for a little longer. The next possibility is predicted for weds next week.
Michelle, thank you....and I see you have the spelling correct. :-)
My shoulders, and now my neck also, are so bad I may have to get help getting those pods off of our yard. As one friend said, "Getting old is not for the timid" ! :-(
I am sure looking forward to the propane heaters....more and more.
Nolon appears to have fizzled out on his work with the firewood. So....I am thinking help will be needed finishing that job also. Frankly, if it were just me, I would put this place up for sale, and move to a less complicated place to live. Closer to town, and a much smaller yard. I would want a greenhouse also; attached to the house. :-)
Kathy, I imagine the Ginkgo on that street are all male. If I knew mine was, I would like to have a few more, but I don't know, and I don't want the smelly fruit. Of course, as slow as they grow, it would probably not become a problem for me. :-)
I notice that one of my Moth Orchids is putting on flower buds. That is earlier than usual. I wonder if Deanne still has hers? I get awfully tired of fighting the scale on them.
My african violets got really tacky, as they usually do in the summer, and ....just as I was about ready to toss them, they are setting on blooms.

Marian

Gb - I hadn't thought to check on fall color when I planted the fringetree in the patio hosta bed. I really like the yellow so I hope the tree survives and thrives because I think it'll be a good tree for this spot all year.
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Not much to report here. There are a couple of Gingkos in the park I pass every day and one is female. A year/so ago I stopped and gathered up some of the dropped fruit, but it didn't smell particilarly bad to me. A little sour, but nothing too gross. Since the preference seems to be to plant only males won't genetic diversity become a problem? I love the shape of the leaves and bright yellow autumn foliage. Very cool trees. I love yellow fall foliage; beautiful Fringe tree, Woody. Lately, I've been really digging a particularly red Vaccinium corymbosum with a tiny Blue Star juniper at its feet.

Yesterday was a lovely, warm day. I spent the afternoon outdoors with the Pride and that fool dog. Figured I'd best soak up the warmth because it may be some time before we get another real strong dose of it. I cut down the Asters (agree that Purple Dome is a fall delight), the peonies, the Baptisia, and the phlox and think moving some of the Asters to a location near the road would be a nice splash of color for passersby next year. I also debated whether or not to remove some grass and straighten out a portion of the lawn that is difficult to mow; it would give me more room to add some groundcover evergreens and big, no-nonsense perennials that are easy. Dunno. I noted that Magnolia stellata is sporting decidedly yellow leaves now, seems to have happened overnight; Magnolia "Butterflies" gave up its leaves last week.

I like the notion of free-ranging chickens. And I like that they roost on top of the coop in all but the crummiest weather, V.. I, too, thought of you, Michelle, and Brenda as I heard tales of the "the Bomb" that swept through the midwest. Yowza. It's sending chilly stuff our way for the next week. But it's time for that stuff.

Julie, what a horrifying accident. Were they in a car? Where I grew up all RR crossings had gates and the number of people who routinely "ran them" always scared me. I remember Mum and Dad both saying to never do that. Around here there are a number of crossings without gates and now that train service is being reintroduced there are public service ads on TV about looking before proceeding across tracks. Hang tough with TCS and good thoughts to your family and to you. Come here and clean with me when you need a break, lol. :)

What sorts of things are going to light up Kenzie's board on her birthday, Michelle?

(told you there wasn't much to report!)

My, how early it gets dark now.
The trees and shrubs have turned the corner in the color department. Most leaves are gone. It is cold too. Here is my Enkianthus bush from last week. It has taken years to reach this size and I'm very pleased.

{{gwi:182974}}

I'm in a "mood". DS leaves for Haiti now. I realize that he is almost 40, that he is doing what he strongly believes in, but I remain a mother and am very nervous. I'll remain nervous for weeks now as he travels and works in a miserably sad spot of the world with a cholera epidemic and more.

The photographer who took photos of DD's family before Leo's birth has made a poster in support of midwifery in Haiti, the Ghislaine Francoeur Fund. The photographer wrote:

"Madame Francoeur was a midwife in Haiti, and after her death, CAM (Canadian Assoc of Midwives) started a fund in her name to help reduce infant and maternal mortality in Haiti. The midwife's idea was to photograph midwives’ hands, which I loved. As I was doing the pictures, I came up with the idea of putting together a poster with all their hands." You can view the poster on her website at the top: http://www.dragonflyphotography.ca/

I have spent time reading about cholera, midwifery and Haiti and am very emotionally tired as a result.

DD has phoned with the good news that Leo now weighs 9 pounds 9 ounces. Many babes are born this size, but this is large for her children. Her DH returns tonight after 2 weeks away. We spoke of Christmas plans, Skyler's activities, about child custody issues which drag on.

We hear very good news about our friend's grandchild, but he is still not out of the woods.

Lots of heavy stuff, so photos and reading about Idyll activities is a big help.
Thanks friends,
'bug

Here is a link that might be useful: Enkianthus

Not much to report here either .. Friday night after an intermittently rainy day, more rain on tap for the morrow, and then a few days of sun. The pop-up greenhouse came home with me today, and I hope to ‘install’ on Sunday. Clear weather ahead can point to frost, but the nighttinme temps for the next week are predicted to be quite warm. And I also will have an Idyll �"kid /young adult visitor this weekend as Denises DS dutifully performs a plant exchange , an Agave from the Bancroft for her, and some cuttings for me !

‘bug, I don’t know Enkianthus ..is this a member of the heath family ? Sure is pretty.Probably one of those things that needs more cold than we can offer here. I can feel your anxiety re:DS , on the other hand where would the world be without people like him? I wish him a safe journey .

Marian, what a pretty shot you posted today, you always have such nice color on your land in fall.

See y’all tomorrow …TGIF !

Kathy in Napa

I woke up grumpy this morning after a bad night's sleep. Spent the last two hours in bed tossing and turning, worrying about various family members, various projects, the characters in the book I'm reading. Bah! Sleep would have been much better.

We had dinner with the in-laws last night and we were right behind their car when they pulled out of the parking lot - right in front of another car! The other car braked in time and all was fine, but it was unnerving. You can tell their reaction time is slowing down and this is worrisome. We were at a spot where you have to look to your left for cars and then GO, but he must have looked, slowly turned back to his right and then pulled out slowly; in those several seconds a car had come over the hill. I'm thankful all is well, but now we worry about the next time.

Our fall color here was pretty nice. Here's photo from a couple of weeks ago. DH was on a fishing trip and I watched the sunset from the deer condo.

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I have a Callicarpa hybrid outside my kitchen window that has a great berry display. I've tried to get some photos but have not had the right combination of light, wind (as in none) and available time. I hope I can get some shots this evening.

Kathy, how fun to have an Idyll Child visit! (I like the sound of "Idyll Child" even is he is an adult!)

Alright, time to get it in gear!

V.

Good morning Idylls! Cold, windy and rainy here this morning, but nothing like the "bomb" some of you have had!

I hate lying in bed while dire thoughts race through my mind, V. I kind of smiled about concern for characters in a book, though. I'm sure we all have enough to think about in "real" life *LOL*. I sympathize about the in-laws. Been there.

Yes, Chelone, my friends were in a car. She had driven over that crossing every week day for twenty years. There is a safety arm and flashing lights. We have no idea why she ended up on the track, but we do know that she tried to swerve and her wheels got caught on the actual metal track. The woman is not conscious right now so no one really knows what happened. Sure I'll come and clean - it's a funny thing to enjoy, but I do. And the company would be a huge bonus!!

Hey Marion, this is the time of year that I really miss my attached greenhouse. And in February too, when the winter sun is strong but the weather is still cold up here. I should search for a photo of it for you. We made the move five years ago for exactly the reasons you have: the old house was too much to manage, too many leaves,too big, the pool desperaely needed work, DH could no longer do some of the things we needed/wanted to do, and the time was right concerning the house market. It was a big adjustment, but a newish smaller (well, not really as the basement is completely finshed and is very nice) house with much less work is much less stressful.

Oh, Bug, I would worry myself sick too over your DD's plight (possibly soon to be my DD's lot in life too) and DS's trek to Haiti, although tinged with pride in them both. Like you said, once a mother.....

Kathy, it sounds funny to me to hear a Californian talk about frost at the same time we have the same concern. We up/over here tend to think of "Sunny California", with perpetually beautiful summer-like weather and everybody is blond and on the beach. Hold over from the Beach Boy era, we still remember most of the words to their songs. Talk about stereotyping!

Quiet day planned here. Took the beasts on their daily "forced march" - a Chelone phrase that was very apt for Tucker this morning. He was definitely not amused at wearing the dog coat for the first time this year, and the rain and wind did not thrill him either. Nor me. I walk them separately because they are not nice to other dogs when they are together, but they are fine when one on one with me. What's with that? Any ideas, Chelone? Woody? Cesar Milan is appearing at a big facility in Ottawa next week. On one hand I would like to go, but on the other, I can tune in to the National Geographic channel every day at five if I want to see what he has to say.

Chelone, I believe that you will miss "The Wrecking Crew".

Thanks for thinking of TCS and his shenanigans. His teacher stomped on his behaviour hard and early and surprise! Everything has been fine since. We have changed things a bit around here too, with good results.

Well, have a happy Hallowe'en everybody! The New York Times Crossword is calling!

Cheers,

Julie

Friday night, from DS Adam's friend's blog.

Materials arrayed at my feet, awaiting my carry-on packs, ready to leave tomorrow at noon. There's a calm that comes when you see the time when decisions are over. When I get on that bus, I'll have everything I'll have, and no more.

This morning started with a terrific call with the head of school at JP/HRO, the Sean Penn camp outside Pétionville. Lisa sounds very interesting in having a pilot there.

Talked details with Beth and Adam. We're pretty amazed that we've arranged as much as we have in so little time. Eleven organizations want to hear more, with five more awaiting responses. We couldn't have hoped for a better result three weeks ago when this autumn trip first became a possibility.

Today was printing day ... mentor certificates, English & Creole lesson books, waveplace intro letters. Went a couple of rounds with Staples and picked them up tonight. Aside from choosing too light a weight for the intro's (trying to save money), they all came out well. I'll have good stuff to hand out down there.

Went trick-or-treating with my daughter and wife, then to a Halloween party to chat with friends. Told the Haiti trip thing a few times. Just now thinking how odd it must seem to people first hearing about it. It's like any truly experiential process, like raising children or starting a business, etc. Unless you've done it, it's pretty much impossible to describe.

Haiti, with eyes wide open. I'm ready to go.

I hope he'll be able to post daily while they're away.

Everything will be fine, 'bug. I know you will still worry, but no good will come of it, really. He's a big boy, and certainly smart enough to take the necessary precautions to guard against disease. But I know (well, no I don't!) but I do remember Mum and Dad both saying that it didn't matter how successful my brother and I were... they still had moments of concern. It's that very thing that makes you such a wonderful parent with such intrepid and committed kids.

V., nothing is more disturbing than noticing "changes". At first they don't seem like much, but then you start noticing more of them and patterns emerge. It's scarey; no doubt about it. But you have to maintain your cool, speak rationally with each other and find a way to bring up those concerns in a non-threatening way. And, sadly, sometimes there is no way to bring concerns to the forefront without ruffling feathers. It was that way with Mum and it made everything a whole lot harder than it needed to be. I understand and I sympathize, believe me. I am watching the slow deterioration of the elderly woman who lives over the shop; and she's one of the "difficult" ones. I don't envy her daughter one iota. All of this reminds me of wonderful EP. She was such a dear woman.

You know Julie, we never know when our "number will be up". A moment's inattention, carelessness, doesn't matter... sometimes really terrible things happen to really good people. And the best we hope for is to carry a lesson away from it all and hope for the best. I'm so sorry. But I'm glad to learn that one "hard ass" teacher has had a good effect on TCS. Sometimes all it takes is a savvy one to nail the bad behavior, "call you on it", and then move on to make the point in a lasting way. Isn't it funny how saying just the right thing at the right time can make such a big difference? to any of us? :) Communication and empathy are amazing things; in concert they can be magic.

I'm not much of a "ball of fire" today. I managed to put the "bumper" on the chimney out in the Salon (keeps the stove tools from bouncing off the side of the chimney) but the masonry bit was too large and the screws securing the bumper to the chimney are loose. Irritating! and I was unable to install the hook for the fork (allows you to open the stove's door when it's hot) because of that. Half done and half-assed... I hate that. I have started pickling the folding legs for the leaves on 2 of the tables, too. But they're too wet to finish just yet. I have windowboxes to clean out, but don't feel like dealing with the screens or the garden waste. L A Z Y. But the laundry is done!

I don't understand dogs. Probably why I hate them. The Wrecking Crew does not respond to their names on an individual basis. To them, they have 2 names and they respond as a "team". But I think that's more a function of never having been formally "trained" independently of each other. I've noticed that this seems to be a reCURring theme is multiple dog households. This "team mentality" with the Crew manifests itself most dangerously when it comes to things like waiting to use the staircase, or enter/exit a building/automobile. They invariably "make a run for it" and are fully capable of taking you out at the knees unless they are put in a firm "down/stay" and the release is strictly enforced. I'm "big" on that, because a 100 lb. mongrel and a 100 lb. elderly mother were the perfect ingredients for a serious accident. So, Rex knows how to "wait" because he knows his name and I have insisted on specific protocol with respect to the staircase and doorways. I grant you, he is still a real dink with other dogs. He's not mean, but he's all about making sure the other dog knows he's "large and in charge"... he lacks politesse on first introduction; once they've played (and they've worked out who's "boss" and sometimes he isn't the "boss") he's perfectly content to just hang out with them. I don't really understand how they do that, either. :/ . But because he knows his name and knows his commands he's controllable... still a dink, but a manageable dink. ;)

Can you tell who doesn't really want to do any work today?

Julie - I keep forgetting to say 'what an awful accident'! It's one of those events that remind you how life can change so dramatically in the blink of an eye - scary stuff. And the rehabilitation from an accident like that can be as bad as the accident itself - that's when she's really going to need the support of all her friends and family. My best wishes to all involved.

On the subject of behavior of two dogs vs. one... In addition to Chelone's points, I think there's another factor at work - pack instinct of a predator species.

One thing that I've noticed is how different dogs in a pair or group are than horses (prey species). My horse, Nutmeg, was pretty 'bomb-proof' when I rode her alone in the Provincial Park near where she was stabled. But if I rode with 1 or more other horses and one of them spooked, Nutmeg would spook too. The 'flight' part of 'fight or flight' was very strong and if another horse signaled 'flight', all of them immediately responded the same way. Riding alone, she largely trusted me as the one to give the signal. As long as I kept my body language calm, she stayed calm, even on windy days in fall or winter when there was crashing in the woods from falling branches etc. She only once spooked on her own - I had let her nibble grass and I think she disturbed a snake or something under her nose. She lunged about 6' forward and then stopped when she realized it was not something that was a serious threat. I usually rode alone because it was actually safer (although I made sure Randy was familiar with all the trails I usually rode - so he would know where to start looking for me if Nutmeg came back without me or we didn't return. No cell phones in my riding days :-)

Dogs, on the other hand, are predators. In pairs or groups, they also pay a lot of attention to each other's response to what's happening around them. But the 'fight' part of 'flight or fight' is the apparent default response. If one of them responds to the sight of another dog by barking a challenge, the other one usually takes a supporting role. But the hierarchy is stronger with dogs so the response of dominant dog of the pair carries more weight. If the dominant dog can be made to sit calmly in whatever the situation is, the lower status dog is easier to calm. Mind you, if the dominant dog is going nuts, you've really got a problem!

So, when you've got two, it's important to be aware of which one is likely to take the lead and what their response is likely to be in most situations. Often, if you can anticipate a problem and get the dogs in a 'sit' or 'down', it'll save a lot of effort. Chelsea was like that - she had a very dominant personality and challenged all other dogs, especially ones she didn't know. But, if I saw a dog approaching before she did and got her in a 'sit', all I needed to when she saw the dog and started to react was say 'ah-ah' and she'd settle down again. Misty goes nuts when she sees other dogs, but Liam is a very social guy so he reacts less. Misty is much calmer when we're walking with Liam because she takes her cue from him.

So identify which of the two is the dominant dog and put a greater part of effort into training that one and that will make training of the subordinate dog a bit easier.

I am so bummed that Woody doesn't live next door. :/

Ditto, Chelone :-)

Me too. Chelone on one side and Woody on the other? I would never have to say a word to my dogs....

And Julie would no longer need that awful fence!!!

Woody, I so enjoyed reading about you and Nutmeg. Funnily enough, I was just thinking about an episode involving my childhood friend, who was, and still is, nuts about horses. When we were teenagers, her boyfriend was walking her horse down a quiet city street, arrogantly practicing a "mind meld" with the horse, not holding on to the bridle, kind of a macho experiment, just walking side by side. Of course, something spooked the horse, and it ran away wild down the street. I was terrified it would run into busier streets, but all ended well. The boyfriend was chastened, my friend furious, but most important the horse was OK. Great stuff about the dog pack mentality too.

'bug, that's good news about Leo's weight gain. And I'm so impressed with your DS, if that's any consolation. I heard on NPR the Nepal UN relief workers are being blamed for bringing in the cholera, and the finger-pointing is quite intense, though no source has been definitely identified.

V, I was tuned into NPR too when Kathy heard about your storms. Mitch was flying from NYC at the time, and the pilot gave grave warnings of expected turbulence. I remember that great deer condo! So cool you still visit it. Elder driving has been on my mind the past few years as well. Never gets easy, does it?

Julie, so very sorry about your friends. There's so much that can be done for such injuries today but what a tough rehab lies ahead.

Beautiful gingko, Marian, and nice to see you posting. What a range that gingko has for once being so rare. I saw lots on the East Coast, and they color up well in the parkway on my street too.

I can hear Steely Dan wafting down from the attic. Marty's been up there the past few days working on small, 20-year-old projects like fixing the doorbell, getting the fan in the bathroom hooked up, reinforcing a sag in the roof. Have I written that we have no heat? Still looking for a replacement and it's tough going. Must be gas-powered, small enough to fit in the faux fireplace 30x30, vented, etc. Not too cold yet so there's still time.

Kathy, I missed or have forgotten news of the pop-up greenhouse. Splendid idea. The Idyll Child was very pleased to meet you and is speeding this way with Cornelius the agave. Thank you!

Chelone, you sound busy again with pickling. I'll never forget the walk-through you gave us of the makings of the salon floor.

Happy weekend to all, and stay warm!

The west has a yellow glow that I think may actually be the sun. I’m hoping for a dry and sunny day tomorrow …lots to do . I did the grocery shopping this morning and have realized that I neglected to purchase Halloween items for the little buggers that will visit tomorrow night. Guess I’ll have to rectify that.

And what a nice young man our Denise has provided the world, the plant exchange was completed successfully . He asked permission to take photos , and it was naturally granted ; it will be interesting to see what a professional can make of a soggy blobby garden on a rainy day.

I think it will be a go for my trip over the hill next weekend to take some photos and make a visit to DD. I’m not sure the fall foliage thing has peaked, but I think it will be close.

Enjoyed Woodys’ excellent analysis of the pack-it makes complete sense .

Time to make some dinner and pay better attention to this baseball game..nite all !

Kathy in Napa

The firewood is all stacked and the raspberries cut back. HURRAY! Still lots to accomplish, but I'm so happy to tick a few things off "the list".

DH is off to Mississauga (nearer to Woody) for the day tomorrow where he conducts the discussion of some incomprehensible technical paper. Four people are driving together...and DH must arise at 5:15. (Chelone will probably be up already and can make the wake-up call) I do not plan on making breakfast this time.

I'm glad V verbalized something that I've never put my finger on, namely the angst about characters in a book preventing slumber. I'm reading People of the Book. What's your book V? And yes, driving for the elderly is a very tough issue. My parents never drove, so it was simple in a way, though Dad rode a bicycle and that too had its hazards. My friend tried to have her Dad's doctor require him to be retested, but the doctor refused as it would take away his independence. By that time he drove strictly by following the white like on the road as he could see nothing else. He even damaged his daughter's parked car...

On the dog front, Phoebe has been acting differently for the last few months. I'm not sure what it is all about. The tricks she used to perform and the rules of discipline are just not the same. All I can say is she is "different". Perhaps that she is older? Not better trained though. Taking her into town is not something I can do. She is not trained for city life. Julie would not want us as her neighbour.

The hunters began their nonsense today. First they parked in the middle of our drive, and wandered off. I honked the car horn many times as I thought I'd like to exit and get errands done. Too bad for me. Finally Phoebe barked and I saw them emerge from the woods. Drove up to greet them and...well you may have heard my anger! How rude! "Who gave you permission to park here on private property???" "The guy over there" "And what is 'THAT GUY'S' name? "I don't know" ...and on and on I went. I was so p....., I mean angry! I still am. Then later were the gun shots. Good thing we don't have trick or treaters here.

DSIL returned last evening JUST in time for both Ivy and Leo to throw up. I suspect he wasn't thrilled.... They both are feeling well today.

I just learned that the time change in England and beyond is tomorrow morning while ours is November 7th. I wish they'd just ignore the entire thing. Fortunately I have no clock in my car. DH always struggles changing his....

I wonder what Sunday will bring?
'bug

The good news is that DH was as concerned about the driving issue as I was, and he has "alerted" his siblings. Fortunately, all three siblings are close at hand and there will be a lot of support if needed.

'bug, I'm reading a non-fiction book, "Traveling with Pomegranates" by Sue Monk Kidd and her daughter. It's a good read, and some of the struggles that the two women are going through strike close to home, although I don't think my own life is quite as angst-filled. But it did weigh on my mind during a night of insomnia.

V.

Traveling with Pomegranates was an "alternate" on our Book Club list. Generally I am not fond of books with double authors...but The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was an exception.

Oh wouldn't I LOVE to have any/all of you as neighbours! But I would still need the chain link fence, both to corral the dogs and to meet the municipal requirements for TCS's pool. But the chain link is rapidly being covered with Clematis (of course), Variegated Honeysuckle, and Virginia Creeper. A dense planting of daylilies is already beginning to hide the weedy growth between my fence and my neighbour's 6 foot board fence. Works for me.

You guys have hit the nail on the head re:dogs. Each of mine know their own names and are getting to the point of listening for my command by name. They have learned that their name followed by "Wait" means to sit quietly while the other dog has attention, food, affection, gets the leash on etc. DH also simply calls "Dogs" at around 10:30 every night and they both respond right away by going to the door for their nightly whatever. If they are being rowdy, we can call their names, say the command "Chill" and they will quiet down, although they will go back at it when released with "O.K.". When they are in the yard, I can call "Bostons" and they will usually both come running. Of only one comes I can call the other and get the appropriate response, usually. This all happens on their home turf of course; here we are higher up in the hierarchy than they are. When together on other turf however, they seem to lose a lot of their responses in the heat of the moment (ha ha, no pun intended!!). If I see another dog when I have one or both of mine on the leash on the street, I try to walk up a laneway for about twenty feet and make them (or it), sit and wait. They will still be excited but most of the time they don't come across as aggressive. Off the leash, well, let's just say that I don't do that outside our yard. We affectionally refer to them as "The Brats" - much like "The Wrecking Crew" or "The Huge One".....

Hey, I think I am going to try "Travelling with Pomegranates" if I can get it at the library. I have been reading reams of murder mysteries but many, if not most, are not realistic and are only mildly entertaining; after a while they all seem to be the same, and lately I've been chucking them after a few chapters. It's time for something new. Maybe the "Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society" will also go on my list.

Our Hort Society is falling to pieces with cliques of the "Ins" and "Outs" forming within the executive. I was an "In" but I sympathized more with the "Outs", so I was not unhappy to tender my resignation when I injured my neck last Easter. Two "Outs", one "In", and myself have been meeting for lunch on a regular basis: We refer to ourselves as the Perth and District Ladies Poker Club. None of us play poker. But we are gardeners and friends.

We are having a quiet Sunday. As it is Hallowe'en, we will roast our pumkin seeds (from the orange pumpkins), do the Trick or Treat thing, and sit back with a glass of red by 9.00 tonight. Speaking of seeds, does anybody want to try the seeds of white-skinned pumpkins? We call them Ghost Pumpkins. I am saving some seeds for TCS to grow next summer - should be a hit in our little suburban back yard!

Cheers, Julie

Trick-or-Treat is in full swing here, much more laid back than the days when my kids were little-the neighborhood has grown up and there aren’t as many children. I’m Idylling, watching the World Series and jumping up periodically to open the door. Historically by 8pm Halloween is a done deal.

So wet and drippy outside this morning, even though the rain stopped sometime last night I didn’t go out to work in the garden till after 1pm, it took that long for things to dry up a bit. I got the space cleared for the pop-up, but didn’t erect, the ground is soaked and slimy and I am hoping to give it a couple days to dry . I was able to sweep the Succulent Alley , as it dried out sufficiently by about 3pm to scoop up the debris. Beautiful weather is on the agenda for the next week, so the trip over yonder to Sonoma county will be happening.
Julie, the neighborhood adult trick-or-treat-er escorts often carry their glass of wine along. Sometimes there are refills offered along the way..

Denise, I am pondering the locations of my new acquisitions , however I disposed of the baby snail that hitched a ride !

All for now ..waves to all

Kathy in Napa

Heading into the final turn with respect the clear coating on the legs for the table leaves. By my estimation I should have the final coat completed by around 10 AM. Also on the docket is a trip to Orange to purchase 3 sheets of melamine.

My windowboxes are still uncleaned, with tenacious annuals still clinging to hope of yet another "warm up". Unlikely, I fear. Most of the last planting of produce has been brought in from Vegetable World; I believe there are still some paHsnips and some beets yet to come. And shortly, I suspect.

No trick or treaters here, sadly. It's just too rural. There was a chamber of commerce Halloween extravaganza in a neighboring town last weekend. And some of the businesses really went whole hog with fabulous displays of dummies and jack o' lanterns. The carving was brilliant; and the drive through town after dark was very much worth the squandered fuel.

Farewells today to the Kathy's hitchhiking snail (lol) and Pontiac. So much for the mighty GTO... no more "wind it up, blow it out, GTO! Reminded me of Eden, our MoTown representative. Bet Halloween was in full force at her house, huh?

Hunting is in full force here, too. Has been for over a month; first the bow hunters, then the muzzle loaders, and finally the rifle brigade. Wrecks has been on a very "short leash"... visions of him following the scent of guts on the breeze and being shot by some trigger happy fool could keep me up at night... if I didn't hate dogs. ;)

It's time to confer with the helpmeet and determine the course of the day's activities. After I brush my teeth.

Good Mornng folks.

TCS has been dispatched on the school bus, dogs have had their first walkies of the day, paper is read and my second coffe is at my side.

Major indoor clean up this morning and then a Chelone afternoon of sewing, mending, altering, etc. I don't wear half the clothes in my closet because they need a little something with a needle and thread....

Trick or Treating was over at 8, and Kathy indicated that the same thing seems to happen there. We had a blast. Now to try to get rid of the haul. What a civilised idea, taking your glass of whatever with you, and offerings being made! Here, you had better not take one step off your own property with open alcohol or someone might complain. I have a neighbour or two....but you've all heard that story. One reason this house was for sale - the previous owners felt targeted by a neighbour. Sad.

Hunting is in full force here too, the result being that many deer have taken refuge in the subdivision, where it is quiet, and therefore any plants that you haven't protected have been snacked upon.

Off to play catch-up on the home front.

Cheers,

Julie

Clear coating finished.
Windowboxes cleaned along with the bed along the front of the house.
Helpmeet showering in preparation for our supply run.

No trick or treaters here either. We actually returned home around 8 last night from a weekend trip to the capital city for a family wedding. When my children were young we had to go out as soon as possible so that they could get back to hand out candy. I think they had more fun giving it than getting it.

The wedding was held at a lodge on a lake because of the size, we watched the ceremony from our tables.

The last of the garden peppers have been roasted and frozen. I also made an apple crisp with the last of the apples. All that’s left are a few carrots in the potager.

I also spent some time in the basement with the plants. So far so good! I decided to bring in my potted spearmint. I enjoy pinching it each time I water down there.

The fierce wind that we had last week for a couple of days blew my galvanized pails filled with sand and dried flowers right off the pillars. So I reconstructed them after work.

Kenzie wants everything under the sun for her birthday Chelone, A doll, some books and a CD is what she is getting from us.

Michelle