A Tree Hugging Kind of Day.

Unusually warm temperatures for this time of year with high winds today.   I needed to climb the ladder to take down two of the feeders that were empty on one of the large Aspen trees.   I had forgotten how Aspens moved in a high wind so when I was up on the top rung of the ladder I felt the tree sway.  I'll admit that it made me chuckle as I've felt this before.   So, I wrapped my arms around the trunk and hugged my body to the tree and my self and the tree swayed back and forth in the wind.   What joy!

So many leaves on the ground the whole property is gold and orange with the odd bit of red thrown in. I've been trying to get things put to bed bit by bit.   For some reason my heart doesn't seem to be in it like other years.   Maybe because I've been busy preparing for the long cold winter to come.   Regardless, yesterday I got a bit done.

It's often said here that if the Rowan Trees, we call them Dogberry Trees, have lots of berries, it's going to be a hard winter.  Last year the trees were laden down with berries.   This year there doesn't seem to be many berries on the trees so according to the old people, it should be a mild winter.   Of course the weather people say that this is a pile of bull but I like to believe it. 

Quite a few Fox Sparrows around now.

And Juncos.

The silly squirrels are enjoying the food in the squirrel proof feeders.  They're so cute.

Well, time to get on with my day. 

Water Trouble.

Woke up yesterday morning to no water pressure.   A bit more than a dribble coming from the taps.  I waited until 9:00 am and then phoned the town council.   Stated the problem and was told that the men were on garbage detail today but word would be passed along and someone would get here eventually to have a look.    Phoned back at 1:00 pm and asked if a problem was found down by the road where the main water line was.  No, no one had a chance to get there yet.   Was asked if I looked around the property to see if there was an excess amount of water somewhere.   In that case it would be my responsibility to have it fixed.   Now, of course, I had dollar signs running around my head with the thought of bringing a backhoe in, etc., etc.   I looked around and found nothing.  After a while the men showed up hauling the garbage thingy behind the truck.  The guy, after looking at the situation, said they were on the way to the dump and would be back in about two hours and that it looked like the leak was by the turnoff.   They finally came back and found that the leak was under the road.  Now they have to try to find a flagman and get the equipment necessary to dig up the road.   This, hopefully, will happen tomorrow. 

I've been splitting wood this week.   My dad bought me a new log splitter as a surprise gift and it's wonderful.  It makes life a lot easier.

The beast.

 

Another lovely surprise....friends brought me some sweet and juicy plums from their tree.  Very tasty.

So, after eating so many of them, I made a Plum Crisp.

Fall has really set in now and with every breath of wind the leaves are falling.

Cats on a dull day.

And last but not least, a surprise visitor yesterday afternoon. 
Grouse.  On the table.

Yesterday...

It was a glorious afternoon and if it wasn't for leaves drifting down and the sweet smell of fall, I would have thought it was summer.   Cats were lounging around soaking it all up and me too at times.    I felt lazy and just sat, turning my face to the sun wishing it could continue like this until at least January.

But, reality sets in and today I've been storing more pots, containers, chairs. etc.   I'm glad the old falling apart shed up behind the house hasn't been torn down as I had planned because, even though it's in rough shape, I've had to put some stuff back up there.  

I have a seven and a half foot pre lit xmas tree on the way.   Our old one was falling apart and smaller.  I think every now and then that I must be mad to be thinking of all the decorating. I usually enjoy doing  as I'm by myself and celebrating the seasons is just not the same.  However, after saying that, I've decorated the mantle for autumn.

I love the colours this time of year.   They're so warm. 

Taking a break.

I noticed yesterday that these plants were putting out blooms again. 

The Phlox are still hanging in there and giving off such wonderful perfume.

Malachi strolling along with me.

A Touch of Frost.

Beans on toast for crows breakfast this morning with a side of cat food.  A good many of the annuals got wiped out last night with the frost.   Time to clear out the pots and other containers to be stored for the winter.

I woke up a few mornings ago with terrible pain in my shoulders when ever I moved them.   After a couple of days I was getting a bit concerned as I couldn't figure what was going on.   Thought to myself, if it continues much longer I'll have to see about it.   Had visions of going for x-rays and all that crap.  I was talking to a friend a couple of days later telling her how I had put up shelves in the bedroom and what a job I had sawing them to the proper lengths with my old bow saw.   She said, I don't suppose that's why your shoulders are in such pain!   Ha, I hadn't even thought of that and that's exactly what happened.   LOL.

A touch of frost in early morning.

Some of the Phlox are still hanging in there.

And the Sedum is coming into it's own.

The Burning Bush is putting on a show.

I'm waiting for the temperature to go up a bit and then I'm off to put a window in my old storm door and repair the bottom of it.  A beautiful day even though it's chilly.