Autumn

Tree1008
Usually I dislike following large trucks. I prefer to see open road ahead of me-I am spoiled living out in the boonies. But, today, when this large hauler pulled out in front of us, we were shouting with glee at the maelstrom of leaves blowing in it's wake.

Quickly I started groping around on the passenger seat for the cam, to the great chagrin of the Firebird in the back. "you're going to take a picture while DRIVING?"

"It's ok, she does it all the time," answered the Willow. ;)

Easier than talking on a cell phone, in my book, except when the cam seizes up in one of its moods, which it did. I persisted, pulled the batteries out to reset it, and managed to get the shot after all.

Autumn gloom has settled in-with the clouds and damp I cannot but help feel a bit melancholy. Yesterday's solution? A hot batch of homemade chocolate cookies! While I can share the anxiety of my ancient ancestors over the need to stay unfrozen through a long stretch of winter, I found myself feeling very fortunate that I could sink my teeth into a warm homemade cookie. 30,000 years ago my ancestors were probably roaming the plains dressed in furs and drinking milk straight from the sheep. Here I have a lovely stainless bowl to mix the dough, and means to cook it quickly-and such delight-milled flour, leavening, processed sugars, salt, chocolate chips-and a homegrown egg, plus a whole stick of butter and some vanilla extract. Yummmmm.

Yes, I am very fortunate! :D

Frost

Tree1008

This morning marked our third straight frost. While the third week of October is late for this region, things have been downhill since July with steady cooling and no warm spikes. This photo was taken yesterday around 8 am.

The hard frost this morning left no doubt-and black tender annuals in its wake. The ancient hemlock outside my window had frost up the entire Northwest side for most of the morning. The saplings shouted in amazement at 10 am to find skim ice in the buckets and rain barrels, and a frosty rabbit water bottle.

Where did July go, anyhow? Won't be long and I will have forgotten what green leaves look like. And..the weatherman said there is a chance of snow tomorrow night. :-

Happy Birthday V

Tree 1008

Holiday! *** Today is your astrological birthday, even though it may be different from your calendar birthday.
As would seem appropriate with this transit, today is a day of new beginnings, and the influences you feel today will affect the entire year to come. However, this does not mean that the whole year will be disappointing if today doesn't work out exactly as planned. You are receiving a new impulse from the energy center within you, as symbolized by the Sun. Therefore any new venture that you start at this time will ride the crest of this new energy and will very likely come to an acceptable conclusion. Whatever you do or begin today will bear the stamp of your individuality more than anything else. This is the day to assert yourself anew. The interpretation above is for your transit selected for today:Sun Conjunction Sun, , exact at 14:11 activity period from 18 October 2008 to 20 October 2008
http://www.astro.com/

Birthday blessings to you. :-X

Finally got it

Tree1008

Yes, I have been in denial. My poor old Sony is getting ready to kick the bucket. Periodically it refuses to take pictures, and I have been giving it the benefit of the doubt.

Oh, using multi-focus on the water...oh, the batteries...oh, what?!?!?

This particular tree gave me lots of aggravation over a period of several days. The LCD would go dark when I tried to take a pic. Finally I grabbed one yesterday-and today there is a pile of red leaves in the drive and none on the tree, so just in time!

I googled the camera model and found a camera forum from several years ago with folks having the same sort of trouble. The gold members response? "You're in denial, time to get a new(real) cam." Or, one of my personal favorites, "Did you think it was just being moody? Maybe you need to take it out to dinner..." LOL.

Yep, and that was three years ago-this model has ancient history. So, I guess I will keep taking what I can-when it is not in a "mood"-and eventually one day there will be a large lull in my posted photos. :(

More foliage

Tree1008

Desire

My heart and mind travel over the sea;
my body remains behind with me.

Tree

Peko

The Firebird 10/08

McCain

I watched McCain finally show up on the David Letterman show last night. He managed pretty well, although Dave really tried to let him have it.

Much more composed than the previous night during the last presidential debate. When Bob Schaeffer (sp) asked ,"What qualities does your running mate possess that you believe would make them a good president?", McCain's voice started shaking, and he tried to sputter out, "Sara Palin's a breath of fresh air," and muddled the words to, "She's a bresh of freath air," and stumbled again before finally saying it right.

The firebird and I exchanged glances and burst out laughing. It sounded as if McCain said Sara Palin was, "A breast of fresh air." We were still laughing about it today. Yeah, good one.

X marks the spot 10/08

Tree

Entry 10/08

Tree