EASING INTO FALL

It's no secret that I love this time of year. Here on the shore, it's a long slow slide into fall. Mother Nature can't seem to decide what she wants to wear. The roses and crepe myrtle and rose of sharon are still in bloom, but everywhere are tempting glimpses of the fall color to come. Mornings are misty, and every leaf and blade and web is hung with diamond dewdrops. It's a pleasure to step outside.
Today is warm and muggy, but by Sunday the expected high is just 60 degrees. And so it will go, up and down, until finally the chill is here to stay.

I'm not in a hurry. I like to savor these days and walk round the neighborhood with my camera, storing memories for the dismal winter months.

I'm always a bit nostalgic in the fall. I think it's the most romantic time of year. A part of me longs to be back in Susan Brown's parents' garage. Seventeen, and up to my elbows in paper mache. Working on a Homecoming float, and falling in love with a lanky teenage boy. That man who is with me still.

Hope you're enjoying the outdoors and storing memories of your own. Hope you have someone to cuddle  when the frost comes. 

XO

SUNDAY

Today was a puttering around kind of day. As usual, I did not get all the way through my to-do list, partly because my cranky back started bothering me again while cleaning the barn. We did wander into town for some lunch and knocked the mud off the little "piggies" in the barn. Then, Mr. C. did paperwork, while I played around with my camera, made a new blog header, and "tortured" the animals with St. Patrick's day props, in an attempt to discover who's going to be a team player on the day. 

Spent two hours on Picasa, making a green collage to use as a header, only to scrap it, and go with daffodils! Sometimes simple is best! What do you think?

Muddy, but still pretty!

Shameless mooch! Must do something about those goat whiskers this week!

Lily (bless her heart) wore the shamrock headband, but only around her neck. Couldn't keep it on her head!

Kitty was not amused, at all, not the teensiest bit!

Nigel, dapper in a bowtie. We'll have to work on wearing the hat. Nigel goes a little crazypants over hats.

Hope your Sunday was all you hoped it would be!

While We Were Sleeping

Winter crept in while we were sleeping last night. A changeable sky brought howling winds and snow showers. No more grabbing a jacket for a quick dash out to the barn. It's full winter gear...insulated coveralls, warm boots, fat jacket. Heated buckets are working their magic (and saving my poor chapped hands) in the barn. One day of bitter cold weather and I'm already thinking this might be the year I stop being a "winter person."

Much better to stay inside and fold laundry with a friend...

while keeping warm and cozy by the fire.

I intended to have a word about the paw prints on the car, but lost my nerve...