A Cold One

Hazardous morning walk—ice underfoot some places, salted walks other places (which Pax finds very uncomfortable).

Shagbark hickory holding on to its leaves

Afternoon walk at the prairie not slippery, but, with a bit of a breeze, quite chilly. However, according to an article sent by Abby, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing,” and we were well dressed, including Pax who has on his winter coat.

Some sanding and epoxy work on the iceboat plank asking for attention in the basement. And for dinner, homegrown squash soup along with ale-steamed Prince Edward Island mussels (which brings back memories of Philadelphia).

Up To The Hubcaps…

…in mud, when we took the trailer-full of leaves and tomato vines to the Whitewater compost site. I would have taken a photo there except I try not to post scary pictures on this blog. (One would think that the City could afford a load of gravel since, unlike every other town, it provides no curbside leaf vacuum service.)

My favorite hemlock

In addition to that grisly task we dropped off an extraordinarily heavy dresser at Goodwill in Janesville, bought a bag of PEI mussels at the J’ville Festival store, got flu shots at Walgreens back in W’water, and then, to top things off, cleaned the east side gutters—which were packed solid with pine needles, oak and birch leaves, snow, and ice. Painfully cold even changing gloves every few minutes.

More Theatrics

Over to American Players Theatre in Spring Green (with neighbors), for a production called “Doll House, Part 2.” I was able to get away quickly right at the closing curtain because Pax was waiting in the car and needed a walk, and that was fortunate for everyone because I never had to express my opinion of the play.

Also fortunately, on the way home we were able to stop at the Arena Cheese factory, in Arena, for some cheese—10 year cheddar, bleu, and smoked Gouda.

Fast Moving Clouds…

…with a sense of changing seasons in the air, along with trying to adjust to the time change. Dark by 5?

Pax loving it however, asking me to race him on our bike/run to the prairie and back. Three-year-old Kentucky Coffee Tree (started from seed) transplanted from it’s nursery in the back yard to a prominent spot in the front yard. Leaves raked (with completion in sight). House straightened. Kids returned to their rightful owners.

And the book, One Size Fits None, subtitle “A Farm Girl’s Search for the Promise of Regenerative Agriculture, completed. Overall, well written and interesting, though many of the ideas are not all that new:
“When it comes to farmers’ markets, buzzwords like ‘grass-fed’ and ‘local’ might attract customers initially…” but what Gabe is trying to do is convince people to buy his products because of the regenerative agricultural system they represent. “When customers come the first thing they want to know is, where do we come form? Then they want to know GMO or not? That’s number two. Then it’s antibiotics, hormones, and grass finished. What we’re trying to do is sell the whole story. We’re trying to produce healthy food on healthy soils…”

Overnighters

Round two. Ellie, Maddie, and Becca here this afternoon and evening. Baking, office work, a walk through campus with a stop in the Union, dinner prep, office work, puzzles, dinner, office work, reading, bed time.

Overnighters

Baking, waffles, ping pong, jenga, dancing, puzzles, long walk with the dogs, dinner.

And an extemporaneous poem by Katy:

It’s November!

It’s November hot or cold
Sugar or salt or frostbite toes
Fire places always hot 
Apple cider stirring in the pot
Pumpkin pies all around
Leaves are falling to the ground
Left over candy from trick or treat
Make sure you don’t make a peep!
It’s November!

With The Boys

Morning spent with Ben and James. And a good part of that time spent at the Oconomowoc Children’s Play Gallery, a big space filled with lots to do.

Of course, every once in a while it makes sense to slow down and look out the window for trucks, which are greeted with great delight when they pass by.

A little before noon we sashayed next door to Roots for lunch (which was devoured).

I think this is the first time we have had extended time with the boys, and I do believe it was great fun for all of us.

Halloween Snowstorm

Near blizzard for much of the morning.

Monster in the park.

Would that be 5 inches?

If we can't think for ourselves, if we're unwilling to question authority, then we're just putty in the hands of those in power. But if the citizens are educated and form their own opinions, then those in power work for us. In every country, we should be teaching our children the scientific method and the reasons for a Bill of Rights. With it comes a certain decency, humility and community spirit. In the demon-haunted world that we inhabit by virtue of being human, this may be all that stands between us and the enveloping darkness. —Carl Sagan

Big Loop

First time this fall, for Pax and me. Chilly weather, but good for a long walk.

Yesterday

Today

Maddie to gymnastics. Sue home. Being the great baseball fans we are, we are watching the world series.

Oh, sNOw

About an inch.

Sue actually spent last night with Jayne, but is at Irene’s tonight. Home tomorrow, is the plan.

Actually enjoying the weather, Pax and I, and we spent a good part of the day outside—going for walks, turning the compost pile, doing a little yard work for Vi, sitting on the back patio, as the light faded, admiring the Canadian hemlock planted three or four years ago and now thriving.

Moving Jayne…

…from one apartment in the facility to another.

Pax and me home by 6, Sue still there, spending the night at Irene’s, and finishing up tomorrow.

Clear By Morning…

…and, after that, a lovely fall day.

And, switching back to yesterday, prior to the Halloween parade, the garden got lightly tilled, incorporating two tightly-packed wheelbarrows full of chopped birch leaves, and then seeded with 5 pounds of green manure cover crop. All in good fun; but if I were here all summer long to tend, cultivate, inter-crop, succession plant, and continually harvest, this little 225 sq. ft. plot of rich soil could provide a whole lot of food.

Halloween Parade…

…in Oconomowoc.

And just as the last float in the parade passed by the rain started tumbling down. Raining hard, here, back in Whitewater. Can only imagine that trick-or-treating in O’wock was pretty much washed out.

Fun In Fox Point…

…and environs, with Will, Katy, and Ab. Music, dance, football, lunch, and a visit to the Shorewood library.

Rosemary Repatriated…

…or at least repositioned. First real frost likely tonight, so the venerable bush has moved indoors, to wait out winter.

Afternoon trip to the library in Fort (because it’s such a nice place to be), where I picked up a book titled The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee (keeping me, at least for the time being, firmly positioned in things indigenous). And, below, the mural of Chief Blackhawk on a building in Fort.

And, for dinner tonight, waffles with chicken. Chicken left over from last night, and Cornmeal Waffles with Cheddar, Scallions, and Jalapeno.

Forked…

…almost completely, and almost ready for tilling, but interrupted by evening rain. Tilling should really be unnecessary, but will help with the planting of the cover crop/green manure, I do believe.

And, the witch hazel is in flower, in time for Halloween. Interesting strategy—flowering right at the end of the growing season and making seeds the following year.

Makin’ Music…

…with Irene (which makes it easy).

Kentucky Coffee Tree

Irene, a year or so ago, became a member of our old church, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva. Her musical abilities were quickly recognized, and she is now responsible for the music for three or four services a year. At her request, I’m joining her on a Sunday in February, and today was our first practice. She’s on piano and harpsichord, while I’m on half a dozen different electronic wind instruments (on my Aerophone), including tuba. So far we have six songs and the doxology on our playlist, with one more song and a hymn yet to be selected. It certainly is fun to play with skilled accompaniment, and to have a reason to practice. (And, I actually think we sound pretty good already.)

Leaves A’flyin

Extreme wind gusts stripping everything but the oaks.

Dinner With the Caves…

…at Lake Lawn Lodge. The Caves long time friends. Lake Lawn Lodge a place frequented a long time ago.

Turkeyfoot at the prairie

Warm, bright, still, summery day, most of which spent outdoors.

Tournament…

…for Ellie and Maddie’s volleyball teams.

Here comes the sun

Maddie, center, back row

Ellie, about to return a volley

Ellie’s team, semi-victorious.

Ellie’s team came into the tournament seeded 10th out of 10, but ended up almost winning the semi-final match. Good playing, and perhaps some good coaching?