A Chicken In Every Pot…

…or so said Hoobert Heaver. I’m thanking FDR for the bird in the oven tonight, and looking forward to a new new deal, and then chicken at a restaurant, once the damned virus is dealt with seriously. Go, Joe.

Visit To County Dem Headquarters…

…as an excuse for a scenic drive in the country.

And now Sue is calling 100 voters who have requested absentee ballots but have not yet returned them. That’s a thankless job.

One More Week of Fear and Trepidation…

…one more week of angst and dread. The future of our democracy hangs in the balance…come on people.

Aerial shot of Starin Park, soon to be home to an arboretum, I hope.

First Snow Day

Just need to mark the date for future reference. And, maybe later, when I have the time, I will flip back one, two, and maybe three years, to late October to see what conditions were back then. Quite sure I don’t want to flip back to early November four years ago.

And for dinner, homemade pizza, using the Pinebox recipe.

Early Snow Can Be Good…

…especially in Estes Park, Colorado, where, apparently, the town has been saved from the fires by the snow. The Spaldings, having been evacuated to Denver for the past three or four days, are breathing relief that their home appears spared.

No snow here in Whitewater, but some just a few miles north at Aztalan, where the three of us went for a late afternoon outing, just to get out of the house.

Well, If That Don’t Beet All…

…caught red-handed.

All told, 14 quarts and 4 pints. Much better harvest than anticipated.

Groceries Are Nice..

…but, apart from what is grown at home, acquiring them has become a pain.

I used to like grocery shopping the European way—stopping by a market every afternoon to see what was new, fresh, interesting, and on sale. Nowadays, not so much. In fact, nowadays we attempt to limit our grocery shopping to once every three weeks (but we sometimes fail). Although we no longer wipe down every can and cucumber, unpacking, sorting, and stashing is a major undertaking. (Thanks Sue—while I bring in, she puts away.)

After noon, over to Tom’s in Fort to photograph the last of the Tig paintings (below). On the way home, a stop at Allen Creek, as illustrated above.

Today’s Blog, Today

Remembered this time. But not a lot to consider—chilly, dark, and damp. Lots of rain last night, and now thunderstorms in the forecast.

Pax and I to the flowing well to recharge our tankards (perfect coffee water), then to the forest preserve for a look-see and a sniff. Great Lakes still full to overflowing, and fires in the west. Looks like the Spaldings might have to evacuate Estes Park.

Memory Lapse

I knew it would eventually happen. I’ll just have to pretend that this morning is really last evening.

About the time traditionally devoted to blogging I was making a presentation to the Park and Rec Board promoting the idea of an arboretum at Starin Park. The proposal was accepted, and I forgot about other responsibilities.

Above, just a portion of yesterday’s beet harvest. Looks to be a good crop.

Bright Start…

…slowly fading to evening drizzle.

Not all the trees in Starin Park are doing that well. I think I might use this poor oak on my Halloween card.

Trip to the dermatologist today, and lots of dog walks. Any guesses as to which was more enjoyable?

First day of in-person early voting in Wisconsin. Would love to go vote again, but that’s not quite possible. Just glad to know that our ballots have been received and are in safe storage at our municipal clerk’s office. Sad thing is that the Rebs have prohibited our clerk from even opening the envelopes until the polls close on Nov 3. Wonder why they would want a long delayed tabulation.

Toss The Tomatoes…

…after last night’s frost. The growing season is over. And the spent vines to the city compost center rather than our bins—in the interest of sanitation.

Chilly day—perfect for walking, and Pax and I did the big loop for the first time in months.
He really liked the long walk.

Cedarburging

Quick visit, and then a walk in the woods.

Oconomowocing

New word, describing what we do there.

Inclement weather.

There’s a certain slant of light…

…on (autumn) afternoons…. Cold, clear air riding in a northwesterly blow. Pale, wintery light, and clouds trailing skirts of what had to be snow (although none reached the ground).

Almost nothing accomplished. A tiny bit of grocery shopping at the co-op in J’ville, and a box of old books donated to the (closed) library, a few nice walks with Pax, and a sit on the back patio wearing vests and gloves. But, in times like this, what’s wrong with that. Tamales for dinner.

Roasted Cauliflower...

…with garlic, lemon, olives, prosciutto, and parmesan. Not bad. In other news, while Sue helped out in Oconomowoc, Tom and I worked over the proof of the Tig book, followed by the raking of leaves.

Pax helped with the raking

Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree…

…because as of now, there is no under.

And don’t admit you are from Wisconsin, covid hotspot and home to one of the worlds’ most dysfunctional legislatures, which, because of Republican control, has not met since April, has done nothing to support struggling businesses, and is suing the governor over his mask mandate. Of course, there is always Texas.

In the weather department—oddness. Chilly, dark and damp early on, then a building wind, eventually ripping up from the south and bringing warmer temps. Treetops still thrashing about. But we all know that this warmth will be short lived. As Ray Bradbury said, “something wicked this way comes.”

George Washington Would Understand

Busy day here. In addition to swapping screens for storm windows, we chopped down the old apple tree (yes, the very same tree Ellie and Maddie used as a reading perch two days ago).

It was horribly deformed, and growing nearly sideways in its attempt to escape the ever growing shadow of the big white oaks extending their reach ever further south. A new apple in a more propitious place will be planted next spring.

From Warm To Storm…

…and then from clouds to cold.

Afternoon clearing, in time for some bike riding.

Doing everything possible to avoid hearing about the Supreme Court nominee, who in a sympathetic universe, would never come across my consciousness.

Sunday…Adventures and Dinner…

…with the Nies family.

Imagine dinner table discussion with nine loquacious individuals all having plenty to say.

Thanks to Bri for most of the photos.

Shrimp On The Barbie

Another neighborly spaced-out back yard picnic.

Along with the shrimp, various sauces, rices, corn casserole and broccoli casserole, and some amazzing kind of chocolate/raspberry cake.
Just about dinner time the wind switched to the east and the temperature dropped. As darkness descended (as it does early now days) a deep evening chill finally broke up the party.

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. —George Santayana