High Wind Halloween…

…during COVID time.

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Sue made up 100 TP-wrapped candy clusters, and they are out in the driveway to minimize the chance of contagion. Surprisingly, lots of kids coming by—more than any year previous.

Pax and I stay indoors, because Pax is SCARY, and barks a lot when people come to the house. This new system works really well—Pax hasn’t barked yet. Of course, things would be different it we had typical Halloween weather—cold, with freezing rain.

But we don’t.

Carry Out

Although the larder is full, we picked up chili at our favorite breakfast place in Milton, partially because we haven’t been able to have breakfast there for the past eight months, and because we are hoping to have breakfast there once again—as soon as there is a national covid plan.

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It’s also nice not to have to cook—every so often.

This Albanian family was doing great—until the virus crippled their business. But they seem resilient and adaptive, and may well survive the pandemic.

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.

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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.

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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.

Groceries Are Nice..

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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).

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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.

Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree…

…because as of now, there is no under.

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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).

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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.

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