Windrows

Most of the downed leaves have been blown into windrows. Big drifts and little drifts, everywhere you look.

Because of a wind strong enough to peel bark, it was somewhat surprising that any leaves still clung to their twigs. But, even with that incessant wind, we took our tightly leaf-packed trailer to the compost site and off-loaded it.

Windows Open…

…curtains billowing, leaves flying everywhere.

In other words, very warm and windy. Reminds me of the time our yard-work-avoiding-neighbor raked his substantial collectinon of downed leaves into the air and watched them scurry elsewhere.

Actually, as in most neighborhoods, we mostly share the leaves and don’t mind dealing with each other’s. After all, all the trees benefit all the neighborhood.

Autumn Leaves

Some trees bare, others still fully clad, but overall, a majority of deciduous foliage is on the ground.

Liriodendron tulipifera still holding on.

Locusts, maples, ashes, crabapples and others have lost all. The oaks are half bare.

While it’s best to mulch leaves, not to remove them, the presence of so many trees can leave a thick (and when wet, heavy) mat in spots. Therefore, we make a first grinding pass with the mower, compress them into the trailer, and take them to the compost center. Everything else that comes down or blows in from now on will be mulched.

Indian Summer

According to my definition: sunny, still, dry, hazy—with temperature over 70 after a hard frost. Today qualifies.

Yesterday’s blog post was designed to go on the Arboretum website, but would not post because of technical issues. So I put it here. Parsimony or conservation of energy might be an excuse. Certainly not laziness.

Today, the farmer’s market in Janesville. Downtown JVille is working hard on a comeback, and has the feel of a European plaza.

Arboretum From Above

A wonderful place, especially in October.
Warm, inviting, tranquil, gorgeous, restorative. The hundreds of new plantings are thriving. 
In one area, what used to be bare sidewalk is now a tunnel of trees and bushes, many of which have ID tags.
And while you’re at it, as a little challenge, walk around and see if you can find the three new sycamores and the three new hemlocks.

Important Election

In my view, the future of democracy is on the ballot.

Anyone not registered? Registration is now on at municipal clerk offices and is on until November 1. Of course, it’s also possible to register on election day, November 5, but why risk it. In Wisconsin, in-person early voting is from October 22 to November 3. Probably a sensible way to make sure you get to vote.
Everything any voter needs to know is at MyVoteWisconsin. Also important to vote NO on Wisconsin constitutional amendment. League of Women Voters explains why here.

Spread the word.

Prairie Views

Bright sun, clear sky, little wind. Barometer high. Hard frost last night.

The big show is almost ended by the first hard frosts. Although the tall grasses provide an encore with their rich burst of golds, winey russets, and shades of bronze, the great host of prairie flowers now exists only as dried stalks with stripped seed heads, and a few pods clinging to frost-blighted stems. Then even the grasses begin to bleach and fade; the prairie is assuming winter dress, a sere monotone with all life gone underground to await another spring.
The wreckage of the great vegetative tides still functions in behalf of the prairie biota — providing deep forms and snug coverts for the foxes and coyotes, prairie chickens, quail, pheasants, rabbits and hares and meadow mice, and all the beleaguered little critters that must stay awake through the winter and so desperately need shelter from the sharpening, never-ending wind.
Nothing has been wasted; nothing has really died or gone. The prairie pendulum has swung to one limit, and has already begun to return, and in a few bleak months there will be pasqueflowers again.
Where the Sky Began, John Madson

Big Leaf…

…little leaf.

The big leaf is sycamore, the small ones honey locust. But to be fair, the little ones are really leaflets, part of a bigger compound leaf.

Light frost last night; freeze warning tonight. Interestingly, the average first day of frost around here is about October 15.

Robins Mobbing…

…Vi’s native crabapple tree. Lots of fruit left, but it’s going fast.
Also, there is really no need to buy a new truck.

Fourteen mile bike ride, and a batch of savory (cheddar. bacon, chives) scones, on today’s agenda. Fun and yum.

Another Need To Vote NO

One again the gerrymandered Wisconsin MAGA legislature has worked to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot— and once again trickily worded and confusing.

The MAGAs want to change constitutional wording from “every citizen has the right to vote” to “only citizens have the right to vote,” plus some other unhelpful verbiage. The idea here is to create division, sow doubt, scare voters, and to set up future voter restrictions.

The MAGAs think this will help them retain power.

Here’s a link to League of Women Voters statement on the issue

While lovers of democracy like to vote yes, this is another instance of being forced to VOTE NO.