The tree

This is the tree that the dark leaf in yesterday's post came from.  I just love to watch it change.  

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I almost forgot that it was my night to post.  I try to do every other night.  Sometimes I just simply get other things on my mind and don't think.

I made a pot of vegetable soup this morning.  I managed to not make a HUGE one...it is still a lot.  I just simply love soups.  Roger ate a bowl but probably won't want another.  That is okay...I can eat vegetable souple for 3 or 4 days and not be tired of it.

I just sat and sewed more on my binding...a couple more needles of thread and it will be done.  All corners have been finished.  They are the tedious part of it since I make a mitered corner and I like them to look as nice as I can make them.  They are still not perfect.

I hope you have a good day tomorrow...

Out of my natural element...

 I am at my daughter's house, taking care of Delta while she is away for work.  

Thought I might as well share this short video on here, since I just mentioned her....I had watched The Journey of Natty Gan the night before I tried to watch the above video, Iron Will.  She really enjoyed The Journey of Natty Gan, but it did not hold a candle to this.  I had to turn it off because she got so excited, I was afraid she was going to tear something up.  She would bark and bark, and grab her toy and shake it, then hold it and raise up on the shelf there thinking she could offer it to those huskies and them play with her.  Also along this line, she recognizes animals whether it be real ones, or cartoon ones.  Remember that.

She is so funny.  Daughter house is two stories...she watches the comings and goings of the neighborhood from the window in in her office that looks out to the street.  If something gets out of her sight there, she is up the steps like a flash to get a better view from the upstairs window.  and she knows enough to go from one room that faces one way to the other if they turn a certain way.

My daughters live about 3 miles apart, and when time permits, they walk together.  And most of the time they take Delta.  Sarah said, "Mom she is something else."  She said she never pays attention to other dogs...only if it is a German Shepherd.  

Remember the statement about her recognizing cartoon animals.  They passed one of those 'No dogs doing their business signs'....you know the one I am talking about.  Showing a dog in that position.  Delta seen the sign and ran over and poked it with her nose!

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I had several things to tell about but am having a hard time remembering them.  I thought I would share the above pic from the 29th...this is from the driver's seat as I drove to Crawfordsville.  Being here I had to go a new route, and let me tell you, I sure enjoyed it.  I was so afraid that there would be a lot of traffic on this road, but I doubt I seen over a dozen vehicles on this road.  How I wish I could have captured the farm scenes and the atmosphere.  It was just glorious.

Lots of fields of soy beans have been harvested, as well as some corn...such wide open spaces.  I always think how happy farmers must have been to find this rich soil.  

I would have loved to have stopped and taken some good shots...these are while I drove.  I just sort of glance at my screen and shoot.   I have a whole lot more bad shots than good.  And the 'good' ones could always be better.  Anyway, I could not stop...I had to continue to the dermatologist...and not knowing what all kinds of construction I might run into, I had given myself lots of time.  

I got up there early enough to run into Walmart and pick up a few items, then continued on the doctor.  She took a mole off.  She does not think it is anything, but it was very close to where I had a mole that was skin cancer a few years ago.  I think she did it till I would quit worrying.  And it is not like I worry about it constantly.  Really, just once in a blue moon a second of real dread will pop up.  But am now waiting on the pathology results so I would appreciate prayers for it not to be anything.

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OH!  I know what I wanted to share.  A good feeling story.  The other morn, I took Roger through the drive thru at McDonald's.  I was in the outside lane and had placed our order and was heading on to the pay window.  Well the lady on in the inside lane finished her order and I swear I thought she was going to just hit me.  I stopped, and there was bare enough room for her to go on when the car ahead of us went.  

I told Roger, 'Look at her!  I think she would have run over me if I had gone on!'  He realized it was happening and agreed with me.  But for one I did not even get really aggravated. When the car ahead went on, I just let her go...thought maybe she was running late.

I got to the window, and she had paid for our breakfast, too!  

That is it for this post....I am having a hard time concentrating.  Have not read a single line of a book since being here!  Just hard for me to settle in somehow.

Hope you guys have a good weekend...

Who can resist a face like this...

 

Most days I go sit in the swing on the porch to read, if just for a few minutes. An most days Bubbie comes and sits beside me. Some days he just wants to be near me with me reaching down to pet him.

Other days he is a bit more into fun...here he is on the little table beside the swing.  Reaching to grab whatever is near...he is 13 yrs old and will still occasionally try to hide and jump out and scare me when I am walking in from the garage.  Not to mention that he almost always escorts us from the garage to the house...so he can protect us if there is danger.

And while I am at it, have had this for a few days...we have a new name for Otto...The Old Man.  He cannot hear...Sarah has to send Rosie to get him to come in.  He will just stand out in the yard  sometimes.  Does not hear Sarah call...so she tells Rosie to go get him and she will go poke at him and/or get right in his face and yip and it seems to wake him up to the fact he needs to come in.

He is still easy going...loving.  Absolutely one of the best dogs ever.  We always look back with laughter on some of his stunts....The trying to hitch a ride with the UPS guy one time...he got in and Sarah had to literally drag him out, another he was dragging Sarah on the school bus to be with the kids...and one time he totally loved going to Show & Tell for Lorelei.  

Jeremy also bought a Corvette one time...something was wrong with it but I forget what.  He knew it when he bought it...he bought it to fix and sell.  We were there one day and Jeremy was getting ready to take it for a test drive....Sarah told me "Watch Otto when Jeremy gets in the car!"  Oh, his tail could not have wagged any more and his ears perked up.  There was just something about that car he liked. 

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Yesterday we were up close to the swamp area so we had to go by there. 

Can you believe this much color...and there was quite a bit more. 

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I had something else to chat about but I swear I have gotten side-tracked and cannot remember what it was.   So.... 

Have to share this little video.

  

Changing...

First, thought I would show this tree from the edge of the swamp area.  Always in previous years, I thought they were changing early due to lack of rain.  Not so this year.  We have had rain all along.  Then yesterday, on the way to the super walmart, I noticed sumac just as red as could be!  So, fall is thinking about heading our way.  And to be outside at dark, sounds like fall is already here.

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I wish I had a decent place to photograph quilts but I just don't.  This quilt top is on a queen sized bed.  It has a block that hangs over each edge, except the head of the bed.  I suppose I need to add a border, but first I am going to see what batting I have and also thinking about what I have got to use as a backing.  I have fabric in mind for the backing and if I have to go no borders to use it, that is what I will do.

Not a lot going on other than this...I am still waiting on a tomato to ripen.  I have had one of the newer, smaller tomatoes rot on the vine.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

Photo overload from today....

Roger had an appt over at Indianapolis...really Avon, but you cannot tell when you go from one to the other....so these are scenes along the way there and back.

Just so you know, it was misting rain in this one...that one I know for sure.  Remember to click and expand the view.

The rest of these are on the way home, and while overcast, no rain or drizzle, at least not in the photos.

Every direction I looked, there was beauty.

I have often wanted to turn  by this church and travel some of the backroads on that area

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It was so beautiful that it made my heart sing, while at the same time I could have cried at the beauty of it all.

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We just had to go to the ENT to get a prescription renewed...no big deal.  And he is going to up the dosage on one.  Roger leaned back and half slept all the way there, but did stay awake on the way home and saw all the beautiful colors. 
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This is what I am reading now...He Called Me Son by Barbara Arnold.  I am enjoying it.  When I got it, it was free.

I have so much I need to do, so I guess I should be happy it is supposed to rain the next couple of days or I would want to take off and ramble the backroads.  Hopefully I will get to before the leaves are gone.

An Autumn report....

Autumn is on its way....I am not sure how vivid it is going to be...but it is done better than what I feared.  So many leaves fell, and other trees just looked like they were just drying up, ready to fall.  Some I knew to be maple trees that usually have vivid color.


See that bright spot of color in the photo above?

This is what it looks like up close and personal!  For some reason when I take shots of trees from a distance, they appear much greener than they do in real life...even in that first photo, it does not appear near as saturated as it does in real life at that distance.  So I was very pleased to see the color of the leaves in my up close shots.

They were beside this strip pit....it is an area known as Green Valley.  I did cast a few times but did not get a single hit...did not catch one single fish. Still was so nice to be out and hear the wind in the trees...and part of the time Blue Jays were flitting about in the trees.

Roger went with me, but he did not get out and walk any.  I want to get back over there if I can before it gets cold.  It felt so good to be out and away from everything.  I could actually forget some of the other stuff going on here.

I have been trying to get Roger's Cpap supplies and it is taken forever...it is too long for anyone to really want to read it...but I started back maybe the second week of September, but might have been earlier.  And just yesterday they finally told me oh, yes he needs a new prescription.  This in addition to other things they need.  I have been calling them and the other dr. office and it has not been fun.

The one thing, the dr's office has always been so, so good...I am not criticizing them.  The Cpap place I have yet to form a real opinion....because the dr's office told me that the supply place is undergoing a big audit from someone.  So they probably have more than they can handle.  Prior to this, they have been very nice to deal with.

I hope you guys are having a nice weekend...

While waiting...

Here it is after 5:00 and they are here doing the guttering...so going to be a while before they are done.  They were here yesterday and today taking care of the roof.  The one sunken down place did not have anything under it.  So they peeled it back and put wood under it.  Also replaced some shingles around the exhaust pipe of the furnace....it looks a lot better but they are not all laying down...I am hoping with heat that they will.  They at least look like that is a possibility.  After the way things have been done, I fear I will never trust anyone again with things like this.  They did come back and fix the drip edge......again, hoping the other shingles lay down good with warmth from the sun.

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I made these 4-patches yesterday....the first I had sewn in several days.  I wish I could get back to sewing some every day.

And I have made more of these 'leaves' or whatever you want to call them.  It is about time to cut squares and start to applique.  I did these several days ago over a couple or three nights....

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A blogging friend posted a photo of a maple leaf that was completely white....I don't think I have ever seen one completely white.  But my memory is not so good at times.  But when walking out one morn, I notice all kinds of leaves in my yard turned white...we were leaving at the time so I did not take time to photograph them.

About 3 days later, maybe 4, when I did think to go back and look, all I saw were these Tulip Poplar leaves ...but still you can see how white.  I think it is mold/fungus.

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That is it for now...I have more to say but too tired to type it.  Is that lazy or what?

I hope you guys are having a good week...

Almost every year...

Every year, like clockwork, soon as I start seeing Goldenrod, I start repeating the lines of a couple poems.   Let me re-phrase that...I repeat the first few lines of a couple poems.  All through childhood till now when I am an old woman, the lines from September, by Helen Hunt Jackson has run through my head.
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But then, several years ago,  I heard a different poem.  It touches my heart so...



Now I have two that go round and round...I kind of like to listen to it being read and follow along with the actual written version.  It is kind of hard to find one that pronounces everything right.  Anyway, I have shared it before, and will share again.  I hope that it is a joy for you to hear and read....

When the Frost is on the Punkin BY JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock, And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin’ turkey-cock, And the clackin’ of the guineys, and the cluckin’ of the hens, And the rooster’s hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence; O, it’s then’s the times a feller is a-feelin’ at his best, With the risin’ sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest, As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock, When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock. They’s something kindo’ harty-like about the atmusfere When the heat of summer’s over and the coolin’ fall is here— Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees, And the mumble of the hummin’-birds and buzzin’ of the bees; But the air’s so appetizin’; and the landscape through the haze Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days Is a pictur’ that no painter has the colorin’ to mock— When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock. The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn, And the raspin’ of the tangled leaves, as golden as the morn; The stubble in the furries—kindo’ lonesome-like, but still A-preachin’ sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill; The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed; The hosses in theyr stalls below—the clover over-head!— O, it sets my hart a-clickin’ like the tickin’ of a clock, When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock! Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps Is poured around the celler-floor in red and yeller heaps; And your cider-makin’ ’s over, and your wimmern-folks is through With their mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and saussage, too! ... I don’t know how to tell it—but ef sich a thing could be As the Angels wantin’ boardin’, and they’d call around on me— I’d want to ’commodate ’em—all the whole-indurin’ flock— When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock!

Sweet moment in time...

As we drove back through the strip pits the other night, we began to see a few deer.  In total out there we seen at least 10, maybe 11.  I am just not sure about one.  But this mama and baby were close to the last we saw out there.  Roger thought it must have been a late baby since the spots are still so bold.  I was in an awkward shooting position, so could not get a better shot.  (I always have an excuse....)

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Yesterday the a storm was moving through...with wind.  There are enough leaves on the ground till it looked like a herd of wild horses racing along the street.  I just could not believe there were that many.  Another strange thing was I could hear the wind howling in the distance...like it does in winter.  Only in winter it is close enough till you feel like you can reach out and touch it.

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I had a weed in my flower bed...well, I have more than one but this one was huge and I have been meaning to go out and pull it, but for one reason and another I had not done it.  Day before yesterday I was headed to the garage and thought I would pull it on my way.  And I did, and was walking away and going to take it and put in the compost pile.  I no more than headed that way till something got me on my forefinger that was carrying the weed.  I thought it was a packsaddle....about the time I had that thought, I had a yellow jacket about to get me on the arm....and out of the corner of my eye I saw them swarming up out of the ground where I had pulled up the weed.

And you know, I learned something then.  I can still run!  LOL  Maybe not fast, but since my fall, I have not felt like I could run, but I ran then.  And I did not get stung again.  How I escaped the one that one on the arm is more than I know.    I cringe at the thoughts of how I have been down on my hands and knee in that area more than once not that long ago.  I am so thankful they were not there then....because no matter how I try, I am slow getting up.

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This was taken over a week ago...just saying...

I hope you all are having a nice week.  I am slowly becoming accustomed to my new washer.  It will for sure do a bigger load than my old one, but boy, is it slow. 

A little fall color..

This tree is always just gorgeous...it is just down the street from us.  Usually it is a more brilliant red if you can believe that.  Just different.  I had such a hard time trying to get to photograph it.  Every time you try to stop to snap a photo, does someone appear in your rear view mirror?  I don't know how many times I tried to stop and always someone coming.  And this is not a busy town.  However, I did manage a couple.

Autumn was not long enough for me.  It never is.  We did not get out on any fall rambles, but we did see some beautiful trees just in our normal travels.
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I was messing around yesterday at youtube and ran across a different version of the song I shared the other day...Laredo by Band of Horses. I hope you enjoy it even half as much as I do...

Better late than never....

I posted these on facebook but looks like I forgot to post them here...if I wait till next year, I am apt to forget about them.

These were taken in Arthur, Illinois last month.  I think they are from a pumpkin carving contest.

Did you notice the one second from the right on the middle row? 

I think you will enjoy them if you click to expand the view.

Now on display....

We were out and about yesterday and I thought to take my little camera...the above tree has been begging to have it picture taken for days.
 Below is another shot of it...from a different viewpoint.

It is just glorious.  Later, I am going to post another photo of it over on Time Stand Still...it won't look like the same tree, but I suppose it is the position of the sun in relation to it.

Here is one that is just starting...still, it is beautiful.  These were taken yesterday.  I am loving the display of fall colors.
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Now for today...not trees.

Eagles.  Not good pics either...but exciting nevertheless.  This evening, Sarah, Tootie, Roger and I were headed to the front porch to sit in the shade  little while.  Sarah says, "Is that an eagle?"  It was.  "Is that another eagle?"  I say, I do believe it is.

I so wish we had went out just five minutes earlier...the minute we saw them, they were starting to head out....I suppose to go back over by the river.  I ran in to get my camera.  Even thought it took less than a minute, they were getting farther and farther away.  Still, so thrilled to see them.  We have not seen any from our yard in way too long...

Touches of fall

Fall is definitely making its presence known...

Everywhere you look, bits of color popping up...

 And everywhere you loop, people have pumpkins for sale....but I am not complaining.  I am just trying to drink all the color in and enjoy every moment of it.

Fall is coming on....

We were out last week, and I noticed the briars really starting to turn...

Goldenrod has been going quite a while here, so it is in full bloom for the most part.  Of course I see it and think:

The golden rod is yellow,

The corn is turning brown,

The trees in apple orchard,

With fruit are bending down....

you know the first verse of the poem September by Helen Hunt Jackson.

  The other day going to my dermatologist, we passed this sight.

Luckily for me, we were at a stoplight and I got to zoom in a little bit.  I bet this lady had no idea she would be pictured on blog on the world wide web.
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Speaking of dermatologist, I had a spot removed from my ear....it was benign, thank God.  I feel like I have been so blessed by God to not have any more after the first two spots that were cancer.
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We are planning to try to get out to the strip pits to see the lunar eclipse/blood moon.  Have you got plans....or can you see it just fine from your house?  I could probably see it from here, but just not as good as from out there.  And beginning to wonder about it at all because it is back all clouded and overcast as I type this.  

Random 5 Fall Photos...

I had several thoughts about what to use to name 5 random things, and then hit on the idea of fall photos.

1.  This first is just a typical Indiana scene...love that curve in the road, the barn, the fall colors.
                                       Don't forget to click to expand the view.

2.  Next we have a photo from 2008....I don't think this color has been repeated since.  All the color was just simply breathtaking.

3.  This one is from up in Michigan...maybe even Mackinac Island.  Taken in 2008.

4.  Another from Michigan....wherever we go, we like to go for drives on back roads.  And this was from one of those drives.

5.  This from just across the state line in Illinois.  Soybeans ready for harvest.

6.  And a little bonus.  A scanned slide.  Prior to my digital camera, I loved Velvia slide film!

I have been slow to participate in the Willy Nilly Friday 5 because things kept happening, but going to give it a whirl this time.  It is one of my favorite memes!

Kind of conflicting...

I think it is kind of strange...I really, really love B&W photography, so why don't I love the drab, dreary days of winter?  Instead, long before winter is over, I am longing for bright sun and vibrant colors.

I still enjoy snow...love the quite hush it puts on our world when it hits like it did last weekend.  I love how clean and fresh everything looks.

Yet when I ran across this picture, it just sang to me of shirtsleeve weather and fishing and eating breakfast outside on the porch and sitting in the swing to read....

It sang to me of garden fresh tomatoes and watching the flowers bloom....notes of Lorelei coming to visit slipped in there...how she likes to walk out to see the flowers in the summer and picks up pretty leaves in the fall.

It's a song I am ready to experience....

I can feel it coming in the air....

Yes, this is from this year...and it was taken a couple weeks ago...we keep seeing a few more touches of color here and there.

Of course, poison ivy is always one of the first things to change...you just have to admit it is beautiful when it is changing.  If it wasn't for the itch factor, it would be tempting to have it for its autumn colors.

We have been having such beautiful weather....and sitting out late of the evening or stepping outside after dark, it really feels and sounds like fall.  Next week, though, we are supposed to have temps in the 90's with a heat index maybe reaching 100º.  I don't suppose we will enjoy that.
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I am in the process of pin basting one of my quilts together...just had to take a break.  Crawling around on the floor on my knees for so long really gets to me.  At least if it is too hot, I will have that to work on next week.