THE BLOG MUSE

Somehow summer in our corner of the world overstayed its welcome, in my opinion. I’ve been ready to get on with autumn for several weeks, but without that chill in the air, as pleasant as those late summer days are, I just can’t get in the mood for holiday prep, and it’s time! The holiday silent auction is a month away (Nov. 20) and that same week is Thanksgiving (Nov. 22 -- early this year). Now I’m feeling a little pushed to finish things I promised. Feeling the push, a bit of the “blues,” lack of confidence in topic – and my muse goes away.

Today we came back to the farm for a couple of days. Except for a brief visit ten days ago, this is our first stay here since Elderberry Fest. I found the dishwasher full of clean dishes – lots of mugs and cereal bowls, the coffee pot still on the counter, and there’s that cookbook that Hallie returned. It’s a little lonely without Hallie and Nick all right, but they will be back . . .

The low in town was around 32 this morning and it was 42 when we arrived at the farm. We could tell there had been wind and rain, but the furniture was still on the porch. We scouted for elderberries and game birds, observed that the deer have been eating Italian prunes, picked up small limbs in the yard, trimmed back the hollyhocks, and found the garbage can lid. Mike lit the pilot light on the wall furnace and let it run for a while. This evening a cheery fire will burn in the fireplace.

It’s not a really beautiful fall. A long, hot, dry summer does not produce beautiful fall color. However, in the photo left, this “Autumn Purple Ash” at the town house is an exception, perhaps because it’s located on our drip system. In this picture it glows in early morning sunlight. The silver maple in the farm yard, below, does not show beautiful autumn color any year.

The garden, on the south side of the farmhouse, isn’t quite convinced that it’s fall. The strawberries are producing new leaves and even blossoms! I trimmed off the blossoms, covered the plants with pine straw, and told them good-night. I found two young zucchini that I picked for our supper – and one carrot that I missed last month.

 

This afternoon my sewing time was devoted to shortening three pair of Koret denim pants. I would rather have done something else, but I do have that feeling of accomplishment.

And just one last note for today. While we were hiking this morning, a coyote crossed our path and headed on down toward the canyon.

Photos:

1) From south of the farm yard.

2) Mike and Nellie head around the pond to see if they can find a covey of Hungarian partridge. No, but they had been there not long before.

3) Looking northwesterly from the canyon rim -- beyond Central Ridge to the Melrose Country.

4)  An "Autumn Purple Ash" in Clarkston.

5) The silver maple my dad planted in the farm yard years ago.

6) Nellie, her chin pressed to the windowsill, watching Mike as he works in the yard.  KW