Sunday, September 30, 2007

Harvest Time

It is said that the harvest moon is the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox. This year it fell last week. I could not get a more defining photo, however, this shows how much light filled the sky. The moon was more orange but waning last night. I love the moon this time of year. There were times when I was teaching evening classes in Spokane that I would have to stop for a few moments because the moon just seemed to fill every inch of space in windows of the room. I haven't seen it as big here but it is bright enough to walk without a flashlight.

There are tons of other harvest things going on around here. Saturday we found beautiful mums. They grow mums by the thousands here. We now have four lovely plants brightening the front porch.

Then we went on a search for pumpkins. We found all manner of pumpkins, squash, gourds and other autumn produce. The corn is just about all done for the season as are the tomatoes but we are still finding both. I love going to farm stands. They are all so much alike yet unique in every way.

This collage is some of the sites over the past few days. They is corn all exhausted in the fields, soybeans too, wagons of mums and pumpkins, purple beans on the vine and other such discoveries. We'll have more on fall I am sure.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Hopefully, the Last Days of a Hot, Humid, Dry Spell

The title sounds a bit contradictory. It is however true. This week has brought very warm temperatures for late September. It keeps hovering between 85 and 90 at midday and the humidity has been very high. The moisture on the morning windows is not because it is cold outside and warmer inside. It is there because it is warm outside and cooler inside. There hasn't been significant rain for sometime now and things are starting to look very parched.

Today as I look out the window it appears to be a very blustery autumn day. The sky is gray with clouds, the wind is blowing but at this moment it is 81 degrees outside with a "feels like" temperature of 85. It is supposed to be nicer by the weekend -- a little rain tonight or tomorrow and cooler temperatures and brighter skies by Saturday. I sure hope so.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Still Warm Enough for Dinner Outside

Here we are and it is now officially Autumn. It is quite warm here although it is cloudy and windy. Last night we had dinner at the local grill and enjoyed eating outside. Our friends Dave and Robin were here and that seemed liked to best way to cap of a very nice visit. So we sat outside and enjoyed the sunset on the pond.

I am so intrigued with this pond and what happens on it. There is always someone fishing. Last night there were a couple of boats until after dark. Every morning and afternoon there is someone fishing from one or both of bridges we cross during the day. There are turtles, cattails, lily pads, ducks, geese and, of course, the heron. The heron could be a she but because it is so solitary it is for me a he. The pond in winter is pretty clear and then in summer at our end it becomes filled with all matter of greenery. It looks down right stagnant to me but folks keep on fishing. As the nighttime temperatures start to drop the water starts to clear and then the water fowl begin to return. Which reminds me, I haven't seen turtles for a couple of weeks now.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

He's Back

The season are surely changing. The heron has returned to the pond. I still have not been able to capture him when he is right at the roadside. As soon as I drop the window he flies to a spot just beyond my clear focus range. This adventure shall continue.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Just Some This and That

Not much happening here on the streets of Milton. Oh, there was an auction for the Historical Society on Saturday. That was a good event with a party tent set up on a lot on Union Street. That was a fun time. The first couple of hours were devoted to snacks and drinks and the silent auction items. GREAT SILENT AUCTION items. Lots of historical books, pictures, antiques, items from local merchants, other gift bags. The live auction was also good with an antique tractor as the featured item. I took some pictures but with dwindling daylight they are not the best to offer up to you today.

It has cooled down enough to be comfortable outside. Today is windy and overcast but it is still pretty nice. The leaves are slowly starting to change with new trees dropping their follage already. The focus of the farm stands has moved from the delicious sweet corn that is here all summer to squash and winter vegetables and mums. Everywhere there are mums. I will be forced to come up with some this week.

Our friends Dave and Robin will be visiting later this week. It is always a good time when they come -- not raucus laughter but good, comfortable friends. We are looking forward to the visit and their tour of the local brewery (more to come in a couple of weeks).

Once again this past week I was reminded of how fragile life is when I learned of the death of a high school friend. He was lost his life in a motorcycle accident. We are not that old but there are fewer and fewer of us.

Then, on a happier note, one of my childhood friends is with her husband, her two dogs and her two cats on their first extended trip in their new RV. The wonder of the internet keeps her touch with the rest of the world. We have heard from them from Northern Idaho, the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and now Lake Chelan in the Northern Cascades. They plan to be out for about six more weeks. Today I received an email asking to keep her up on the news since television and radio reception has been so intermittant. How fun is that? Note: She has internet but wants me to send the news. Must be the same as me. It is hard to read on the computer screen.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

A Fine Celebration

Last Saturday we went to Arlington to join in the D.C./Virginia celebration for Alexandra receiving her Ph.D. There was also a celebration in mid-August in State College when the degree was awarded. As with most everything held at Anca's the food and company were extraordinary. There was beef, pork, ribs, fish, parjoale (I think -- Romanian meatball), roasted egg plant, roasted peppers (sweet and hot), taboli, vegetable cheese pie, more salads and then desert. We brought the beer. (There will be more on beer in a later post.)

The food was wonderful but more so was the company. This photo is of just some of the smiling faces. The next is of Anca looking over the scene of her guests.

It was a very warm late afternoon and evening. There was lots of cold drinks -- water, soda, juice and beer.

It was a lovely event for a wonderful young woman.

Alex and her beautiful daughter.

Erica and her goddaughter Kiki.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

First of the Season

This past week I saw my first signs that the seasons are changing. The leaves on some plants are beginning to change color. The temperature does not feel like fall. It is in the high 80's today and the humidity is high. But, it looks like a blustery fall day outside today. It is overcast and the wind is blowing. It is much too warm to be that blustery day when you step into the open air. If this picture is any indication the beautiful, crisp days of fall are not far away. Other signs that fall is near:
  • hours of daylight are definitely getting shorter
  • daily high temperature is inching downward
  • nights are a little cooler
  • annuals are looking spent in the flower beds
  • neighborhood kids are coming home in long pants, polo shirts and toed shoes -- not shorts, tank tops and flip flops
  • local organizations are up and running once again
  • time for a warm cup of peppermint tea

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Summer is Coming to an End

The days are growing shorter, the temperature is moderating, and yesterday I saw a few signs of leaves changing colors. The weather has been beautiful yet there are subtle changes like crisper, cooling breezes. Last week at the "concert in the park" the temperature and breezes were almost perfect. Those of us who love fall were really enjoying that night. We'll go to the park tonight for the last of the season's concerts and to help with the Milton Clipper Express. This is a very short video of the train last week. What fun the people have with the train!

In other happenings of the Labor Day weekend, Erica and Geoff came over from Virginia. Erica helped (mostly did) paint our bedroom. What a great thing to have done. She and Geoff spent some time at the Dewey Beach and were able to swim and enjoy some the end of summer activities there. Here are some photos taken at the Iguana Grill. We had lunch there before they went back home. It was fun because we were able to take the doggies with us.

Erica is checking on Frankie and Bentley who are enjoying a bucket of ice water.

Ice cubes are one of Bentley's favorite treats. Here he thinks that ice water might even be better.

Frankie and Bentley sharing the treat.