Fall Has Arrived

Song - Les Feuilles Mort (Autumn Leaves) by Andrea Bocelli

After several days of 100 degree weather last week,

it looks like Fall might just have arrived here in Northern California!

We have bushels of apples to pick next week.

I have a few flowers left but with the heat in September

there are only a few to enjoy.

Most are ready for the new season like this Hydrangea above changing her petals.

The Dogwood trees have their bright red berries ready.

And the Snowball Viburnum is always the first garden shrub to change color.

We have more Hawks.....

 

And Woodpeckers now.

 The Acorns are dropping all around me and crunching under the car tires.

But the best thing in our garden right now is.....

......little Henry who turned 6 months just two weeks ago and I got him this swing for the yard.

Andy hung it on a sturdy branch on a large Oak tree 

right where he and Ashley were married three years ago.

Funny how life happens.....

"Delicious autumn! 

My very soul is wedded to it, 

and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

--George Eliot

Here Comes Pete & Re-Pete!

Just Squirrels

Tell me, do squirrels have a life purpose?

I mean other than to empty my bird feeders and their pure entertainment value?  Oh yeah and to drive the dog crazy as well!

I filled all of my bird feeders earlier this week in anticipation of the big California storm that hit on Thursday.  But the squirrels were in all of them by the time I walked into the house.

 

"Hey Pete how the heck do I get around this dome?"

"I can just hang out here all day long and get my 3 square meals!"

"Good thing the tree grows branches perfect for my toes to hang onto!!!"

"Hey, Pete.......maybe she won't spot me back here?

Dude it's like I'm in full camo gear - Hehe!!!"

"OK - Re-Pete, I've got this one covered and it's got me covered!"

"It's a good thing she put the "umbrella" over my feeder!"

"And a good thing there is a little handle on here for me!"

"Hey Re-Pete, I'm stuck to my food bowl"

"Pete, it's time to get away - quick, let's take the vine freeway"

"Hurry, she's coming outside with the dog!"

"OK Pete, I'm right behind you bud"

"Hey Re-Pete, I think I have room for one more go around!!!"

Ahhh....now for a little bird time...........


"If we had a keen vision of all that is ordinary in human life, it would be like hearing the grass grow or the squirrel's heart beat, and we should die of that roar which is the other side of silence" -- George Eliot

A Summer Walk

Song - For the Summer by Ray LaMontagne

"If we had a keen vision of all that is ordinary in human life, it would be like hearing the grass grow or the squirrel's heart beat, and we should die of that roar which is the other side of silence." - George Eliot

This morning my friend, Jill texted me to see if I wanted to go for a walk.

Since it wasn't 106 degrees and wasn't rainy or windy....I had no excuse.

It was rather dry for this time of year.

Actually it was just perfect weather for walking.

But this is JILL....jill-the-pill!  And that name comes with her for a good reason! BEWARE!

You know the kind.... she is the one that sees a "NO TRESPASSING" sign and to her that's just a tease. Come along and see if you can get caught.  Oh look, there is a "Don't Walk" sign....let's run!

So I texted her back and said "A STROLL and no hills!"

I have not been exercising for a long time and I didn't want her to be responsible for my heart attack in the middle of nowhere!

Morning mist on a Thistle blossom.

We drove to a nearby park-cow-pastureland - "Briones Park". (Remember Gwen?)

And for two hours we strolled and I photographed (that was my excuse for pausing) and we visited and we enjoyed the bliss of quiet solitude.

We came to a "watering hole" and found absolutely no wildlife!


Not a frog or Red-Winged Blackbird.

Just lime green water.

And cow footprints in the mud.

We did find a Blue Jay feather and a Hawk feather as well as spotting a blue bird, who flew away before I could photograph him.

Then as we rounded a corner we ran into these vicious beasts and I decided that it was time to return to the safety of the car.

You can just see how these two are talking about how to plan their attack on us????

Time to get out of Dodge!

On the path home we saw a lot of ground squirrels but there was one who thought he was a statue.

"If I stay very still maybe she won't notice me"

 

 "Well, I have to peek out of one eye."

 Oh my, she is taking my photograph!  Is this my good side?

Maybe I should try a front view?

No I think a side view is best....but which side?

Maybe I should go underground until the paparazzi has left the park.

Well, maybe one more for my fans.  Gosh it's a beautiful day for a stroll!

And if you haven't seen this British Video of Animals Talking  - please watch - it will make you laugh.....I promise Alan!

 

Autumn

I have always loved Autumn.  The days are still warm but the nights cool down.  It is a time for new school supplies, sharp pencils and a fresh sheet of paper.  A time for baking and coming within for comfort, reading a book or beginning a needlework project.  It's a time to reorganize and try to get in the last few al fresco dinners with friends and family.  The garden is not as demanding and the birds come back to my feeders.

"Delicious autumn! 

My very soul is wedded to it, 

and if I were a bird 

I would fly about the earth 

seeking 

the successive autumns." 

-- George Eliot