Day 300 - 31st October 2017 - Reflections, Dandelions and Mallards

Here we are saying goodbye to October, another month rolls way and Happy Halloween! We got some rain yesterday, no idea how much but by afternoon it had moved on, although the wind continued to blow. All quiet this morning. Temperatures are still fairly mild for this time of year. Good day at work, I finally have dug into my project I'm doing - going to be interesting, but then I've always like the archival work. Grabbed a quick supper (Larry had it all ready) and headed out to exercise class for some light punishment 😀. It was good and hopefully I'll get back to regular nights again. All is well with Larry!

 A quiet more of reflections on the lake.

 A few spent Dandelions along the road.

The Mallards were lazing in the lake.





Enjoy your day!

Day 299 - 30th October 2017 - Pileated Woodpecker, Lake Reflections and Sun

Monday morning and the work week starts again. Suppose to be a wild day of wind and rain, it's blowing already but it sounds like it's moving through fairly quickly. Sunday was  a nice day. Puttered around  a bit, then spent a good portion of the day trying to get  a book project finished up  - still a little left to do. I've spied what I thought was a Female Baltimore Oriole in the yard a couple times over the weekend but she seems to be travelling with a flock of Starlings. When the arrived in the afternoon with her, I ran into get my camera hoping to get a photo. I noticed they had flown into the Quince Bush (I think that's what it is), so off I go creeping and all of a sudden a male Pileated Woodpecker lands and begins eating the berries. Certainly a surprise for me! Never did see the Oriole again but had fun with the Woodpecker. I filled the feeders yesterday morning - Chickadees, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers were quick to appear. Golden Crowned Kinglets play and feed in the bushes. Larry had  a better day, even walked to the neighbour's for  a visit  - progress is being made again.

 Pileated Woodpecker eating berries

 Clouds reflect in the lake

The sun shines through the fog lighting up bushes.



Enjoy your day!

Day 298 - 29th October 2017 - Sun, Fog and a White Breasted Nuthatch

Stars are shining in the dark sky, cool outside with fogging hanging around the street light. Can hear a Goose or two in the lake further down.  Saturday turned out fine and nice after the fog lifted, our company came and we had a good visit. I got out in the hood for a roam before tackling much around the house. The girls came up in the evening and we tackled another game of Aggravation - which Larry won - a boost to his ego...again! The knee seemed to be improving yesterday but is bothering him again this morning. One step forward, one step back - some more back and forth with heat and cold on it. Some stuff around here to do today before the work week starts all over again tomorrow.

 The sun coming through the trees and fog.

 A tunnel of fog passes over the road.

White Breasted Nuthatch






Enjoy your day

Day 297 - 28th October 2017 - Fungi and Red Berries

Temperature feels a little more seasonal this morning, looks like the fog has rolled in too. Friday was a great day, weather was nice but a bit cooler (not cold) - perhaps fall has arrived. Did some "light" housework - leaving some of the cobwebs for Halloween decorations 😉. Lunch out with Margie, then some groceries and home. The girls all came for Aggravation which will probably continue tonight - sometimes with all the vocabulary enhancement we require two nights to finish a game. Today,  Dorothy and Roger are coming for a visit and lunch so I've got to whip up dessert and biscuits. I don't think I've got enough yeast for rolls. Will be good to see them and catch up. Larry's "good" knee is still being a bit of a problem, but it seems to be improving some. Just means that the hip recovery progress has slowed down a tiny bit the last few days - he's still doing his exercises and walking but not at the speed he was earlier in the week.

 After the rain on Thursday, lots of fungi popped up.

Still some bushes with red berries.




Enjoy your day!

Day 296 - 27th October 2017 - Trees, Leaves and Bark

The rain arrived late Thursday afternoon  and boy did it come down, the wind blowing and whipping it around.  With the warm air and high humidity it felt like a tropical storm. Not sure how much we actually got but probably not as much as we need. Of course and nice gently steady rain would have been more useful, but Mother Nature does what she sees fit. I'm off today, now have a new schedule - Monday through Thursday, every week has a long weekend. Will buzz around this morning and do some housework, maybe have a little walk in the hood. It's also Thelma & Louise day - so lunch and a few errand, then Friday Night Club and a game of Aggravation. Sounds like it will be a nice fun filled day. Larry's "good" knee was feeling better last night so hopefully that was only a temporary set back.

 The sun filters through the trees to cast shadows on the road.

 I'm sure after the wind and rain this branch is bare.

Bark peels from a tree.





Enjoy your day!

Day 295 - 26th October 2017 - Song Sparrow, Woodpecker and Leaves

Warm and windy out there this morning, rain on the way. It's kind of a tropical feeling. Hard to believe that near the end of October, one can still wear shorts and flip flops. It's good weather for the woodpile, saves a few logs for later this winter. Rain will be much appreciated, I've tried not to think too much about the level of water in the well. Things are good at work, all of the re-arranging of exhibits etc. look great. A few new ones will soon be going up. Larry's doing well, getting stronger every day except this morning the knee on his other leg is really bothering him (previous injuries and a plate with screws).

 Song Sparrow

 Female Woodpecker

Still a few leaves hanging on.



Enjoy your day!

Day 294 - 25th October 2017 - Chipmunk, Light and Burning Bush

Tuesday was another very warm day - unlike our typical late October weather. Temperature was somewhere around +22 and the same is forecast for today, although a chance of showers this afternoon. Days like this we should really be at the beach. Good day at work, always interesting to delve into something different. Can hear the Deer behind the Lilac bush, probably munching on apple from the old apple tree in the back yard. They've not come out to chat yet. Stars in the sky, mild and warm.

 The Chipmunks are enjoying the warm days of October.

 These solar light.s remind me of Christmas lights

I believe this is what they call a Burning Bush.




Enjoy your day!

Day 293 - 24th October 2017 -Rosehips, Squirrel and Reflections

Just had a chat with the deer in the yard. We have a Doe and two last year fawns that are tending quite frequently around the house. Maybe tomorrow morning will talk about my expectations that they leave the garden alone next summer. Monday was a beautiful day and another on it's way today. Temperatures are more like August then October. Good day at work, now I start my archival project - will be interesting to go through some of the collections, rehousing and organizing things. It's lovely walking along the lake these last few morning, enjoy the feel of fall.

Rosehips along the roadside.















Lots (maybe too many) squirrels around.

The reflections in the lake are beautiful this time of year.



Enjoy  your day!

Day 292 - 23rd October 2017- Reflections, Lupins and a Blue Jay

Sunday was a beautiful day although a little cloudy and maybe not quite as warm as Saturday. It is rolling in toward the last week of October and I'll take as many of these days as Mother Nature wants to send us.  We had a great day, with lots of friends visiting throughout the afternoon and evening. Good to catch up with everyone and a good distraction from boredom for Larry. He tackled cooking supper last night and will continue tonight so long as I have everything where he can reach it. Successfully managed the stairs last night. Monday morning and back to work - just built a fire in the furnace, time to get breakfast and things moving.

 Reflections on a fall morning.

 Those cheeky bandits - Blue Jays have returned to the yards.

Lupin seed pods are empty now - seeds scattered in the winds.




Enjoy your day!

Days 290 & 291 - 21st & 22nd October 2017 - Ruffed Grouse, the Lake and Leaves

Thanks for indulging me while I took a  little break. Mornings and evenings are cool and crisp now but it warms up considerably during the day - sun still feels strong. Saturday was nice, buzzed around getting some "light" housework done and roamed the hood. Made brown bread rolls. Larry and I walked as far as Lois' in the afternoon, enjoyed tea, a chat and a rest before heading home. It's the furthest he's gone  and he's making great progress. With some assistance reaching low bowls, etc. he made supper. Things are coming along with his recovery. Beautiful morning out there, daylight is creeping through the trees, a few fluffy clouds drift across the sky and the ducks are quacking for breakfast. Will be a good day for a roam in the hood and some meal prep.

Male Ruffed Grouse hiding in the underbrush - no way was he coming out so I could get a good shot of him.

Bright punches of color in the background bushes.

Quite a few trees are bare now but some still hold their color.



Enjoy your day!

Day 289 - 20th October 2017 - Break

All is great, other than I've been up too early but I need a break, so will catch up with you Saturday or Sunday. It's Friday so the work week is almost over. Hopefully I'll get out in the hood with Big B and capture some pics. Enjoy your day!

Day 288 - 19th October 2017 - Mallards

Wednesday was a good day. The staff all went to lunch together - most fortunate to work with a great bunch. I caught an earlier ride so started work a bit early - I'm a morning person and fade as the afternoon rolls around so that works for me. Another morning that photos are sluggish loading, time to call and get them to tweak my dish... put that on a long list of things to do that I never seem to get done. Larry's making good headway and I should be able to move him to supper prep next week if I make sure everything is on the counter where he can reach it. Don't see him running marathons yet, but it's nice to see him without pain and able to do more things.

Day 287 - 18th October 2017 - Fall Reflections and Grandmother's Journal

Certainly a fall morning - cool and crisp, but suppose to warm back up again.Yesterday, had a beautiful walking on my way to catch my ride. The lake was lovely, colors surrounded her shoreline, clouds of pink and blue shifted along the sky reflecting in the water. It remained cool all day. Larry managed to make a pot of tomato sauce (I left everything he needed on the counter) so he's definitely doing better - but not ready for a marathon yet. I made it to Trivia last night - although it wasn't one of our better games - but we laughed and had a good time which is all that counts. Sorry - things to do this morning before going to work and photos are slow uploading, so not much to show.
Grandmother's Journal:
18th October 1977 - Rained early, Bob wasn't able to work til noon. Bob had an accident this morning, hit his back but lucky no ribs broken. In town early, home late. Barb & Judy over to watch the World Series. Yankees are winning. [for many years they were Red Sox fans until the Blue Jays came along]
19th October 1977 - Fine today. As usual to work early, home at night a bit earlier. Barb had car trouble came home with us. Roads need grading, very pot holes and rough. Someone saw a truck with big search lights etc. for deer jacking at 8:30 at night. Jackson also saw it- shone lights around his place.

Day 286 - 17th October 2017 - Leaves, Ferns and a Chickadee

Well it never did rain Monday and was quite mild, feels a little cooler this morning. The private road has a carpet of pine needles and leaves now. In some spots you can hardly see the ground. Had  a good day at work - nice to put on the regular clothes again instead of the costume. Got our inventory done, clean up and things put away. Today we shift to another museum and work on exhibit tear down. Always fun to have different things to do. It was so nice getting home earlier- took Larry out for a walk, leftover turkey and trimmings for supper, built a fire in the furnace and threw together a turkey soup for the next few nights. He also decided to try out the cane last night which was extremely successful and gives him a little more mobility freedom.

Some trees stand bare now.

 The ferns and grasses are lovely hues of yellows and gold.

And there is usually a Chickadee somewhere nearby.




Enjoy your day!

Day 285 - 16th October 2017 - Colors, Reflections and Pink Clover

Wind and rain during the night,  a lot more trees have shed their leaves by the looks of those that have blown on the deck.  But it's a mild morning and should clear later.The work week begins, I've finished with weekends until next season. This week is clean up, inventory and other fun stuff. Lots done on Sunday, cooked a turkey, which will make for good leftovers this week - although it was not very meaty. Some chores done around the house. Managed  walk in the morning before the drizzle/rain started. Lovely morning along the lake, not many birds these days - Blue Jays, Pileated Woodpecker, Song Sparrows, White Throated Sparrows, Chickadees and Nuthatches.

Picture perfect morning - punches of color

 and reflections you can flip upside down and never know the difference

Still some Pink Clover along the roadside.






Enjoy your day!

Day 284 - 15th October 2017 - Leaves, Lake and Flower

We had some rain showers late in the day/evening yesterday. Sounds like a few more today but no great amount. Lake is low for this time of year but still mostly mild. My day off, lots to do but hoping I can get a jaunt around the hood squeezed in there somewhere and take Larry out for a walk. It was nice to sleep til 5am - the extra hour perks me right up!  Good day at work on Saturday, my last day wearing the shroud (costume) for this season.  We had a full table playing aggravation last night - lots of fun and one of our group had a birthday so it was cake time too. Larry was in his element and very on track, while the rest of us lagged, the game will continue Friday night.

Lots of leaves on the road.

 and the lake.

Still the odd summer/fall flower around.




Enjoy your day!

Day 283 - 14th October 2017 - Bling, Chickadee and Mallards

The Owls are very loud and vocal this morning - one nearby hooting and another further along the lake replying. I startled a deer in the yard when I went out - probably came back to see if there was any swiss chard left to munch on. Beautiful peaceful start to the day, except it's still night time - need to figure out how to sleep past 4am. Good day at work on Friday, not a lot of people around but all of them were very nice and interested.  Well it's just about time to finish off my coffee and get the day started, always seems to be a lot to do before going to work these days. Larry doing well, but exhibiting big signs of cabin fever. Glad the girls are coming tonight to play Aggravation. Hopefully he'll have a visitor or two while I'm working today.

 Some shoreline bling

 Chickadee

The Mallards are quiet these days, just munching around the lilypads





Enjoy your day!

Day 282 - 13th October 2017 - Hermit Thrush, Leaves and a Chickadee

Lovely but chilly morning - stars and moon are out, twinkling in the dark sky. Can hear an Owl up the lake. Guess I'll be building a fire in the furnace this morning. It's that time of year, when the mornings and evenings require the house being warmed up especially with the patient at home. He's progressing well. After supper last night the yard was full of Chickadees, Robins and a single Hermit Thrush. Now that it's getting colder, I'll soon be using the feeders again - probably in the next week or two. Our work days at the Ross Thomson House are coming to an end, just today and tomorrow for me and we close on the 15th. Then next week will be clean up, inventory, etc. No more weekends til next season. It's been a good year, enjoy the work and the variety of visitors that come through.

My favourite songster paid a visit last evening - Hermit Thrush.

 A burst of colour

Chickadee hiding among the Old Man's Beard having breakfast.





Enjoy your day!

Day 281 - 12th October 2017 - Fall Colours and Lake Reflections

Brrr... certainly a chill out there this morning, probably will be  a frost by daylight. The stars are peeking through dark clouds that shift across the sky and a strange coloured ring around the moon. Yes it's fall but overall it's certainly been lovely, mostly warm and mild. My morning is busy already - breakfast, get a fire in the furnace going, Larry ready for his day. Might just be glad to get to work in a few hours. Yesterday's appointment went well, she's happy with his progress and we are back in 4 weeks.

 Thought I'd enjoy the colours while they are still here.

 Punches of yellows reflect in the lake

Soft reds through the background.






Enjoy your day!