A "Catch-All" Posting

I walked around the yard today trying to find things that are interesting. The gardening season is rapidly coming to a close, a few leaves are beginning to turn and some of the ash trees have dropped brown leaves. Along the road sides vegetation is becoming shades of yellow, tan and russet. The bean fields are golden and the corn is starting to ripen. There is a definite smell of Fall in the air and the sunlight has taken on a softer glow - smoothing over the rough edges of all things. This is a fine time of the year!

As usual when I'm outdoors taking pictures, the pugs can't come along. They have to be on leashes and I need both hands for the camera. Thea becomes nearly hysterical, running from one vantage point to another, trying to catch a glimpse of Mom. She is yapping like a banshee! Garm is much more stoic and only sometimes will look out the sliding doors for me. This is what they look like nearly every time:

Garm has his nose right up to the glass and is mildly interested - no big deal ...... when suddenly from the other room, in streaks a small, black, furry figure searching for Mom . . .

Look at that face!! I snapped her just as she launching into a fit of barking. You can't even see her teeth. Garm looks completely terrified. But, as I move closer to the door . . .

Instant transformation - anticipation and hope that Mom will not waste anymore time outside....

and lastly, a big, very cute and enticing smile that will surely draw me in. But, alas, it doesn't and I head off to find a few more items of interest.

This is what I call my "Charlie Brown Japanese Maple". It was a birthday present from sister Cindy. She could only find a rather sparse one at the end of the season but insisted that it had healthy new growth showing. Well, we've been watering it faithfully and keeping it out of the sun and look at the lovely new star-shaped leaves. Not sure where it will be planted but I'm going to over-winter it in the vegetable garden.

This coleus looks almost fake, as if I took a black magic marker and drew the veins on the leaves. It's called "Fishnet Stockings" and I think that's a wonderful name.

Look at how little open water there is in the pond. The petunias have really been pleasing and I'm ashamed to say that I was ready to rip them up in early Summer. Glad I didn't!

See that long opening in the oak tree? It is completely weird - the tree is hollow and you can look up and see out a hole near the top! But, it is alive and very healthy and quite large. Squirrels can get in the crack and sit at the top and peer down at us.

Both eyes have fallen into the Lily-of-the Valley foliage and hopefully I'll find them before the snow flies.

My little Bay Leaf shrub. I'll have to harvest and dry the leaves because the Bay plant isn't hearty in this zone. I tried chewing one of the leaves and it's got a really strong flavor.

Tell me what would try chewing on a gourd? I did when I was little and they are horrid and bitter!

Poblano peppers have very odd, one might say bizarre, shapes. That indention looks like it's rotting, but that's just how it's formed. It's perfectly fine and I'll be picking it soon.

Some very late bloomers in the vegetable garden. I love Snapdragons!!

Call the CSI team! Obviously blunt force trauma as cause of death...... I'll check for trace evidence.

Northern Sea Oats beginning to dry. All the little, individual "oaty" things move with the slightest breeze. I just wish it didn't reseed all over the garden. It has the deepest roots ! !

A better picture of the "Fireworks" goldenrod. What a pretty plant.

The garden is primarily white with Boneset and Sweet Autumn Clematis.

Burning bushes just starting to smolder.

Found these sedum "Angelina" at the Farmer's Market. They are supposed to become very yellow in full sun. What a nice little sedum.

No wonder the birdfeeders seem to become empty so quickly!

If a squirrel sits on those perches, the openings will close. I guess the chippie weighs as much as a goldfinch.

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Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces

us, snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as

bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.

John Ruskin

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Bye for now,

Alyssa