Tyler's Halloween Costume

You know, we're just at the place where Robin Hood or even Gandalph costumes don't cut it anymore. And while we should have been long prepared for this, well, that's just not how my mind works. So, having no costume even after the dance started, I was searching through closets for inspiration and found Todd's old Army National Guard uniform. It was a perfect fit in sleeve and pants length, just a bit loose through the shoulders and chest. It was weird the emotions that went through me as I saw him standing there all dressed in uniform. Almost like sending him off, you know? But it's only to a dance and the Jr High Halloween party, so I guess it's okay!

Freezer Meat!

Look at this good-lookin' hunk of meat!

(Nice deer, too, huh?)

Last year's deer was the best wild meat I have ever had, and I was sorry to see its end. Some of you may know that I was raised on moose and salmon, a little caribou thrown in, and I'm not a fan. Give me a nice beef steak any time. Srsly. But that venison was great. I have high hopes for this fellow, too. (The deer.) He's all cleaned, wrapped, and hanging in the garage. Good job, honey! What a hunter! And how great to have our own hunting grounds up here on the mountain.

Okay, that's enough

The perfect fall leaf

Yet more fall color

Vine maples are my favorite

More vine maples
Sitting on a large flat rock by the river, with a lap full of puppy. Crutches? Yeah, hurt my knee a couple of weeks ago. Please pray for healing, because this sitting around, being still so it will heal is seriously not cutting it.
Beautiful water

Bridge

More Fall Photos

Through the sunroof

Tokatee Lake

Do I Really Need New England in the Fall?

For years I have wanted to see New England's autumn glory. And their antique stores! I have dreamed of touring all the states "up there" with a U-Haul trailer in tow to stash all my found treasures and bring them to the left coast with me. However, along with a full home has come a satiety towards accumulation, a desire to be content with what I already own, a newfound distaste for clutter. (Not that I have conquered said clutter which already exists in my life.) That takes care of the U-Haul issue.

And I just may have lost my desire to see the fall colors in other places, having newly discovered the natural fall bounty of southern Oregon. Todd and I went on a driving date Saturday up the North Umpqua River. Michael was paintballing and Tyler and Priscilla preferred home activities. I want to share with you pictures from the day. It may take more than two postings to get them all in, since I seem unable to place more than 5 photos in one blog. (A little help, anyone?)

Tokatee Lake reflection
Native maples

Fall Garden Images

It's exciting to see fall peas coming up. Never planted at this season before.
It will be interesting to see if we actually get any peas from these! And here are the baby carrots we planted in a large tote. Again - I'll let you know if they grow to maturity at this season.
For this I plant tuberous begonias. They hide on my back porch off the bedroom, but what a splurge of opulent color every time I pass their way! They bless me.
Okay, two plants, both new to me, that the deer have not marauded. Yet. This one is a perennial salvia, color Red. The blue salvias are apparently quite a different flavor, since they are all now only sticks with tiny clusters of leaves at their bases, struggling to survive. The red, however, look quite promising! Even attractive.
And this is a Russian Sage, down the hill in the total deer zone (all deer, all the time). I was so excited to see this, blooming all over its lovely light purple stalks! Several of the tips were grazed but it must have a pretty nasty aftertaste or it would be a stub.
I thought it best not to post the many MANY plant carcasses around the house. Maybe we'll get more fencing up before next season. Hey, it's all a learning curve, right?

Someone Else's Opinion in the Election Debate

This is Mike Guzzardo's wife's blog. He's Jim Stump's son, for anyone's info...

I thought her viewpoint was interesting.

http://www.xanga.com/GuzzardoA

Fall Pleasures

Truly, fall time comes in a close second to spring as the best season. After the intense heat and searing dryness of summer here, the first rain brings joy and anticipation of the return of green hills for the winter. Tiny pops of brilliant yellow maple leaves appear among broad expanses of green. Then whole trees begin to shine and distinguish themselves from the evergreens.

Trips to Fred Meyer bring pansies to plant in porch containers for winter color.
The farm stand yields big bags of apples to peel and cook down, spiced apple butter for yummy toast toppings all winter. Can't wait to start peeling. Sugar pumpkins snuggle next to "hunny" and new jars for canning.
Above, the clouds balloon dark grey and spit big spatters of rain, then unload and drench the dry ground. Soon, though, the sun and blue sky take back over and shine the brighter for the washed clean air.
Michael has a football game tonight. It's been a kick to get back into the high school sports scene - the stands packed with enthusiastic small town people, the kids working so hard out there.

Poor Pris is under the weather - horrible cold. I think I'll make a big pot of chicken soup and I might have time to get some dough rising for rolls to be done before the game. I doubt she'll be going, but the chicken soup will make her feel better anyway.