It's Wind Chill Time

No, this isn't a current weather photo. I took it back in February 2004. We don't usually get that much snow this early in the season. However, it does get pretty cold as you can see from tonight's forecast:

Colder. Partly cloudy. Lows around 5. Northwest winds less than 10 mph. Lowest wind chill readings 12 below to 4 above zero after midnight.

Hootie

Another feathered friend. He made a brief appearance a few years ago on the 5th of July. We think all the noise from the 4th scared him away from his normal habitat and he found refuge in a tree near our front porch. He hung around for a day or two, but we never saw him again.

Woodpecker

A Thanksgiving feast for my feathered friend.

Mushrooms

I discovered these mushrooms a few weeks ago. While on my walk today, I noticed they're pretty much gone. Wonder if the squirrels ate them or if they've simply fallen off now that we've had some freezing temps.

Sheridan Street Bridge

I go under this bridge every day I walk the Rock Island Bike Trail. I love how the trees provide a canopy across the bike path. It doesn't seem possible that they're almost completely bare now. With our warm temps today (66) and even warmer in tomorrow's forecast, it sure doesn't feel like fall. But I'm not complaining! It won't be long before we're dealing with ice, snow and subzero temps.

Caught, Red-Handed!

This little guy claims innocence, but I know better. He's been busy devouring my pumpkins! He should know better. In another few weeks, Rod will toss all the pumpkins in the backyard and let the squirrels feast away on them. But for now, Sammy will have to wait until the coast is clear before he can dine. Poor guy.

The Falling Leaves

Even if something is left undone,
everyone must take time
to sit still and watch
the leaves turn.
~ Elizabeth Lawrence

First Snowfall

Yep. We had snow on Saturday. It even stuck to the deck railing and patio furniture for a little while. Thank goodness there wasn't a lot and what did fall was gone after an hour or so. Of course, there wasn't anything significant to photograph, so you're stuck with another autumnal picture. This is on the boulevard a few streets south of our house. It turned out to be a gorgeous day and we had a lovely walk along the bike trail in spite of the chilly temps and wind. Brrr.....

Sammy, the Singing Squirrel

These pictures aren't very sharp (they were shot through our French door windows that need cleaning), but I couldn't resist sharing them. This little guy sat frozen in place, with his little hands up to his chest for what seemed like minutes. Maybe the pictures are blurring from my shaking shoulders. I couldn't stop laughing!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Happiness is heated seats in my Mini! :)

No frost on the pumpkins this morning, but boy was it chilly! 29 at 7 am. Brrrrr. At least we didn't get any snow. Time to dump the potted plants on the deck. They held up well, providing five months of pleasure.

Photos courtesy of June Jackson

Rainy Day

It's been raining on and off all day. Temps are dropping (currently 46) as the cold front moves in. There's a rumor of flurries tomorrow night, but I'm not going to believe it 'til I see it. We do have a frost warning for tonight, however. I think my annuals have just about seen their last day. They gave me 5 months of beauty and I plan to plant even more next year.

Bike Trail

The bike trail was fairly busy yesterday and today. Temps have been steady at 92. Hardly seems like autumn, but before we know it, we'll be knee deep in snow. Could be sooner than later. Seems to me, Halloween was cancelled (ok, postponed) in 1991 due to an early snowstorm. Personally, I don't mind if it holds off until December 22nd (when Amy comes home from Texas for the holidays).

October 1st

O suns and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October's bright blue weather.
~Helen Hunt Jackson

Autumn Joy

What a perfect name for this perennial. It's such an easy plant to grow and looks so pretty in the fall. I love the color.

Fickle Fall

'Tis the season for fickle weather. One day it's downright cold and windy (ok, cold meaning in the mid-50s) and the next day it's 84 and humid. I've gone from running the furnace at night to cranking the A/C back on in the afternoon. There's a cold front heading our way again, so hopefully the cool weather will stick around a bit longer this week. I'm not ready for snow, but I sure wouldn't mind a nice, long month of mild temps.

Camera Shy

You wouldn't believe the time and effort it took to get a decent picture of this darned bird! He's practically become part of the family, he's here so often. However, he's very camera shy; dashing off the moment I reach for my camera, yet lingering for long stretches of time if he realizes the camera was accidentally left inside.

Of course, Rod (who names everything: cars, ficus plants, wild birds, stray cats) has made it official. Please meet "Wally."

Last Rose

'Tis the last rose of summer,
Left blooming alone;
All her lovely companions
Are faded and gone.

- Thomas Moore

The Monarchs Have Arrived!

I've seen dozens of Monarch butterflies this past week. The asters are full of them (as well as honey bees), in spite of the strong, gusty winds we've had. We even had a tornado warning in Lancaster County last night. First time in a long time I've heard the sirens go off in Lincoln!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Autumn...

Blue Sky

After three days of rain and overcast, I was thrilled to see such a gorgeous blue sky this afternoon. It's currently 70 degrees with a very slight breeze and simply lovely outside. Just got back from an invigorating walk along the bike trail where I saw a sugar maple with a few red leaves! I'll take my camera this evening when I walk with my hubby.

I love autumn!!

Hostas

I need to plant more of these.

Fall Aster

The Return of the Wasp

Wasp

Country Road

September

SEPTEMBER

by: Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885)

HE golden-rod is yellow;

The corn is turning brown;

The trees in apple orchards

With fruit are bending down.




The gentian's bluest fringes

Are curling in the sun;

In dusty pods the milkweed

Its hidden silk has spun.




The sedges flaunt their harvest,

In every meadow nook;

And asters by the brook-side

Make asters in the brook.




From dewy lanes at morning

The grapes' sweet odors rise;

At noon the roads all flutter

With yellow butterflies.




By all these lovely tokens

September days are here,

With summer's best of weather,

And autumn's best of cheer.




But none of all this beauty

Which floods the earth and air

Is unto me the secret

Which makes September fair.




'T is a thing which I remember;

To name it thrills me yet:

One day of one September

I never can forget.

Field Trip

This past week I've noticed an abundance of sunflowers in the empty fields and ditches on my way work. I decided to take a field trip one afternoon and see what I could see. In spite of the bees, wasps and ticks (no, I didn't see any ticks, but I KNOW they're out there!) I managed to take several decent pictures. I love the contrast between the brilliant blue sky and the yellow flowers. Makes me smile.

Garden Angel

I should have this garden angel dressed in a rain slicker! It's been so unseasonably cool and rainy for the past few days. A mild 63 degrees with gray skies. Feels more like Seattle than Lincoln in August. Sure hope this doesn't mean we're in for a brutal winter. I'm not quite ready for fall!

Summer Wind

The summer heat is back with a vengeance. The cooler, damper days of early August are all but a faded memory. It's 95, windy (when is it not windy in Nebraska?) with thunderstorms brewing on the horizon. Too hot & humid to go for our pre-dinner walk. Guess we'll just have to suffer and have a cold drink out on the deck.

*This photo is not from our property, but rather from my brother & sister-in-law's backyard. Looks like something out a Willa Cather novel.

Within My Garden

Within my Garden, rides a Bird
Upon a single Wheel—
Whose spokes a dizzy Music make
As 'twere a travelling Mill—

He never stops, but slackens
Above the Ripest Rose—
Partakes without alighting
And praises as he goes,

Till every spice is tasted—
And then his Fairy Gig
Reels in remoter atmospheres—
And I rejoin my Dog,

And He and I, perplex us
If positive, 'twere we—
Or bore the Garden in the Brain
This Curiosity—

But He, the best Logician,
Refers my clumsy eye—
To just vibrating Blossoms!
An Exquisite Reply!

Emily Dickinson