September CHILL

Yesterday, I added the gloves.  This morning I dug out the stocking cap.

Usually on my morning walk, I'm taking off the extra shirt or jacket about halfway.  

This morning everything, including the hat and gloves,  stayed on until I reached the paperbox from my trip down Selle Road. 

There's a definite chill in the air along with a lot of dead plants in the gardens.

I'm noticing that the vine plants seem to be the biggest wusses when it comes to cold air.

No longer will zucchinis pop off those vines, and the golden yellow pumpkins are clearly visible in their manure-pile patch.  

The leaves and vines that kept them hidden have shriveled considerably and transformed to a deep dark dead green. 

The corn---almost ready to harvest---took a strong hit too. 

I pulled all my bean plants (along with their accompanying weeds) yesterday after grabbing the last picking the night before.  

That was a satisfying chore because the pretty row of romaine and leaf lettuce, planted a few weeks ago,  is clearly visible.

I did notice during that job that SOME weeds die with the frost but not very many.  Hail and hearty they are as they stand proudly or spread their jungle-like vines in an effort to choke off the vegetables.

The three sheets, flung over the tomato plants,  had a visible film of frost this morning.  I'm hoping their cover was enough to save the tomatoes.

We finally had our first garden tomato slices on bacon cheeseburgers last night.  

I consumed the rest of the tomato before dinner and once again acknowledged that there's no flavor better than fresh 'maters.

I tackled another fall project yesterday.  Most of the water in new Big Blue had emptied into the first pasture via garden hose the other day.

Approximately two inches remained in the pool because its drain, of course, is slightly above ground level.

So, out came the shop vac, and,  two hours later,  the remaining water and most of the algae that had grown on the pool bottom was gone.

All I need to do now is wait until a late afternoon when the sun has dried out the remaining algae and sweep it up with a broom.

I also discovered yesterday that dismantling the pool will not be as difficult as we first thought on that beastly hot July day when three of us--Bill, Willie and I--grunted, groaned and sweated while inserting the pins that hold the frame together.

A few well-aimed hits with the hammer on the pin bottoms and they pop right out.

Soon the pool will get stored for the winter.  

These September days are so pleasant once the chill transcends into comfortable shirt-sleeve temps----not too hot, not too cold. 

I enjoyed another horseback ride yesterday afternoon---this time with "Lazy" Lily.  My legs got a workout while trying to get Lily to work out with just a little more speed to her walk. 

On the trip home, however, Lily, like any smart horse, figured out how to cover ground with gusto.   I figured the further we went north on South Center Valley Road, the more pleasant the return trip would be.

And, it was, especially when a car came by and stopped. 

My dear longtime friend and former neigbhor, Peggy Watts Shadel, poked her head out the window, and we enjoyed a quick visit.

Twas good to see Peggy, and, of course, I thought about the time years ago when we rode  on the two-day Pend Oreille Trail ride together.  We also did plenty of riding around our neighborhood in our younger days.

Truly a nice nostalgic, pleasant reflection as Peggy and her hubby Kenny drove on and Lily (no longer Lazy Lily) and I plodded on home.

Happy Wednesday to all.  Enjoy your 'maters.