Hello, September!

 

It's a lovely day for ushering in September. 

When I took my first trip outside this morning around 4:45, the sky was clear 'cept for the twinkling of millions of stars. 

It was definitely a magical sight to behold first thing in the morning.

So, as we turn our calendars over, we also welcome seasonal happenings.  Locally, high school sports have already started.  

I saw in the paper this morning that the Sandpoint Bulldogs swept their athletic events yesterday, including an exciting comeback win for the young volleyball team. 

Twasn't quite September, but the sheets and tarps came out last night to help extend the lives of various veggies around the place. 

Turns out we had no frost, but those accessories will stay handy cuz the next three nights could be dipping down into the 30s. 

My manure-pile cantaloupe have significantly grown in size over the past several days, but they've got a ways to go before I dare pluck one, cut it open and see what's inside.  

It's going to be a race against the varmints for some of the melons to reach fruition, as I'm seeing definite signs that tiny teeth have been busy peeling away at the rind.

Leaves on shrubs and trees are slowly making their transition into autumn brilliance, and many varieties of fruit are dropping to the ground if we fall behind on picking.

At our place, that makes the deer happy.  I was noticing yesterday that my big apple tree managed to produce most of its fruit on the lower limbs.  

Once again, it will be a race between me and the critters to get my share of the apples IF they have a chance to mature. 

This is also the time of year when I'm working on a story and looking for places to take nice pictures of people who are in the story. 

So, yesterday, I spent most of the afternoon taking "walks in the parks."  

It was a wonderful experience because I seldom visit some of the smaller parks around town. 

I must say that the parks crew, including a nice man named Grant, whom I met yesterday and learned that he's an SHS grad,  have done a magnificent job grooming and enhancing the esthetics of our parks.  

Lovely, lush and nicely manicured green grass, new paint on bridges and buildings and cleanliness throughout---I loved the time spent walking around looking for possible photo locations.  

I also spent some time at Dover Bay which is definitely in a transition period of furious construction.  I actually thought I was on the wrong road to the park because there was SO much new construction. 

I hope the density does not take away from the absolute charm of that place.  

And, I can report that once on the pathway through the park and over the bridges in the marsh area, my thoughts about all that construction switched to pleasant awe as I watched kids swimming or playing on equipment and, in general,  people happily strolling through the abundance of natural beauty skirting the housing development.  

In my search, I did find a few nice spots and returned home quite pleased with the afternoon of spending time in such lovely settings. 

With today's weather, it's going to be hard to find a place around here that's not downright pleasant and beautiful. 

September is off to a perfect start.  

Enjoy this photo.  

Happy Wednesday and Happy September. 

 

This morning I spent time reading the article below.  I think we've all learned to play the waiting game over the past year when purchasing or ordering products. 

From the sounds of this story, we may as well get used to it. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/30/business/supply-chain-shortages.html?utm_source=pocket-newtab

My friend Connie from Hope has put out a blog entry.

  Once again, we have something in common.  She talks about an encounter with a garter snake.

I also experienced one yesterday, only this creature was lurking in our shop off the house where Festus lives.

I went back later to encourage it to leave, and it already had.  Just hoping it didn't find a permanent home under something inside.  

https://retiredmtnlady.blogspot.com/

This is the season where television viewing takes up a bit more of our time. 

It will be a wait, but well worth the wait when this series starts again. 

If it's anything like last year's episodes, we rural animal lovers are in for a treat.  Love this show!

All Creatures Great and Small is premiering nationally Sundays, Jan. 10-Feb 21, 2021, at 9/8c on MASTERPIECE on PBS. 

Check local listings to confirm the broadcast times in your area.