October Splendor

 

It was a good day yesterday. 

Whether it was basking in the autumn sunshine, installing a gate and then heading off to fish, preparing juice for jelly, driving over to Hickey Farms or even watching two baseball games in one, yesterday offered something for everyone. 

We won't talk too much about that "two-fer" in the baseball play-offs.  

When all is said and done, and you've stuck with a game for several hours to the bitter end, only to watch your favored team lose, you wonder if it was worth it. 

Yes, of course, it was.  

Seattle lost in another record-breaking game---the longest scoreless game in play-off history. 

I still sat mesmerized in the evening hours watching and enjoying every nuance of that 18-inning game. 

My disappointment at the end lasted about two seconds. 

When Bill came in from fishing at Cocolalla Lake well after dark, he was genuinely surprised that the game was still going. 

We know some people from Bonners Ferry (longtime baseball fans) who attended the Houston-Seattle game.  I'm betting that, except for the score, they have no regrets about the experience of getting to attend a play-off game. 

Before Bill went off fishing, I drove over to Hickey Farms to buy him an Andouille sausage po-boy.  Bill had earned both the sandwich and the fishing trip after spending the morning installing the new barnyard gate.

Now, we have an ingress and egress in the barnyard.  The horses were a bit confused this morning, lining up at the old gate, and going through the new gate meant some new maneuvers.  

Two, however, immediately noticed that walking through the new gate means walking right out to some luscious green grass, so they each grabbed a couple of bites before we headed to pasture. 

The Hickey Farm experience, which is my third this year, was as fun as ever with its sights and sounds and good visiting.  Yesterday's version featured probably the biggest crowd of peeps and pups so far. 

I see that today Miah Kohal and his local band are entertaining, so that could bring in a crowd. 

I learned immediately after returning home that I'd missed my closest friend and editor Helen. She and her great-grandson Kaden had visited Hickey event and then the Lovestead. 

Bill was home waiting for his sandwich when Helen came bearing a birthday gift which she has mentioned a few times since my birthday in June.

Turns out we missed each other at both places.  Helen left me a garden ornament, a neat Irish-themed neckerchief and a movie about dogs. 

During her visit, she also got to see my jelly bag and pulp which was sitting outside the garage door.  I had forgotten that apple pulp and juice doesn't drip nearly as fast as some other fruits.  

So, the bag and its contents sat outside for the afternoon, yielded not much juice for today's jelly project. 

It truly was a good day from morning to night, and I'd say we're all getting a bit spoiled with this glorious weather.  Stay tuned for the grumpy blogger show when the sun and color go away and the gray days of winter subdue the moods.

For now, we'll take every minute we can get of lovely October. 

Speaking of winter, here's a really neat idea for the holiday season and for those in need.  Pass it on.

  From what I'm hearing, the need could be greater than ever this year.

Plus, it will give you something to do and a good feeling every day of Advent.  

Happy Sunday. 

Bill's excellent gate project.  Thank you, Bill.