Diary 11/30/14

A very cold start to the day. We were rewarded with a clear, sunny day later on~

The Noble Beast and I...

Diary 11/29/14

One more day of November! That went by quickly. It is soggy out in the fields. There is standing water everywhere as we received another 1.7 inches of liquid sunshine yesterday. Still mild temperature with snow barely at the very top peaks only. Afraid it will be a repeat of last year if El Nino sets up a wet, but warm storm track. Nothing to do about it, but I do love the snow. Meanwhile more and more mushrooms showing up. Nothing I know to be edible, but still fun to spot them and take a picture. Never seen so many different kinds dotting the woods every step you take.

Diary 11/26/14

Getting ready for feasting. Hope you are, too. Best wishes. Time for another poem. This one won Honorable Mention(4th place) in a contest of 35 poems. OK, maybe I am a poet and don't know it~

Fog in the Garden

The fog sneaks into view out my window,
Easing its way between the trees and lawn chairs to the grass.
It covers the pond with gauze,
Hiding the water’s features and the surrounding ground.
Bushes turn to tissues and flowers disappear,
Merging void and mass into one continuous wall of nothingness.
Shapes no longer have edges,
Floating in a liquid suspension of mist, smeared by vapors.
The once defined space of the garden is now limitless,
Revealing no ceiling of sky, no floor of earth.
I watch the white veil close as the fog blends near and far,
Cloaking the familiar scene with invisibility.

Diary 11/25/14

Making some pottery for Christmas presents. Working on mugs today~ Bowls in the works. Nice to have a box of pots this time of year. Hopefully all goes well. So far, so good.

Diary 11/24/14

There is a dead carcass on the road below our house and eagles have been feeding on it every day.

 Yesterday the bald eagle was back in the foggy morning and later on a golden eagle came to sit in the same tree with his wings spread out to dry. We didn't get a very good picture before he took off. I can hear them whistling to each other this morning, but I can't see them anywhere.

Diary 11/21/14

My husband has been elk hunting. The elk have stayed elusive this year. He see this guy while out in the forest,  the somewhat rare Spotted Owl.

Diary 11/20/14

I cannot remember a fall with as many mushrooms as this one. Though we have had some frosts, they are still popping up everywhere and so many different kinds. I found these Boletes today on a walk. I know they are Boletes from the spongey gills they have. I think these ones are edible, but not choice.

This group was older anyway. I also found this weird one which may be a Fluted Helvetia which some people eat. I am going to pass just because of the way it looks!

Diary 11/19/14

The morning was cool and damp, not crisp and frosty as the last two. Before the real rain started this afternoon, it was pleasant, moist and full of fall smells. By afternoon, though, the wind came up, the rain fell in earnest and I stayed inside throwing pots on the potter's wheel for the first time in three years. Like riding a bicycle, well not exactly. The first ball of clay was meant to be a bowl, but collapsed when I pulled too hard on the last forming of the shape. After that, I had amazing luck. I made 4 bowls, 3 plates, 2 mugs, a small pitcher, and two candle holders! Tomorrow, I will trim them and add handles. I'll take some pictures, too...

Diary 11/18/14

The cold snap that has hit the middle of the country hard and north of us, as well,  finally arrived here. It has been 21 degrees the last two mornings after barely getting 32 so far this fall. I have covered a couple things to see if I can protect them for a little while longer, but at 21 they are giving up. Ah well, it is high time.

Speaking of time, thyme, the ice was stuck to every edge of this thyme plant this morning, so beautiful. Not sure if photo really shows it~

Diary 11/13/14

The autumn leaves' show is definitely past its most brilliant time. It is not over by any means and there are lots more leaves to fall. It's just that

the view is changing to more browns and greys and leaving behind the green, yellows, and reds~

Diary 11/11/14

It is Veteran's Day. I wish there were not wars. I wish we did not have a holiday to salute those who have seen them, but we do.

I honor and salute you and your families for your sacrifices on the part of us all.

Diary 11/10/14

I have been having some fun with free verse. So bear with me~ I am not a poet and I know it~


Frost in The Garden

The frost arrives in the moonstone blue twilight of morning.
The shroud of small white crystals cover the garden.
It penetrates the flesh of my last pink tomatoes.
Resting on the skin and bursting their cells into translucence.
The shoulders of my bright orange pumpkins are draped with a cape of soft ice,
Hardening their shells for winter storage.
The surface of each green bean leaf is painted with a clear, shiny glaze.
The vines will turn a drab olive by mid-day.
For now, the frosty fog
Fills the cool space around the yellowing trees,
But cannot enter underneath.
For that, a colder freeze must come,
Then autumn’s last colors will surrender to winter‘s dormancy.

It was fun and a little corny packing as many colors in as I could!

Diary 11/8/14

So hard to resist taking pictures of these beautiful yellow leaves. Every year I say I will not take another yellow maple leaf picture, but how can I not?

Diary 11/7/14

The asparagus ferns that I let grow up and did not cut for spears

have turned a beautiful gold. Birds are using the hedge to hide, find bugs, and eat the few asparagus berries they find.

Diary 11/6/14

I wish these Fringe Caps were edible, they are easy to identify~

Dairy 11/3/14

The leaf blower was calling to me today as we had nice sun and the fallen oak leave were dry enough to blow. Maybe tomorrow. After all, there are still some in the trees! The yellow understory in the forest give it such depth. Amazing autumn!!!

Diary 11/1/14

November is here, and we may get our first frost tonight! One added bonus of have blueberry bushes is the beautiful red leaves they have in Autumn.