Season Changes

Sunsets cropped to hide man. I love how this tree has sort of a heart shape. 

One of the sadder and more necessary changes on the street. The big locust by Aunt Karen's old home is gone. Took a long time to get it taken down and cleaned up, but it looks a lot nicer. 

Rain was one of the early parts in the month of November. A lot of rain and cold and frost. I took in my geraniums and a couple of the nasturtiums I'd picked started to grow in the water!! We'll see if they continue. Fun fun fun!! 

On Janet's birthday, Nov 8, it snowed here in Athena!!! It didn't last long, but it was so pretty!!! 

Wind took the rest of the leaves off the trees after the snow melted. 

Steve decided to grab the chance to put up lights in nicer weather. The whole house and yard is a big job and starting in mid November was a good idea! 

One of the most stunning days in November started with an absolute brilliant sunrise. The house was lit up inside!!! The day later degenerated, but wow!!! What a world this is! 

October Ends and the Iris

Halloween was a lovely day. Moses supervised yard work! 

This day was spent in the iris bed. I actually started digging it up a bit before Halloween, but put all the photos together because they make more sense that way. 

I went outside to work with technology and a book and gloves! 

There was a lot to do and it took several days and I needed help. 

Halloween, Steve was able to add his muscle to the mess. Iris really need sorted more than once every several years!! 

The most unusual thing about October was seeing Steve's African Violet bloom..again. It had done it twice already this year! 

Finally, in the early days of November, the bed was replanted and ready for the colder season. We will know, in probably May, how they handled the thinning and replanting!! 

The Middle of October

The world has so many lovely things. Sunsets and flowers and fun finds. 

I was surprised to find violets amid the dandelions. 

Steve took out all the sunflower stalks, they are a lot of work!!! 

Mittens and boots go paw in paw! 

Jon brings home the oddest thing from work. These were a 'lost' part of a shipment and the shop split them up among the employees. 

We had a series of frosts, so picked as many of the flowers as possible! 

 

Oregon in October

When I left AK, the leaves were changed and it was rather chilly. Oregon still have many flowers in bloom. 

Steve also found some fun certificates of his dad's. 

Outside, we found owls had been in the yard and left several pellets. I was going to cook them, but I really did not want them in my oven!!! So, they were lightly baked and are in foil in a sealed ziplock. 

Moses was intrigued by the balls that smelled so interesting! 

One of my favorite flowers, Calendula. 
 

Absolutely love nasturtiums!!! They had more green than flowers, mostly because many bugs also enjoy nasturtiums. 

Steve purchased this for me before I left for Alaska, it still looked great when I returned! 

Geranium. 

To ANC and then South

Early on the morning of the 29th, I left the Kenai with a very dear friend who has given me so much help in so many areas. Gary and Elaine L were going to Delta Junction and offered to drive me to ANC. It really wasn't early, but I was tired and it felt early!! 

We drove through construction and Gary mentioned the same area was under construction in '83!!! Some things never change.

They dropped me off at Julie B's condo and we did a ton of ANC errands, had lunch out, and visited a super pretty lake that I do not remember the name of. I believe it was manmade. It was super neat to see all the persons out fishing for trout. This afternoon, I also got to meet Julie's rabbits and, again, was incredibly thankful for the friendship of this beautiful woman. 

I felt akin to the ducks. Many of them were close to migration, but not quite. My migration would commence the next day, after staying the night with Debbie and Arnold. I tried new foods and realised anew how special friendships forged in 6th grade remain!  

Alaska is a place of beauty and life and maybe someday I'll return. Meanwhile, Oregon is the resting place now for this duck!