LEAF FALL

You might want to peek out a window to enjoy watching the leaves falling. It's interesting to see how they carefully drop to the ground as the wind gently touches the branches. Over the past weeks, it's been a joy to see how the tree's burden drops to the ground.

Fall has totally descended now, and we are well on the way to a new season of even more dramatic changes. This week we will be able to experience 20 degrees, a kind of temperature that we have not experienced since last March.

Two morning doves try to collect some of the last warmth of the sun reflecting off of the wood chips. It's often that I find them resting outside of my office window.

The last of the "leaves" to turn are the tamarack...the trees that look like an evergreen, but lose their "leaves" every winter. Lots of tamaracks surround our pond south of the house.

The last of the few oaks on our property; most of our trees are evergreen. In only a few days, this whole area will be devoid of leaves and the neighbor's land will begin to show.

SEASON'S END

We've basically arrived at the end of the growing season. There are parsnips that will winter in the ground, some stalks of brusses sprouts remaining to eat, and a few flowerettes of broccoli waiting to be picked.

When it rains, the leaves drop quickly.The colors of all the trees were simply beautiful this fall. I'm almost ready to look forward to the snow falling.

The hairy woodpecker insisted drilling on the outside walls of my office so I had to keep knocking on the inside wall so that he would move away from our home.

This is the first roasted duckling that Karol had ever made. Tasty!

The incision for my brain biopsy was made above my left ear. Three samples were taken to the lab in order to be tested. Final answers will come via neurologist this coming Thursday. My hunch is that the whole illness continues to be a result of the Powassan virus.

Rachel and I went out to the red raspberry row to pick a few more red berries. The season has been so late that we have had ever bearing berries so late in the year.

Karol and Rachel have watched a few good movies.

One of the last apples on our tree. The deer have eaten every one that has dropped, and we have managed to get some that didn't have too many "railroad tracks" throughout the apples.

Many of the oaks have now begun to shed their leaves. That's marking the end of the fall fall.

AUTUMN: THE COLORS OF ROYALTY

While we are still at the height of viewing the maple colors in Portage County, the time is now for the majestic oaks to begin showing their colors. They are not bright and showy like the vibrant maples, but instead they show the dignified colors of gold, maroon, sober red, and bronzes of various shades. I used to say that these oaks were ugly until Karol reminded me that the oaks were really beautiful. I do agree; to the whole credit of Karol. There is something about each of the different trees.

On another side of thinking, the emerald ash borer has reached Oconto County, closer to us than ever before. Cronic wasting disease in the deer herd has reached Eland on a game farm - that's only about a half hour from our home.

But you know, God still showers his beauty and love on our tainted world. It doesn't take much to look and see from creatures to flowers to majestic trees. And the crown of creation still needs to be the human being, truly a unique and special creation. Thank you God.

THE MAPLES STILL ARE CLOTHED IN BEAUTIFUL COLORS

 

BUT HERE COME THE COLORS OF THE OAK TREES

 

A VARIETY OF LEAVES FROM THE OAKS

 

 

The cemetery at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Wisconsin

AUTUMN: CUTTING WOOD

You know, most any time is good for cutting wood, but I'd prefer not to cut in the summer (too hot) and the spring is pretty mushy with lots of ticks (and you know my trouble with ticks), and usually the snow is too deep in the winter. So that leaves the autumn season:  the temps are good, the ticks have subsided, travel in the woods is convenient because it is not too wet, and one begins to think about burning wood. We're cutting wood now for the 2015/16 winter. It needs a year to cure and dry.

Late yesterday afternoon, Karol called to show me a doe that was walking through our back yard on her way to the apple tree. We were able to watch her for a while. Sadly, the picture I took didn't turn out, but it was fun to watch the deer.

WATCH ROB FELL A CHERRY TREE

Rob supplies all the saws, gas and oil and I provide the lunch. Usually we fill Rob's truck and his trailer and also my truck. It's about a three hour work day (that's about all we can handle).

I pick up Rob's splitter and pull it back into the woods...sure beats splitting wood by hand.

On the way home, I stopped to take a picture or two of the beautiful maples.

Home and ready to unload. There's a big cherry chunk in the top front. Later this afternoon, I began to cut out several bowls.

The weather was so nice this afternoon, so Karol and I caught up on the day's activities as we sat at the patio table. I thought you'd all like to see a shot of Sarge.