Hunkered down

A winter storm came through yesterday. The snow fell first like powdered sugar, then like corn flakes, then back to powdered sugar. Maybe six inches all told? It's hard to tell today, as the temps rose far enough to cause some melting. Today it is also extremely windy. A good day to stay inside.

Let it snow!

And watch birds. These pix are from yesterday. Between the window and the falling snow, they are not the best. They are symbolic of how my feathered friends may ignore my offerings when the weather is fair, but not so much when it turns for the worse.

Nuthatch

Junco

Downy woodpecker

Bluebirds

Mr. and Ms. Cardinal

(Sometimes I think about getting a "real" camera instead of using my phone.)

Before the snowfall, I did manage to get the gutters cleared. A bit of yard cleanup occurred as well, on what I considered a perfect wintery day - cold and overcast, but not breezy. So many people complain about this kind of weather - why don't they just move? - but I love the changing and challenging seasons.

Pre-Thanksgiving calm

Not much happening around the ol' homestead these days. I still haven't cleaned out the gutters or finished raking leaves. That wet snow from last week broke some of the taller perennials, so I may cut those back now rather than later.

Artsy pic of milkweed fluff

The usual suspects have appeared at the bird feeders - sparrows, house finches, goldfinches, nuthatches, chickadees, downy woodpeckers, blue jays, bluebirds, but not starlings... YET. Nothing exotic.

I have been looking for a TV couch where Clio and I can lounge while streaming my favorite shows. The requirements were something clean and comfortable but not expensive. Habitat Restore to the rescue! If you see something you like there, you have to act quickly, and I did. The pets took to the new loveseat right away.

King of the couch

This piece is in such good shape I kind of hate to let the dog up there, but that is why I purchased it. An old mattress cover should provide enough protection.

Cue up "Better Call Saul"

Another reason I wanted a TV couch is the recliner is perfect for bird watching. So now that is across the room, facing the backyard with a good view of the main feeders and the birdbath. I look forward to spending most of the winter out there, watching birds by day, watching TV by night. After all, it is the dormant season.

I can see clearly now

The temps are in the 60's today, so I washed windows on the outside. I've also started removing most of the screens, as I rarely open windows to let fresh air in because that fresh air frequently includes pollen. So now not only is the glass clean, but the view is not obstructed by the screens, both increasing the light in the house.

I did not clean out the window tracks because I don't know the best way to do this without making a mess. YT to the rescue! Check this vid out.

I follow some gardening blogs and am always surprised by some gardeners complaints about "winter interest". Why wouldn't one want to see something interesting through those clean windows during the winter? I don't plant specifically for winter interest, but the fruit-bearing trees and shrubs are pretty to see - and I like to see the birds dining on the berries as well.

Then there is the accidental winter interest that occurs when it snows and all the plants I have left in the yard are sporting jaunty white caps. Or maybe an ice storm will leave everything sparkling. I don't consider myself a visual person, but I do like to feast my eyes on beauty once in a while.

Witch hazel is not winter interest, but I like seeing it bloom in late fall. At least, this one shrub. The other four seem to have a mind of their own.

Usually, I wait until Thanksgiving to resume feeding the birds, but last week's snow motivated me to start a bit early. It took the sparrows about two minutes to find the millet, the bluebirds a day to show up at their feeder. Blue jays have been emptying the whole peanut wreath, probably hiding those nuts for later on.

Besides washing windows today, I also raked some leaves and mowed the rest. The high winds are undoing some of that labor. Oh, well!

Wet and heavy

I didn't think it would get cold enough last night for snow, but I was wrong.

Seeing all that white feels weird.

It won't last long and that's okay because I still need to do things like clean out the gutters (I was waiting for the last of the leaves to fall) and wash windows.

Yesterday

Today

Wondering what the Farmer's Almanac predicts for winter 2026 led me to this information: there is a difference between The Farmers' Almanac and The Old Farmer's Almanac. The former is discontinuing publication with the 2026 edition, but the latter has no plans to quit.

Everbearing is right

Today seemed like a good day to plant garlic in the strawberry bed. Believe it or not, those everbearing strawberries are still bearing. Not a lot, mind you, and we haven't had a killing frost yet (maybe tonight), but still at it.

Does this look like a good idea? (Photo from somewhere else.) I'm intrigued by the concrete block part, not so much the 2x4 bit. Not sure where I would locate such a planter, nor what I would put in it. Herbs?

This critter was my 17th Trick or Treater last night, the final one.

From Wiki: "The banded woolly bear larva emerges from the egg in the fall and overwinters in its caterpillar form, by allowing most of its mass to freeze solid. First its heart stops beating, then its gut freezes, then its blood, followed by the rest of the body. It survives being frozen by producing a cryoprotectant in its tissues.[5] This freezing occurs outside of body cells, but not within. In the spring, it thaws."

Isn't nature amazing?

Xmas in October

The so-called xmas cactus that I obtained during last year's spinning guild holiday party is blooming. According to this site, there are several varieties of this houseplant; mine may be a Thanksgiving cactus. I don't try to force it to bloom at a particular time, so I'm happy with whenever it chooses.

Holiday cactus

Closer

Closer yet

I'm a little shocked at how healthy this plant is, as my houseplants suffer from benign neglect. This past week each of them received a layer of Black Kow composted manure, though, as a couple of them look a bit peaked.

That's what is going on inside. Outside, it was a different matter. Last weekend's rain softened the earth enough that the tulip tree lost its grip. I think the chain I wrapped around it helped prevent the house from taking a direct hit. The only damage was a small tear in one screen.

Timber!

Missed the bird bath

I had already made arrangements for its removal, but was probably fairly low on their priority list. Once I called to tell them the tree was leaning against the house, they came out the next day and took care of it.

All gone!

Relocated bird feeders

I removed the fencing along the rain garden (and the flamingos) before work began. Consequently, the view is more open not only from the tree's absence, but the fence as well. I may leave it that way (if the dog stays out of the rain garden).

Outside view

Indoor view

With the tree gone, the bird feeders can be closer to the house. We'll see how that works out. I'm not feeding them yet; that usually happens around Thanksgiving.

The cooler temps have left the yellow jackets by the compost bin less active, so I managed to clear out the weeds in that corner of the yard. This morning there was frost on the grass as well as the roofs, but not a killing frost yet. A drive through the countryside revealed that soybean and corn harvests are under way across the area. It can't stay summertime forever (thank goodness!)

Planning ahead

I am not very happy with how aromatic aster grows when left to its own devices. I moved one plant since it was flopping all over the place, decided to let another take over its bed as the bed is confined by sidewalk, driveway, and lawn. A third plant received an experimental pruning in June, to about 6" (I think). It looks more like a mound than a sprawling behemoth. So next year, all the aromatic aster will get cut back in June.

This book has helpful advice like the above. (My edition has been superceded by newer ones.) Goldenrod, at least the 7-8' variety on the south side of the house, may get the June treatment, to keep it from flopping. The queen-of-the-prairie definitely needs to be left alone, though, or it won't bloom. I will let its rain garden sister plants, meadow rue and joe-pye, grow as tall as they want as well, even if they need some staking.

About the only plants blooming this time of year are the asters and the pineapple sage (Salvia elegans). Today we are receiving some much needed rain, an inch so far. I mowed leaves for the first time this season, but they had fallen from lack of moisture. Most trees around here are still green, although the sugar maples are ablaze.

Fall is bustin' out all over

It's that time of the year, when the common milkweed lets loose with its fluff-carrying seeds. This batch should help repopulate the milkweed forest in the meadow.

We did have a light frost this past week, the kind that frosts the rooftops but that is about it. Definitely not a killing frost. Still, I dragged in the houseplants that have been summering on the deck.

My over-the-range microwave starting making zapping noises, so now I'm afraid to use it. I priced a new one - $300 plus $195 to install. I have to pay for Beau's teeth cleaning first. Meanwhile, I'm judging whether I really need a microwave at all. The function I miss the most so far is the timer.

Speaking of Beau, he has almost forgiven me for Friday's trip to the vet. At least he doesn't run away as soon as he sees me. They had to pull three teeth, so his mouth is sore. He still seems wobbly from the anestesia, or maybe from not eating. He's picky, likes just his Purina cat chow, won't even eat people food. I put out a Friskie's "soup" in case he gets hungry enough to try it.

Other excitement in the neighborhood was a police raid on the next block, at an Airbnb. It occurred in the middle of the night, and I slept through it. I didn't even know we had an Airbnb nearby, even though I frequently walk the dog past that house.

Speaking of Clio, a neighbor dog that bit her a few months ago took another run at us the other day. If I see "Leo" in the yard, we turn around. This past Thursday I didn't see him, and we weren't even in front of his house when he appeared out of nowhere. No injuries this time, but I did report it to Animal Control. Today, in a different neighborhood, a German Shepherd that usually just watches us walk by decided to bark and lunge even though we were on the other side of the street. I'm beginning to feel like I can't walk my dog anywhere safely.

Endless summer

The first frost date for my area used to be October 6. Now, according to the Farmer's Almanac, it is October 16. According to WeatherBug, we will not be experiencing any frosts in the near future. This weekend the temps are in the 80's. *sigh*

I owe an apology to the pineapple sage. Almost every time I look out the window, there is a hummingbird enjoying the nectar. And the two plants have LOTS of blossoms. It's a good thing their small pots are heavy.

I have one estimate for removing the dead tulip tree, may give up on the other guys I contacted. Apparently, they are just too busy to bother.

Otherwise, not much is happening in the yard. Besides the pineapple sage, the goldenrod and asters are blooming and attracting pollinators. That's what they are there for.

More climate weirdness

I must sound like I complain about the weather a lot. Today's temperature is expected to be in the high 80's and that is just plain WRONG for this time of year. It is also dry and sunny instead of cold and rainy. The "normal" frost date is in about a week, but we are not going to hit that.

Spider condo 

I don't do a lot of fall cleanup as a rule, yet there are a few things to address this time of year. It's just too hot, though.

Coneflower cultivar outlasts straight species

One thing I definitely want to address is the dead tulip tree. I left it as a "wildlife" tree, but decided I would have it taken down once the plants around the rain garden died back. The other day I noticed that the tree has developed a definitely tilt, toward the house. So it needs to leave sooner rather than later.

Listing

Getting someone out here to provide estimates is another matter; all the woodcutters and lumberjacks are busy this time of year. For my own reassurance, I attached a dog tie-out to the tree, in part to discourage it from falling on the house should it give way, but also to have a visible cue as to whether it is getting worse.

Volunteer zinnia

Then I inadvertantly hit the tie-out with the lawn mower. I'm surprised the mower still works. I'm also impressed at just how damaging mower blades can be to human limbs. An excellent safety reminder.

Golden arches

Other areas of the world are dealing with floods, typhoons, mud slides, earthquakes. So I keep telling myself, "Things could be worse."

Bugs

I often feel like I live in an insect desert. But there are a few that show up and hold still long enough for me to photograph.

Mystery bug

Grasshopper

My daughter placed a basil plant where the drain from the HVAC exits her house (constant drip irrigation) and this fine specimen showed up. She suggested a water feature might attract more insects in my yard. I have a small, poorly designed fountain I rarely run, but in the past, insects have paused there for a drink, so maybe she has a point. She also has loads of crickets.

Praying mantis

Pineapple sage was an impulse purchase. I forgot how long it takes to bloom. If it weren't for our extended summer weather, it might not have made it.

Pineapple sage

I was under the weather this past week, but once I perked up, I managed to finish deconstructing the pile of not-asparagus that has been ruining the view. Today's outdoor activities were curtailed by some much needed rain. And so it goes.

Easing into autumn

After fall-like weather in August, it feels more summer-ish in September. But the sun is at a more southern angle, the sky is a paler shade of blue, and the nighttime temps are in the 50's and 60's, so it feels rather delightful. Not knowing how to dress is an issue I can live with.

The yard is easing into autumn as well. The lack of rain is causing some leaves to fall from dryness, and the lawn is on pause. The riot of summer is over, but a few things bear observation.

The Canada geese are migrating.

I love a parade!

Despite my neglect, this sweet potato vine is hanging in there.

Goldern arches

'Blue Muffin' continues to disappoint, but 'Chicago Lustre' is making up for that this year.

Bird food

I can barely get through the areas north (hostas and goldenrod) and south (norther sea oats, bee balm, goldenrod, rudbeckia, unwanted lambs quarter) of the house. I can't view the north side from inside the house (it runs along the garage), but I look out on this mess from bedroom and bathroom windows.

Bee Alley

Today's "word of the day" is "pensive" - and that is how I'm feeling.

So tired of summer

I have abandoned fall planting of anything because I am just so sick of the yard by September that I fail to provide the care fall-planted plants need.

In the spring, when I see all the tulips, hyacinth, snow drops, etc. in the yards of others, I think I will plant some come fall. But I don't. The only fall planting I foresee is some garlic I purchased at a farmers market, expressly for planting in the strawberry bed. If I fail to do that, well, I can eat the garlic.

In past years, the common milkweed has been overrun by aphids, but not this summer. Those little critters did notice the new-to-this-year swamp milkweed in the rain garden, however. Interesting.

While the weeds are mostly under control, this one corner has been neglected. It continues to be neglected because some wasps/bees/something-that-stings have built a nest under the compost bin. I can (quickly!) dump kitchen scraps in the bin, but that is about all I dare try.

All the winterberry holly shrubs are loaded with fruit this year. If we get some snow, those red berries will look lovely against a white background. At least, until the robins strip the plants. But that is what the winterberry is there for.

There has been just enough rainfall to keep the lawn growing, but the forecast for this week is dry, dry, dry. It's all I can do to force myself to water the container plants. I welcome a hard frost.

Spider season

There are spiders in the yard all season long, but it seems like they are particularly noticeable as autumn approaches. The front porch is festooned with webs, which I don't mind as long as the resident arachnids stay outside. I'll sweep them down just before Halloween.

According to this site, there are reasons spiders seem more prevalent in the fall. For one thing, the spiders that hatched in the spring are now full grown, and the males are seeking females for mating. They also may be seeking warmer quarters, like near crevices and doorways. I've had to stop a few trying to sneak inside when I'm holding the door open for the pets.

This is the first year for swamp milkweed in my rain garden. Besides them surprising me with blossoms, they are forming seed pods.

Usually, yard waste goes into a compost pile by the shed, but this year I decided the weedy stuff should go elsewhere, along with its weed seeds. I thought the city would pick it up separate from the regular trash, but I was wrong. They say to just throw it into the bins, except for leaves which they do pick up. Hmmm.

The temps have been moderate lately, making for pleasant days, but we could use some rain.