Two days ago - Monday - was probably the last nice (read: warm) day we'll have here
until next April. I decided to take advantage of it and go for a hike in a beautiful bog area
that's just an eight-minute drive from my house. If you've never walked on a boardwalk through
a bog, it's quite interesting. The path is a little shaky and wobbly since it's resting on top of
water, so it's a little scary at first, but you get used to it. I had practically the whole place to
myself and I felt like I was transported into another world, walking through the tall grasses
and woods. I brought my new camera (the DSLR that Tim gave me) and decided to give
it a try using the automatic setting, not the manual. I previously tried the manual setting like
Tim suggested and let me tell you - my pictures were awful. I also have no idea what all those
buttons and dials and settings are for and how to use them, so I have a lot of learning to do.
And I do want to learn, because I love photography. I guess winter will be a good time to
use on-line tutorials and look at some books that I have.
At the end of my hike in a more open area, I came upon some gorgeous oak and maple
trees that still had their leaves. Most of the trees in my area - including the beautiful red
maple across the street at my neighbors house that I've showed you pictures of - have lost
all of their leaves already.
I laid down on the grass under a big oak and daydreamed and let any stress
and worries just melt away. I almost fell asleep! How long has it been since you
laid under a tree? I highly recommend this free therapy.
This is what I don't recommend: moving furniture.
That was Sunday. I had the brilliant idea of trying to rearrange my living room.
I cleaned behind all the furniture while I was at it. The worst part was that once
I rearranged things, I didn't like how it looked, so everything needed to be moved
back to its original places. Good thing Brian was home from work by then because
I was worn out and my back was very sore.
The daytime temperatures here are now in the 40's and 50's, but it goes down into
the low 30's at night. The extended forecast shows temps going down to 28 on Friday
night (poor kids and parents who will be trick-or-treating!) so yesterday we put my
rose bush to bed for the winter.
This photo was taken just five days ago. Yesterday, there were no blooms left at all.
Brian took dirt from our compost bin and mounded it under the bush. Next step will be
to cover it with leaves and put a wire or styrofoam cover over it. We still have a couple
of big planters with some flowers in them that are still somehow hanging on, but we
really need to dump them before we get a big freeze. I somehow feel like a plant murderer
when we have to do that.
Happy Wednesday, everyone.
