I love our kitchen window at night, framed by the hyacinth purple bean vines, which have taken over the railing and are still climbing up the side of the house.

Rosie Liscious Lee fast asleep on her Mum’s lap.

Not sure if this will be edible, but we have a melon that has hung on through heavy winds and rain, and will likely have to be picked before the first frost. But even if it’s inedible to us, the wildlife will likely devour it.

Lights on, engine on. Yet another strip of Rte 66 about to be ripped up. Another long morning commute thanks to these ongoing roadworks.

Driving around the cemetery, doing the check up before we lock the gates. Definitely a Halloween feeling tonight.

A stormy sky with heavy winds whipping the trees as Elliott drives on the ‘cemetery check’ before I lock the gates. A maple tree is changing to autumnal colors on the left, while to the right, a black vulture sits atop a gravestone after spending a few minutes gliding low back and forth across the graves.

A crappy photo as I had to zoom in, but this is our resident mocking bird sitting on the cherry tree. She has been around ever since I’ve lived here, and will get quite demanding once we start putting out birdseed. If the feeder gets empty she will sit on the chair backs on the porch and yell through the window, and even follows me round to the kitchen window to yell through there too. I recognize her because some of her beak is missing, although her injury has obviously not impeded her survival. I’m glad to see she’s still around.

Tricksie Treat was very interested in a large coach that parked outside our house, containing a large group of people who walked up into the cemetery, listened to a quick talk, and within 15 minutes, were back on the coach again and had driven off. 

Warming my hands at our first fire pit of the season, with Elliott and Bill.

Elliott did a great job today of securing our kayaks to the carport. It gets them off the back deck and now they’re close to the car for loading. Brilliant!

My new laptop arrived today, woo hoo! A gorgeous piece of hardware and they’ve taken a few tips from Apple, the packaging was exquisite.

The gate pillars and the little wall edging our driveway are littered with these black walnut shells. The squirrels are feasting on them, while also collecting them to be stored away for winter consumption. They’re lucky in our neighborhood as we have plenty of these trees.

The last beer delivery for a while until I’ve paid off the new laptop. How long will it last?

Another workout for the knee on the AT. More uphill climbing and more rocks. Only 1.5 miles but each time I hike a little longer and get a little stronger.

Confederate soldiers line up before battle at a reenactment in Middletown, VA.

16 Oct 2021

Elliott about to take off in a WWII bi-plane at Warrenton, his birthday present from me. And he got to take control and fly it. 

A glass gem corn in our back garden. Not for eating, but for decoration. I’m torn now, whether to bring it indoors or leave for the wildlife.

A t-shirt on the press, in the middle of being printed, and displaying a good subject to finish the week with!

Part of my evening walk took me through the prestigious Randolph Macon Academy, close to home. An impressive building, its golden dome stands proud of the Front Royal skyline.

Love the big cat at our local garden center!

The General Store had a Halloween feel as I walked by this evening.

Saw this at a flea market today. Not an immense fan of taxidermy, but kind of wanted this. Look at that expression! Step one foot closer, and you’ll get this nut right between your eyes!

Ice cream treat in FroRo on the ice cream bench. We both had 2 scoops. Elliott had pumpkin and cheesecake, and I had peanut butter and crazy cobbler, which had a whole blackberry in it!

I walked a mile on the AT after work. 300ft up and 300ft down. Climbed steps, negotiated water bars, tree roots, rocks a footbridge and a creek. Saw my first earth star fungi and some native blue lobelia by the first creek. It was grand! And then went with Elliott to see the James Bond premiere.

I had a chat with some lovely ladies by the PT clinic this afternoon. They came up to the fence and had a few clucks with me.

The first colors of autumn are beginning to appear in FroRo, while clouds shroud the mountains.

With the heavy winds and rain, the last of the black walnuts were knocked to the ground. Start storing, squirrels!

My first bike ride since surgery, 4.3 miles around town. Felt sore but elated. 

Elliott apple picking for the first time. We picked a $30 bag!

Up on the Skyline Drive enjoying the low clouds and blue mountains.

Photographing a conker on the ground near home. So pleased to have one of these trees nearby, and we have some conkers at home so we can play over the weekend. All is explained here:

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/no-10-play-conkers