A fellow cat lover, from Maryland, on Rte 66, heading west, like me.

Dan the vet cat checks on Malcolm as we go for a second visit in 3 days, and still none the wiser as to what’s wrong with him.

Beautiful back roads with the fall colors bright after the rain this morning.

Today became a U.S. citizen. A rushed process, I passed my test on Monday and was sworn in today. Poor Malcolm had urinary issues all through the night so we both didn’t sleep. A vet visit first thing this morning and then I rushed to Fairfax with Carmen. So many friends wanted to buy me beers tonight but after 2 I had to head home. A tiring but eventful day!

I’ve been a bit despondent after spending time and effort on growing loofahs, since, due to the cold spring, they haven’t had time to mature, and we have our first frosts next week. But on checking the vines tonight, I have a few green ones that I can harvest! The one on the right is a foot long, the others are smaller. It’s a messy business cleaning then out, but I’ll give it a go when I pick them after the weekend.

Girls night at a friend’s mountain home. Good food and wine, with superb friends and a sunset view.

Our trivia team tonight, and we came 2nd place, $50 prize! 

A friend trying on a T-Rex outfit. Sadly it was a poor knock-off and wouldn’t stay upright, plus she could barely move her arms. We were going to go to our event as a pair, but have had to move to plan B.

The camper and vines looking resplendent in the evening sunshine, but today was a big day for me, starting with a 4am start. Work, then passing my US citizenship test, then receiving my certificate of completion for my Tree Steward of Front Royal course. So, for once, this was a great Monday!

22 Oct 2023

A lot more black walnuts fell during this very windy Sunday.

On a Haunted Hollow Halloween tour in Warrenton. I addressed this guy as Pennywise, as he looked very similar, but he informed me that he was actually Awkward, Pennywise’s alcoholic brother.

Malcolm seems to be having nice dreams.

A female praying mantis, of the invasive Chinese variety, but still beneficial, among the loofah vines.

I love the green light that the old street lamp throws down in the back garden.

The gazebo in town with the maple trees turning color.

The iron headboards are finally looking beautiful, now they’re covered with morning glories. Such a shame it’s so late in the season, the cold spring held everything back. The loofah vines have abundant flowers, but it will be too cold for them to fruit.

A simple 2 egg omelette for tea, with the last red tomatoes, and basil, from the garden, and smoked Gouda.

Eustace Conway, at the Homesteader’s Conference, carving a kitchen utensil out of cherry wood, which I asked to buy afterwards. And he let me have it! 

The Festival of Leaves Festival started this evening in FroRo, with a local band playing, line dancing, and shops, restaurants and food vendors all open for business. I went down for a glass of wine and ended up as a volunteer on a gate entry with Carmen for the evening. Loved having an active part in the community. 

Images of the shirt artwork about to be printed on the automatic press.

The Mexican sunflowers are still blooming and still attracting the bees. 

Repairing a broken switch on a lamp, overseen by Rosie Lee.

The morning glories are enjoying the cloudy rainy day.

7 Oct 2023

On our Scavenger Hunt list, we couldn’t find a photo of any roadkill, so I got creative with a FroRo police car. We got the points!

A collection of Buick Reatta cars near Berryville, many with ‘not for sale’ tags on them. I hoped the owner would emerge from his house as I took photos, so I could ask some questions, but no-one came.

Malcolm needs to get down to some serious washing. He turned up with orange paws and belly, plus the side of his face has an orange patch. He’s been digging in the Virginia clay for some reason. He wasn’t amused when I asked him to get cleaned up.

A moonflower, in the front garden, preparing to bloom as dusk falls.

Where we Ladies of Front Royal play our weekly trivia quiz, the tables decorated for autumn, and Stanley parked in the background.

Bits and pieces peeking out through the leaves in one of the raised beds in the back garden.

The Halloween decorations get scarier each year. The clown from IT was a little too lifelike for me, I couldn’t get close to it.

One iris bed dug up, weeds removed, irises cleaned up, the bed extended by about 3ft, and irises replanted. I have the smaller bed at the other end of the bank to do next.