Now the catalpa has begun dropping its big, heart-shaped leaves. It’s usually the last holdout here at the cottage. The weather has been warm, sunny and generally lovely. But last night we got some rain and those who are in the know say we will now be having much cooler temperatures. Ever watchful, I check the predicted low temperature every day. My goal is to hang on to all my plants as long as possible. I do this little dance every autumn. If there’s a danger of frost, I go into a flurry of activity, bringing plants in from the porch for the night, covering those plants in the ground that are still blooming. I’ve already discussed my ‘Plan’ with Don to cover the Chicken Wire Fence Garden and keep it going as long as possible.
I fight the good fight – never wanting to give in and say ‘uncle’ until the last possible moment.
Yesterday, on a beautifully warm and sun-filled day, we sat for a spell out on the Funky Patio. I grabbed the chair that gave me a prime view of the Chicken Wire Fence Garden. It’s full of blooms; with morning glories and zinnias in colorful profusion. Big fat bumble bees hovered over the galvanized planter, circled around the geraniums and gomphrena. Scout lapped up the sun.
I remarked to Don that it’s a good thing I planted a later-blooming garden because it not only gives us pleasure, it provides much needed sustenance for bees and butterflies. There’s a heck of a lot of activity around these flowers. I’ve been watching bees dive down into the very center of morning glory blossoms, disappearing for a while, then reemerging to continue the search for another snack.
If I wanted, I could move a chair smack dab in front of the Chicken Wire Fence Garden, watch all the activity and be entertained for hours. Maybe I will.
These are all current photos, by the way. This is how the garden looks at this point in time. There are a few blooms in the garden beds; the limelight hydrangea, some roses and some cosmos are still hanging in there. The sedum is wearing its autumn colors. But this little garden is the star of the show. It’s the grand finale.
I’ve finished Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny and have moved on to A Trick of the Light, the next in the series. Only two more to go after that and then I will have to join all the other fans who found her long before I did and wait until the next book is published. Sigh.
I’m on the waiting list at the library for the newest Lee Child (there are a lot of people ahead of me,) Daniel Silva (a lot of people ahead of me) and Deborah Crombie (first in the queue.) In the meantime, I have review books to read, as well. Don’t forget: I have a book giveaway going on at the moment. Scroll down for the review and leave a comment if you are interested.
We’ve been watching the Red Sox battle the Tigers. Draining. Exhausting. Tension-filled. Both teams are so evenly matched that it truly is a battle. Sometimes I have to cover my eyes or leave the room because I need a break from all the anxiety that accompanies these games. Last night I walked away for a bit and did the dishes, occasionally calling out to Don, “What’s happening??” Today is a travel day so we get a breather, then tomorrow we are right back at it.
I love October baseball.
Happy Friday.
Bob’s right with you – GO SOX!!!!!!
Moi – would pull for the Sox of course but don’t enjoy any spectator sports, sorry.
Claudia I so hope Don can take you to Prague – it’s so beautiful!!!!
Hugs – Mary
P.S. Have been reading you but time and doctors’ appointments been killing my commenting time since getting back last weekend. Sorry.
Glad to know Ms. Scout is doing so well.
I hope I can visit Prague one day, Mary. It’s been so long since I traveled anywhere but in the USA. Time for Europe!
My zinnias are hanging on too. also, the bright colored vinca flowers. We are football fans here after living in SF for so many years – Niners Forever! Also, I meant to tell you we have spent many a lovely weekend in Nevada City!
I just read that we might have below freezing temps at night next week. Uh oh.
I am savoring the few blooms I have left also Claudia..oh how they will be missed this Winter..I am not a sports kind of lady so I don’t know much about baseball..It poured buckets full of rain here last night..plus thunder and lightening..I believe we are to get those freezing temps too..Not ready for that!
Me either, Nancy.
Great Beautiful pictures Claudia! I feel your pain in the sports arena. A few years ago, When the Utah Jazz made the finals and the last championship games,I went just as crazy as a Loon! (I’m not calling you a Loon)
It is Amazing the lengths we can go to, to eek out a win! LOL! Good Luck with those Sox !, -Judy A-
Well, sometimes I am a crazy as a loon, Judy!
Back when you first mentioned Deborah Crombie, I checked out the first book (gotta go in order!) from the library. I was hooked. I’m up to #7 A Finer End. I’m amazed that for an American, she really knows how to write “English.”
So glad you’re enjoying her books, Odette!
Your flowers are thriving, and they are glorious. I have so enjoyed your zinnias this year that you have inspired me to plant some next year.
Our marigolds and geraniums are thriving, and our roses love October. Our camellias are just starting.
Oh, Camellias! Lucky you, Beverly.
Still a few blooms here. But they’re fading fast. Hang on to yours as long as you can.
We watched a bit of the game last night too. Our grandson’s name is Beckett, named after former Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett and our dog’s name is BoSox. Beckett loves watching baseball, so we’ll see if he plays when he’s older.
Have a great weekend!
Love those names – especially BoSox!!
I’ve still got a few blooms left also…but not after this weekend. We are looking at a hard freeze Saturday night….sigh. I’ve never gotten into baseball, but I would cheer the Brewers on if they EVER made the playoffs again! I’m a football gal…born and bred! Enjoy your last blooms…take lots of pics for future reference….for when the cold winds blow! ;)
I know. Those pictures will have to keep me warm on a cold night.
The games have been on later than I like to stay up….but my husband can be heard talking to the television so I can pretty well figure out what’s going on.
I also have books on hold at the library and while I always have something here to read, it seems like I can’t wait to get the books on order.
Oh my, the leaves are falling like crazy today. I was out raking right after breakfast and now it doesn’t even look like I did anything. It’s a pretty intense couple of weeks till they all are taken care of. I’ve learned over the years that the raking and hauling go quicker if I keep a positive attitude. I believe I’m very fortunate to have such a nice yard (and home) to take care of. Must remember that there are a lot of people out there who just wish for a yard of their own to rake. How fortunate am I to have all this!
That’s a perfect way to look at it, Elizabeth! I will do the same.
Oh Elizabeth, How I long for the home and YARD,that I once had. I kept them both immaculate! But things didn’t turn put that way. So think of “poor me” put a name to the face in that raking time. LOL Judy-
Claudia, I so agree with you about both the Sox this year – and October baseball in general. Of course I’ve been paying attention to the Boston games, but lately I’ve found myself listening to the other games as well – just because I thoroughly enjoy hearing the sounds of the game and the ballpark. There’s something so familiar and comforting about it. Not to mention the fact that despite having more TV channels than ever [only 3 when I was a kid], there’s so little on TV that appeals to me during the daytime.
PS – the color of that morning glory is the very definition of periwinkle – and so so so pretty! One of my favorite colors ever. And you are a master of close-up nature photography. If you aren’t, you SHOULD be thinking about doing a book sometime. Have a great weekend. Go Sox!
We’ve been watching other games, as well, Janet. Tonight, we’re going to watch the Cardinals vs. Dodgers. I’m rooting for the Dodgers, simply because they haven’t been to the World Series in a long, long time.
Thank you for your kind words about my photography, Janet! You’ve given me an idea about a book….hmmm.
Claudia, I love to watch baseball at the high school level. My mom is a Tigers fan and we would go to Detroit every summer to watch the games in person. I remember as a kid not having a clue to the score but I could tell you all about the people sitting around me. I used to say, “I can tell you how many people were in the stands, but have no idea who won.” Not sure why that was, I was very active in sports as a kid but never got hooked on major league baseball.
Did you go to the original Tiger Stadium, Dawn? I would take the bus down Michigan Avenue from Dearborn, where I lived, and arrive at Tiger Stadium. I didn’t know that much about it then but I sure had a good time!
Your garden is still lovely! I made a list of Louise Penny’s books so I can take it to the Library next time I go. I want to start with book #1~~
Yes, you should read them in order, Linda. There are often references to previous plot lines and it makes more sense if you read them in order. xo
Oh, I’m envious of the fact that you still have blooming flowers. I’m afraid that’s over and done with here in northern IL. With cool temps (50’s during the day & down into the 30’s and 40’s at night), all the flowers are withered up. My patio furniture is covered up for the season now, too. It’s done here for the year. Depressing.
Your temps have finally reached us – next week we are due to go below freezing at night. I dread it.
Your flowers are so lovely, I don’t blame you for trying to rescue them from the frost!
Beautiful pictures this morning. I really had to strain my eyes to see the Scoutie hair on the wooden box.
Our Cardinals did it last night so no more anxiety for a while.
Have a great Saturday with your family.
pam