We took a walk early this morning. This is the property of one of my neighbors, which our property borders. If you look at the photo, you see part of a white house, then to the left, another house. Just about an inch of space (on the photo) to the left of that building is our property and our woods.
A beautiful day today – it started out foggy and then the sun came through. Lovely.
I finished The Girl Who Lived Twice and am now reading a history of that famous bookshop in Paris, Shakespeare and Company. It’s fascinating. Oh, to live in those times when seemingly every artist and writer spent time in Paris. It was the place to be. It’s still the place to be, in my humble opinion.
There’s not much to report on my end. We took it easy yesterday and had a lovely, lazy day with a trip to the grocery store in the afternoon. Now I’ll have to deal with thinking that today is Monday, rather than Tuesday, and on and on for the rest of the week. Do you do that, too?
Another neighbor just posted some pictures on FB of a mama bear and two cubs in her back yard (directly across the street from us.) Last year, I saw an adult black bear walk through the back forty. Just a reminder that we have to be alert. But it’s sure neat to see them!
Maybe some mowing later in the day…definitely a bit of weeding.
Happy Tuesday.
Trudy Mintun says
The rolls of hay make for such a pretty photo. Another sure sign of fall. The piece of your woods was very pretty.
Yes, we must always be alert when there are bear in the area. In mid July one came knocking rather shaking my front door. Thankfully he couldn’t get it open. Then he tried to get the lid off my garbage can. My plastic garbage can. He couldn’t get it off. He threw it to the ground, gave a loud snort, and left in a huff back into the woods.
I didn’t go out that evening, but the next morning I did go out to check on things. There are his claw marks all over my door. What is so amazing about him not getting the door open is that the latch was broken and the only thing holding it temporarily shut was a light weight chain. I feel very fortunate that he was unsuccessful in his try.
Enjoy your very fall-like weather. I know I am.
Claudia says
Whoo! That was a close call, Trudy! I’ve seen claw marks on our plastic garbage can, but I’m not sure whether they were from a bear or a raccoon.
kathy in iowa says
yikes! glad the chain held. hope the lock’s been fixed and you stay safe, trudy!
kathy in iowa
Trudy Mintun says
Thanks. Yes, the door has been fixed and is quite secure now. He hasn’t been back since.
jeanie says
The bear sounds a bit on the scary side. Yikes. But the walk looks lovely. I’m rather in love with hay bales.
Rainy and windy at the lake — a good day for a fire and a book or two!
Claudia says
A fire and a book sounds heavenly, Jeanie!
Cara in S.FL says
We’re heart-sick over the beings subjected to hurricane Dorian for days of misery. I shudder to think of the aftermath for humans and non-humans. And it could have been us here in Florida, or anywhere there are hurricanes. We spent days boarding up and moving objects.
It’s very sobering and makes me want to leave Florida, but there are problems everywhere– increasingly so with global climate disruption.
I’m glad you had a nice Labor Day, Claudia, truly!
Claudia says
It is indeed heartbreaking. I have no words.
Dee Dee says
Bears ??!! This is why I love your blog and the matter of fact way that you and Trudy discuss these visitors to your properties. It’s a cause for discussion with my neighbour if a hedgehog which are usually about the size of my hand happens to be spotted! Not that we haven’t got any wildlife in Britain but it’s of the much smaller, non dangerous variety. We only have two species of snake and only one of those is venomous, not enough to kill but enough to give you a nasty nip. They’re usually only found in moorland grasses. I am just in awe and love reading about your and your readers daily lives.
I’m not reading anything I would particularly recommend at the moment but have been watching My Brilliant Friend box set on TV. It’s so good, in Italian with subtitles and sticks closely to the novel by Elena Ferrante which I have read. Set in 1950s Naples, it’s the story of two young girls growing up, both exceptionally bright but their lives take different pathways.
Happy Tuesday
Claudia says
Oh, we have bears, we have foxes, we have groundhogs, we have coyotes….you name it!
Most of the time, they don’t wander onto the property, except for our resident groundhogs.
Thanks, Dee Dee!
Marcy Ray says
Amazing view, lots of memories….missing open spaces!
Claudia says
That’s a pretty view, isn’t it? Thanks, Marcy Ray.
Vicki says
How lovely; so pastoral, rural; you live in a beautiful surrounding.
We’re in a heatwave in SoCalif; I’ll dream about your cool weather!
Claudia says
It isn’t exactly cool – it’s 80 degrees today and a bit humid and it’s going to be warmer tomorrow. It won’t really be cool until late September – early October.
Leslie says
Dear Claudia and Shanna and Kathy, Thank you for your concern. It was comforting to read as we prepared for the storm. I thought you’d like to know that one of the caterpillars has become a chrysalis, hanging off a milkweed leaf. The other one is thinking about it, having devoured so many leaves and pooping all over the rug. We never did get Hurricane Dorian here, just moderate winds and showers of varying intensity. Vincent just dropped off supplies for transport to the Bahamas. The devastation there Is catastrophic.
Claudia says
I can’t even take in the amount of devastation in the Bahamas. Heartbreaking. I’m glad you’re safe, Leslie.
kathy in iowa says
hi, leslie.
glad you are safe! stay that way!
and while it’s no fun to clean up, the caterpillar pooping is a good sign, isn’t it?
i appreciate your kind heart and the update.
hope you’re having a nice, easy night!
kathy in iowa
Marilyn says
Wow, bears right in your area. You better be alert and careful when walking in the neighborhood.
Marilyn
Claudia says
We’re not scared. They’re more frightened of us than we are of them!
kathy in iowa says
beautiful photo of a beautiful place to walk! looks like a long way to your home. how far do you and don walk?
when i am out walking, my brain tends to relax and wander (all good and necessary), but i still am very mindful of cars, when the sun is supposed to set and if i ever get that creeped-out feeling … and now am glad that i don’t have to also watch for bears! hope you don’t have any troubles with him/her/them and do stay safe!
we did have a mountain lion here this spring … maybe the third sighting in five decades and assumed to have come down from the dakotas or minnesota. made the news every day for a few weeks … seems he stayed in the area for a long time, reportedly looking for a mate. he was seen two blocks from where my sister lives. glad he’s apparently moved on!
time to go wash the dishes. hope you are having a good night!
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
No, it’s not a long way. We don’t cut through the field, we walk down the road and then turn onto another road. A short distance, actually.
We’re not nervous about the bears. It does take your breath away when you see one, but in an ‘awed’ way. They’re beautiful creatures. We respect them and give them space.
Mountain lions, on the other hand, would be a bit scary!
Kay Nickel says
Glad you are relaxing a bit.
Claudia says
Thanks, Kay.