I am hot then I am cold. I do not feel well. I made toast with maple butter as my spread.
I fixed my tea and my lemon water. Sage tea is nice to drink too. I added a bit of rose syrup to my cup of tea.
While having my repose, I wanted to see a butterfly. The film library has many to choose from. I made myself a slide show of Swallowtails.
I am resting. Working at my desk. Watching the leaves fall from the front maple. I will be well soon.
Somehow I developed laryngitis.
The tomatoes are ripening! I will get another big jar and do twice as many next year. It really works.
I was pleased to see the Hawk on the deck this afternoon. He flew as I was getting the camera! One of these days I will get my photo. Chick-a-dee posed for me!
The Fire bush is at peak color.
Huge bouquets of mums are in the house.
I know they will be over soon. Heavy frost will come through one of these nights and nip the mums.
It warmed up to 48 degrees this afternoon. The Red Admiral was out in the orange mums. Such a pleasant surprise!
Two of my Aunts came for lunch. I fixed a simple meal of black bean chili and brown bread. Hot spiced cider warmed us after we visited my Uncle's grave.
I did up some wheat and rosemary to place on my Uncle's grave.
We had a pleasant visit. I love hearing the stories of their childhoods and about my Grandmother. I love the stories about my Father when he was a little boy. I love my Aunts. Wise and gracious women.
I send forth my blessings.
May Grandmother Moon give comfort to those that suffer.
I am grateful for this day. 
The World Series is an October event.
Yesterday we cleaned out the spent tomatoes, peppers and squashes. The bare bones of the vegetable garden will provide perches for the winter birds.
Scarecrow needs a name. I have two entries for the drawing, Housefrau has "Lumpy" in the running. I "Stanley". Tomorrow, on New Moon Day, I will draw out of the pumpkin a name! If you have any suggestions let me know! I will add your idea to the pumpkin.
I did a gourd sculpture with the vines. I clipped and picked and moved them about. Now these can stay all winter. They are tidy and the gourds that are left can ripen. As the leaves wither and fall the trellis will show forth. I think it will look very pretty with snow.
The ivy has turned. I do like the color framing the windows. Next year I will let the ivy continue to grow. I will do an ivy sculpture!
I think this bird is the Dark-eyed Junco. We usually have many in the winter.
The Chick-a-dees are the only birds that can get feed from the small feeders.
I do not know which of the many sparrows this little charmer is.
I am happy to have birds about.
It is the warm weather following the first frost. Many butterflies came to the gardens. The Red Admiral was in the leaves of the Ash tree.
The Calendula, also known as Pot Marigold, is in full bloom.
The Gray Hairstreak enjoyed the orange mums.
Buckeye sunned on a rock.
The sun came out this afternoon. I surveyed the gardens. A Red Admiral butterfly flew in but did not land. The mums are in full bloom.
The dwarf snapdragons are also in full bloom.
A pair of hawks flew over.
I have work to do outside, time to clean up the Autumn gardens.
I watched as some leaves floated in the air.
Every view from the deck is beautiful.
Some friends came over for a visit. I fixed individual snack plates.
The black bean layered dip was yummy. Hot spiced cider chased away the cold damp day.
I ordered 60 hyacinth bulbs. These I will put in the refrigerator for forcing. Come January and February they will be blooming inside. I also ordered 50 white crocus. These go in the moon garden outside. As soon as the ground dries up a bit I will plant them. I made a commitment to the crocus two years ago. I enjoy the early bloom. I would like to have crocuses in every bed.
The rains stopped and I took a break from cleaning. This butterfly looked so much like a leaf I almost missed her. I had hoped she would open her wings so I might be able to identify her. When she flew I caught a flash of orange.
The yellow Primrose in the Redbud is in bloom.
A female Red-bellied Woodpecker entertained me with her call and her drumming.
While the pumpkin muffins cooled I went outside. The rains had stopped for a few minutes.
I was pleased to see one marigold plant was still in bloom. Some of the basil was fine, the lettuce is thriving.
The little mum was in bloom.
The Redbud bed is on the Northwest corner of the front yard. It seems so strange how the frost nipped the south and east beds but the north and west side of the gardens are left unscathed. I am so pleased I over seeded the Redbud bed with Romaine and basil. How the marigold plant ended up here I do not know. I have helpers in the gardens. The wind and the birds and all the creatures that visit carry seed. Sometimes they know more about gardening than I.
The white roses were blooming.
Some of the canes were in the vines of the spent gourds on the deck.
A cut gourd vine was in bloom.
I am baking today and making treat baskets for my friends.
