As I type this post, it seems November has descended early outside. With 40 degree rain, the weather has turned decidedly away from the luscious autumn we've been enjoying. So much color this year, so many blue skies. Even though this autum has lingered nicely, it is still the most fleeting of seasons and I can't beleive we are coming to the tail end of it so soon... Sigh. Time for a trip down memory lane of the last two week, then.
Jack's last cross country meet was on the 16th. The season went so fast! We wonder what the boy is going to do for physical activity and occasional vitamin D now that he and his friends get to retreat back to video gaming. I am so glad he participated! It was a lovely bit of normalcy, to go watch him run and chat amicably with our CH acquaintances in the fall sunshine. And I'm proud of him for persevering in this tough sport. He took his two mile time from 20:23 to 15:06 and even though he says he's never running again, I think he enjoyed himself.
Our latest foster assignment: 5 baby degus and their parents! They are ridiculously cute.
Sunset comes early these days but if we are motivated we can still catch a bit of the magic at our lake... Featured here, Whiskey Island, all aglow.
Saturday mornings are for volunteering at the church. We've gotten the fun of using a farm jack tp remove stumps, and now, a roto-tiller.
Also I made this tiny retaining wall around sime foliage we're keeping, I'm inordinately pleased with it.
And when Saturday brings with it a most splendid fall day, it's for picking apples, too.
And exploring new treasures in Chapin Forest.
... and picking pumpkins at Mulberry Corners.
The magic of the woods... twenty feet in and our two were playing together, pretending to make shelters and turning sticks to guns.
Then we discovered the Ledges. A little harrowing climbing in our inappropriate footwear... and this view.
Phew. After a day like that we needed a Sunday of snuggling in.
... and one last sunset on the beach.
This weekend: Friends over for a porch visit. Wonderful fun.
Funny animals.
A visit to the Alpaca farm! We'd intended to do a group day with our Community of Hope friends but complications ensued. So our family ventured out in the cold and drear to have our spirits liften by fuzzy animals.
We even got to see Sadie, our favorite young alpaca from our visit at the end of the summer!!
We all just love these guys.
It's been great running weather. Finally got out for a slightly longer run on Sunday, and got to soak up the beauty of Shaker Lakes.
Then, it was off to zip-line! Because it is important to know oneself, this mama opted not to climb. But I had a great time cheerleading and watching my brave people take on the heights and the challenge.
And it was worth every penny of admission for this moment, as Jack helped his sister make it on to to the next platform.
My brave ones!
This lovely, colorful fall has been good to us. I'm going to miss it when its gone.
