We are seeing the last of the gold: crab apple, asparagus ferns, birch leaves -- they give us that final burst of pleasure, but no pleasure can continue without interruption and today's brisk wind is likely to speed up that final fall of brilliant leaves. The nakedness of winter is almost upon us.
(Even as some flowers refuse to give up! The delphinium has sprouted a new set of buds, the gaura just keeps on going...)
But I walk briskly past all of this as I let the cheepers out. Although still above average for the month, the temperature readings tell it like it is: we have turned our backs on the glorious warm and sunny days.
Still, breakfast is in the sun room. Just because.
After the usual Friday errands, I am with Snowdrop, who is delightfully rambunctious and right away challenges me to a chase, ending with a giggling fit when I "find" her, as always, on the bathroom mat.
She shows off her "no hands!" stand...
But wait, Snowdrop -- what happened to your other sock?
I don't know! -- she seems to be telling me.
In the late afternoon we go out for a walk and I am tempted to throw a blanket on her, but at the last minute settle for just a warm cap. Is she happy with the additional outerwear? No she is not. I remind her that she is a winter baby and even though she is less than a year old, this is the second winter (or almost winter) of her life.
In the evening, I bring Snowdrop to the farmhouse so that the young couple can have an adult evening. She is easily made happy here. Feeding the cheepers is such a joy! (Why is it that a young one can so easily get pleasure from such simple acts as breaking bread for chickens?) Too, when I put her down in her play area, discovering favorite toys that she hasn't seen since her last visit here sets her babbling with glee (she has certain vocalizations and babbles that she reserves only for happy times).
And then I bring out a new surprise -- a pinwheel. Does she like it? I think so.
Oh, Snowdrop!
(Even as some flowers refuse to give up! The delphinium has sprouted a new set of buds, the gaura just keeps on going...)
But I walk briskly past all of this as I let the cheepers out. Although still above average for the month, the temperature readings tell it like it is: we have turned our backs on the glorious warm and sunny days.
Still, breakfast is in the sun room. Just because.
After the usual Friday errands, I am with Snowdrop, who is delightfully rambunctious and right away challenges me to a chase, ending with a giggling fit when I "find" her, as always, on the bathroom mat.
She shows off her "no hands!" stand...
But wait, Snowdrop -- what happened to your other sock?
I don't know! -- she seems to be telling me.
In the late afternoon we go out for a walk and I am tempted to throw a blanket on her, but at the last minute settle for just a warm cap. Is she happy with the additional outerwear? No she is not. I remind her that she is a winter baby and even though she is less than a year old, this is the second winter (or almost winter) of her life.
In the evening, I bring Snowdrop to the farmhouse so that the young couple can have an adult evening. She is easily made happy here. Feeding the cheepers is such a joy! (Why is it that a young one can so easily get pleasure from such simple acts as breaking bread for chickens?) Too, when I put her down in her play area, discovering favorite toys that she hasn't seen since her last visit here sets her babbling with glee (she has certain vocalizations and babbles that she reserves only for happy times).
And then I bring out a new surprise -- a pinwheel. Does she like it? I think so.
Oh, Snowdrop!
