November

I'd say the first half of November is right up there for me with the first half of March.  If you lived in Wisconsin, you would understand. So I extend my welcome to this month with a sigh. I mean, November! It tests your patience, really it does. (In case you do not live here, let me just summarize it this way: it turns dark and cold and it has no redeeming virtue.) Nonetheless, we are having exceptionally good weather right now. Perhaps record breaking good weather. A high of 70F (21C) today, tomorrow. Weird and wonderful, all at the same time.

Out at sea, Ed is less lucky. Dodging storms (so far as I can tell). I am looking forward to the retelling of how this all unfolded for him. (Right now he did a sharp east swing into the ocean, to cross the Gulf Stream. Once that's done, he'll be picking up some pretty hefty winds. Which, of course, is a good thing for a sailor!)

Let's get back to our lovely morning, here at the farmette.

We have an automatic gizmo on the coop that opens the door for the chickens just after sunrise. It broke on the first day back for me. This simply means that if I want to stay in bed past dawn, I do so knowing that I am torturing the chickens who want to be out. Sigh... Up with the sun then!

A lovely walk to the barn...

And back...

Breakfast: I was all set to eat alone, in the company of my computer actually, when guess who showed up!

Okay, fine, Dance. But you're stuck with me, the one who does not like to share the table with walking beasts at mealtime. I'll be patient. Until Ed comes back. Then I'll go back to pushing you over to his side of the table.

In the late morning, I sow seeds. We're trying out ginseng under the huge maples out front. Myself, I have little hope for this project. I know ginseng needs shade and it will get that, but I think the soil there is lousy and dry and I have doubts about anything taking root. Even hostas have give up. Still, my ever-wanting-to-try-new-cultivars guy wants to give it a go, so I sow. After brushing away the canopy of gold that right now covers the entire front yard.

And then I sow some more, in the bed of hostas by the barn. They say if a weed will grow, so will ginseng.  Oh, do we have the weeds by the barn! Maybe we'll have better luck there. Wait, chickens! Please do not follow me and scratch out the seeds! Please! Hmmm... maybe we wont have better luck there! Shush!

My walk today is in the Arboretum. Just for a change. None of the wildlife areas within a short drive are attractive for me in November. It's hunting season and it just pops the bubble of pleasure to run into men with guns during a hike. So, Arboretum it is.

It's actually very pretty. Most of the trees have shed their leaves, but this just adds to the enchanting blend of gold with bare limbs. Really lovely.

And then Snowdrop is here and we have our brief time before I have to get her ready for ballet.

She is a tired girl! Hmmm... I wonder why? Could it be that every trick-or-treater is having a subdued day-after? Still, she is ready on time and indeed, we are early today! Impressive cooperation and coordination!

And now I am home. Chasing chickens who balk at going into the coop, feeding cats, reheating leftovers yet again for myself.

Good night to all, on dry lands and sailing across turbulent seas. 

With so much love...