The falling leaves

 

 

 

 It was a stormy weekend and when I finally got out for a walk, the sidewalks in our neighborhood were covered in leaves; we've finally reached the end of the gorgeous fall colors. 

 

No large deciduous trees in our yard, unfortunately. Those beautiful dry oak leaves are fun to rake up and make nice mulch. On Saturday I had to content myself with rotting figs and heavy wet leaves. I just piled them on top of the new tulip and hyacinth bed like a cold wet blanket. They are already thinking about sticking their heads up. 

 

After that I hosed the fig slime off the bricks and it looks better for now. Not that anyone (except me) ever goes out there this time of year. 

 

 

What do you think? The most beautiful and saddest fall song ever written has to be "The Autumn Leaves," sung by Nat Cole.

 

 

More like it

 

 

That's the Seattle radar map this morning and into the foreseeable future. The weather gurus are predicting a wetter than usual month, and that's really saying something when it comes to November in the Northwest. 

Marooned Without a Compass Day is today, a November 6th holiday. How is you sense of direction? Mine is so pitiful and all the compasses in world probably wouldn't help. If fact, GPS Siri leading me like a blind person has has probably made it worse. Those creased maps we used to carry about in the glove box were better for our brains. 

But on another level, this is also a day to pause and check in on your core moral purpose and faith, your inner compass, and especially when life feels out of control or overwhelming. 

Rainy day thought: 

"Everything in this world happens with a purpose. You are born in this world with a purpose, you are chosen by purpose.” 

Udai Yadla, A Walk in the Rain

Have a good weekend. 

Going local

 

We use the online encyclopedia Wiki almost daily, but did you know they also have a spin-off site called Local Wiki.

It describes itself as "Wikipedia, but only for things a half-hour walk from you." 

Just enter your zip code or address, and see what shows up as neighborhood highlights and attractions. 

In 98116 for example, Madison Middle School (the bane of our parking existence) is grandly described as a "landmark school" with a 100 year old history. Schmitz Park is listed, that time capsule of nature and old growth trees in West Seattle, a few blocks from our house. And so on...

It's interesting reading impartial descriptions of places you always take for granted, and what you can find out about your home turf. 

 

 

A new day

 

 

“It feels like an entire country coming together and saying: Enough.”  David Holt

President Trump has spent the past two years trying to subvert American democracy. On Tuesday, voters stood up to him. 

Our country already feels changed. 

Embracing the season

 

 

We never got a hard freeze in Seattle last winter, and some of the geraniums actually survived. I lined up this summer's hardworking pots like soldiers to take their chances. Freeze or not, they will be a sorry sight come spring and likely wind up in the compost bin. I just didn't have the heart to throw them away yet. 

"Embracing the season" is a stretch for me this time of year. Of course fall is beautiful, but of all the seasonal shifts, the November transition to winter feels like the most profound period of change, especially how the afternoon darkness suddenly draws in when we go off daylight savings time. 

Our northern neighbor, British Columbia, officially ended the twice yearly clock change and moved to permanent daylight savings time. Good for them. 

 

Here's a view of the Carlton orchard this week, from above. Amanda and Tom can access the Golden Doe Wildlife area from this point, and they often take the dogs on long hikes. The preserve will be closed again this winter to protect mule deer habitat, so they're getting in some last walks.

Yoko is a tough little cookie, and follows right behind Nica on vigorous hikes. From that direct gaze, I sense a touch of tenacious terrier in there, along with the Chihuahua.

 

A peaceful view of happy chickens pecking in the backyard. The fun will be over when this is covered with snow.

Another masterpiece cake creation from chef Maya, this one to celebrate Tom's birthday.  She told me it was “carrot cake from scratch, cream cheese frosting and raspberry goo.” Nice having an enthusiastic dessert baker in the family. We'll put her in charge of Thanksgiving. 

A sweet picture of Nova, now well into her senior year of high school. She went on an organized outing to check out several colleges in eastern Washington, including WSU at Pullman. 

I think she expected some podunk little place, but came away impressed with the size and friendly, safe atmosphere of the campus, including the giant library and stadium. (Cougar football is a big deal.) 

Nova is interested in large animal welfare, and this is one of the best veterinary colleges in the country. Who knows what path she ultimately chooses, but she's got everything it takes to be successful. 

 

Halloween weekend

 

I like walking around the neighborhood checking out the decorations. Some families really go all out for Halloween, and skeletons are big this year.

These people covered their entire front yard with funny little skeletons. Cute!

 

And John spotted this West Seattle insider humor. Get it?

I have a Costco size bag of gummy bears, hopefully enough. There's a Buckeye game on Saturday night, so I'll probably be the one upstairs handing out candy. I'm always surprised how many kids show up at the door, almost all with their watchful parents waiting on the sidewalk. We used to let Amanda and her friends loose in the neighborhood, but those were different times in West Seattle. 

Halloween in small town Twisp is much more relaxed and young and old get into it, with a dedicated trick-or-treat zone for kids on Burgar Street, a traditional costume party for adults at the Twisp River Tap House, and a haunted house at the Community Center, among other things. I know Maya and her gang of girlfriends will be haunting the haunted house. Nova probably has more grown up plans with her senior friends. 

Enjoy your weekend. Remember we have that nonsense clock changing thing again on Sunday. This is a rough one for those of us who tend to wake up too early and get hungry for dinner at 5 pm.