When the frost is on the pumpkin

It's fun seeing the neighborhood Halloween decorations on my walks. Some families really go all out. Where on earth do they store this stuff?

The classic gruesome look never goes out of style...

And these plastic skeleton animals are really in.

 

Well, this is the extent of our Halloween decorations. My old wooden skeleton by the backdoor. He rattles and bangs like a ghost in the wind.

The health department strongly advises against trick-or-treating, for obvious reasons.  Some people are coming up with creative, social distancing ways to connect the kids and the candy. Baskets from balconies, that sort of thing.

But honestly, the whole fun of Halloween is opening the door and seeing the little ones so excited in their costumes. This might be the year when we just turn off the front porch light. 

 

Weird weather yesterday. The morning started out bright and sunny, but around noon a sudden dark storm dumped some impressive hail. It came out of nowhere and disappeared just as fast.  

The TV weather lady said to enjoy the last "lukewarm sunshine" today, because a real winter storm blows through tomorrow, bringing the first heavy snow to the mountains and foothills. 

The hail knocked down tons of fresh leaves across the street so today is a good day for bed mulching.  I didn't cut everything to the ground as usual, but left the sedums and other plants just go natural for the winter. It just seemed like too much work right now, and it's better for the birds and insects anyway. I'll tidy up early next year. "Spring 2021" has a hopeful ring to it, yes?

The geraniums were looking pretty tired, so I filled the kitchen window box with pretty yard foliage for fall.