Fall Back

Happy Halloween!

Welcome November!

Down for the Count

Squidley and I are dog tired and are going nighty night.

Hoping you get some very good rest.

You're getting sleepy . . . you're getting sleepy . . .

I've been so busy today, doing laundry, housework, and sewing. And playing with Deutsch and Scout. I am very sleepy and am going to get in the beddy-bye.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the above photographs. The first and third were taken at my grandmother's farm.

Hope your evening is nice.

Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?

This week's "Windows into Wednesdays" includes four photographs I took during one of my trips to Fort Worth, Texas. All were shot in the downtown area. In subsequent weeks I will post additional pictures taken in Fort Worth during that trip and other visits there as well.

The Fox and the Hounds

I am exhausted after chasing hound dogs all day long. Except for just before bedtime. Then I was having a difficult time convincing anyone to come down off the porch and onto the grass for a little potty session. I sweet-talked, encouraged, begged, yelled, threatened. Ok. So it was raining. But when you know they gotta go, they gotta go. Well, I fixed the situation. I went inside and got their leashes, put them on the non-cooperative pair, and tugged and tugged, leading them out a good ways, all the while repeating over and over again that we weren't going inside until we had results from both parties. Bingo! And they were so sure I couldn't outsmart them. (There's no way I was going out at one in the morning again.)

So, now I'm off to bed, but I leave you with additional photographs taken near my grandmother's farm.

Hope you have a good evening.

The Puffyless Runner

A Pretty Little Hill Near My Grandmother's Farm

All of the above photographs were taken along the route to my grandmother's house. (Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go . . . ) And though seeing a New England Fall is still on my "must see" list, I do think I'll never witness a prettier Fall than what can be enjoyed in the South.

Last night I finished the runner I was making for a chest in our sitting room. I previously posted photos of my fabric choices, cut squares, and the body of the work once it was pieced. I cannot call myself a quilter, though I did machine quilt along each row of squares, both horizontally and vertically. I did not have enough of the batting I preferred using, so I utilized what I had on hand: a not so thick 100 % cotton batting. I doubled it for a thickness more like I had in mind for the project. Initially, as I began sewing, I thought the chosen batting was indeed all wrong. I had wanted it to make the squares sorta puffy. When done, however, I was relieved that I had not, after all, gone in that direction. Smoother is just a better look for the runner's new home. I completed the runner by zigzagging the edges of each side. I will post photos of the runner later this week.

Last night I took Deutsch and Scout outside once more before bedtime. As I started down the front steps, something wet fell on my left arm. I was surprised at the first hint of rain. After we came back indoors, we heard a tremendous "boom" sound. What in the world? A few minutes later, as I was brushing my teeth in one of the upstairs bathrooms (with Deutsch and Scout faithfully by my side), we suddenly heard more of the same, though this time it was quite distinguishable as thunder. And then came the rain! Well, long story short, I was unable to go on line. I tried repeatedly but to no avail. I'm guessing the reason may have been weather related. At any rate, what you are now reading is officially (by my own proclamation) yesterday's entry. Today's will appear, barring any unforseen thunderstorms, at its regularly scheduled time.

And now for a commercial break . . .

Dog Day (One in the) Morning

This morning when I first took Deutsch and Scout outdoors, I was right behind them as we walked out the door. Whoa! I backed into the house, did not pass go, did not collect two hundred dollars, but went directly to my nearest jacket, which happened to be my raincoat. That it wasn't raining didn't matter. It mattered only that I had something to serve me as a buffer from the cool mornng air.

The day quickly warmed, and a short-sleeved shirt was in order. Getting outside the rest of the day was pleasant. That is, until Scout insisted we once again see the great outdoors at nearly one in the morning. Granted, he did have good reason for going outside. But one, I didn't take time to grab a jacket, and two, he and Deutsch were suddenly ready to explore the neighborhood. And wouldn't you just know it, neither remembered to increase the volume on their little hearing aids. Well, of course, they don't really wear hearing devices, but perhaps they might benefit from them. Or I might, because I called them repeatedly to come inside, and they didn't even acknowledge my presence. Or maybe, Santa will give them a gift certificate to obedience school.

On their behalf, I must say that I have not had to beg them to eat for about a week. Ok. That's a plus. But on my behalf, I have to say that I have been a very patient bedfellow. I put them into bed ahead of the time I get myself there. By the time I do get there, they have staked their claim and simply refuse to move from their newly acquired territory. And like I said, I'm fairly patient. I pretty much have no choice in the matter, though, since I have spoiled those two rotten.

Well, gotta go. Got two little dachshunds to wrest from my side of the bed.

Huh! That'll be the day.

The Moon and Me

Long day. Calling it a night.

Little Guests

... to stop without a farmhouse near.

There is somewhat of a "grayness" to this sun-dappled stand of trees that sets this photograph apart from those more typical of Fall.

The base of what at one time was a rather large tree now serves as a natural "container" for a full and colorful Fall bouquet.

These "framing" trees allow a tiny glimpse of something incredibly magnificent.

Though there is no snow outside of this quaint red farmhouse, I felt, when I first walked into this pretty little scene, as though I'd drifted into some of the beautiful poetry of Robert Frost.

Maxwell (Light)House

This Virginia lighthouse is an example of simplistic beauty by the sea, that is, until one's eyes focus on its windows. Suddenly one may wonder if, during the design process, while the architect went to the bathroom, someone spilled coffee on the blueprint.


It's been a busy and tiring day, and all I want to do is get into bed.

I love it so.

Nighty night.

The Sky's the Limit

Still Life

Hope your day is a good one.