It's All About the Pumpkins

Resigned to the futility of complaining about the approach of winter I have begun to celebrate The Pumpkin in earnest...they are certainly a bright, golden spot in these cool, dark days. Below, Winter Squash a-plenty...
Flower Power...
We took a walk in the Community Park on the first day of clearing after nearly a foot of rain. It was a very sweet day and below are some shots from our adventure. Check out the impressive quantity of the invasive parsite, I've always known as Elephant Snot, but is evidently called Witches Hair Lichen, growing in the Oak...
Silhouette of Daughter #3...

Ancient Elf Tree...
Mysterious Woodland...
Twin Oaks, in contrasting leafage...Inviting place to rest...
Local decor...All decked out for the season...
Full Moon Coming On....
Leaf Show...

Below, check out the growth made in just one year by the Stanley Prune...Over 6ft!Bear Butte...
Our Second Almond Crop...The Butte...Quite a bit later than the Nonpareil, soft shelled as well but not nearly as willing to split open, which they do to indicate maturity. These are ripening a bit unevenly, and if I were to plant more almonds, even though they are less productive overall, I would go with Nonpareil; They are a smaller, less vigorous tree (less pruning/better orchard spacing), they have earlier fruit, and ripen well ahead of any cool/wet weather, which the Butte evidently does not. The flavor of the home grown almonds is truly remarkable. It remains to be seen what this tree will do in the future, or in a long hot October. It is just 4 years old!! Stay Tuned...
Vacant Local Indian Tepee....
Haiku 4 u.

More later.
xxoo Jj

Mid October Post - More Rain

Strawberry Perfection...
Best Buds in the Garden...The Winter Squash and Pumpkins are ready to go...
Persimmon Potential...
Silly Pups...
The Rose Hips...
Sunflowers Still Popping...Even as the rain comes down...
Wild Flowers...This bed of scattered Poppies, Wild Flowers, and Various Cutting Flowers has been a joy.....they've bloomed all summer.
Golden Delicious Apple...All done now.
Hazelnut...Adopted last spring... I think they bloom and bear nuts in the winter...must research.
Pretty Cool Paper Wasp Nest....We have been enjoying observing this nest off the side of the county road. Recently, it appears to have been disturbed, and is not nearly as perfect as these images. Below...Lots of light on that nest. Missing days like those.

Repeat of Bear Butte StarShine...I like it centered over the Butte symmetrically...notice the silhouetted play structure of the Salmon Creek School.
Fig...This is a Black Mission Style...BlackJack maybe? Lots of figs...alas, very little sunshine, and temps in the 50's. Might get to eat a few though...Below, I never tire of the Shasta Daisy...they are expanding and innocent. These bloomed all summer because they were near a regularly watered space. Nice.
I whine about the rain. It is only October and the rain and wind are all acting December on me. Giant acorn party last night. My sleep is tossed in these breezy, noisy, stormy nights. Morning brings more serious ditch work on the road, and still the water flows. I am already over it, just 2 weeks into it. Oh well, to quote myself; "Time to hunker down." Or maybe... I will start my desert blog his winter...

Early October / First Rain

Valley Fog... Bright Sunlight...Fall colors are bright, and the temperatures are falling. The weather today is very windy, and rainy. Here are a few shots from before the storm...Below, Intimate Zinnia...
Salvia, So Furry... and Passion Flower above...Below, The Sky Hanging Low... and Perennial Sunflower, Silhouetted Against the Approaching Storm.......
Above, Perennial Sunflower in the Cool Shade. Below - Check out the Rebirth of the Willow! Just a couple days after treating it for the dreaded Giant Willow Aphid (see previous post) this tree started to put out healthy new growth. Inspiring!


Sunflowers Aglow...

Raspberry Bounty....I am really impressed with the fall crop of raspberries, we are getting at least a bowlful a day.
Strawberries... Before Rain...
This Redbud Tree is Blooming...Pretty much a ripoff, as looks to me like the blossoms are pink!

Chard ...In its Second Spring...
Pepper above and Snoopy below...The dogs are something else. I suffered a pretty significant crash on a rather steep and hairy incline, and have now, (on the advice of my chiropractor !) had to rethink our bikejouring style. We all walk, the first stretch of our descent out into the world, until we reach flat ground, and I am absolutely strict with them to that point. Overall, I am not allowing any crap while we are running either. Snoopy seems to have reached critical mass (he is now over 50 lbs) and his strength simply outweighs mine, especially when he is feeling the anticipation of the run. So, with a newborn fear of dieing, and a fresh helmet, we are good to go...:}
The autumnal winds are blowing, and the our first real rain has arrived. I am grateful for the moisture, but it seems we were shorted on hot weather this summer and a sunny warm October is not in the forecast. You know what the old timers say though? "Ya never know."
Short soggy post tonight. More later. Jj