I watched Animal Cops, Houston, where they were rescuing the tigers and bears from an unbelievably bad situation.  It makes my heart ache to think what people are doing to these majestic animals.  It felt good to know that these individuals are receiving the care and heartfelt sympathy of the SPCA, and are now living in good conditions.  But there are so many more that need to be rescued.

I lit my sickly pumpkin this evening, but I did not have any candy on hand to give any trick-or-treaters, if they should ever come here.  I would have given them Fuji apples instead. 

My doctor visit went well, my blood pressure is still good, and my bad cholesterol is going down.  Unfortunately, so is my good cholesterol.  Who knows why?  But everything else is A-OK.  And I got my flu shot too.

My daughter is so good to me.  She had lunch all prepared for me, after my fasting regimen, in order to have my blood tested.  She made sub sandwiches and gave me fruit juice.  She is so kind and always giving me things, I am very fortunate to have her. 

I let Arnie out after dark, and though it's late, he's still not back.  I will wait and worry until he's safe inside.  John is probably just getting out of the Bob Dylan concert in Madison now, and will probably get some sleep at a friend's house before driving back, so I don't expect to see him until tomorrow sometime. 

And so, Happy Halloween to all, and to all a good night.  

And just as the sun was setting, a beautiful pink and red panorama, we put up the last sheet of metal roofing.  A few screws to hold it in place, and that was enough for the day. 

Today, I have my annual checkup at the doctor, then I'll go over to see my daughter at her house. And then, and then!  I can relax and enjoy Halloween.  We never have any trick-or-treaters here in the deep, dark woods, but I'll buy a bag of Snickers bars anyway, then get to enjoy them myself. 

John is headed to Madison to enjoy a Bob Dylan concert.  I don't expect him back before tomorrow sometime. 

John is finally putting up the green metal roofing I purchased for the back 1/3 of the house roof.  He sure is a pro.  Has it halfway done, and he's taking a break for awhile.  I am the assistant, doing whatever I can, handing things up, etc.  Then I went for a walk with Pepper in the woods and looked back at the house.  I love it!  The green is really a very good color here, and now I see where the outside walls will look good in a cedar brown color - I'm thinking board and batten siding, now.  Of course, many little details will still need to be done, but the snow and ice WILL be sliding off this winter, and there won't be any leaks, either. 

I had a chiro appointment this morning, and the adjustment always leaves me sore for the first day, but I'm hanging in there, having taken just one 350 mg. aspirin.  This single aspirin is my placebo-effect remedy for pain these days.  It just takes the edge off the pain, and I tell my brain to send out those endorphins to conquer all other pains.  It works pretty good, and this way, I won't get addicted to Vicoden.

Did I mention that Jill had given us a chicken, a whole chicken, and I roasted it, then made a lot of gravy to go with the meat, which I took off the bones.  The bony parts still have a lot of meat on, and I'm going to make soup tomorrow.  But with the chicken and gravy, I made biscuits, and now I can't stop singing "Chicken and Gravy and Biscuits," that old blues song. 

For the biscuits, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Put 2 cups of flour in a bowl, add 2 tsps. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. sugar.  Mix it up and add to it, 1/3 cup canola oil, 2/3 cup buttermilk or sour milk.  Stir this up quickly and hand-make little balls, squish them flat, and place on an ungreased sheet.  Bake for 15 - 20 minutes.

To make sour milk, I just add 1 tsp. lemon juice to the milk.  It sours up in a hurry.

I finally carved my pumpkin for Halloween - I made a face with slanty, sick eyes, slitty nose, and a gaping mouth with a lot of the seeds and stringy goo hanging out of the mouth.  Looks like my pumpkin is throwing up!  I saw it on the internet, and decided to make a non-traditional pumpkin this year. 

Madame President, what do you intend to accomplish in your first 100 days in office?

1.  Raise the minimum wage.  It has been suggested already that it be raised in 3 increments, and I would definitely consider subsidizing businesses that would be hard-hit by the increased payrolls.  The subsidies would be retracted when the benefits of raising the incomes actually hit the economy.

2.  Enforcement of the minimum wage is important to our economy.  We have been lied to about not wanting to do certain jobs; therefore, these non-law-abiding criminal employers argue, the jobs are given to illegal aliens, who will do the work for less than minimum wage.  This is not true, first of all, but it keeps prices down, so we put up with the lies.  It would only take a phone call to bring in the authorities to micro-manage these employers, and fine them for breaking the law. 

3.  A path of amnesty for all illegal immigrants who are here now, but serious enforcement of the borders from now on.  Saying we can't keep them from coming is, again, a lie.  We can do it if we try.  The illegals who are here now should participate in the better wages, get on the tax rolls immediately, and learn English.  My grandparents and great-grandparents learned English, and so can they.  All criminals who are illegal immigrants should be jailed and deported immediately.

(This is only 3 of the many, many things Madame President will be achieving in the 100 days.  More to follow.)

My son-in-law drove us up to Lake Superior yesterday, and we had a nice picnic lunch on the shore, while looking at the magnificent scenery and birds.  We looked at a piece of property that bordered a river, but it was a gorge, I guess; vertical down to the river and covered in trees.  At least you could use the trees to haul yourself up the slope, after viewing the river far below. 

My son-in-law made the trek; he came back breathing hard, and said there was a canoe parked down there, and it would be a beautiful, secluded spot for a small cabin, as the shoreline was firm.  We said, uh-huh, and went down the road, looking for a more civilized approach.  There were many properties for sale, but we will have to spend some time calling the numbers on the signs and talking to the people. 

The surrounding countryside is idyllic, and leaving it to come home, well, home was nice to get back to, but the lake shore is so inviting.  My problem is that I am getting old.  The kids will have to do whatever they are going to do, and I am just tagging along, now.  But it sure was a pleasant time.

Add 2 tblspns. canola oil to frying pan, saute 2 pork chops and 1 chicken breast.  Season with salt, pepper, paprika, thyme.  Turn over when browned on one side, reduce heat to very low, season other side, cover and let finish for 20-25 minutes.  Remove from heat, set aside to cool slightly.  To 2 cups salted water in pot, add 1 cup long-grain rice and 1 tblspn. butter.  When it comes to a boil, reduce heat to very low, stir once, cover and let finish for about 20 minutes.  Fluff once with fork, cover and set aside.  Using a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tblspn. sesame seed oil and 1 tblspn. canola oil.  Add 2 large eggs, scramble slightly, transfer to a dish and set aside.  Add another 1 tblspn. sesame seed oil and 1 tblspn. canola oil, turn heat down to medium.  Add to skillet, 1 medium onion, chopped; 3 stalks celery, chopped; stir and saute several minutes.  Add one 12 oz. can bean sprouts, drained; 1 small can water chestnuts, drained and chopped; 1 small can bamboo shoots, drained; and 1 small jar pimientos, drained (optional).  Stir well.  Remove pork from bones, trim fat, slice pork and chicken into small pieces, add to skillet.  Add 2 tblspns. teriyaki sauce, 5 tblspns. soy sauce, 1 tblspn. oyster-flavored sauce, and 1/2 tblspn. hoisin sauce.  Stir in scrambled eggs.  Add 1 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. white pepper (optional).  In a large bowl, combine cooked rice with vegetables and meat mixture.  For individual servings, cover plate or bowl with shredded or chopped iceberg lettuce, put about 2 cups rice mixture on top, press a spoon into rice mixture to make a crater in center.  Fill crater with plum jam.  Sprinkle chow mein noodles over all, if desired, and drizzle sweet and sour sauce (duck sauce) over the dish.  Serve with hot sauce, hot sweet mustard, soy sauce and more duck sauce as condiments.  And of course, hot tea is good with this dish.  It is also good to use 1 cup of shrimp, but I didn't have any on hand.  It was delicious, though, as it was. 

If I am able, I will go with my kids to see another property up north.  But I had a restless night and still don't feel quite well.  

Had a pretty good day yesterday, the weather was fine, and I got some laundry, dishes, and straightening done, even.  I have to put up my friend's article on renewable energy....

Convert those power plants to solar collector algae/biogas! They produce 4000 gallons of biodiesel per acre too.

Just as the sun was peeking over the horizon, Arnie knocked on the door to be let in.  He has been staying out the past two nights to keep the deer away from the  bird feeders, and he's been sleeping on the pile of straw I put down.  The dogs think it's a luxury to have a pile of straw to lie down on.  He knocks just like a human, three hard knocks.  The girl dogs and I rushed to the door to let him in.  He is such a handsome fellow. 

It looks like it's going to be beautiful out today, but I am still feverish and gnarly.  I am going to cancel my chiro appt. today too.  The good news is, I'm not overworking my back and neck, but spending most of the day in bed, and I don't think today will be any different.  Darn.  I have found out that this terrible cold and sore throat thing is going around, a lot of people are complaining about it, and it lasts a week.  I guess I have a couple of days to go with it.  The other thing people say about it, is that over-the-counter remedies don't help much.  I noticed that already.

I installed Google Earth last night, and spent the evening zooming around the northwoods.  It's just like the President says, "I like to get on Google Earth and fly around over the ranch, heh, heh." 

My son-in-law has found another property for us to look at tomorrow, and I only hope I am well enough to go with them to see it.  I think I found the area it's in on Google Earth last night.  It may be in Zone 4, I'm pretty sure it is.

And the only other thing I have to say today is:  PLEASE EVERYBODY PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.  MAKE THIS ONE FOR THE PEOPLE!

I can't believe this cold and sore throat.  This is Tuesday now, and I've been sick since Friday eve.  It seems like it is trying to infect the rest of my body, too, getting into my lungs and intestines, making me wheeze and cramping up.  Ugh!  I haven't been able to do anything except the bare minimum, like feed the dogs and let them out/in, keep making tea, toast, coffee and ramen noodle soup.  That's been my life of late.

Today, I forced myself to make a pot of chili, because I had thawed hamburger sitting there in the fridge, and also a carton of those baked beans.  If I didn't use them, I would have to throw them out.  The crockpot is doing the work now. 

Soon I will be back in bed, concentrating on breathing.  I found a yoga trick for reducing fever:  it was to curl your tongue into a tube sticking out of your mouth a bit, and inhaling through the tube.  It cools the ingoing air quite a bit, supposedly reducing fever, etc.  Or I could just step outside and take a couple of breaths of really cold air.  It gave us a dusting of snow yesterday, but today it's bright and sunny out.  But cold.

After researching the reverse mortgage situation, I have come to the conclusion that I have been beyond the pale for so long, I wouldn't feel comfortable any other place.  And they rejected me anyway, because my house is not complete.  (They only want to pluck the ripe cherries.)  I feel like I have dodged a bullet here, because the interest rate was variable, the upfront charges came to $5,000.00, and they seemed confused and hurt at the idea of my wanting to pay back the "loan."  I now believe that this is just the latest way to divest (seniors) of the equity in their homes, and leave not much to the kiddies.  The benefit being that mom/pop can get on the bus and hurry over to the casino, while their equity takes a dive.  I'm not just sour-graping here, I have that critical eye.  And I want to leave something for my children. 

I'm up and ready to go!  Back to bed, that is.  I've cancelled all appointments (chiropractor) and can now spend the day indoors.  I'm just not ready to get on my horse and ride.  It will be another day or so, I think.  One thing is for sure - it's very dry in here, so I'm going to put a kettle of water to boil on the stove.  That should help. 

I haven't been truly "sick" for years now, so this cold and sore throat is really laying me low.  Spent all day in bed sleeping, yesterday, plus last night, and now I am feeling semi-human.  I woke up feeling terrible, but better now that I am up and about.  Still.....

I had a nightmare last night that I had been hypnotized into thinking I was driving my car someplace normal, but when I came out of my hypnotic state, I was actually at the bottom of a  steep incline right at the water's edge, and I was walking.  It was a dangerous place, my feet already in the water, one mis-step and I would have drowned, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get back up the vertical incline.  Woke up still trying.  I know that in my dreams, water means death. 

Well, think I'll turn on the tv and see what football games are on...I haven't been much interested in the Packer games lately; they seem to be in a slump of sorts.  Or is it me that's in a slump?

I was on the phone last evening, talking to my brother.  When the conversation began, I was perfectly fine (well, I'm never perfect anymore); by the time I hung up, I was sick with a terrible sore throat.  It was so miserable that I wasn't able to breathe properly, and when trying to fall asleep, my throat kept closing.  I took all manner of  herbals; zinc, ester-C, Sambucol lozenges, garlic, licorice root, and finally, some night-time cold and cough syrup.  Nothing helped, and I spent one miserable night, just breathing deliberately.  Finally, at about 6:30, I made coffee and took very small sips of that.  Believe it or not, the throat improved finally, and I've had about 3 or 4 hours of sleep.  I'm sure I was snoring, as my throat is almost closed.  It must be affecting my tonsils or adenoids or whatever is in there at the back of your throat.

I was outside quite awhile yesterday, still taking care of final details before winter really begins.  And went for a long walk with Pepper in the biting breeze, so what do I expect?  I am about as ready for winter as I can be now.  My metal roofing is almost paid for now, and John is going to put it up for me.  It's the back 1/3 of the house, to the north, where snow and ice dams up in the winter.  When it comes down finally, it makes a terrible roar and thud, usually taking some shingles with it.  Needs constant attention.  With metal roofing on it, the snow and ice should slide right off constantly and not dam up.  And no one is going to be seeing it back there anyway.  Well, he better hurry, as there are not too many clear days left before winter begins in earnest. 

I have a neighbor on one side of my place, that has an enormous production of making firewood every weekend.  Trouble is, he is "making firewood" by taking it from the people's land all around me.  I don't imagine he has a permit or permission to do so, and it is really beginning to annoy me seriously.  I have been on natural gas for many years now, and I had even bought firewood before then when I needed it.  It is a constant racket every weekend, and I have a sneaking suspicion that when the land is stripped bare around here, he will probably blame it on me.  For once, being an old white woman will be my best defense.

I have sent away for and received a VHS tape of reverse mortgage information, put out by Robert Wagner and the Senior Lending Network.  I am learning about reverse mortgages, because my mortgage has to be rewritten in January, I think, and I want to check out all the options I may have. 

And back to bed....I did lots of housework too, yesterday, so I am caught up on all, except vacuuming.  As a footnote to the above situation, I once turned in some poachers, who were taking fish out of our lakes; they were caught and fined, but tracked me down to where I worked.  That's where I made the phone call to the sheriff from.  These people came barging in looking for someone to hurt, fortunately, my identity was still intact and they were looking for the person who had "signed" the complaint, which, of course, was the property owner, not me.  So I realize very well, that there is a risk to putting a stop to someone stealing.  And nobody is perfect.  I, too, took firewood (dead wood only, and only what I could carry in my hand) from neighbors' land when I first moved here, but left the forest intact.  Since then, I have watched the forest being eaten away with all manner of excuses - road widening, trees hanging over wires, etc., but this guy is really taking advantage.  He has a 4-wheel ATV, a cart, chainsaw, and log splitter.  From a wilderness setting, it has become park-like all around me, and maybe some people would think it an improvement.  Maybe I'm just a crabby old lady.  I am, today.

Keith Olberman did it again last night - reamed the President for what he is doing, has done to our Constitution.  Now he's taken away habeas corpus, our one main right against false charges.  I believe Bush has done this, not only because he has always wanted to take power away from the people, but because he needs to cover his behind, if and when he is investigated.  He has committed all those injustices all along, and sooner or later, the people will want to know, what he's done and to whom. 

A little bird flew into the picture window this morning, and killed itself dead.  A little black and white bird, but it doesn't look like a junco.  I went out to investigate, but it is lifeless.  There's not much you can do when a little bird has an accident like that.  If they are dead, it's no use; if they are just unconscious and wake up, you don't want them flapping about in the house.  And usually they die, even if you try to take care of them.  It seems to me that their lives must be perfect, or else they don't make it.  I have only to look at the other birds, flying around like happy maniacs, to realize they are enjoying their lives so much, they can't take the time to worry about any problems that might come along. 

Today, I have another chiro. adjustment, then it's off to see my daughter.  We are lunching at Cousins' Subs, and she cheers me up just hearing her voice on the phone.  So away I must go to get ready.

Ah yes, the gentle pattering of a rainy day, and not just intermittent showers, either.  It's been pretty steady, and seldom do I ever need an umbrella, but today was the day.  Another adjustment, a bill to pay, a birthday card to find and mail, then home to sleep, yes. 

I saw the doe and her fawn standing in the garden, looking at me expectantly, so I did go out into the woods a ways, bringing a scoop of the deer corn and dropping it in a small pile.  I'm sure they were not too far away, waiting for just that.  Maybe they knew I bought corn the other day. 

Supper of American fries, with onions and ham cubes, with a side of beans and venison.  Now to bed again, and the tv and my puzzle books will be my company for the evening.  It's good to rest up after an adjustment anyway. 

I had hoped that it would be fairly simple to replace the mailbox, that the door had broken off of.  But when I tried to remove the nails that held it to the post, the post broke off near the ground, rotten, just a stump sticking up out of the ground.  Well, I took the whole post and mailbox home, and got the mailbox off.  After affixing my number to the front of the new box with liquid paper, covering that with clear nail polish, and affixing it to the post, it looked pretty good.  But how to make a solid base for the whole thing to set in a row by the other mailboxes.  I found a plastic bucket, set the stumpy post and new box in it, and began to fill the bucket with pea gravel.  When I ran out of that, I used larger gravel all the way to the top of the bucket.  It seems quite solid, all right, not likely to tip over, especially if I dig a 2" deep circle for the bucket to sit in.  Of course, it was now too heavy for me to lift.  I was going to dismantle the whole thing and separate the gravel into two separate pots, then reassemble it down by the mailboxes.  But John saw it sitting there, while I was having lunch, and lifted the whole thing into his van.  He is going to do the rest of the work for me.  I think I'll go down to the mailboxes later and bring a sheet of plastic and some duct tape.  I was thinking of making the bucket waterproof, so the post won't rot again.

When I emptied the water barrels the other day, I left one by the house, thinking that we might still need some water.  Wrong...  It froze in the barrel, and today, with temps going into the 50's, I've chopped out the ice from the top of the barrel, stuck the sump pump in there, and tried to pump it out, so I could overturn the barrel for the winter.  But of course, I didn't drain the hose properly and the water left in it has frozen also.  So, I've stretched the hose out in the sun, and hopefully, later on in the day, I'll be able to pump the barrel out.  If the hose won't thaw, I'll have to bring it in the house and that would be a big hassle.  Why didn't I do it right to begin with? 

I have a detaching window guard on my truck that needs to be glued back on, and I'm hoping that when it's over 50 deg. this afternoon, the glue will work properly.  Otherwise, I'll have to pull the guard off all the way and wait until spring.  Then I have to put Duralube in my oil, and Heet in my gas tank.  I should pull that straw bale out of the back of my truck and get that positioned where I'll be needing it.  And bring in the bag of deer corn.   

What else?  It's supposed to rain tomorrow and for a few days after that.  I'm sure that by tomorrow, I'll be ready to have another chiropractic adjustment.  I'm hoping this week will be the last adjustments I'll need.  Yes, the neck pain is going away, but I can not do nearly as much as I could before this injury.  I can really feel it when I do anything, now. 

It snowed a few inches last night, and this morning, in my flip-flops, I went out to put seed in the feeders and promptly slid out sideways, getting my bare feet completely in the snow.  It was rather refreshing.  At least I didn't fall all the way down. 

The juncos are here, and they are the plump little birds that are charcoal black on top and white on the bottom.  Their coloring is like they've been dipped halfway into white chocolate.  I think they migrate down from the arctic regions, and pass through to a slightly warmer climate for the winter, as I see them in fall and spring.  I threw a lot of millet and thistle seed on top of the snow for them, and the whole flock is out there, picking up the seeds.  Meanwhile, my regulars are doing their thing on the suet and sunflower feeders.

I got a good supply of suet cakes yesterday at Walmart.  I had to have my truck's oil changed and the tires properly inflated, and it was a 2-hour wait, because everybody else was also in a panic to get their vehicles serviced right now.  It was snowing and blowing yesterday too, quite a sudden rush into winter weather. 

I also bought a new mailbox, since the door broke off on mine.  I think I'll wait for warmer weather to put it up, though.  And an indoor-outdoor thermometer, with cardinals on the face.  Last year, the snowblower throwing snow and ice up on the tree destroyed my old thermometer.  And at the Farmers' Feed Store, I picked up a bale of straw to protect some of my plantings after the ground freezes; also, it makes good bedding for dogs who like to lie out in the winter and keep watch. 

Then, I even got some "deer corn" to feed the deer.  Of course, this brings up the possibility of shooting one of them for meat.  Not that you couldn't without the corn, since they are in everybodys' yards right now.  They used to live here in the woods, but with so many houses popping up like mushrooms, people say, the deer are in their yards.  We forget, this is their home.

And I got an email from my grandson overnight, who has been moving around the country a lot since graduating from high school.  I invited him to stay here, even though the "room" is not ready upstairs yet.  I explained to him that gardening and the neck/back injury have slowed me down some, but that he's always welcome.  He could even have the apartment downstairs, and I could move back up into my tent....

I brought as many flowers and pepper plants indoors as possible, and my bedroom, with the big picture window, is loaded now with so many plants and flowers, that I just sit there and admire the indoor view.  It looks great (understatement). 

Yes, it just started awhile ago, turning from rain to snow, but not enough to make the ground white yet.  I don't know why I get so excited about the first time it snows; it feels like elation, while my mind says why?  Why are you so happy?  It must be some sort of primitive hunting instinct, feels like howling with the wolves. 

Yesterday afternoon, I examined once again the back of the house, behind where the kitchen sink is, and yes, it has become punky and so soft, I can easily puncture the plywood by scraping my hammer over it.  And the mice had two holes back there, right in the cheesiest places.  The only way I could fix it was to take a piece of plywood, about 3' x 5' wide, and after scraping away the old foam and caulk, I nailed this piece of plywood right over the whole area that is rotting.  Then I got a new tube of caulk in my gun and caulked all around the plywood.  It formed a really tight, well-nailed patch that will hold until spring.  Hopefully, in spring, I will begin the siding of the house. 

All the flowers, etc. I have saved are on the porch and they are all blooming.  And in the house, in front of my picture window, all the houseplants are also in bloom now.  The so-called Christmas cacti are spectacular now, one is gold and pink, and the other is a vivid Chinese red.  Even the purple petunias are going strong, as are two begonias.

The dogs have been out for only 5 minutes, and are content to lie around the house, as I am in the process of dusting the furniture and everything on the furniture.  What a time-consuming project.  And dusting is not the word - because I have a pan of slightly sudsy water and a sponge, and everything gets washed clean.  It's a good feeling to get it done, and everything looks so fresh.    

Combine 1 egg and 1 tblspn. milk in a small bowl.  Set aside.  Combine 1 cup flour, 1/3 cup cornmeal, 1-1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. paprika, 1/8 tsp. red pepper, 1/8 tsp. black pepper, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.  Set aside.  Core tomatoes, cut away any spots, wash and slice.  Heat 1 inch of cooking oil in frypan.  Dip tomato slices into egg, then flour mixture, drop into hot oil.  Fry 2 minutes per side, or longer for more crunchiness.  Drain on paper towels. 

I used the rest of the flour mixture to coat the cooked and peeled eggplants, then fried them up also.  I don't like them.  I won't be growing them again next year either, except one for an ornamental, as they are very pretty plants, with beautiful purple flowers.  The tomatoes?  Well, they tasted fried, green, and sort of like tomatoes.  What can I say?  They aren't bad at all, but certainly, these won't be my favorite things.  But at least I can say I tried them.....

It froze just a little last night, ending my morning glories, and the impatiens.  I had brought as many flowers and peppers in that I could yesterday, setting them in the porch, and it looks just so colorful out there now, but inevitably, they are going to freeze, too. 

Yesterday, the deer jumped into my garden for the first time, and ate my cauliflower head that was forming, and also some of my pepper plants.  But I don't mind if they do this now, as I literally can't do more than what I have done.  Too bad that my Only the Lonely Nicotiana will not have a chance to bloom this year.  They are one of my favorite flowers also.

Had another chiropractic adjustment this morning,  he says my right leg keeps "shortening" because of cramping, swelling and inflammation on the right side.  I can believe that, all right.  I wish the pain in the right side of my neck would end, soon!

And it's cold and gray out, just as predicted.  After such a wonderful run of good weather, it's inevitable that it would end, but I noticed that it was considerably colder in the house this morning.  Upon checking to see why, I found that my friend had thought(fully)(lessly) turned the heat completely off, thereby losing all the residual heat I had built up in the floor and house.  So this is what happens when you leave home.  I will just have to check on it daily to make sure nobody tries to help me "save money on heating."  I guess I'm being a grump about it.

I better bring in the potted plants I have sitting around outside, in case this is the night - they are predicting 30 deg.  And then I'm going to curl up in bed and wait for it to get warmer in here.  Grrr and Brrr!   

On this most exquisite autumn day, 70 deg., Pepper and I went for a long walk on the road, covering about a mile.  Then I found my bag of evergreen and flowering shrub fertilizer and walked around the property, feeding a handful to each spruce I have planted.  There were 70 in all, and the rest of the food went to 4 cedars, 2 crabs, 3 apples, 1 hydrangea and several lilacs I've also planted over the years. 

Then Pepper and I went down to the lake to get the canoe ready for winter.  I had to bail the water out of it, then turn it over to empty it completely.  Then upright again, pulling it up high onto the shore, and flipping it over one last time.  I brought up the paddle and some odds and ends of garbage found strewn around near shore.  The lake is down about 3 feet from what it should be, I reckon.  It looks more like a pond now.  The beavers are probably the only thing keeping it going as a lake.  They have cut channels between it and two other ponds, which have formed a network of pond/lakes.  

It is picturesque down there by the water, and it is where, many years ago, I camped with my family and experienced the spirit as I sat by the campfire, keeping watch as the family slept nearby in a tent.  I never fail to recall the experience every time I go down to the water.

Clouds have been gathering, and there's a band of rain coming, shown on the weather channel.  It is a peaceful afternoon, and I've spent the rest of the day toting a garbage bag around, picking up whatever doesn't belong; managed to get, altogether, one very large black plastic bag full.  Amazing how it builds up.   

What a day my I had with my kids!  It was so nice out, and my son had brought his best friends, as he always does, and they are getting to be like family, too.  Two of them were busy putting in an outdoor light over the newly built porch, and the others were reclining, mostly.  There's electricity only through a generator.  Conversation was fun, and a lot of food was consumed with plastic spoons and paper plates.  The weather is holding up even into today, and I am going to get out and enjoy it with my dogs. 

When my daughter brought me back home, she got caught up in looking at my rock garden, and spent some time exclaiming and picking up one rock after another.  It consists of two generations of rock collectors now, so there are a lot of interesting and amazing things to look at.  We laughed at the idea of moving away, and having to haul box upon box of rocks to a new home, but yes, that is what would have to be done.   My only regret is that when my dad died, his rocks were divided equally between his four children, but none of them has kept their rocks; they were probably abandoned in one of their moves. 

My brother in Missouri called last night, and we talked for 1-1/2 hours.  It's always good to talk to  him; we both enjoy it.  Wish my sister in Alabama could have joined us in conversation.

Today, I'm going with my daughter to visit my son and his hunting buds at their hunting camp.  We are bringing chili, sour cream, shredded cheese, potato chips, crackers, home-made English muffin bread, butter, strawberry jam, chocolate chip cookies, and brownies.  We assume they will be drinking beer; we will drink tea or water.

The weather continues to hold beautiful, the moon was full last night.  It was magical in the moonlight, and today, it will get over 70 degrees again.  The earth is carpeted now with the multi-colored leaves, lying there softly.  Is this the Moon of Falling Leaves, or the Hunters Moon?  I suppose it depends on the culture of the individual. 

I've been cleaning house and doing laundry, and I'm happy to say I'm making progress there.  It seems strange, almost, not to have to can things or work in the garden.  Yesterday, I cooked a small vegetable spaghetti squash and ate it for my lunch, and baked bread.  I still have to make those brownies before noon, so I better get busy.

It's like being in a fantasy world of colors.  It was breezy yesterday, and leaves were falling by their bushel basketfuls.  But still today, the colors that remain are at their peak, no doubt.  I was driving today, and could hardly keep my eyes on the road. 

I had my chiropractor adjustment again today, and I really needed it, after potting up all those peppers and hauling them in to the porch area.  Whatever is wrong, keeps slipping back to wrong, if I do any lifting at all.  So of course, after my adjustment today, I had to go to Aldi's and Walmart for my regular monthly grocery/dog food run.  There's a lot of hauling of many bags in to the house then.  I just got done, and have my ice bag on my shoulder.  I can only hope the adjustment remains intact, but I am hurting right now. 

I'm going for a walk on this beautiful day in just a minute. 

INCREDIBLE! FOX 'NEWS' LABELS FOLEY AS DEM DURING O'REILLY FACTOR!Three Different Video Cutaways, 15 Seconds or More Each, Credit Disgraced REPUBLICAN Congressman as Being a Florida DEMOCRAT!Just amazing. Fox's O'Reilly Factor just covered the Mark Foley (R-FL) issue in two different segments, one of them with a page who says he received communications from Foley, and another with Ann Coulter.

Never mind the content of either segment for now. Incredibly during a total of three different cutaways to video footage of Foley, he was labelled at the bottom of the screen eachtime as "(D-FL)" !

Just an oversight no doubt. Three different times. In two different segements. Each cutaway about 15 seconds or more. Showing Foley as a DEMOCRAT. Amazing.