Here it is:  our October haybale.  Jon and I painted it on Wednesday.  

 

We ran out of yellow paint, so I painted a wide black outer rim.  But then the bats didn't show up.  ACK!!!  We had to go get some more yellow.  Then when I painted yellow over the black, you know what I got?  GREEN!!!  

 

So we used the whole can of yellow spray paint to finish the full moon, then outlined it with a thin line of black.  Looks good though, doesn't it?  

 

I'm glad our neighbors let us do this.  We have SO much fun.  

 

HAPPY OCTOBER!!!

 

I was reading back through the archives on Sunday morning.  I don't want to repeat myself, so I check them occasionally.  Truth is, I enjoy reading back through older blog posts.  

 

I wrote about this tree back in 2017, and I said it is an Indian Trail Tree.  In that blog I hyperlinked The Trail Tree Project.  Well, I clicked on the link, and  The Trail Tree Project  is still a working site.  So I submitted this picture to them, and I got back a response that same afternoon.  Here's the response:

 

 

I kinda wish he had commented on my cool picture with the sunlight filtering through the trees, but...anyway,

 

I still find it very interesting, even though my original post was wrong.  We all get to learn something new every day, if we just ask the right questions.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Gizmo, and he loves to chase and catch flies, and anything else that moves.  He's using the sewing machine as a ladder to get to the critters.

 

When I was little, I was a climber too.  I wasn't after flies.  I was after cookies, and Momma kept them on the top shelf.  That was not a good plan, though, because I could just climb up on the kitchen counter to reach them.  Until the Sunday afternoon that I fell into the sink...hmmmm.  That didn't turn out too well, except that she never put the cookies out of my reach again.  I could always get to them, without having to climb.  

 

Well, I am still short, and I don't mind climbing to get what I'm after.  Home Depot, Walmart, wherever...  At home I use a kitchen stool to get stuff from the top cabinets.  You will be glad to know that I NEVER use a swivel chair as a climbing tool.  

 

I'm like Gizmo, I use steady things to help me climb.  

 

HAPPY TUESDAY!!!

 

 

 

The HOA got us a new haybale, and Patty and I went down on Friday, and transformed it into "Folk Art."   We tickle ourselves!!!  

 

This is just a temporary picture until Fall actually happens;  we couldn't just leave it undecorated for nearly two weeks.

 

Then we'll go all out for Autumn:  Scarecrows, pumpkins, and Halloween, and a surprise.

 

HAPPY DAYS IN FIVE FORKS!!!

 

Today is Jon's birthday.  He is 73.  This picture is from last year on his birthday.  He was up on a 28 foot ladder!!! 

 

Fortunately, the stain that he used is good for five years.  So, this is NOT how he will be spending this birthday.  We will do something less exciting.  Something a little safer than maneuvering a 28 foot ladder.  

 

I am hoping that the next time the house needs to be stained, we can get Tim to do it.  He's a lot younger than we are.  Maybe he will be available by then.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JON!!!

 

We were walking in the Park on Saturday and my friend texted me that she and her husband are still suffering the effects of Covid-19. Her words were, "my skin hurts."  Oh dear, what can you say for gentle support?  "I'm sorry."

 

Just as I stopped to text back (I can't walk and do that) Jon noticed this sweet little wildflower blooming right on the ground at our feet.  So I sent her this picture.  She texted back that it made her smile.  My brand of medicine.  It works, if only for a moment.  

 

STAY WELL!!!

 

Here it is!!!  My favorite tree in Meeks Park.  It is on the backside of the trail around the mountain.  

 

We believe it is an Indian Trail Tree.  They are nearly always White Oaks.  When the tree was just a sapling, it was bent and stuffed with moss at the "nose."  Then it was allowed to grow for years, creating this interesting bend.  Often these trees were bent like this to point toward sources of water, or to neighboring camps.  It is a fascinating subject to explore.

 

We have several Indian Trail Trees here in Five Forks.  The first one you notice is at the Creekside Trail trailhead.  There are two big vertical branches on a massive White Oak Tree.  The next one is at the next big curve in the road.  And the third one is on Beaconhill at another major curve.  Interesting.  Were they here before the community, and the developer used them to route the roads?  Are they all pointing toward water?  How old are they?  So many questions.

 

Be on the lookout, you may find others.  If so, tell ME!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

OK!!!  I found out that this gnome has NO name.  Let's have a contest.  Name the no name gnome.

 

Submit your ideas for a name for this guy, and we can vote, and ultimately let Roxanne have the final say.  

 

You can text or email me, or use the comment section to enter your thoughts.  :D  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

This is just too cute to not share.  Hahaha!!

 

Can't wait til we get enough snow to make a fun sculpture.  

 

HAPPY WINTER STILL!!!

 

Wednesday was such a beautiful day, we went up to Blood Mountain for our daily walk.  The trailhead is about 5 miles past Vogel State Park on 19/129.  Blood Mountain is part of the Appalachian Trail, about 30 miles from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain.  We often see through-hikers on this trail.  And on a spring or summer weekend day, we have seen hundreds of people.   But on Wednesday, we hardly saw anybody;  I counted about 20 people over the 4.3 miles.

 

I took this picture to show you the terrain of the trail.  This IS the trail.  The whole trail isn't this rocky, but a lot of it is just like this.  A little different than walking the Five Forks loop.  ;D   We hike up about 2 miles, and it takes about an hour and a half.  We rest at the top, then the trip back down only takes an hour.  Easier going downhill than up.  But a really nice hike either way.

 

Next time you're looking for an adventure, go to Blood Mountain, it's a great hike in all seasons.  

 

HAPPY HIKING!!!