From Summer To Fall

9/29/25

Ever since Sept 1, I have been reminding everyone to stop fretting; that it's still summer! Well it is undeniably fall now as the evidence is all around me. After a week of lazing around and not doing anything more strenuous than book club, I hit the bike trail this morning and it was glorious! Rather than getting a group together, I went on a solo adventure so I could go where my whims took me. 

I went pretty fast (for me) on the way south - 13 mph, and took note of where I wanted to stop on the way back. 

The orchard store had this display set up of for their Octoberfest next month. At this point, I left the bike trail and explored some quiet country roads past apple orchards and pumpkin fields where I had a nice view of the Catskills. I stopped for a coffee and a couple of apples, then headed back.

The trail was well populated with wooly bear and other caterpillars, including this poisonous one (hickory tussock moth) that will leave you with a nasty rash if you are foolish enough to pick it up. I ended up riding 27 miles in just under 2.5 hours. 

On my way home,  Wayne texted that he'd like to do my deck project Tuesday. Yay! So my afternoon was spent digging up 2 shrubs, moving a few pavers, and cutting down the giant tithonia to make room for the reconstruction. I also emptied almost all the Earth Boxes, as they have just about stopped producing. 

I am not in the habit of picking up snakes. This is a first (and last) for me,
 but it was just so tiny and adorable that I couldn't help myself. 
Garter snakes are welcome guests in my garden!

My carrot harvest was modest. It will make a nice pot of Thai sweet potato/carrot soup.

9/29/25
Monday was a rare hiking day for me - I haven't hiked any appreciable elevation in months. This was Hurricane Mt with 2000 ft of elevation. I know hiking shouldn't hurt as badly as I felt on the way down, and I'll think twice before I do that again. It was another gorgeous day and we had a great group.

Me, Esther, and Nafsika at the very windy summit. That's why it's called Hurricane Mtn.


Suzanne, AJ, and Mary enjoying the views!



Peggy tripped on a root and did some damage on the hike out.
Luckily we have 2 nurses in the group.

10/1/25
Wayne came yesterday as promised and took this configuration:
The stairs and landing will be moved just a few feet to the front of the deck - where I've dug up the shrubs and flowers. The railing will be repositioned where the steps are now. 


and turned it into this one:
He's coming back Friday to finish the railings and reseal the patio. He also was unhappy with his work on the fence so he insists on adjusting and recapping all the posts. He's a good craftsman.

It's October 1st today and the weather is appropriate. It's the first day since springtime that I've shut the upstairs windows and started the day with a sweater. The temperature hit the 40's last night and won't be getting much above 62ยบ today. Fall is really here.

Comments

  1. MargaretOctober 1, 2025 at 1:51 PM

    It's feeling like fall, especially at night. Last night I heard torrential rain and was happy. (hopefully they got it where our wildfires are!) John and I need to get the bikes out before the weather gets too cold. It seems like we're always a bit too busy. Love the hike (except the fall) and the patio arrangement. I wish I could find a decent handyman. Hold on to yours! He sounds like a keeper.

    ReplyDelete
  2. PamOctober 4, 2025 at 2:57 PM

    That all sounds great. Jason sounds like a treasure!

    ReplyDelete

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