Fading Light

 Fall is such a pretty time of year, but behind all the colorful trees and harvest rewards, there is the loss of daylight which gets me down a bit. I have plenty to do to keep me busy, but there is a noticeable downshift  in energy this time of year. I am quietly putting together little projects to keep me busy in the dark and cold months. I have picked up a metal chair and small stand which I'll be refurbishing and adding to the back garden next spring.

The last foundling monarch emerged on 10/12. It seems a bit late considering the weather is quite chilly.
The colorful zinnias persist!

The Music Man show was impressive to say the least. The costumes were colorful and helped set the scene, and the sets were an intriguing mix of construction and digital images which blended perfectly. The story itself was a journey back in time to when my siblings and I watched the movie on TV as kids. The sexism only bothered me a little, and was definitely reflective of the time (1957). Recent events have left me fatigued and bit triggered when I am reminded of women's oppressed status throughout history.

I wish I had taken a different picture as this was not the most impressive set.

All that aside, we had a fine evening and the Thai dinner before the show was so good. I brought enough mango curry home to make another dinner.

I was glad to be up in Lake Placid Sunday as it rained all day at home. While it was only slightly sunny in the mountains, it was warm and pleasant to be outside. Once again though, my 4.5 hour shift was cut short to barely 2 hours as it was the end of the Flaming Leaves Festival and folks were heading out by 2pm. I still got a ski lift ticket though, which makes it worthwhile.

The disappointing thing was that, as I was getting out of my car, they announced the final jump of the day, which I missed. I expressed my dismay to one of the ORDA workers who said that the World Cup was coming back here in February, so I'll just look forward to volunteering then.

I made a trip up to the highest ski jump out of boredom. I have a hard time imagining sitting on
that bench, then skiing down this ramp to fly off the end. I'll have to wait till February to see it live.

I've always wondered what the jumpers land on when there is no snow. 

I ran into my friend Hassan who was also volunteering, but he was heading out as I arrived. I also chatted with Lyne who was helping out in the gift shop. I was glad to be outside to at least get some steps in, and I chatted with most of the craft vendors who were there. 

Owls are fascinating birds. 

There were a couple of rescue owls at the festival.

On the drive home, it seemed to be a bit past peak foliage, but still colorful.

“Good morning, merry sunshine!” This was my mom’s morning greeting when I was a child and it’s the first thing I thought when I saw this newly emerged butterfly on my morning coffee walk.

Each time I think I’ve seen the last monarch, another one shows up! I have to stop anticipating the last, and just enjoy what is now.

I’m off to Connecticut to visit my sister and brother in law for a few days - my October getaway!

We went on a short hike to an alpine lake and an overlook. The leaves were popping here in Connecticut.

A 20 mile bike ride on the Southington Canal Trail was beautiful.

This water snake was stretched across the trail.

An old lock on the very narrow canal. I must have smudged my lense.

We had dinner with my nephew and his fiancé the first night, and played games after dinner the second night. 

We were happy my visit fell on two gorgeous weather days for our activities. A rainy Friday will close out the week as I get back to prepping my own house for winter.