A few Birthdays............

September is a month of birthdays. We have Tristen's on the 23rd and Jason, Alexandra and Bodi on the 29th. Tristen now lives at his cousin Laura's(Herman) so I don't do the party anymore and I don't go to it because it's at her house. So she called me today to ask if I want Tristen for the day, yes of course we do. So we had a good day. First we went out to Gallagher's Farm to get some more Honey Crisp and I bought him and Cooper Toffee Apples. Also just had to get some fresh bread. They make what they call Pizza bread and it is just soooo good. I also got some whole wheat bread with all kinds of grain on it. We had grilled cheese on that bread with chili from yesterday. It's always better 2nd day. This was meatless chili and I have to say I didn't notice. So that's another thing that I can make meatless. We bought and ate some Pumpkin donuts, and some Cider. I must get Edna next week and go get Cider again. She says we can freeze it. I know it's good for Diabetes.

It was really busy at Gallaghers, we picked up what we wanted and then went down to see the animals. It was really cold though so did not linger.

I don't really like seeing them because I know what happens to them very soon. The kids don't though so it's always fun for them. Piggies were all tucked up snug together

After that we went to Walmart because Toy's R Us had closed. Tristen picked out some toys, I gave up and let him get a Nerf gun and also a new lego set. When we were checking out we saw the New Jurassic Park movie so we got that to watch. We bought a cake (any excuse for a cake as Gerry is always wanting cake) Ice cream (I got some coffee and Rum and Raisin for me). We also got a Butterfly for Alex. Next we went to visit Alex.




Today is also Michaelmas Day, the Feast of St Michael. It is Jason's birthday, his middle name is Michael. So we called Jason so Tristen could wish him happy birthday.
When we visit Alex it is always an opportunity to talk so his question was "So she was living with you when she died is that why I stayed with you?" Yes, that's why, because you were already living with us, Grandma Laura(Rodrigues) had Reina and she was small then, Grandpa Dan (Commins) could not handle the kids he had so asked if we would keep you and of course we wanted to anyway.........We told him it was what his mum wanted too because she had written a letter saying that if anything happened we should take care of him. We explained he was very fortunate so many people wanted him, talking about Laura H who he is now with, said she always wanted him and just didn't want to wait. That everyone even the judge thought he should stay here but she didn't give up. When they set the date for trial on the date Alex died I could not go on.............and so, he can be happy there as well as with us because they can do so much with him that we can not. If he doesn't act up in school we can spend more time with him so as I said, it gives us a chance to explain things better as he gets older. When I said he can be happy that he is so loved and wanted and he grudgingly said "spose so" ............lucky boy gets to go on a cruise this winter.
So next he got to have his cake and ice cream and then watched his new movie.

I think we all had a good day. He and Cooper have been playing all day and have been getting along well. I will remind Tristen that if he does well in school he may be able to begin staying overnight again. Time will tell.

Hunting Mushrooms..............

Well hunting fungi anyway. We went for a walk today, it was so cool and sunny and fresh. I wanted to go to Leland but got a definite no. I was hoping to go to Fishtown and see if the Salmon were jumping. I had to be satisfied with a quick trip to Silver Lake Park. That's OK because I did want to look for fungi. I have seen some beautiful ones other years. Not much going on this year. My eyes are getting really bad. I am going to have to make an appointment.


So I hoped to find at least a few things to take an interest in. I find these trails too well walked these days. The Beaver Dam is all grown over and they have left.


we took a longer walk this time through the woods as well as the trail. I got some nice pictures of "Mushrooms"



This one looks like a table and bench for Fairies.....


I was looking for the red ones with white spots that I have found other years unfortunately no luck.



I found quite a few different varieties.

The only wildlife we saw were at a distance. Some Canada Geese laying low and a herd of turtles sunning on a log across the pond.



Quite a peaceful day and it got quite warm. A great day for a leisurely stroll


The woods were pretty and leaves have not changed yet, just odd ones here and there.


Found more mushrooms/toadstools/fungi




Quite a few more species





A wooly worm crossed my path.

We saw two homes for someone unidentified..........wonder who?


There were quite a few old apple trees and berries for the wild things. I am always happy to see that.






These were the only red/pink mushrooms I could find.




So ends the walk for today. I need to get in some exercise before winter sets in I am sooooo out of shape it's not even funny. That and not being able to see well I am in danger of falling. So far so good. I will make an appointment though, my knee is still sort from yesterdays fall in the garden.

Sunday Walk Sept 23................

1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.



I think of those words every time I see the wonderful seeds and fruits this time of year. The promise of tomorrow in the seeds of today. Every living thing has that inside them. Even humans.
I see the fruit in this place we often walk that benefit the deer and other creatures through the long Winters, inside the Apples and berries are seeds.



This tree was loaded with lovely apples and through the heavy weeds and brush was a deer trail with a bare area under the tree, obviously a favourite spot. Hard to see in a picture.

I saw a Wooly worm crossing the trail he tells us what sort of Winter to expect.

Judging by the berries this year looks like it could be a heavy one.



We strolled around to the pond, I got hit in the face by a very large Dragon Fly, made me yelp and I felt stupid haha. There was one lonesome duck and I did manage to capture a Damoselle



Mrs Mallard was busy eating weeds.


We walked around the pond and by the time we meandered to the other side she was contentedly taking a nap

Not too many flowers left, just the wild Asters and some left over daisies.



Lots of wonderful berries available to the birds and beasties. Fatten up for Winter guys, it won't be long now.




Always love this walk. Its not long but usually interesting. You can see how thick the undergrowth is. You can't see it but the brook runs right through there, back and forth and leaving some wet areas where the rushes grow. Everything the deer and others need to live comfortably, lots of cover and plenty of food. Some reds are showing


A nice place to go when you just want a quick walk.