An Autumn Walk................

Dan got home early and it was such a nice day we decided to go for a walk. Tristen was ready to go. We went to the park but decided to walk rather than let him play first. He needed the exercise, me too. He was off at a run.

The ponds were perfect reflections of the woods and things around us


There were plenty of ducks around, doing ducky things


A few other critters too.


The sand was a little slick in his Spiderman shoes.

............and I did tell him not to run down hill. He did a face plant at the bottom and got sand in his eyes..........

Or was it from rolling in it earlier?

Meanwhile the ponds looked beautiful and calm even with Tristen there, well, maybe because his cohort Reina was not?



And then he was off to the playground, but we were all tired by then so it did not take too much to get him back to the car and off home. For a nap.

Suns Last Kiss............

The Last walks of Autumn............................

Autumn walks

I see Autumn leaves all swirling down
In shades of olive, scarlet, amber and brown.
I take deep breaths of cold crisp air
and catch a stray leaf in tendrils of hair.
I raise my face towards the sun
It's weaker now that summer is done.
My last eager walks in woodlands deep
before all is done, and put to sleep
under blankets of snow and freezing ice
everything now is so special, so nice
The sky is so blue, so pristine and bright
soon it will be leaden and looking like night
I don't want to miss out on these heavenly days
I want to soak up these last gentle rays
JKS 2011 Nov

Fall Is In The Air..............

Summer is not yet done...... but I see subtle changes in the air. I see it in the way my garden looks. It looks tired. It's about to get a second wind as the Asters and Mums begin to bud. The morning light is different now. The sun is hot but in the shade I feel a difference, a nip. I see the geese beginning to practice their formations. Soon they will be gathering for their annual migration and soon the birds who leave to go south will begin to gather on the wires. Masses of them. Not as many as in years past when the sky would be black with them. Things have changed here in the 40 odd years we have lived in Traverse City. The wildlife has had to move further out although.....for some reason, we have had bears in town this past year. Funny that. We travel to The Upper Peninsula in the hope of seeing bears or moose or anything wild for that matter but here we have it now in our own back yard. Actually two blocks away but you get the drift.


Its time for the children to go back to school, or in the case of my granddaughter Reina it will be first day of Kindergarten. Watch out folks here she comes. Her mother says she will not have her phone on that first week and will give the teachers fair warning. Reina is ready for school. She is smart but her nose has been out of joint since Tristen has been the center of it all. It has been showing in her behavior and we are hoping that school will help. The first few days will be a trial I am sure, or maybe she will surprise us. Tristen will miss her coming over all the time. He will have new interests though because I take care of a couple of children now and then. Besides that Laura and me will be able to take him places during the day. I do so wish children came with an instruction manual. At my age 65, I am no longer sure what I am doing.I love this little guy so much. He has his mothers attitude, we see Alexandra in him so often now. (do read older blogs to find out about Alex, she died in Feb) I see the young Alex, I see her curiosity and her intelligence in him. I want to nurture him as well as discipline him and love him. I don't do Halloween so that will be difficult for us all. His second birthday is coming up soon and none of us can but think of his first birthday with his mother. I am hoping there is so much more we can do before winter comes. I want to get to the beach again, so much to show him, so much to do. Fall is one of the prettiest times of year here in Northern Michigan. If we get a good season, the colours here are just awesome. I would like to get back to the U.P again before the snow fly's but doubt we can afford to do it again. Money is always an issue for us but the Lord provides and we are lucky to live where we do. Fall is a spectacular time of year as far as colour goes. When the pumpkins are laying in the fields and the leaves are red and orange and lime and with the evergreens staying the dark green its really really worth coming here for the colour tours and the orchard tours. The apples and the pears and our local wines and cheeses. Its all worth the trip. Personally I prefer it when all the tourists go home and I get to stay and walk the empty beaches in a nice cool wind. Sometimes a brisk wind .....it doesn't matter just take in the deep breaths of clean pure air. The woods are lovely too and all the little critters are busy getting ready for what must come. Its even better walking when it's cooler and I just can't wait.