A Golden Day

A heavy frost last night, but a day of bright blue sky and golden light.

J. split and stacked the remainder of this week's wood haul.

It seems strange to have the carport ringed with stacks of wood.

I can only hope exploring cats don't topple a pile and end up underneath!

Sweeping sawdust, bark and blown-in leaves into the utility cart for disposal.

I got out the last of my tiny plastic bags to hold the seeds I have harvested and dried.

In the foreground are lids which had been holding cleome seeds mailed to me by my sister C.

She had taped a flower petal designating the color to each packet of seed pods she sent.

I kept the labeled bits of paper towel with the appropriate drying seeds.

I discovered that the paws of a naughty cat had stirred the labels hopelessly out of the lids, so--I now have a packet labeled 'Cleome--Mixed."

An hour later and I have neat packets of seeds to put away til spring--as you can see, I have plenty for sharing.

Drawn by the golden sunshine I went out to rake maple leaves on the side lawn.

I was greatly assisted by Nellie the cat.

He chased the rake, swished through the growing pile of leaves, ran dementedly up into the bare branches of the maple, turning to peer owlishly at me before swinging down the tree trunk.

Apparently tired out by his energetic display, Nellie rolled about on the sun-warmed 'big rock' where the cleome and signet marigolds lately flourished.

Wood smoke hung in the air--fragrant, spiced with the scent of the red cedar kindling used to stoke the fire.

Leaves are beginning to drift down from the sweet gum tree.

Such fleeting beauty before the cold of winter settles in.