Feels Like Fall

The last few days of September were a rush - with the basement rebuild beginning. 

Now suddenly we're in October!

Leaves beginning to change colour.

Even to silver?! What kind of tree is that?!

In many ways, October is my favourite month of the year! It's so, so beautiful!

Then comes a bleak winter break - and the outdoor growing season begins again!

Bringing in the Pots?!

I have a lot of indoor plants - and some inevitably end up outdoors in the summer.

Now that frost is just around the corner, I'm beginning to think about which ones to bring indoors again...

I often cut branches off the geraniums and put them in a vase of water until they grow roots. Then I plant them in soil, hoping they'll be ready to grow flowers by next spring.

I'd like to bring in the evergreen (that scrawny plant in the centre above). Some day it could become a tiny living Christmas tree...!

So many decisions to make before the inevitable first frost arrives! And then there's the second inevitable question: Where would I put them indoors?!

Permission to Read - Or Not!

I have always loved books. As a child, I regularly went to the public library to borrow the maximum number allowable. Then on weekends, I'd finish one children's novel on Saturday, another on Sunday. Another one or two would be my bedtime reading for the rest of the week.

Now, as a much older adult, I still read - but not as much. I like books that teach me things - which is why I enjoy the Botswana detective novels. (The Ladies No. 1 Detective Series) I've never lived in Botswana and I find it so interesting.

I tend to read slowly - so I buy most books I read. That way I don't have to finish them quickly. And I love a book with short chapters!

All this to say that these "rights" of readers really resonated with me when I came across them on the side of a "little library", reminding me that it's okay 

1. To not read
2. To skip pages or even chapters in a book
3. To not finish it
4. To re-read it 
5. To read anything
6. To mistake a book for real life
7. To read anywhere
8. To just dip into a book and not read it all
9. To read out loud or quietly

For those of us who tend to be compulsive about reading, this "permission slip" is a good reminder that there are many ways to enjoy reading.

Progress Begins

A few days ago, a team of four arrived to repair our basement walls that had been damaged by our July 1 flood.

The bottom 2 feet of all the walls had been removed to ensure that everything would dry after the flood - inside the walls and out.

The contractor estimated it would take about 2 WEEKS to complete this renovation... Does that translate into 10 WORKING days?!

They have to wait at times for things to dry - like plaster and paint... So they'll be back in a week.

I'm hoping all will be done by the end of October - but it may take longer than that!

The main thing is that we're moving in the right direction! Steps are being taken - however long it takes.

Really Satisfying Brunch

Often after church we go out for coffee with our son's family.

Last weekend, we tried a new coffer shop - Equator. I ordered a bacon and egg wrap. 

It was very good. Lots of egg - and cheese - as well as bits of bacon. Very satisfying.

(I wonder if I could replicate it at home!)

Point Gatineau in Late September

A few days ago, Terry and I drove over to the Quebec side of the Ottawa River and took a walk along the shore at Point Gatineau... 

It was interesting to see the Ottawa skyline in the distance ... the "big city"! Point Gatineau always seems like a sea resort to me!

It's always relaxing to breathe in the fresh river air.

The lily pads have flourished on this calm side of the river...

They grow so easily and beautifully in nature. Much harder in the small backyard pond I built one year.

There are small marinas on both sides of the river... At one point a tour boat sailed past... (the "loaf of bread" shape on the right side of the photo above)

The weather was surprisingly warm in the heat of the day... (or were we simply overdressed?!) so we didn't walk for long.

I love coming here... to take in the river air and the view. Hopefully we'll be back before the snow falls, when temperatures aren't quite so hot.

Purple Wild Flowers

Even as flowers in our yard are disappearing - in the untended countryside, wild flowers are still in bloom!

I noticed these purple flowers at the edge of some mown grass.

From s distance, I thought they might be wild asters. But I didn't go too close. Often when I walk in the grass, I end up with itchy ankle bites from unseen insects... And I hear there are ticks about.