While the sky started out blue and clear yesterday, by afternoon the clouds were streaming in, chasing each other into embraces that covered up all traces of blue.
Our first storm of the autumn has also arrived. The sounds during the night were eerie--gusty, blustery winds scattering pine needles and leaves. At the first light of day, the clouds are flying across the skies, racing and tumbling, being pushed along by high winds aloft, which are also making the tops of the majestic pines rock and twirl as if dancing to the music of the change of seasons. Happy that soon the cooler temps will bring life giving moisture in the form of rain, then snow, as the seasons march on.
The wind knocks pine needles and cones from the 100 foot ponderosa pines and it sound as if the squirrels are throwing them at us as they clink and thud on the RV's metal roof. The gusts of wind gently rock our warm, peaceful capsule of a home. It brings a smile to my face, as it always reminds me of Halloween--walking through crunchy leaves as the wind twirls them around your ankles and legs, and blowing up at the little trick or treaters, making them start, sometimes squeal, and always giggle.
Bam! That was either a very large pinecone or a branch that just bombed the roof. We are waiting for the rain promised by the meteorologists and threatened by the now gray clouded skies. We wait to hear the little tap tap tap on the metal roof as the rain drops start to fall. It's usually soothing and lovely, but if the rain is hard or turns to hail, the pitter patter can turn to a thundering din that blocks the sound of music, TV, and conversation, leaving us grinning and laughing at each other and Mother Nature's orchestral crescendo.
It is Sunday, and yesterday we ran errands. We took summer clothes--the short sleeved Hawaiian print shirts and khaki shorts in Roy's closet, and the light weight tees & crop pants in mine--to storage. Here we liberated sweaters, sweatshirts, coats & flannel shirts from the storage container and refilled it with the happy colors of summer. I also brought the Rubbermaid container of Halloween and fall decorations out to decorate the yard and my workplace for the month of October. A short decorating season to be sure, for November will bring in all the happy sparkly Christmas tchotchkes, once we return from our vacation in Uruguay, where it will be spring.
Also, a small box sits on top of the side table/2 drawer file cabinet (in a small space, everything MUST have a dual purpose). It is filled with skeleton straws, , Grim Reaper and Demonic Pumpkin toys whose faces whirl around with the push of a button, creepy eyeballs of bubble gum, candy corn, and cards. All are awaiting delivery to the grandsons now ensconced in their new home in Carnegie PA.
Along with the changing of the guard for clothing, and the Halloween items going to PA being packed up, items for Christmas gift boxes to children around the world--called the Shoe Box Project--were dropped at Mindy's; findings and accessories for jewelry making needs @ 50% off were purchased; clothing was taken to a local resale store; the vehicle was filled w/gasoline; and trash and bags of leaves disposed. The final errand was the best--a case of apples and a case of peaches were purchased from the home of Kim Beazer at very reasonable prices, thanks to Kara Rozendal and the reveal of this deal in her Practical Saver website/newsletter. Fresh from the Utah growers, the peaches are all a beautiful russet blush and the Golden Delicious apples are juicy, sweet & crunchy as apples should be, not mealy and mushy as many actually are at stores these days. It was a delight to share one with Roy as we trucked them home.
Now, being as there are only two of us, you might summize that there is no way we will be able to eat all of this fruit prior to their rotting, without gaining 25 pounds each and having terminal diarrhea. After all, we are 2 humans, not a colony of fruit bats. So here's the plan. I need to put away the jewelry making items filling up the one large table; remove all non-essential items from the counters; bring in the fruit, canning jars, canner, dehydrator & extra trays, and begin the process of making dried apples, sliced apples, apple butter, apple sauce, peach slices, spiced peaches, peach chutney, peach preserves, apple walnut bread, and fresh apple cake so we and friends can enjoy the bounty throughout the winter and at two upcoming parties next weekend. Whoo hoo...let the smells of cooking begin!
But first I must arise from my recliner, make myself a LARGE cup of chai, fix Roy some breakfast, and shower & dress so I can get outside and retrieve everything for the upcoming marathon.
