BS: Signs of Autumn

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Nov 21 - 12:42 PM

I love skin touching skin in bed. Preferably when it's somebody else's.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 05 Nov 21 - 09:38 AM

Ha Mrrzy! We have a lovely goose-down duvet. It's deliciously warm in winter (our central heating goes off at 9pm) and yet in summer it seems to keep us quite cool. I suppose it insulates us at the temperature of our bodies. It cost £150 many years ago (from John Lewis - a posh shop!) All our bedding is pure cotton.
My husband anoints himself all over with oil (!) after his shower. He's a bit sticky in bed (I don't mind of course, it's necessary for his skin)
I'm rather bemused today - the sun is shining, no wind, and it's lovely and warm. I've been sitting on The Bench in my T-shirt, getting a bit of a tan (and yapping to passing villagers and their dogs)
This is NOT a sign of Autumn is it?

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Nov 21 - 02:55 PM

A hard freeze has ended our growing season but the greenery is still a healthy green.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 07:10 PM

An enormous old oak tree, where I am staying, is loaded with green acorns,
so much so that the acorns are falling, green as they are.
One of them dropped smack on the top of my head as I was walking under the branches.
They drop every time one turns around, and they land everywhere.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 02 Sep 22 - 05:17 PM

. . . and the leaves on some maple trees are starting to change colo[u]r.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 03 Sep 22 - 01:52 PM

> the acorns are falling, green as they are

Sounds like false autumn: heat stress causing trees to shed leaves or die. There's also a massive crop here of elderberries all of a sudden, too, presumably while they can still propagate themselves.

.... Did I say this before? I can't tell if I dropped the msg before sending, or if the 'Cat's eaten my homework again.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Sep 22 - 02:59 PM

low flying geese are flocking and honking in prep for migration.
Leaves lightly cover the lawn until I mow.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 03 Sep 22 - 04:26 PM

And there are many red berries on local bushes which English folklore suggests will mean a hard winter!!

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 03:30 AM

The house-martins which have chattered and zoomed around our street have now disappeared - presumably heading back to tropical climes (a long journey). I hope they make it. I always miss them and wish them well. I heard that some 'sportsmen' in France enjoy taking pot shots at them as they fly overhead. Charming.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 08:27 AM

Mature brown acorns are now joining the green acorns under the oak tree.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 08:28 AM

The backyard is full of Chinese lantern

and these https://www.google.com/search?q=small++blue+purple+berry+vine&sxsrf=ALiCzsbkRb1ffDfFQlbgMQfaukPJF34RzA%3A1662380142209&ei=bugVY4

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 Sep 22 - 12:11 PM

. . . and the squirrels are busy, busy, busy,
so busy foraging for acorns and nuts
that they pay no mind to humans walking past the trees on the sidewalks.
They don't so much as look up or run away.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 22 - 12:24 PM

It is more fall-like because of the length of day and angle of the sun; the temperatures are still up to about 90^o every day, but that is so much better than the low 100s.

I should get a nice fall crop of peppers. The really do prefer the cooler temperatures; I struggled just to keep the plants alive this year for this final result. Peppers until November when we typically get our first frost.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: gillymor
Date: 14 Sep 22 - 02:19 PM

It's hard to discern the coming of fall here in SW Florida, mid-September seems a lot like mid-August. It's still just as hot and the monsoon is still here with heavy afternoon thunderstorms occurring almost daily but there are some indicators- the days are getting shorter, pumpkin lattes are showing up at Starbucks along with pumpkin muffins with cream cheese filling (drool) and at Total Wine there are displays of various pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest beers. In the estuaries and back bays redfish are starting to school up and the snook are in the midst of their spawn with lots of slot-sized pre-spawn males hanging around so a saltwater fisherman kind of knows when autumn nears.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Neil D
Date: 14 Sep 22 - 10:06 PM

Autumn set in suddenly about a week ago here in NE Ohio. We had a high of 88 one day to a low of 51 the next. We still get highs in the low seventies and overnight lows in the fifties, weather more typical of a month from now. On the other hand, my wife spotted a woolly bear with no stripe at all which means a very mild winter.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Sep 22 - 04:31 AM

Every day is losing 2.5 minutes of sun and is losing light faster as October approaches. Then like a pendulum slows until the shortest day in December.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Sep 22 - 05:33 PM

Our Japanese Maple leaves are starting to turn bright red.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 02:39 AM

I'm a bit worried about two little house-martins who are still zooming about above our houses. They should have joined the other twenty or so on their long journey back to tropical parts. They must leave or they will die, because the little flying insects are dwindling fast, and there will be nothing for them to eat.
On my journey out to Fakenham (supermarket run) I noticed that all the horse-chestnut trees along the route were in their autumn colours, with conkers dropping onto the road. (They can damage ones windscreen, but luckily this didn't happen).
As children we used to go mad for conkers, and pierce them, thread them onto an old shoelace then play 'Conkers' for ages in the playground. Some of the boys would harden their conker with vinegar, or a short spell in the oven at home. The aim was to have the conker that had smashed the most opponents' ones. (eg a 'tenner')
Nowadays they're banned, because the Snowflake Generation might hurt themselves!

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 03:15 AM

Is that really true? Or is it just that schools don't allow them during school hours? Or have you seen policemen arresting people for having chestnuts about their persons?

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 03:22 AM

They are not banned, Sen. It is just schools and other organisations don't want to be held responsible for any injuries that occur. Sensibly, they have said that such games should not be played on their premises. Conkers, climbing trees, playing war (or doctors and nurses!) and many such activities are still played by many children in their own time and out of school premises.

Does it make me a snowflake for supporting the schools that try to mitigate risk? Well, if doing so saves the life or sight of one child or prevents teachers being attacked by angry parents, then, yes, I am.

Back to autumn. 4 degrees C here this morning and a hint of overnight frost. I got my cardie out last night!

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 05:40 AM

Well in all my years as a school pupil, I never saw anyone injured. Nor as a teacher (but I retired many years ago). And the side table in every classroom was loaded with the pupils conkers-on-strings until playtime arrived. I often did 'playground duty' and even 'lunchtime duty' as a teacher, and quite enjoyed watching the conker challenges.
I suppose I must adapt to all these changes in the world today.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 07:28 AM

The point is, Sen, it has not been 'banned'. It is misinformation like that, often reported in the Daily Mail just to wind people up, that leads to the type of mass hysteria we see following headlines like "EU bans bent bananas", "Council cancels Christmas" or "Conkers are outlawed". I thought you, as an ex-teacher, would know better than to repeat media distortions.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 08:41 AM

9C here in Very South (as far as possible from the centre of) Croydon. Wore a long sleeved shirt for the first time since end of May when walking greyhound!

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 12:44 PM

When I said 'banned' I meant that our village school has banned them. And from what I've heard, so have many other local schools.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 12:50 PM

In America there are edible acorns on some Indian reservations but the trees are almost gone. https://www.npr.org/2022/09/11/1122250624/apache-tribes-in-arizona-are-leading-the-way-in-saving-emory-oak-trees

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 12:57 PM

Fairy Nuff, Sen. Lots of schools may have banned the playing of conkers on the premises but that is not a law in general. Smoking has been banned in public. Dog fights are outlawed, although they still go on. I cannot wave my Willie about in public without being arrested :-) These are real bans brought about by the "snowflakes". Why is the Mail not winding up its readers about these?!?!

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 12:57 PM

Army worms (the fall edition) are marching up trees to devour leaves and are spreading across lawns to eat turf grass. Fall in Texas.

The days are shorter and when I remember I forgot to pick the very fast-growing okra and go out at sunset I need to dodge the mosquitoes. Fewer cicadas making a racket now as the days shorten and I'm out picking or hunting for ripe tomatoes or ready-to-pick eggplant. The garden always perks up in the fall.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 03:04 PM

In North America where I grew up, the chestnut-tree thing happened,
only the tree was called a "buck-eye" tree
because of the 'conker's resemblance to the eye of a deer.
And the 'conkers' themselves were in fact called "buckeyes"
and we used to do the same thing Senoufou describes,
making a whole string of pierced buckeyes.
Goodness, that does bring back memories.
And yes, about this time of year,
the very old and tall buckeye tree in the front yard
would be shedding buckeyes all over the driveway,
where the passing cars would crush them . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Sep 22 - 02:42 AM

Proper frost this morning. I could pick my sprouts if I had grown any :-) As it is, may have a wander up to a local lane with lots of blackberries. A week back there were not really enough to harvest a bag full. I hope they have not now been spoiled!

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Sep 22 - 10:37 AM

The Salmon are starting their migration from now to December.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 Sep 22 - 11:00 AM

Eating a sprout in September is like drinking beer before it's been fermented. And I'm a sprout-lover! It's a lovely summery afternoon here today and I'm convalescing in the sun. It did go just under 5°C last night but we don't worry about frosts here in Kernow for several more weeks yet. Typically, not until well into November.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Sep 22 - 10:41 AM

I have woken up to a heavy frost the last 2 mornings but the blackberries were still fine. Got a plastic takeaway box full this afternoon and then had a pint of the wonderful plum porter from Titanic brewery. Still got half a bottle of the local Co-op's Nero di Troia left from yesterday which I shall enjoy with my pork, spuds and green beans (or maybe sprouts :-) ) later.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 18 Sep 22 - 11:56 AM

Oooh, I absolutely adore sprouts as long as they're not over-boiled. Just a few minutes in the pan, and they should still be bright green, not soggy and gone yellow after too long on the stove.
And of course, dripping with melted butter.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Sep 22 - 12:24 PM

My late mother in law, bless her, was the master of over boiled veg. If the Christmas Dinner sprouts were not in the pan by 1st December, they were undercooked:-D

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Sep 22 - 12:28 PM

Sister in law still insists that dried fruit has to soaked in sherry or brandy for a week before using it in the Christmas cake. Mind you, that may not be a bad thing...

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 Sep 22 - 01:09 PM

My late aunt used to pre-boil cauliflower to within an inch of its life in order to save time later, then reboil it just before serving. I'll stop there to allow your horrified imaginations to run amok...

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Sep 22 - 01:41 PM

Recently I had my first taste of
brussel sprouts roasted in oil, with seasoning.
Never had it that way with my family upbringing.
I recommend it -- very appetizing.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 18 Sep 22 - 01:54 PM

We've taken to having cauliflower roasted. It's much nicer.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 Sep 22 - 02:34 PM

There's an Ottolenghi recipe for roasted cauliflower florets with olive oil, chorizo (in chunks), green olives (sliced), pumpkin seeds, onion (sliced), garlic (sliced, not crushed), parsley and paprika (preferably smoked) that we love. You just toss everything together with a bit of salt except for the parsley and roast on a big tray in the oven for half an hour (greaseproof paper recommended) and sprinkle the parsley on at the end. Veggies can leave out the chorizo and add extra paprika, but that makes it more of a side dish. It was in an article called Easy Ottolenghi in the Guardian in about 2016, I think. I might have posted it in a recipe thread here...

Next to no washing up!

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Sep 22 - 03:01 AM

My little pear tree in the corner of the garden (my 'cats' cemetery' is around it) is laden with luscious pears after the copious rain we've had recently. And my Bramley apple tree is now producing much larger, fleshier fruit than the weeny little windfalls that dropped on the lawn during the long drought.
I'm going to ask my neighbour-across-the-road this morning if she'd like to come over and harvest the lot for her grocery rounds.(She drives round many of the villages delivering grocery orders and fruit/vegetables.)
After my kind husband cut both lawns and tidied up the perennials yesterday, I'll get on with cutting back the two honeysuckles at the front door. In the Autumn they need pruning right back to encourage them to flower well next spring. And my two roses need hard pruning.
The good thing about all this Autumn work is that, once completed, one has a nice rest all winter with nothing whatsoever to do in the garden!

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Sep 22 - 04:44 AM

Well I shan't offer her any bloomin' fruit now. She's just given me laldy for daring to allow my husband to mow our lawns during that funeral. I'll give the pears and apples to someone else. And I can stroll down to the village shop myself to buy my paper.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 20 Sep 22 - 10:32 AM

DtG:

> My late mother in law, bless her, was the master of over boiled veg.
> If the Christmas Dinner sprouts were not in the pan by 1st December,
> they were undercooked:-D

Did she add Epsom salts to the water? That was my late Nan's trick for keeping greens, erm, green while destruction-boiling them.

.... I've vague memories (stop laughing at the back there) of hearing that the Romans used to boil cabbage, throw it away, and drink the cabbage water as a hangover cure. Mebbe they'd heard of vitamins.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 21 Sep 22 - 08:11 AM

Its the last day of summer today. I'll do some car work today putting reflectors on the wheels and maybe wash the car. Hedging may be a bridge too far.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Charmion
Date: 21 Sep 22 - 02:54 PM

Ground-level mist at dawn is an infallible early sign of autumn in southern Ontario.

When the night temperatures first start to drop toward freezing, mist forms as humidity rises from the summer-warm soil and water into the chilly air. The effect is particularly dramatic on the shores of the Great Lakes, which can look as if they’re coming up to the boil on an extra-nippy morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Sep 22 - 03:34 PM

High in the mid-90s today, but the quality of light in the evenings is the main clue that seasons are changing. Hot through Sunday, then into the 80s for a while. Here in North Texas we get maybe a week that has that wonderful crisp fall feeling - when there are bright blue skies and it's cool enough to wear a sweater but the leaves are still on the trees, not turning yet. Fall as far as leaves are concerned is a disorganized rout with some trees abandoning leaves early and others hanging on till deep winter. The term for those late-dropping trees is "marcescence" - when trees don't drop the old leaves until the new ones start to sprout. So it can mean a long season of raking/mulching in leaves.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 22 - 10:42 AM

It must be autumn - the Medicare annual coverage booklet has arrived in the mail.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Sep 22 - 10:29 AM

Taking meat out only makes things a side-dish if you aren't vegetarian, Steve! Since you were explaining how to make a main course vegetarian, in fact, that was a weird comment.

Sign of autumn: long-sleeved shirt! Socks!

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Sep 22 - 11:45 AM

Blimey. I didn't say take the meat out - I said leave the meat out. If you read Yotam's recipe you'll see that I was only reflecting what he said therein.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Sep 22 - 12:27 PM

I painted my fence this this week - It is truly autumn. I always sing 'John Kanaka' while doing it. Particularly the verse

We're a Yankeee ship with a Yankee mate
John Kanaka-naka Too-ry-ay
If you slow to a walk he'll paint your fence
John Kanaka-naka Too-ry-ay

Is it paint your fence or change your gate? I can never remember

:-D

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Sep 22 - 12:27 PM

Oh, and 300!