BS: Signs of Autumn

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 Oct 22 - 06:46 AM

Reporting from the Berkshires:
Autumn/Fall Colo[u]r is in full swing over here,
and there are busloads and busloads of tourists
visiting the small towns and looking at the leaves.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 09 Oct 22 - 09:27 AM

I'm red/green colour-deficient, so I envy Herself when she glories aloud in the colour of leaves in autumn. My sign that autumn is approaching is that I don't need to put the butter dish in the fridge to stop the butter sprinting; winter is when the butter in the dish may as well have just come out of the fridge.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Oct 22 - 11:10 AM

It's almost time to wear a sweater or long-sleeve shirt over whatever t-shirt I put on for the day. All with jeans of some color. As the seasons progress the layers increase or the sleeves get longer. It's still t-shirt weather here, with the exception of the early morning hours. And I've put a light blanket on the bed over the top sheet.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Oct 22 - 06:41 PM

I have to turn up the hot water for a shower since the water going into the hot water heater is wicked cold now.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 09 Oct 22 - 06:55 PM

I always remember (imperfectly, as I can't remember which of his books it was in) the mighty self-sufficiency guru John Seymour saying that human beings are at their healthiest when they are slightly cold... I've always agreed with that. Not really cold, just slightly cold.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 10 Oct 22 - 06:52 AM

The full Hunter's moon appeared this morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 Oct 22 - 04:28 AM

With the autumn foliage,
the leaves begin falling in earnest,
and the landscape maintenance crews appear to collect the leaves,
most all of them with leaf-blowing machines.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 14 Oct 22 - 11:42 AM

> the landscape maintenance crews appear to collect the leaves,
> most all of them with leaf-blowing machines.

I trust they've got other tools .... ? Round here, the crews turn up with leaf blowers, redistribute the leaves around the landscape, and go away again.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 15 Oct 22 - 04:12 AM

A very large flock of Canada geese flew over the village yesterday, long necks outstretched, with the 'leader' of the V-shaped formation honking away like mad. They were heading for the 'other' lakes (we have several groups of lakes around here) and I was so pleased to see them.
I hope they pass the winter months safely.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Nov 22 - 06:20 PM

The latest full moon was called a Blood Moon by some reports,
coinciding with the mid-term election in the US
which was supposed to feature a red wave.
One announcer mispronounced it and said it was a rave. Hmmm.

Stilly, is it anything like autumn in Fort Worth?

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: pattyClink
Date: 10 Nov 22 - 09:53 PM

Today I was awestruck by the trees lit up all along the Rio Hondo in New Mexico, up near Lincoln along US 380. Only yellow and amber leaves need apply. Most seem to be cottonwoods, but there are also enormous tall Lombardy poplars. A really great drive, and you cannot capture a bit of it in photos.   

The other sign of autumn is it decided to get cold today, drat.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Nov 22 - 09:41 AM

Keb, last night we had our first freeze, so things will start to look fall-like soon. I'll be pulling the sweet potato vines out of the beds now that they've had a killing frost and across the road the hackberry and cedar elm will turn yellowish brown. I picked the tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant in the cold rain yesterday.

The leaves Patty describes are reminiscent of colors I've seen on drives to and from Texas to Washington state in the fall. Eastern Utah, (on the way from Dinosaur Natl. Park in Colorado) and the highlands east of Mt. Shasta in N. California, and the Cascades around Blewett Pass in Washington come to mind. Birch and cottonwood both turn an amazing yellow.

I worked in New York City for a few years and used to drive out on Long Island and up into the Catskills during the fall and the Eastern Hardwood forests never failed to impress. In drives to and from NY to the SE US I've passed through Arkansas, where they have a lot of sweetgum in their hardwood forests and they're great spots of vivid red, the same as they are through Pennsylvania.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 12 Nov 22 - 12:36 PM

> it decided to get cold

Point of order: what is this "it" that gets cold or does the raining? Some sort of down-at-heel* weather deity that can't even afford a gender, perhaps? This has been mystifying me for Simply Ages.

* I nearly said "denatured", but that would have been cruel and unusual.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 22 - 10:07 AM

This weekend I removed a lot of plants killed in the first freeze of the year and I used the trimmer to clean around the driveway and have given myself a stuffy nose. I imagine the last of the pollen was lying in wait to be stirred up.

Here in North Texas it's an odd "switch" to winter - we don't have much of an autumn, what we have are nice summery days, a couple of which are clear and brisk and sometimes happen when the trees are a little colorful, and then the switch is flipped and it's cold. That's where we are now, but without the interesting looking trees. Spring is a bit better than fall for gradual changes.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 Nov 22 - 04:46 PM

and the bagpipe drone of the leaf-blowers
continued bright and early this morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Charmion
Date: 15 Nov 22 - 07:18 PM

The snow is down to stay in Stratford, Ontario — for once, arriving after Remembrance Day — and true winter is beginning now.

Autumn was remarkably warm this year, with people running around in shorts even after Hallowe’en. The birds weren’t fooled, though; most of the Canada geese have gone to crap in the parks of our neighbours to the south, and I haven’t seen a robin in weeks.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 17 Nov 22 - 03:12 AM

It's been pouring with rain for ages now. And in front of The Fox, our village pub, the statue of BamBam, the tame red deer that died a couple of years ago, has been set up a few weeks ago. It's life-size, and carved from oak. But in spite of having been stained a reddish brown, it seems to be changing colour under the downpour. A commemorative brass plaque is ready now to be attached to the plinth.
Trouble is, this statue freaks out all the horses that are ridden past The Fox. They all shy alarmingly when they spot it. (They were terrified of BamBam when he roamed around the village.)

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 17 Nov 22 - 06:59 PM

Now, there's a question for you, Senoufou:
Horses ridden past the village pub.
Are there that many riders in your part of the world?

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 18 Nov 22 - 03:25 AM

Oh yes keberoxu, lots. There's a lovely riding school which also offers 'livery' (stabling and care for other people's horses/ponies).
My sweet neighbour, the vet. nurse and shepherdess, has her own mare called Eleisha, and this mare detests that statue and tries to gallop off with Stacey on board clinging to the reins! She offered me a ride on Eleisha (I have ridden a lot during mt life!) but I haven't yet.
Another older neighbour, Ann, goes riding at the stables, and a long line of horses from the riding school parades past the bloomin' BamBam statue, playing up like anything.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Nov 22 - 09:48 AM

Interesting how we've been discussing The Former Guy for several years on Mudcat in several (most now closed) threads but there is no current thread for Biden; there doesn't need to be one, but I thought I'd share this nice news in the signs of autumn thread - there will be what is probably a chilly wedding out on the South Lawn of the White House today, President Biden's granddaughter Naomi is getting married. A month out from the end of autumn, this had potential to be a warmer day; as it is, the forecast says mostly sunny, high near 45^o. The article and a couple of links look back at previous WH weddings. I imagine they'll put up some tents with those big heaters to keep the guests and celebrants comfortable. The rest of the festivities will move indoors for afternoon and evening.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 22 Nov 22 - 03:45 PM

THe army of leaf-blowers has conquered for another year.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 Nov 22 - 06:31 PM

I suppose chickadees in the trees is no sign of a season in particular.
It's just that when the trees are bare,
and the chickadees are scooting around checking out the bare branches,
they are that much easier to see as well as hear
(dee dee dee ... dee dee dee)

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 Sep 23 - 03:36 PM

Today I observed my first gust of autumn wind.
Can't miss it -- it's dry and withering, nothing like a summer wind.
And there are already dead leaves for the wind to blow around.

But at least the sun is shining in a clear blue sky.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Mrrzy
Date: 14 Sep 23 - 06:02 PM

(Hands over ears) I can't hear you LALALALALA

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Sep 23 - 06:05 PM

Thanks to that clear sky High pressure front the hurricane is getting pushed away; By next week the late sunshine will no longer come into the kitchen. The cat food will gradually want to stay in the can. I won't have to mow as much. I'll find my light jacket again. A final trim of bamboo and weeds will be done. maybe an oil change for the car. Plans will be made to budget for next year's big projects.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Senoufou
Date: 15 Sep 23 - 03:34 AM

Here in Norfolk there are numerous oak trees. Now they're producing acorns, and as my husband drives me about in his nice car, acorns drop onto it, risking damaging the windscreen and the paintwork. Also, sweet little grey squirrels are scurrying about collecting them up for their hibernation snacks later in the year.
Actually, I love oak trees. They were planted a few hundred years ago all around the farmers' fields to mark the boundaries. But in Taverham (village near ours) they built a huge new supermarket (Aldi) and felled about ten gorgeous old oak trees. I actually shed a tear when I saw the stumps.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Sep 23 - 07:30 PM

I just bought a bottle of Autumn Whiskey. One snort and you change colors and fall down.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Sep 23 - 11:17 AM

Hey it's cold enough to make Chile again,

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Charmion
Date: 16 Sep 23 - 10:57 PM

I saw a sugar maple tree with red leaves all up one side today, but the ice cream shops are still open and Stratford is still so full of tourists that us townies can’t go out for dinner on the weekend — no tables at the nice restaurants.

So, while the equinox is indeed imminent, Summer still has a few kicks in her.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Thompson
Date: 17 Sep 23 - 04:13 AM

Usually at this time I hear the wild geese flying over, gossiping high above as they go. Dark-bellied Brent Geese come from Russia and mostly visit the south, or travel on to England. Light-bellied Brent Geese come to Ireland from Canada.
On a biosphere tour of Dublin Bay a few months back some goosists were saying they were deeply worried that climate-change-caused sea rises may wipe out the coastal salt marshes which are these beautiful birds' only food.
I haven't heard the geese yet - maybe because I've been ill and so indoors, or maybe they're just flying a little late this year. I keep going hopefully to the local park where they stop for a rest after their 7,000km flight before heading on to the coast.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Sep 23 - 02:20 PM

Oh, oKAY. I wore socks.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Sep 23 - 02:10 PM

Waiting for the heat to be turned on,
sleeping with a space heater turned on all night.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Sep 23 - 03:26 PM

In several of the Southwestern states and probably northern Mexico now is the time male tarantulas emerge and start walking around yards and roads and climbing walls looking for mates. It's a perilous time for them, but I love the reminder that my yard is a healthy environment for them to live in.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 Sep 23 - 12:19 PM

Moving right along:
the heat has been turned on now.
And the maples across the street, all green,
have started turning the leaves to gold.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Sep 23 - 04:42 PM

Right now the advent of Fall meant 24 hrs. of rain. Sometimes heavy, sometimes light, but continuous. They said we needed it. We got it.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Thompson
Date: 25 Sep 23 - 02:37 AM

Acorns are everywhere and a neighbour with a crab-apple tree has given me some apples, as every year; normally I make apple jelly and share it with her half-and-half, but I'm not well enough yet, so I've been splitting the crabs and taking out the two seeds in the centre of each, and have scattered them onto damp tissue paper with a sprinkle of cinnamon and put them in a Ziplok bag in the fridge. However, it's been two weeks and only one of the seeds has put out a tentative root under this stratification… I'm hoping to have a family of baby crab-apple trees to spread around the neighbourhood, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 25 Sep 23 - 06:57 AM

Sigh: it's the time of year for Herself to tell me the trees are turning a glorious golden colour, then to ask me (for the N+1th time) whether I really can't tell. All I can say is that it's all green to me, and that I'm happy for her, and slightly green with envy at her superpower.

Occasionally I'll remind her of the urban legend that us colour-deficients were at a premium in The War as spotters, because we could see through some forms of camouflage. I'd be interested to know whether that was actually true.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 26 Sep 23 - 05:13 PM

Looking forward to one of my favorite signs of autumn:
NO MORE MOSQUITOES.

We still have a few errant bloodsuckers hiding indoors
waiting to bite us.
Outdoors it's too cool.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Sep 23 - 08:58 AM

Plug-in mozzie-murderers work wonders. We don't use them at home but we never go without in Spain, Italy or Greece, especially late in the summer/early autumn.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Sep 23 - 06:06 PM

Still waiting for the red maples to turn colors.
They say it should happen in the next two weeks or so.
The golden maples are starting to turn yellow now.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 04 Oct 23 - 06:37 PM

It's getting dark so early in the evening.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Oct 23 - 06:44 AM

Sweater weather begins tomorrow. Some folks wear shorts here year-round.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: gillymor
Date: 06 Oct 23 - 07:47 AM

Sweater season down here usually starts around December 22 and ends on about the 24th. It coincides with socks under your Tevas season.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Oct 23 - 11:20 AM

It's almost time to turn off some of the ceiling fans. The last one to go will be the one in the bedroom at night. There are seven of them around the house, the one in the den that has run continuously since about May 15 is still on.

Days and evenings are comfortable here, it's still jeans and t-shirt weather, but it is a practice that when one goes to public buildings (I was in a large auditorium last night for a lecture) one takes along a sweater in case the air conditioning is to keep produce fresh.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 08 Oct 23 - 07:02 PM

A very large old oak is shedding countless acorns.
You can hear the little acorns bouncing off of
branches and leaves as they head towards the ground.
The squirrels are nearly frantic.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Oct 23 - 07:39 PM

... and how could I forget
the LEAF BLOWERS ?!

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Charmion
Date: 11 Oct 23 - 08:47 AM

Finally!

In Stratford, chilly rain and space to park downtown mean that summer’s over and the tourists are going home.

We probably won’t get stay-down snow until Christmas. For the next six to eight weeks, we townies get to enjoy the place ourselves.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Oct 23 - 09:23 AM

Our county has banned gas powered leaf blowers.
The 1st ice storm here is about a week after Thanksgiving.
There are the first blushes of colored leaves.

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Mrrzy
Date: 13 Oct 23 - 05:51 PM

Back to sandals. It got warm again. But leaves are turning...

Subject: RE: BS: Signs of Autumn
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Sep 23 - 04:42 PM

Right now the advent of Fall meant 24 hrs. of rain. Sometimes heavy, sometimes light, but continuous. They said we needed it. We got it.