Fall Can't Be Far Behind

First Fall Colors

Well, there's no denying it. Fall is on the horizon. I saw these vibrant leaves, the first of the season, at our local park this morning when I was walking.

I love fall, but it seems to me that it has come very quickly this year. We used to joke when our kids were in school that once school started, Halloween was just around the corner, followed immediately by Thanksgiving and Christmas. Whew. The only time of year that seems to go slowly is January and February, and I think I like them more all the time!

A Colorful Spirit

Love the Many Brilliant Colors of Your Spirt  ~ Laurel Burch

I bought this Sun spirit tote bag this past weekend at the Shaker Woods Craft Festival, Columbiana, OH. We have gone to this festival for years, being that it is located just a little more than an hour from home.

My husband Larry actually spotted this gem and pointed it out to me. It was colorful and had this beautiful thought etched on it, the perfect size for lots of toting.

The bag was hand-crafted by Laurel Wagoner ((Down Home Leather, Mt. Vernon, OH), who loves the designs created by the designer who shared her first name.

Laurel Burch died about four years ago. But thanks to her prolific artistic history, her work will live on and on because of its beauty and message.

Spotted Beautiful (but quick) Blue Herons

While walking today at a local park, I spotted three blue herons at the edge of the lake. There were also three fishermen near them, so I thought I could sneak up and shoot a photo. No such luck. So I borrowed this photo to show you how amazing they looked.

The regal birds flew away from me and off towards the boathouse, where I stopped on my way home but they were no longer there.

Soon, I hope to have my own photo of these beauties. Until then, enjoy!

Mums on Sale Already. Really?

Caught a quick shot of these mums on sale at a discount store today. Today being only August 11, and very warm, it doesn't seem right that these beauties are on sale already.

I was thinking of getting some to replace my dying annuals (there was an aphid attack, I swear) but couldn't bring myself to admit that it was time to plant mums.

I'll go back when the weather cools a little more, and the NFL starts playing again. Wait, that's tonight!

I'm not going to let mum-sellers and sports media rush the seasons for me. How 'bout you?

For more on enjoying these great remaining days of summer, visit my Yeasty blog.

Summer's Best Boomer Tunes

Summer listening/party CDs for Boomers (See iTunes):


• Dick Dale and his Del-Tones “Greatest Hits”

• Beach Boys “Endless Summer”

• The Ventures “Surfing”

• Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass “The Lonely Bull”

• Antonio Carlos Jobim and Stan Getz “Getz/Gilberto"

• Martha Reeves “Dancing in the Streets”

• Lovin’ Spoonful “Hums of the Lovin’ Spoonful?”

Stay Cool, My Friends

As the country wilts from the intense heat and humidity, we are all trying to find ways to keep cool.

Today, I noticed that the fan in our attic designed to come on when the temperature up there gets to be around 90 degrees came on before 8 a.m. That's not good. Usually it doesn't turn on till lunchtime or afternoon when the heat has had time to rise. If it's already that high this morning, good grief.

Our local paper ran an article yesterday, presumably the worst day of the week, telling those " over 65" to stay indoors and not exercise outside as they normally would. The reporter commented, however, that those who are 65 don't think of themselves as old and therefore wouldn't heed the warning. Darn straight! But in this instance, heeding the warnings is the smart thing to do.

If you are in your 60s, you know that this too will pass, having experienced it all before, many times. As we all know, snow will be flying before we know it. Seasons pass much too quickly, so let's enjoy them, even if that means spending a little more time indoors.

Honor at Appomattox

Hope you had a good Fourth of July holiday. We spent the Fourth driving back from Virginia, after a stop in Appomattox the day before.

No battle was fought in Appomattox during the Civil War, but the place is held in high regard in American history because it is the stie where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant and ended the American conflict.

The events took place in a small farm house that has been reproduced on the original site, based on actual photos of the home. Treating each other with honor was the goal of both sides that Palm Sundy in 1865, and in that they succeeded.