autmn leaves

Isaiah and I had our first boyscout meeting yesterday. We took a short stroll along the abandoned railroad behind the main street of claysville and collected autumn leaves while discussing tree identification. I had initially been disappointed by the small number of boys (there are only three in our den) but having spent time with them, I've had a change of heart. I think we could have a really strong group.the three musketeers.

I also enjoyed testing my tree knowledge. I realize that for someone who lives on a tree farm, I don't know much.

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,fluttering from the autumn tree." -Emily Bronte

by the pond

I purchased my hunting license this year. For the years that we have been here we have relied on the generosity of others for our supply of game meat (mostly venison) but this year I thought that I would try to supplement it myself. I also purchased a migratory bird stamp which allows me to harvest geese and ducks too.

With thought of roast goose in mind, I headed down to the pond. I am still sitting here, half an hour lateer empty handed. I hesitated and was unsure when to make a shot. Not wanting to shoot them on the water, I waited until they took to the wing. When they burst from the water I was taken unprepared and shot only air. I think I knew before I pulled the trigger that I wasn't going to hit anything and I am left wondering why I fired at all.

Kable.

weeds of fall

So, l thought I would try and contribute here too. I am hoping that this format will be more inviting to my mother and more useful in communicating with my grandmother. Kable.

"And now I shall instance ina few things commonly accounted useless and unprofitable, as in stinking weeds and poisonous plants, how they were not created in vain, but have their uses. They wouldn't be without their use if they were good for nothing else but to exercise the industry of man to weed them out, he who had nothing to struggle with, thefire of his spirit would be half extinguished in the flesh. "- William Coles ( naturalist )1657

Today l cleaned up our neglected vegetable garden. The boys and l harvested (gleaned really ) the last of the tomatoes and chilli, pulled up the plants and started to prepare the ground for a cover crop. Our corn patch which has been untouched for a month or more was choked with weeds. Clearing them was difficult but among the nightshade and foxtail I found some stinging nettles which I set aside. Later, after making hotsauce from the chillies and taking Isaiah to boyscouts, Emily and I blanched them and froze a gallon bag full for consumption later.I'll let youknow