Almost Before

 Here's the afternoon sky. They are predicting the first snow of the season for tonight. Does this look like snow clouds? Not sure, but I like the lighting.

If we get snow, it's not going to last.

I found out about an herbicide from a friend that supposedly really kills the autumn olive. Roundup, when put on the cut stumps only slows it down. In about 3 years, it's back. However, this one, Tordon, motivates me a lot more effectively since it apparently really kills the stuff.

I'm going to keep working on the hedges of it that now surround our yard this fall until the weather becomes too big an issue. I like it cool for doing the hard work of sawing and hauling.

This is an "almost before" picture because I didn't think to take one before I had cut out several of the trees. There is a picture of this area from the other direction in the link in the footer. It will also motivate me to do enough work on this that you will be able to see a difference when I decide to do an "after," or at least a "partway" picture.

The hole is a garden pond I dug, and actually had water in one year. The deer and Maggie punched holes in the too lightweight liner, and I never could afford to get a sturdier one. But, ever the optimist, I don't want to fill it in... just in case. I'm not dead yet, right!?

The larger tree, right of center, is a mulberry that gets to stay. Near center back are the maple I told you I planted 30 years ago and some quaking aspen. Behind them you can see the white pine that I blogged about last year. It was 4 inches tall in 1992, because I ran over it with the mower. Almost everything else is autumn olive. Will I get it all this year? Heck no. But I'm going to try to make a dent.

The autumn olive is alleopathic which means it kills other plants that try to grow near it. I'm hoping that the aspen clone will reassert itself if I kill this horrible stuff.

It was a heavy, heavy editing day. I'm working on some of my own stuff too. And still contemplating the next few chapters of Vacation from DMS.

See I want my garden back

Just Fun

 It's been a long time since I've posted about any online games I might play. Actually, I gave up both of the ones I liked before the big hike, but Marie got me playing one different one again. Royal Match.

It's fun. It doesn't take the time commitment the other ones did. I usually play it to wake up in the morning. Anyway... recently they had a card set (you get extra stuff for collecting sets) with a hiking theme. I thought it was interesting what they chose.

Cabin, cliff, trekking poles, climbing rope, lighter, hiking shoes, rucksack, sleeping bag, "on top."

In other news: I edited, I did a bunch of behind the scenes work on my own books, bell choir, shopping. It's enough.

See Lazy Self-Indulgence

Last Time this Year?

 Remember that I picked up the mower on Friday? Gone Saturday, too wet yesterday. Nice weather today! My goal was to try to get everything mowed once before snow comes.

I got everything around the house.

And most of what we would like to keep mowed down by the road. At any rate, I did everything I could without cutting and chopping out more autumn olive.

I know this looks like a lot of space, and many people ask why I don't let it go to native plants. So I will state again, for those who may not have seen my answer, it goes to autumn olive, spotted knapweed, and sweet pea. There is plenty of native milkweed in the field next door, and I encourage it to grow there. I wage constant war on the autumn olive. We feel like this is minimum space to mow to keep the deer, mice, woodchucks, mosquitoes, etc somewhat away from the house, and hold those invasive plants in check.

I rarely mow it ALL in one day, but today was the good weather window, so...

This was only the second mowing of the whole season. Constant lawnmower troubles (not my laxity this year), and I have a hard time paying for repairs. I may have to get a sturdier mower.

I also managed to dry laundry outside. Yeah, I know the lines are sagging. Not much point in tightening them until spring, at this point.

Also got in some time editing.

See Climbing the Stupidity Ladder

November Handbells

 We played two songs this morning, "What a Friend," and "Raise the Songs of Harvest." Both are composites of two hymns. Sorry the camera isn't aligned very well.



"Raise the Songs" combines "We Gather Together" and "Raise the Song of Harvest Home."



We were especially pleased to get that long run correct (three measures, 19 notes) without messing up. It was hard.

In other news: I puttered at small things, not working on any of my big projects. Back at it tomorrow.

See Paddling and Playing Bells

Fruitport Library

 Today was a vendor event at the Fruitport Library. They really do a nice thing for authors. The tables are free for the first 12 who sign up. They have free coffee and provide free lunch (taco bar from Qdobas).

It was held in conjunction with the Friends of the Library used book sale.

There were tons of book options (and CDs and DVDs). The Friends did an amazing job of sorting their offerings, including a special holiday section and gift packages.

In my experience, books-only events don't usually pull in enough traffic. I thought maybe having it organized by a library would change that. Well, not really.

But, I've got no complaints. I had additional ideas for the day... take a hike afterwards (I thought it lasted until 3, but it was really 4), so there wasn't enough time to do that before dark. I thought I'd get some groceries on the way home, but I didn't bother.

Bottom line... I met a lot of new-to-me authors, sold a few books, but came home tired. I'm going to chill with a book because I have to be back out the door in the morning for bell choir.

See Date with a Polar Bear