Today is the first day that I have seen real fall colors in the trees and bushes as we drove from New Richmond, WI to Hudson, WI, a 20 minute drive. We’ve had a few nights where we needed another blanket on the bed. The last of the caterpillars are voraciously eating the milkweed bushes with a final push to fatten up for chrysalis forming. This picture was taken yesterday. Today, there are only two of the five caterpillars to be seen. The magic is happening somewhere close.
A small flock of Canadian Geese landed in the field across the street today. They are gathering to fly further south for the winter. Our pond freezes over in the winter so they won’t be staying here.
My husband made a statement a couple of days ago regarding winter. He said, “I think winter is going to be hard.”
I instantly thought of the snow removal and driving on wintery streets. And the predictions of a harsh winter this year, colder and perhaps drier. Gray days for sure.
He said, “Difficult not in the way you may be thinking, the physical challenges, but emotionally with the gloomy days and not being able to get out and about to lift our spirits.”
I know what he means. We tend to fatten up during the darker winter days. Eat to keep us warm with bigger fat cells. Eat to nurture our souls and feed our sagging moods. Less active because it’s just harder in the winter.
Last winter was hard. But then we were out in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in central Montana. We had to wait to be plowed out, and the 10 miles of gravel, ice, and snow-covered roads could be challenging. A few white-out snow storms, a couple of precarious slides nearly into ditches, and a few white-out fog covers were just this side of terrifying. We were housebound a few times throughout the winter, one time when we couldn’t get out for 5 days. The folks up the hill drove their snowcat into town to get us milk, bread, and eggs. Here, we will have an easier time getting out and doing things. Here, the snow-covered city streets are quickly dealt with, and our homeowners’ association takes care of our walks and driveway.
We still have weeks to go before the snow flies for the first time this fall. Time to get out and enjoy this fine fall weather before the gray gloomy descends.
Deb’s Blog 