Bare Trees - Finally

 Monday, November 22, 2021

Leaves are mostly off the trees. Most years this usually happens three weeks prior. 

Snow!

Sunday, November 14, 2021

A clipper came through last night. Woke up to snow on the ground from a very light dusting. 

Photo below made from a picture taken this past Thursday. Haven't been feeling well since Friday afternoon so I'm off cigars for now. However, I feel this photoshopped pic goes well with a post about the first accumulated snow of the season.

Cigar In the Yard

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Went back on Central Standard Time this past weekend. It's always a little shocking how early it gets dark after the change. It always takes about a week or so to get used to it. The time stamp on the photo is only 5:05 p.m.

Raking, Cigars, Backyard Jazz, and Missing Athena

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Got some raking and bagging done yesterday. Still great leather jacket weather. It got to 61 degrees today which is odd for November. Nice to sit out back with a couple cigars...

...and listen to some jazz.

Deb's moving and she said we could have her fall potted arrangement. That was nice. We're really gonna miss Deb and conversations with her over the back fence. 

It's hard getting used to sitting out back without Athena around. She is missed. It got up to 61 degrees today. Pretty warm for November but still perfect for leather jacket weather.

Walking Without Athena

Sunday, November 7, 2021

We lost Athena on October 29. Walks are lonely without her.

Perfect Leather Jacket Weather

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Finally getting to the time of year where we're getting temps in the 50s and 60s. It's perfect leather jacket weather. 

Cigars and Leather Jacket Weather

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Perfect afternoon for a cigar.  

Perfect leather jacket weather. 

The macanudos I picked up recently are amazing. I used to smoke these more in my younger years.

Listened to some good jazz. 

Glad it's leather jacket weather again. 

September Full Moon

Sunday, September 19, 2021

The moon is full on tomorrow. I got a good look at it shining ever so brightly on Athena’s last walk of the day. 

Morning Glories

Saturday, September 19, 2021

I planted morning glories in early June. 

They finally bloomed this morning.

Afternoon Cigar and Backyard Jazz

Saturday, September 18, 2021

Another gorgeous day for an afternoon cigar out back. 

Cocktail hour. 

And listened to some new (to me) jazz. 

Morning Walk

Saturday, September 18, 2021

50 degrees and sunny this morning. 

Perfect leather jacket weather.

The sun is particularly golden as it rises this time of year. 

Heard lots of squawky blue jays up in the trees on my morning walk. 

Cigar and Backyard Jazz

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Mid-week and a perfect afternoon for a cigar.

Listened to some Ultra-Lounge and just relaxed. 

It was a perfect 75 degrees outside. 

Reflecting and Backyard Jazz with a Cigar

Saturday, September 11, 2021

Three weeks back at work and I'm exhausted, but in a good way. I feel I got a lot accomplished. Great day to sit out back with a cigar. 

Reflected for a bit on that horrible day which is now exactly 20 years behind us. I know it's a cliche but I'll say it anyway: Where does the time go? Dale and I stopped by Cindi and Maggie's earlier this afternoon for a small gathering and I had the chance to talk with Laura who is a high school music teacher. We chatted about our experiences as teachers in regard to the past 18 months of the pandemic. We discussed how over the summer we had a chance to start processing what it's been like dealing with the aftermath of doing distance learning for 1-plus school years. We've both become aware of some PTSD-like symptoms that have developed like surges of intense emotions coming from nowhere, general malaise, and episodes of brain fog. I realized, surprisingly, that I've haven't processed these after-effects with another teacher to the extent I was able today. Wow, the first 20 years of the 21st century have been bookended by a couple of seriously traumatic events. 

Yet, obviously, life goes on. Having the chance to reflect on hard times and the ability to recognize our resilience and success in making it through them is a gift. Today was a beautiful day to do just that. 

Listened to some great jazz by Lee Morgan. Surprised I haven't previously downloaded any of his stuff.