A Winter Nap

Full Moon

The December Full Moon is called the Full Cold Moon and is also referred to as the Long Nights Moon by some Native American tribes.

12-12-12

The past weekend we found ourselves with at least 12 inches of snow. Considering we had around 22 inches ALL last season, I'd say that's pretty substantial! Dale did most of the shoveling, God bless him, but I raked the roof. Got that done in about 30 minutes. Not bad, huh? Shoveling all the snow I pulled down took longer. We got to 41 degrees today so we experienced some melting. The above photo was taken a few days ago in the backyard. 

Ornamental Grasses

About a month ago I bought some ornamental/drought resistant grasses from a colleague at work. I got some of them in the ground a few weeks ago but only got the last few in the ground today. Since it has been above freezing so much I hope it won't be a problem. I think they're going to look great in the next year. We're still in a significant dought. I can't believe I'm still planting and watering in December.

Squirrels and Pumpkins

These photos were taken on November 21, and I just never got around to posting them. Someone at work told me they put cinnamon on their pumpkins to keep the squirrels from eating them. I would have preferred that the little urchins would have held off a bit longer before going after them but, at this point, who cares? 

November Full Moon

I wasn't able to get  my own photo of the full moon this month although, as always, it was quite stunning. The one here was  found on Tumblr. The November full moon is often referred to as the Full Beaver Moon. It is also sometimes known as the Frosty Moon.

Bat Garden Stone

I'm at my brother Pete's place in Arkansas for Thanksgiving. He has in his front yard one of the garden stones that Dad  made. It's the one with the bat and it's one of my favorites. I can't remember exactly when Dad made it but I'm sure it was sometime in the 2000s.

The Pumpkin and the Squirrels

The squirrels are getting mighty fat from eating all the pumpkins that have been out in the yard. When I left the jack-o-lantern out overnight for the first time they went for that too.

Anne Gets Ready for Winter

I ran into Deb yesterday and noticed that she was getting Anne ready for winter. She's got some chicken wire around her that is filled with leaves.  I think she'll be nice and cozy.

Hunter's Full Moon - Monday October 29, 2012

The following is from the Farmers' Almanac:

"This full Moon is often referred to as the Full Hunter's Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon. Many moons ago, Native Americans named this bright moon for obvious reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the deer are fattened, and it's time to begin storing up meat for the long winter ahead. Because the fields were traditionally reaped in late September or early October, hunters could easily see fox and other animals that come out to glean from the fallen grains. Probably because of the threat of winter looming close, the Hunter's Moon is generally accorded with special honor, historically serving as an important feast day in both Western Europe and among many Native American tribes."

The Full Moon - Monday October 29, 2012

Top photo: The full moon from the back yard.
Bottom photo: The full moon from the front yard.

Anne's Leaves Are Down

Here, just shortly after I took the picture in the previous post, is Anne with here leaves down. Things can really change fast. Some trees lose their leaves gradually and some all at once. 

Anne in Fall

Deb's magnolia tree, Anne, is doing quite well. I was curious what color she'd turn in the fall - looks like a nice greenish yellow.

Squirrels Like Pumpkins

Yesterday I put some pumpkins out in the yard for some fall color. Don't they look nice?

Well, the squirrels are back helping themselves. Athena  checks it out.

Maybe a little coffee will keep them away. Otherwise it'll just make them more hyper than they already are.

Raking Leaves Part 3

Evidence of hard work.

Raking Leaves Part 2

I did most of the raking and Dale did most of the bagging.

Raking Leaves Part 1

Dale and I got about 2/3 of the leaves up today. Not bad.

Neighborhood Yards - Sights of Halloween

Spooky Skeleton

Neighborhood Yards - Sights of Halloween

I like this retro cut-out.

Harvest Moon

September 29th Full Moon - Poem

Another treated version of a photo I took of the September Harvest Moon.

A harvest Moon!
And on the mats-
Shadows of pine boughs.
-Takarai Kikaku, Japanese poet (1661-1707)

September 29, 2012 - Full Moon

This a treated version of a photograph I took of the full moon over our street.

The following is from The Old Farmer's Almanac:

"This month we also celebrate what we call a Harvest Moon, which is the full Moon nearest the autumnal equinox. It can occur in September or October and is bright enough to allow finishing all the harvest chores. The Full Harvest Moon is different than all our other full Moons. Around this date, the Moon rises at almost the same time for a number of nights in our northern latitudes."

Athena Nibbles Cabbage

Athena started nibbling the ornamental cabbage just seconds after I snapped this shot. I didn't allow it.

Gorgeous Fall Day

Sat in the backyard today and did some reading for class. Perfect weather. I sat facing Deb's yard. This was my view.

12 Hours Daylight

Dale tells me the sun came up at 7:05 a.m. and went down at 7:05 p.m.

Splash of Orange

Out in the Yard with Athena

Dale and I sat in the backyard with Athena this afternoon. Today was a particularly gorgeous day. My, she's wonderful company.

Fall Colors

A few trees are beginning to change colors. This tree is a couple blocks away from us.

Plants for Fall

Stopped by Bachman's yesterday and picked up a mum and an ornamental pepper plant. Also picked up a couple more ornamental cabbages. They're planted and look great.

Silver Maple

Our silver maple tree as seen from the backyard. Dale and I both noticed that its leaves, now showing a slight change in color for fall, were not as full this year. 

Athena

A week ago today, we welcomed Athena home.

Full Moon/Blue Moon - August 31, 2012

Blue moon over the backyard.

Ornamental Cabbage

Dad loved planting these in the fall. They're quite hardy.

August Sky

Beautiful, clear, blue sky.

Blooming Boulevard

Found in a neighbor's blooming boulevard.

Blooming Boulevard

Found this flower on a neighbor's blooming boulevard. What a beautiful shade of pink.

Warren and Gary

Stopped by the house of our friends' Warren and Gary today to drop off a few things. Their backyard looks gorgeous.

Backyard Visitor

This grasshopper was perched by the grill this afternoon. He let me get surprisingly close. What a great sport!

Dale's Favorites

These are some of  Dale's favorites. I like the bright color as we move into fall.

Yesterday's Backyard Gathering

Dale's mom and dad are in town. We had a few friends and neighbors over to meet them. Notice Jim and Megan's dog Berniece in the bottom right corner of the bottom photo. I think she had as much fun as the rest of the neighbors.