Autumn Approaches

Scarecrow
Originally uploaded by Nigel Lomas

Day by day, degree by degree.

Pumpkin Patch

Some pics from our annual visit to Seekap's Orchard (otherwise known as 'The Pumpkin Patch'). It was a beautiful October 1st, with the temperature hovering in the upper 70's and just enough breeze to keep those pesky noseeums away. We each picked out our own pumpkins - mine topped out at 30 lbs.! - had fun racing through the cornstalk maze, bought some apple cider, and then dined on caramel apples. A great Fall tradition that I look forward to every year!

Pumpkins as far as the eye can see. Beautiful!

Some gorgeous gray pumpkins they featured this year.

My daughter looking angelic in the corn maze.

Autumn Fires

Autumn Haunting,
Originally uploaded by Jacob L Barr.

In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!

--Robert Louis Stevenson

Rivalry

And now for something completely different - a little shout-out to my alma mater who are playing their intra-state rivals the Iowa Hawkeyes today. Let's go Cyclones!

O we will fight, fight, fight for Iowa State,
And may her colors ever fly.
Yes, we will fight with might for Iowa State,
With a will to do or die,
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Loyal sons forever true,
And we will fight the battle through.
And when we hit that line we'll hit it hard ev'ry yard for I. S. U.

Autumn Equinox

Super Harvest Moon
Originally uploaded by the queen of siam

When the moon is full, mankind is one.