Please Pass The Turkey

Wild turkeys are native to most of Wisconsin and very abundant in our neighborhood. I put some of my turkey photos from the last few months into a Smilebox slideshow. It's my way of wishing all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. As Erma Bombeck used to say, "Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not a coincidence."

This photo slideshow generated with Smilebox













Delicious Autumn!

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."  -  George Eliot

When I was younger and would see the leaves change color, I'd try to remember exactly how photosynthesis worked. As the years passed, I stopped trying to figure it out and decided to just let the fall colors surprise and delight me.

October 5

The fall color in my neighborhood is bright and brilliant.



October 11

Our front yard.

The color is fading and

the leaves are falling.

The bushes and plants have all been
pruned or cut down and have
begun their long winter rest.

October 15
Meadowbrook Park.
A thicket of orange and yellow Sumac.
The photo was taken at night while walking
 wooded trails lit only by jack o lanterns and luminaries.


October 23
It's getting harder to find pretty color,
but tan's not a bad color when it comes
in the form of these showy grasses.
We have four clumps of them,
two on each side of the driveway.
Not sure of the name.......
Maiden Grass, Eulalia, Chinese Silver Grass?

October 30

I've no idea the name of this ornamental tree,

but to be this pretty in late October is amazing.

The pink makes it look like spring.

It's in a neighbor's yard.

November 11

This small building has made

other appearances on my blog.

No matter the season, it catches

my eye as I drive by it.

In case you wanted a better look at what's
in the second story window, here it is.

November 11
And now we're down to this.
One solitary red apple.





Holding Hands

Sharing life for better or worse

Their hands,

worn of work and care,

have earned a living

have cooked

have wiped a feverish brow

have waved goodbye

have guided

have held on

have let go,

rest now in the comfort

of each other.

Author - Richard Sidy

To read the complete poem, go to Life's Lessons.

This is a photo of my mother holding my dad's hand in hers. It was taken during a Veteran's Program at the nursing home where my dad now lives. I don't know exactly what the future holds for them, but yesterday was a good day.

Kong - The Sunflower

The story of Kong started in April,

with seeds from the Jung Seed Co.

The seeds found their way into these

plastic cups filled with potting soil

where they grew until May, along

with pumpkins, peppers, cucumbers,

zinnias and nasturtiums.

May offered warmth and sunshine.
The two strongest little Kongs
moved outside where they shared

space with the newly planted rhubarb.

The time came when a decision had to be made.

Only one plant could stay.

I wasn't disappointed with my choice

because by July, Kong was five feet tall.

Kong grew to ten feet tall,
the leaves were getting huge
and a flower head was now visible
above the top leaves.

On the morning of August 30, I was
greeted with this flower.

I was now officially in love with Kong
and two weeks later was pleased to
 find all these flowers. The main stalk stayed strong,
but the stem on the first flower was drooping.

Green darner dragonflies and bees visited often. 

 

As a reward for reading to the end of the story,
please help yourself to a Johnsonville bratwurst.
For my vegetarian and vegan friends, I promise
to have something for you next time.