Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Inevitable

Change, that is. I've never been one to hang my hat on expectations (though I am prone to ponder all possibilities), which saves me much of the let-down from things turning out differently than I expected or counted on. Good thing, because I never could have imagined how life has played out thus far!

Enough personal philosophy. Here are some recent changes.



Last weekend was the tipping point between peak color and fall 'falling.' I took the photos above driving over the hill on Friday after our visitors left. By Sunday, there were more leaves on the ground than there were still on the trees and grapevines. (There was still color in the evening sky Sunday, though!)


My "sandbox" (riding arena) collects a lot of leaves in the fall, so I cleaned it up Sunday using our riding lawnmower with grass-catcher. It works a treat when it's dry, and it has been – unusually so for this time of year.
My Japanese maples are still putting on a show (that's an English walnut in green and gold), and our double-flowering cherry hasn't yet caught fire, so there's more beauty – as well as leaves – to come.



Brian was able to bring up his Physics grade so he could play in his team's last soccer game Monday night. As it was, they started the game with one person short of a full team, and another got kneed in the ribcage at the beginning of the second half and had to sit out the remainder. They lost, but my boy played well in his last high school soccer game.



The geese definitely sense the changing season. They were streaming over the park during the game.


My crafting focus has changed, too. I finished spinning the 'crazy batt' singles and shifted to gift-knitting. On Sunday I started a hat for my farrier from one of the skeins he gave me; I'm going to knit his wife one from the other skein. It feels good to be working the needles again, and I learned a new cast-on (the tubular cast-on for 2x2 rib).

Now for the biggest change since the last blog post; there will be no lambs born on Boulderneigh next spring. Sarai and Blaise aren't going visiting after all because of unforeseen circumstances. That's okay; next spring is sure to be plenty busy getting Brian ready for graduation, maybe college, and certainly future changes. I trust it is for the best.

That's it for now from . . .

8 comments:

Retired Knitter said...

I am such a "Debbie downer." When I read your title, I "scrolled" quickly through the pictures making sure the "inevitable" was nothing living! So glad it was only good things. That hat is making up quick. I have been working on knitting Christmas projects since April and I made the mistake of using fingering weight yarn! I am will be knitting right up to Christmas Eve! I also had a long list. Next year - short list and fat yarn.

Mama Pea said...

My goodness, changes for sure! All around you. Your pictures are still full of fall glory. Our scenery is almost devoid of color now so bring on the tucked-in, cozy season before the holidays. I'm glad Brian could play in his last high school soccer game. That would have been a downer to end on that note. No fuzzy, curly haired lamb babies this spring? Uff, what happened?

Tim B. Inman said...

Beautiful pics. Thanks. But I'm a farm guy, so I have to ask, what are the crops in the first shots? Fruit trees? Grapes? Inquiring minds....gotta know. My son (I think sorta Brian's counterpart in my life) had a way of always landing on his feet. He'll be fine; you'll have more grey hair though - if your world is like ours. Both my boys are now fine young men. Have faith.

Susan said...

No lambs on Boulderneigh in the spring certainly is a let down - especially for my favorite shepherdess, I'm sure. Lots of changes coming up, I bet. I have got to start on my gift knitting or I'll be handing out woolens in the spring. Large packet of hugs to you, my dear.

Michelle said...

No, Elaine, no news is good news in the dog department. But in a way it IS something "nothing living," as in no lambs next spring. And the hat WAS quick – until I had to rip out a couple inches last night....

Mama Pea, the ram's owner brought in some new sheep, some of which have died for unknown reasons. They are gun-shy about exposing my girls to whatever caused it, and gun-shy about bringing in any other 'new' sheep – which is understandable! But I hope to get an unrelated ram lamb from her next year, which is probably the better option....

Tim, those first photos feature vineyards; we live in 'wine country.' There are also a lot of hazelnut orchards, and, increasingly, marijuana/hemp fields; there used to be a lot of cherry and prune orchards, but they have become less profitable and most have been torn out. Crazy that food production is being replaced with "self-medication" crops....

And an even bigger packet of hugs back atcha, Susan!

Jeanne said...

Michelle, I'm so sorry there will be no new lambs in the spring. I was really looking forward to them. 😢 Thanks for the explanation.

Love that hat pattern, but sorry you had to "frog" two inches of it! (My daughter likes that term!) It's the pattern available on Ravelry? What's the name of it?

You really captured some gorgeous foliage! It's so wonderful that God gives us such bsauty! Enjoy the rest of it, and thanks for sharing!

Michelle said...

Jeanne, the hat is "Tied Knots," a free pattern on Ravelry (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tied-knots).

Maggie said...

Hi Michelle, I'm so glad you found me again! I haven't been posting as much but I'm still here! Wow what beautiful colours in your photos. Well done to Brian on playing so well.