The Little Extras

Tuesday night I receive word from a dear friend that she needs some help - in Massachusetts. Of course I will go, she is family, her children are like my surrogate kids and I was there when each one took their first breaths.

This morning I rise, shaking off sleep and the sick that has been dogging me for days. Heading off with the intention of being at her home before the kids get home from school, not that I know what time that is but no matter.

Arriving there, with autumn in all her glory, I am back in the area where that always comes to mind in the month of October. Going into the garage I see that the two black labs have torn apart a cushion, making a huge mess. Making

a note that I will clean that up, I head into the house and pet the tiny but powerfully noisy toy dog of some unknown breed that it weighs less than any cat I have ever owned and therefore in my mind is barely a member of the canine family.

Since I did not partake of any rest stops on the 2+ hour drive I head to the powder room. With ease and calm I walk back out to the family room only to find that I did not shut the door firmly enough. Argh. That means that long haired yippy

thing has probably escaped. Dashing outside the perky beast runs up to me licks my fingers and before I can grab her, takes off, along with the bigger lab. What proceeds is an amusing chase-not chasing - calling-not calling-thing as I try to calmly pursue the dogs, in particular the tiny one, terrified she will get hit by a car and I will have to explain to the eldest child how I let her beloved dog that she carries like a baby die. Charming way to start a visit, no? No. I alternate between the road and meandering through people's front and backyards while the little beast races back and forth across the road, looping around sheds, mailboxes and the like.

One good thing about a small dog racing, they tire fast. When she had expended her energy she stayed still as I came nonchalantantly upon her, scooping her up and calling the large lumbering dog to drop the 5 foot tree branch and follow me home.

This began my stay in Hatfield MA.

First time in awhile

Since I last saw this, snow on my car. Yesterday morning was a quiet time in the house, TGF was reading the paper, the animals were calm, and there was a light flurry outside. Sipping on coffee I watched the tiny flakes falling and just had to go out in the freezing temperature, not even bothering to put shoes on and snapped a shot before it all disappeared.



Later the snow was gone from the cars and the rooftops. Wyatt and I took a great walk around the neighborhood. Speaking of the puppyman, I have to share this photo of him. He has been loving driving in the car and taking in all the smells. See for yourselves.



There are still leaves on a lot of trees but many more on the ground, with colours strong and faded. The crunch of leaves under my feet delight me everyday, like a cacophony of cracking, shushing, and softly folding under pressure.

Dang I missed autumn - a photo essay

I wish I had taken photos since I've been here because the colours are mostly fading, or hard to capture. Or maybe the delight I feel when I see all the hues of greens, yellows, and red is hard to convey.

Today while out and about with Jeriann I wished for my camera a few times but wondered if I could have framed the feeling.



I have always like to watch the transformation of garden spots as the chill starts to permeate the air and shift the colours and textures.


When I can I like to think about how a plant changes through the seasons. These hostas are probably a variation of standard blue hostas but I think that practically glow in mid-autumn in a way that is more beautiful than in summer.



I love how this neighborhood has what they call pocket parks. Here is a shot of the one at the corner of James and Adams. The mounds on the right are lavender, the blooms are mum.


The sky is different out here and further east in the autumn, there is something crisp, sometimes painfully brilliant about the colour. Trees that offer shade in summer become a produce store for the critters.