Sunday Sunset

A lovely way to end the day. Got down to 37 last night - the first night of temps in the 30's since spring. Weather dood is predicting warmer days and continuing colder nights during the coming week. The first snows of the season fell in Eastern Oregon and the Cascades, including Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. After watching the Ken Burns National Parks series on PBS last week, I've resolved to check out the sorta local National Parks (Hood and Rainer) and their lodges. I think I made this resolution too late in the season to avoid driving in snow -- I'll have to wait until spring.

During my drive into town today, I saw the first signs of fall color along the road that goes over the hills separating the bay from Tillamook. Gonna have to remember to bring my camera when I go into town the next couple of weeks to snag some photos of the local color. Am sure it is not as glorious as the New England fall color (also on my list of must visit), but it was grand to these California eyes last year -- fingers and toes crossed the color matches my expectations.

Stormy Monday

It started raining yesterday afternoon - not really a hard stormy rain - just a light but steady rain. I've gotten 3/4" so far, bringing my year to date total to 4 inches. The sun is trying to break through the clouds with little luck although it is supposed to clear later today. The maple tree off the deck has lost a good deal of its leaves - compare this one with the picture I posted 11/19.

It has been cold up here on the mountain. Friday's dawn revealed a temp of 33 degrees and it stayed there until a wee bit after 9am. Since then, lows have been hovering around 40 degrees. Usually when it rains, my temperature moderates with the high running around 55 and the low 50 but this is a cold storm and the weather dude said it will get colder today. Yikes, it is only 48 now. Last night, Bailey the cat crawled in under the covers with me. Amazing how friendly she gets as the temperature drops. It will be officially cold when she gets under the covers when there is a d-o-g also under the covers. Last night did not count because Token had a sleep over at Goldie's.

Sunday Sunshine

A bit of fall color as eye candy. Took this just as the early morning sun was hitting the big leaf maple just off my deck. It has been slow to change color but is finally starting to show.

So many of the trees around me are redwoods, which stay green all year. The maples are a real treat to my eye. The yellow and rusts stand out in contrast to green. Some of the local maples turn red but not this one. Since living up here, I really enjoy the changes each season brings. Now that it is getting down to the mid to high 30's at night, Bailey is staying inside more. She spends each night sleeping on top of my bed, even if there are puppies under the covers. When it gets down into the 20's at night, Bailey will get under the covers too. She tends to make sure that I am between her and the puppies, preventing any accidental dog/cat contact while we all hunker down under the down comforters and quilts.

The days are slipping by so fast. Thanksgiving week is upon us. I'll be spending the day next door with Bman and Naomi. Naomi's cooking is always something to give thanks over.

I haven't decided what I'll make for the dinner. I'll have to ask Naomi what she wants me to make. I do make a superb sweet potato or yam casserole, in addition to the baking I do.