WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY

Over the last year, we’ve dealt with El Nino’s erratic weather – a mild Winter, a very hot Summer and a beautiful Autumn, but … maybe now, finally our luck has run out and the real Fall is here to stay.

I guess we knew that the 72 degrees we enjoyed yesterday was not going to last, much as we would have liked that to happen.

On that last gasp of Summer-like weather yesterday, I did not walk. I have been doing the necessary to prepare for Winter for months – gathering groceries and stocking up, much like a squirrel gathers and tucks away nuts, after meteorologists have projected a regular, i.e. cold and snowy, Winter once again.  For this Winter wienie who despises driving in wintry conditions, it was a necessity.

So, I decided to forego walking in that beautiful weather, and, instead I chose to stop at Meijer and beat the crowd of shoppers who were sure to be buying their Thanksgiving dinner food and fixin’s this weekend.

The store shelves were groaning with treats and trinkets, along with the usual fare for the traditional holiday turkey meal. You didn’t have to look very hard to find canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup or Durkee’s French-fried onions, and, of course, the canned pumpkin to make pies.  I personally would skip the pie-making after seeing stacks and stacks of boxed pumpkin pies, a light film of condensation still clinging to the cellophane since they were so fresh.

I was out and home before the hustle and bustle of shoppers began, actually shucking my coat as I was sweating from traipsing in groceries and those gigantic multi-packs of paper towel rolls.

Of course I knew after that record-breaking temp of 72 degrees yesterday, that this morning I would go outside where a gray and dismal sky and a definite bite to the air awaited me.  And, that’s exactly what happened.  Well, we all knew that this weather was coming, but, it was clear and dry, and none of that precip the weather folks had been chattering about, so off I went.

Ugh, the wind had picked up and what trees are still full of leaves were shaking them loose. I bent my head down, but out of the corner of my eye I saw several of those inflatable Thanksgiving yard ornaments that threatened to topple over and strained at their tethers.  As I laced up my walking shoes, I had visions of a trip to the marina but changed my mind, opting to stay on the Boulevard where at least the large houses helped to buffet those wily winds and make the tumbling temperatures more bearable.

So, do I need to dust off the shovel, get out the boot tray and break out the snow boots? Perhaps my new walking boots I got last year will soon need to be broken in?

Sigh – this reality check has me groaning just thinking about all those scenarios – you too?

People are still over the moon about that Super Moon, even though it has shaved off some of its size since it shone so brightly early Monday morning.

Do you remember when people used the expression “over the moon” to describe how happy they really were?

I guess that saying has become archaic, like so many of the other expressions we’ve peppered our vocabulary with through the years.

But, all too soon, that same moon becomes “old hat” (well, there I go again …), with the advent of the Leonid meteor shower which shall light up the skies this coming Thursday.

Mother Nature always has something up her sleeve – some good, some bad. The weather this morning was fantabulous … it is to be savored.  I am hearing about some awful sleety stuff slated for this Sunday, something, in my opinion, Mother Nature can wad up in a ball and throw away, just like the Kleenex that she always tucks up her sleeve to catch sniffles and drips.

I sure don’t want to hear about any upcoming bad weather, even though my errands and chore lists have all got checkmarks next to them. I finished them all, in anticipation of the snow and ice, and my fear of taking the car out in inclement weather.  One by one, I ticked off my errands and tackled my yard chores, so I could devote my time to racking up some miles walking to meet my goal.  Perhaps Paul Gross, my favorite weatherman, will hear my plea to keep the bad weather at bay – if so, I’d love you to the moon and back Paul!

This morning was exquisite – not too cold and no gusty winds … just perfect. It is hard to believe that the month of November is already half over  — this year continues to keep speeding by.

There were not a lot of cars out either, and, I wondered if the first day of firearm deer-hunting season really was affecting the traffic I encounter on my regular walk, just like the busier spots around town.

I do try not to think of all the poor deer out there, with the hunters chasing after them, salivating over visions of venison roast or grilled backstraps. Recently, Arby’s launched a venison sandwich on their menu for just a few select deer-hunting states – Michigan was one of them.  I saw the ad for that new item which was a thick-cut venison steak, topped with crispy onion rings and berry sauce on a toasted roll.  It turned out to be such a hit, Arby’s sold out those sandwiches within an hour after introducing it.  Wow!  Sure … it looked pretty tasty in the picture, but me, the animal lover, would not be able to get past thinking about “Bambi on a bun”.

I was crossing the footbridge and paused to ponder about the ducks at the Creek. They were plentiful this morning; perhaps they were just as gleeful as me, enjoying mid-November without shivering.  Some of the mallards were swimming in circles, yet a lot of them remained on a log where they stood away from the crowd, preening their feathers and getting dolled up for the morning meet-and-greet at the other end of the bridge.  The ducks who weren’t swimming, preening or eating, were making a whole lot of noise … that loud quacking noise does quack me up every time I hear it, as it reverberates through the Creek and its narrow banks; it turned my mouth into a smile in a heartbeat.

The frost was on the pumpkin this morning as I set out. The grass and some of the leaves also looked like powdered sugar had been sprinkled on top.

But, it was not slippery to walk … that was a good thing.

I set out, trying to bulk up my walking mileage on this sunny, but cold, day and decided to stroll down to the marina – there was no human activity going on there, but there were a few ducks paddling contently near a wooden dock.

I saw multiple flocks of Canada geese flying in formation this morning – they probably touched down in a grassy area to graze and didn’t like the feel of the frost on their feet, so off they went.

The colder temps made me snuggle down into my down coat and I appreciated that I had worn it, especially down by the water.

It seems impossible that the holiday season will kick off in less than two weeks – the colder air, the Christmas songs and the shelves at Meijer lined with holiday décor, treats and gifts still don’t make it seem real. Suddenly the year seems to be speeding by and 2017 is looming large on the horizon.

I am glad to leave this year behind – there has seemed to be a never-ending string of annoyances and calamities for me in 2016 … granted, they are just minor glitches and hiccups, but, they made my world get a little off-kilter.

Thus, I am thankful for long walks and cool breezes – they help to reset my brain and restore my soul.

The winds of change roared through here in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Mother Nature’s winds similarly roared through Wednesday, then Thursday … and today as well. In its wake, that wind whisked those beautifully hued, crinkly and crackly leaves from trees, depositing them in swirling piles on sidewalks and lawns.

At the beginning of the week, the canopy of trees that arches over Emmons Boulevard was still a kaleidoscope of colors – today those same leaves littered the street. In Wyandotte, the homeowners are permitted to rake their leaves to the curb, no matter how high they are piled, and the City deals with them in one fell swoop.  There were leaf piles a ’plenty all along the Boulevard.

For the most part, the Halloween décor and campaign signs have vamoosed, but the goofy-looking gourds and scarecrows remain, extending the harvest décor just a little longer. Believe it or not I saw a house with a naked Christmas tree in the window.  Gasp!  It seemed unbelievable, but, we are getting our first hard freeze tonight – there go the annuals that still dot the landscapes along the way, and now the incidence of black ice on cement and asphalt becomes more prevalent.  I even donned my Winter coat this morning, after freezing on yesterday’s trek.

My last stop on this Veterans Day was to Memorial Park making it slightly over a four-mile jaunt. Onward and upward I go toward my goal … I lost a few days this week due to furnace repair and errands, but Thursday and today I was back on the road again.  I’ve got 666 miles walked in 2016 as of today.

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” – Emily Bronte

… and, not a moment too soon. Just think, after today,  no more ads for the candidates – no more harping on their adversary’s inadequacies, either vocally, or on Twitter or Facebook.  Hallelujah!

Meanwhile, on this morning’s walk, I had to be more careful than usual, as people were not just scurrying along for their regular a.m. routine, but, most of them no doubt would try to stop and vote before they arrived at work.

The polls were a hoppin’ place, according to all the news reports, and, just a few of the voters, like this motley crew, were already waiting in line to vote for their favorite candidate, almost as soon as sunrise. (Unless, of course, they were queued up for the free Krispy Kreme Election Day donuts?)

At least this morning did not start out foggy like yesterday. I was lucky my boss was scheduled to be out all morning on Monday, otherwise, I would not have gotten my walk in, as it was still foggy at 9:00 a.m.!  So, off I went, at 9:30, the last dregs of fog being evident in Ford Park as I passed by.  I heard a honking overhead, and knew a flock of Canada geese was nearby, but I couldn’t see a single one of them.

There were no pit bull sightings today either, unlike that pit bull lurking on the Boulevard Friday morning … it made me wary, and caused me to turn around and hope and pray it did not follow me home.

I saw Pat taking her Jack Russell terrier, Lucy, for their regular morning stroll. Lucy was suited up in her pink wool coat as she travelled alongside her mistress; I, however, had just unbuttoned the top three snaps of my own coat as that sun finally filtered through the fog.  I had not factored in the strength of the sun since the time change and the later walking time and I had begun to get very warm.  Lucy might have liked to shuck that pretty pink coat as well.

A pair of cocker spaniels who live in a corner house I pass each day got major haircuts over the weekend, and I almost didn’t recognize them. They always bark themselves silly at me, and, I have been wondering for awhile how they could even see me as they try to peer through their curly hair and long, silky ears.  As usual, their barking is strictly for show, no doubt to impress their pet parents who are usually close by.  They remind me of my own caramel-colored cocker spaniel, Coco, who was very sweet, but he always dragged his droopy, silky, ears into everything.  My mom threatened to pin those ears up with clothespins, or tuck them into a bandana, while he was eating or drinking.  As a child, I remember her calling after him as he made a beeline down the hall with sopping wet, or dogfood-covered ears.  This pair of spaniels barked and barked, their backsides and tiny tails wiggling in earnest, because, as usual, they were conflicted whether to wag or not, i.e. was I friend or foe?

Hope you were not conflicted at the polls with your ballot-casting and are pleased with the eventual outcome … thankfully, the end of this over-long and mostly contentious presidential campaign is over.

Today was still another round of autumnal bliss from start to finish.

I loved that long-anticipated, earlier start to my day, thanks to returning to Standard Time.

Yippee for that!

Now, going forward, our sunrise will be fairly steady, not straying by a full minute per day, like we’ve experienced in recent months. In fact, I was curious just how long before the sunrise goes in reverse and begins rising earlier daily – it is January 14^th.   That’s a pleasant factoid from www.sunrisesunset.com to cheer you, and to tuck away for a brutally cold and snowy day in January.

Today, while cutting down the rosebushes for the Winter, I was surprised to see so many huge rose hips and there were still dozens of blooms on each rose. In the front yard, while raking leaves, in between those crumpled-up, crimson-colored maple leaves, I found a healthy dandelion.  It looked a little out of place, just plunked down in the middle of the front lawn, a healthy and happy spot of bright yellow.

We couldn’t have asked for a sunnier Sunday; the bonus was that extra hour to while away in whatever manner we wanted … hope you put your “found” time to good use.

“Autumn … the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~ William Cullen Bryant

We’re already six weeks into one of the most-beautiful Autumns I can remember in a long time … well, except for those few pesky rainy days, it has been perfect.

And, so it was once again today.

I paused awhile at the footbridge, noting that the pictures I took several weeks ago of the ducks frolicking in the water, and, which I had intended to use today, were no longer accurate. The trees were full of green leaves then, and, today it was like a scene straight from “On Golden Pond”.  The reflections in the water were all golden from the trees that line the banks, and are bearing leaves that are rapidly turning and then dropping off as each day passes.  They flutter right into the Creek water, so golden leaves litter this little waterway.

And … speaking of litter, by now, the squirrels on Emmons Boulevard have chomped on, gobbled up, or, made even ghastlier looking, all the pumpkin faces that line the street. It figures that sharp claws or teeth can only rip those cutout portions even further, making them look very macabre.  No photo ops there  – that’s for sure.

One of my favorite harvest décor items are the scarecrows. This particular one is from a home I’ve often written about – the homeowner’s unique folk art and the magnificent tree house I’ve enjoyed watching and spotlighting in my blog posts.  I’ll save the large harvest décor display for Thanksgiving week.

It sure doesn’t seem possible that Christmas songs should be playing already, but there they are on WNIC– since this past Thursday in fact, and, online ads are already touting Black Friday savings.

My favorite meteorologist Paul Gross is forecasting some cold weather and snow chances for our area the week of November 14^th – I sure hope he is wrong.  I’m not ready for either are you?  Especially not after a beautiful day like today.  The cold better stay at bay, especially since my relatively new furnace continues to suffer with shut-down issues, which problem the techs cannot detect.  Before I began to write this post, the furnace shut down once again in mid-cycle, so I knew that a trip to the basement was necessitated to bring it back to life.

I know my walk brought me back to life – it has been a long week, and my brain was starting to feel just about as empty and fizzed out as a scarecrow’s.

… sometimes you don’t.”

All day long, I’ve had that jingle from the 70s commercial for “Mounds” and “Almond Joy” candy bars playing in my head.

It could be, because I walked out to the garage this morning and the porch steps were covered in brown splotches. It was still a little gray and murky looking out, and, at first glance, I wasn’t sure what these brown tidbits were.

So, I scurried over to the bottom step to take a look. There were tiny pieces of mud plastered on each porch step and the porch itself.  Well, what the …?  It did not take me long to figure out that some squirrels couldn’t wait to dig into their Winter cache of nuts , and, decided to go for it now.  The trouble was, memory didn’t serve them well, and, they couldn’t remember where they stashed ‘em.  So, the culprits, with their paws digging furiously through the wet mulch, unearthed their peanuts alright, but made a big messy production out of it at the same time.

Muttering under my breath, I had to take a stiff piece of cardboard to scrape up the mess, because the old corn broom didn’t have enough oomph in it to drag the pieces, which adhered to the cement, like gum on a shoe, back into the garden where they belonged.

So, that little unexpected chore accomplished, off I went on my way, and, as I walked down Emmons, I could see what mischief their squirrels had been up to since I last happened by on Saturday morning. I took the picture of this beautiful harvest display last week on the day after it was set up.  I figured, I’d better seize the photo op then, as this trio of black squirrels were already making themselves right at home, clambering up the corn stalks and scrambling around the big, waxy gourds, as you can see more closely in the inset.

Likewise, in the not-so-elaborate Halloween displays, the pesky squirrels have already chewed the cutout faces on the many jack-o-lanterns on the Boulevard, and in the other neighborhoods as well. Those critters are bold and brazen, and without scruples it seems, but, we nature lovers, will watch one stop and beg in front of us, and we smile, get a warm-and-fuzzy feeling, then proceed to ply them with treats.  Humans are a fickle lot, are we not?

Happy November all … on a day which feels more like the first of the “ber months” … September.

The morning had a Halloween-type air about it … no, not just the décor, but also the gray and dismal sky, and, it had rained earlier, because, when I set out, large portions of moisture darkened the sidewalk and driveway. The wind was whipping around once again, and, within minutes, some strands of hair had worked their way loose from my hat, and kept hitting my eyeglasses.

That very same wind jiggled those goblins and spirits that were suspended from tree branches along the way, as they danced and pranced in the breeze, seemingly coming to life.  They were scary looking, even though their origin is nothing more than having been bedsheets once upon a time.

But, those seemingly animated spirits, that stirred as I walked by, are no match for the creatures that exist in the ghoulish graveyard at the corner of Emmons Boulevard and Electric Avenue in Lincoln Park.

I have not seen this double-lot property at night, but it must be spooktacular … there are a half-dozen inflatables which are collapsed during the day. Spooky lights encircle the property, and green illuminated monster hands are strung along the tops of the bushes.  There are ghosts and creatures galore in the front yard, but the ghoulish graveyard is the best part.  There are body bits and pieces scattered about and the eerie words “Rest in Pieces” is smile-worthy, as are the critter skeletons which are amongst the “crowd” of dearly departed souls.  I’ve included just a small portion of the creative set-up for you to see above.

That wily wind threatened to wreak havoc with folks’ Halloween décor once again, and it shook the leaves mightily as they were raining down all around me.

I got another three miles under my belt, and, was happy to get ‘er done, since tomorrow promises not to be bootiful, but to start out rainy once again.

It was a chilling morning … well, perhaps chilly, would be the more-appropriate description for it. The brisk weather for the journey and a great collection of ghoulish and gory souls along the way … well, they just add to the Halloween mystique.

All that rain we had over the past two days left the leaves slick and plastered onto the sidewalks and grass. This time of year, the honey locust trees are especially bothersome, with their teeny, bright-yellow leaves and slimy-feeling stems, that cling to the soles of your shoes, making it slippery to walk.  We had a locust tree for years, and, all Fall I would have to sweep those tiny leaves and stringy-looking stems off the porch daily, especially on Halloween, so the trick-or-treaters wouldn’t slide walking up the porch steps, or slide off the porch into the garden.  Plus, the leaves and stems tracked into the house, no matter how careful you were.

At least there isn’t any frost yet, or, worse – black ice. But, that leaf-covered cement sure is “slickery”, so, in addition to watching for uneven pavement, you have to be careful you don’t wipe out on the leaves.

I figured today’s picture was perfect for the title of this post. I almost chose an ugly-looking vampire bat, with blood dripping from its mouth, but,  it was so scary looking, I changed my mind.

I am thinking about this famous football match-up tomorrow … the backyard brawl between Michigan State and Michigan, though MSU fans are a little down on their team these days after five straight losses. As I stroll around the neighborhoods, the Wolverine and even the Spartans flags are still proudly flying, and, I’ve even seen a few “House Divided” garden flags showing the big block “M” and the Spartans logo both displayed with a diagonal line separating them.  Oh well – at least it will be a beautiful day for this bloodbath.

Speaking of bloodbaths … this photo is a close-up of the “family”, a rather creepy display on Emmons Boulevard. There are two sides to every story, and, so it is with front porches as well.  In this display, the goriest and bloodiest left-hand side of the porch, I have left in the “Pictures” folder of my computer, though it was very creative and just perfect for Halloween.  (Hey, it scared me!)  Instead,  I chose this shot because it is colorful, and, likewise clever and imaginative.  Kudos to all the people who decorate for Halloween – it is a treat for everyone to see, not just the kids.

I must admit that Sci-fi has never been my cup of tea and I’ve never been a horror story fan – neither on the printed page or at the movies, though, I loved the T.V. shows “The Munsters”, “The Addams Family” and the thrills and chills of Rod Serling’s “Twilight Zone” and “Night Gallery” back in the day. Whenever I see big decorative spiders clinging onto homes for Halloween, I am always reminded of that gargantuan spider in “Night Gallery’s” episode “A Fear of Spiders” … in fact, just before I wrote this post, I Googled to see if I could find the video – of course I did, and briefly immersed myself in the show, some 45 years after it originally aired.  Just like the first time, I immediately identified with Justice’s irrational fear of those pesky, eight-legged arachnids – even the smallest ones somehow seem threatening in my mind’s eye.  Maybe you suffer from arachnophobia too?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NONkacbHbcY

Enough bone-chilling thoughts and temps for now, because, tomorrow it is back to the 70s again, and, I know I will not hear a soul complaining, except maybe the boys suited up in their heavy pads and playing on the gridiron.

I added just a measly three miles to my total today – that sun is getting up too late for my taste, shaving off valuable steps in my morning trek.