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Today is moving toward the end of November and most of the trees here at Tangled Oaks have turned color. Many have lost their entire coating of leaves, like the pin oak here by the house. The maples have shed copious amounts of bright yellow leaves all over the driveway, making a "crunch" as I go up to the mail box. The oaks are slower, giving up mainly their acorns. The walnut tree across the street has been shedding its fruits for a month now, and each time I see the big green outer shells I hope that some greedy squirrel won't put himself at risk trying to grab them. When those green casings find their way onto our lawn, I pick them up and take them back with me to a safer spot for poor squirrelly. OK, so I'm nuts (no pun intended), but I feel bad for animals that get hurt. Speaking of that, my "long walk" with the dogs last week ended shortly after we went out because of sounds that were frightening the dogs. The "pop, pop" sounded like a shotgun, which meant hunters. What unfortunate form of wildlife was the target? Deer? Rabbits? Geese?
On that same day the tractor repair man came to return my repaired "Mow'n Machine". I commented on the noises and asked if it was hunting season for anything presently. He wasn't sure, but said that it "might be doe season". Oh no! The deer were so beautiful. He handed me the bill for the services and I handed him a check. At that point my husband would be able to finish up the mowing which had been suspended when the tractor quit. But now on Sunday morning we woke up to SNOW! The forecast was for a few inches of the stuff in our area. That means calling the tractor store AGAIN tomorrow to have them change over the mowing unit for the blower unit. Another trip, another cost. But my husband's back is hurting him, and it's not worth more pain to change the heavy parts himself. Why didn't we know about the snow BEFORE? Today's "long walk" with Skittles and Patches was uneventful in that no rascal rabbits were around. No birds were on the lawn. The squirrels were hiding in their nests. The neighbor's children were inside their houses. So with nothing to distract them, the dogs did business as usual in the falling flakes. Their coats were wet, but there was nothing to dig in or play with. Yet. Local forecasts are for several inches overnight and into Monday. Kids are probably praying for a "snow day" cancellation of school. Moms are probably praying that it will change to rain. Everybody is probably praying that it will not interfere with holiday visits for Thanksgiving. My cards to non-computer relatives went out in the mail yesterday. To everyone else I sent Ecards. With postal rates going up so high lately, I may well have my husband scan some of my traditional original cards and send them via Email. This insures that they will go out ON TIME. This is a sad state of affairs, since I have drawn and composed my own cards for over 32 years. I will do that again this year, but Christmas cards are something that should be displayed in the house and kept for at least a year. I have cards dating back well into the 1990s that remind me of people I love that are waiting to see me again in heaven (I hope). Printing something that appears on a screen is tricky with some computer systems and printing equipment. Besides, many people who do receive Ecards that way don't WANT to save them. Yes, it saves paper and it reduces household clutter. But clutter is a traditional part of Christmas. The tree, the wrappings, the decorations---everything that makes the holiday unique and lovely. I just can't give that up. I'll bet even Bill Gates sends paper cards! Just Mom |
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