The very first blog, way back when, had gutter cleaning as it’s topic. Today the gutters were cleaned again, and they badly needed it. During the recent rain event water was sheeting off the roof, as if the gutters were not really there.
…Antler Circle and O’wock.
This time a talk on the geology and glaciation of this kettle moraine area. We had to move into a university classroom on account of wicked weather.
But here are photos of the school field trip of a few days ago.
…if a bit damp.
The pavilion kit donated by Generac was assembled today, in spite of the weather, largely by volunteers from Generac. Wonderful folks—friendly, fun, funny, talented, skilled, hard working. We would have been up a creek without their energy and effort.
…change is in the air.
Photos of school group not yet available. Sue up North.
I was able to get a sock on my right foot all by myself. After that, making a huge batch of Sloppy Joe (for Democratic canvassers on Saturday) was a piece of cake. Also prepared for tomorrow’s erection of the pavilion kit donated by Generac., on the pad pictured above.
Weather may not cooperate.
…with 45 middle schoolers and high schoolers. Tree learning activities and then planting a dozen shrubs. Lots of help, great kids, good fun.
Photos to come tomorrow. Meanwhile, the backyard witch hazel is in bloom.
In trying to be environmentally friendly we are mulch mowing rather than raking. (But full disclosure, some of us did rake under the three big oaks and under the huge birch, where the carpet was getting thick.) The mulched leaves provide sustenance for a whole range of creatures, all the way up to our avian friends.
We are definitely letting things pile up under the shrubbery, as compost.
I’ve been inside (with the excuse of a bum leg) while quite a few Trick or Treaters have stopped by the display outside.
Photo by Sue
I did prepare dinner, though.
The three remaining old-style windows had screens swapped for storms. Leaves got raked or mulched. Trailer got a new wiring harness. Most of the heavy lifting not done by me.
Small but engaged group, and fun and informative presentation by a real tree expert.
Big plans for erecting the donated pavilion kit today we’re dashed by the fact that the foundational concrete did not get poured. But today there was excavation, and the dozen volunteers have been notified that November 11 is the new date.
…is what this blog is largely about. Therefore, I intend to take the science more seriously, and to devote some space here to being a phenological calendar. Love the Phenology Wheels below, taken from the web, but I will probably seldom veer from photographs.
Brief visit, but long enough to include three games of Sequence. Cloudy morning, giving way to beautiful, chilly afternoon. Photos by Katy.
…the change had to come.
Photo by Sue
…this way comes.
Another warm day, and now a very windy, almost, spooky, evening. Makes me think of Ray Bradbury’s story, quoted in the headline.
Small thunderstorm went sailing by last night, somewhere off to the south. It feels like a bigger storm could show up this evening. With all this wind there’s no doubt the trees will be waving bare branches come Halloween. (Photo of Arb, above, by new Arb volunteer.)
…will we pay the price? Leaves gone from locust, crabapple, and redbud. Oaks are still holding on. Witch hazel has yet to flower, and the buckthorn is pretty much evergreen.
Great program, small crowd, but still fun. Good to work with Wes, sustainability director at the U. Gorgeous weather—77 for a high.
…and lunch at Chucks (which was crowded). Just another outing, on a beautiful Indian Summer day.
…apple cider doughnuts, and caramel apples. Fruits of a fall outing on a cool but bright day.
Pumpkins available too, but apples preferred.
…at the Arboretum.
Almost all of the 192 trees ordered this spring are now in the ground. Workshops begin this weekend.