Through My Windows

September has really been an amazing month - lots of sunshine and lovely warm days - harvest is continuing after a series of breakdowns on the swather.  The farmer is servicing the combine and with any luck harvest will continue as it should...tomorrow. The autumn leaves are as pretty as they can be and we haven't had enough wind to shake them loose. Our wall is not black - maybe the flash painted it  - or maybe I'd turned the flash off.

  The other day I took a series of pictures looking through our windows and thought about using them for a post.  The following morning I missed an amazing opportunity because as I walked out to the kitchen to put the coffee on I couldn't believe my eyes - there was a massive bull moose just 8 or 10 feet from our deck.  Of course I turned around - walking quickly down the hall because I knew my camera was beside the computer.  Seconds later it was turned on, the flash was off and I was ready to capture the moose and the moment - but the moose had disappeared.  Anyone who has seen a moose cross a field knows how fast they can travel.

  From now on I'll be leaving my camera handy for early morning wildlife sightings.  It was a missed opportunity and in hindsight I wish I'd just stood still and watched the ghost moose disappear.

Just picture this - our deck is about 8 feet above the ground and the moose was behind that skinny elm tree - his nose came to about the 4th rail over and his rump almost touched the corner of the rails behind the lounger...Got the picture?  Have a good weekend!

September Note Cards

Once again it's time for Vee's Note Card Party so here are my September choices.

 I accompanied my mother in law to a beautiful farm 10 days ago and enjoyed the beauty of the lovely gardens that had been created there. These note card photos were taken on that farm...what a lovely day for an outdoor brunch.  All the seniors who attended were delighted with their scooter rides through "Lasagna" gardens created by their very ambitious hostess.  Later she entertained them with a dog show and visits to the horse pasture.

  September is such a busy time on the farm and I am trying to get the garden in.  Everything has grown so well.  We've picked 8 pails of green tomatoes, 10 large squash, the last of the rhubarb, the onions and we still have the corn, carrots, beets and potatoes to bring in.  The swiss chard keeps on growing and so I keep picking it and freezing it in baggies.  The canola has been swathed and after a two week delay while the swather broke down and was repaired time and again the barley is being swathed.  The weather has been wonderful with only two nights of light frost.  It may be awhile til I see you again but I'll be back - I promise.  Take care and I hope you have time to stop by Vee's and see the lovely note cards this week!  Thanks for visiting - sunshine always!  Sheila

Back to School

Every year on Labour Day I experience a touch of nostalgia. I remember looking forward to the beginning of each school year.  I started teaching in Vancouver, BC with a Grade 4/5 split class.  Today I had a great time sorting through my two remaining boxes of Kindergarten and Primary resources.  I have sorted and deleted several times over the years, but I've always been looking for a teacher who could make use of my really good teaching things.  When I switched to Kindergarten for the last couple of years of my career, I had a friend who was very artistic and offered to make me an alphabet.  It's an original in that she designed and illustrated it herself.  
So imagine my delight when I spoke to a friend a couple of days ago and her future daughter in law is going to teach Kindergarten this year.  I know her well and have no doubt that the children in her class will be most fortunate to have this young woman as their teacher.  My two boxes will be going to a beginning Kindergarten teacher and my one of a kind alphabet will be going back to school.  Best of luck to all the teachers and students who are going back to school tomorrow! Have a great year!