Make like a tree...

is what this squirrel seems to be doing. He was enjoying his morning until he spied Missy 15' below grooming herself on the picnic table in the sun. Yes! We have sun!

Fiery...

The last time we had nearly blue skies (clear blue skies seem impossible lately) was October 25th.


It was also the day the Japanese Maple outside the living room window was at its fiery peak.

I was saving the photos to cheer me up when Grey November took hold. And while November is only a few days old, the grey is already taking its toll as gusty winds have long since doused the fiery leaves.

Hallowe'en...

All Knowing...

Bewitched this night of full moon’s light
All Hallows Eve peers through naked limbs
of unclothed trees scolding fallen leaves
that skitter and shake

Goblins and ghouls suffer no fools
waiting for tricks not treats
Shadows unite against the bright
of the moon’s laughing gaze

Heartbeats are thick; air is slick
as fog masks the sounds of night
Witches ride on a moonbeam slide
black cats hiss and grin

Talon © 2007

Beautiful Decomposition

Even in the decaying process, there's such beauty in the garden. The delicate veins of the leaves become more prominent and the loss of chlorophyll shows colors normally hidden from view.





And the tenacious dandelion continues to thrive...

Red and gold...

This autumn has been the year of gold. Usually there is a rich mix of oranges and reds and golds in the maples and while the gold has been intense and beautiful, I've missed the burgundy, claret, scarlet and crimson. So I was delighted when I spied this tree on the large property of a nearby insurance company - the lone red in a sea of golds and browns and bare branches.

Patient observers...

Usually when we take the dogs on hikes, I don't bring my camera. But when I do, they are remarkably patient as I lose myself in taking shots.



This is the view up the hill behind the dogs that caused them to have to be patient just a few more minutes...

A bird in the hand

is worth two in the bush...


or even three...

(The elusive cardinal continues to taunt - see him in the background of the first photo? I didn't even see him until I got the pics onto the computer...sigh...)

Reluctant Hero

Jake would never again be as brave
as he was at age eleven in the fall of 1974
when he blindsided the schoolyard bully
with a wicked right that hurt like hell
when fist was introduced to jaw

Freddie Trent had cornered that little kid
whose name no one could ever remember
into a corner where no teachers could see
and when no-name’s glasses fell off
Freddie laughed and stomped on the lenses

Eleven year old Jake was no giant
and he wasn’t particularly courageous
especially around the Tank on Legs
which is what he called Freddie
(but never to his face)

Jake had suffered bumps and bruises
ripped shirts and public humiliation
because of Freddie Trent
and even the grade eight boys
had Tank tales to share

When Jake came around the corner
and saw no-name’s glasses hit the dirt
followed by the snap of frame and glass
as Freddie Trent sniggered and sneered
Jake didn’t even have to think

Freddie Trent looked ridiculous
sprawled in the dirt and moaning
and it didn’t take long for word to get out
and a crowd gathered looking on in silent glee
as Jake rubbed his hand and no-name cowered

And if the bell hadn’t rung signalling
the end of afternoon recess fun and games
Jake wondered how long the crowd would have stood
staring from the felled giant to the shocked face
of a reluctant hero with a broken hand

Talon © 2009

Anything they can do,

I can do better is what it seems Charlie was thinking when she decided to jump up on the window seat today and check out the view. I think she's jealous of the house paparazzi stalking the felines.

Charlie is not allowed on the window seat and when I told her to get down she looked away from the window, away from me, and stared at the wall. This is her version of making herself invisible. This continued for a few minutes until I started across the room. She then jumped down and headed for her chair, laying her head down on the pillows with a huge sigh. I am pretty sure her dog sigh translation was "Stupid cats!"