My eyes are finally adjusting. Instead of taking in the wide sweeping vistas around the cabin they are focusing in on a more closed-in view of trees and heavily wooded hills. The trees are just starting to turn here and there. There’s a touch of Fall in the air and we are expecting quite a bit of rain throughout the night tomorrow. Our annual mushroom foray is planned for Sunday (we just got word) but will depend on Sunday’s weather. I hope we don’t get rained out!

We had two cords of wood delivered yesterday. Yes, it’s that time of year again. Last year we didn’t use the full two cords so we have some nicely aged wood to begin the fire season with. Instead of trying to stack it as I went, this year my goal was just to move it off the grass so it wouldn’t kill it first, then slowly work on stacking at my leisure. See how much I got done yesterday by chucking it piece by piece onto the gravel.

Not bad, right? As I worked I heard a rustling noise in the woods. When I turned around I saw three deer walking the fence line. They came out of the woods and crossed our driveway. I went to the gate to get a better look. Each deer as it crossed the drive stopped to look at me, tails flicking with trepidation. I spoke softly to them: I won’t hurt you beautiful things, it’s okay. They stood there looking at me for a few minutes longer, then went on their way into the front yard and I got back to my wood chucking. I felt like a Deer Whisperer or something!

Here is the progress after today’s work:

Almost done! My arms gave out so I stopped. I’ll have Rick help me with the rest tomorrow.

What I wouldn’t give to have this wood at the cabin! Look at that lovely hardwood! Funny how we have this same chore at the cabin—putting up wood—except that there we have to actually cut it ourselves instead of having it delivered to us already split. I will still have to split some of the pieces with our little splitter, but mostly it’s all good to go.

This was also going on around my house today. The big question mark in the sky seems to be asking What? is going on here?

A big air show is going on in our town this weekend and this stunt plane was practicing his maneuvers almost over our house. I took these photos from the back yard. I think he was mostly out over the lake.

And upside down as well.

He was fun to watch. Noisy, but entertaining. I’m sure we’ll be seeing (and hearing) the whole air show almost as if we had a front row seat. After all, we are close to the airport. It’s fun to watch the big old WW II bombers fly over. They shake the whole house and are so magnificent in their vintage-ness. It’ not going to be quiet around here this weekend. Au contraire!

Added as an addendum: Dryer update! The motor is gone ... boo hoo ... so I’ve been hanging laundry on the line (gasp! My neighbors hate this!). Instead of opting for a new one we decided to just replace the motor in this one. Our twin washer is still going strong (both Maytags and never one day of service before this) and pronounced healthy by the repairman, so we hope it hangs in there for a few more years. Hopefully this coming week we’ll have a dryer back again! Not quite the same as pioneer laundry at the cabin, but almost.

Hanging clothes is not so bad when you have a choice, but not too fun if you have to do it week in and week out!  Hope you get the dryer back soon!

I was just about to warn you about the show tomorrow.  My dad said their practice runs were really loud.  They expect 20,000 people to attend. I wonder where they’ll put them?

I’ll give you a hand with the wood—and who cares about the clothes on the line? I happen to think they smell fresher when they dry outside then in the dryer. Hold on to your head this weekend!

um…. why do your neighbours object to washing hung on a line?  seems strange to me.  but i guess, its the normal way over here in Blighty!

my arms feel tired looking at all that wood moving you’ve been doing.

ha. and the word verific. is labor.

hmmm blogger seems to have eaten my comment…

which was something about being shocked at neighbours objecting to washing hanging in your garden.

???

Jan, I do hang certain things on the line in summer (sheets for example because they smell so fresh afterwards) but cotton things (like towels, socks, underwear) don’t dry very well on the line. Too humid! I will be glad for the dryer!

Luke, I think we are trying not to go into town during the show this weekend. Too many people!

Letty, my neighbor’s think the clothesline is tacky! Did you know that in many housing developments over here you are not even allowed to have a clothesline? And forget about hanging anything out! Where we lived in Colorado it was like that. I agree, it’s stupid!

I would love to have the opportunity to occasionally hang some things out.  The operative word being ‘occasionally’!

We are in the middle of fall here.  Aspens are at peak and elk were making their sounds when we were in Rocky yesterday.  A phenomenal day. Just perfect.