It is getting harder to find much color on these fall days after all the cold nights. The marigolds have turned brown in the flower beds after freezing and a walk through the brown fields displays other remnants of the summer’s passing. The once vibrant green foliage of the wild cucumber has vanished leaving a few brown vines with seed pods exposed. The wild cucumber is also called prickly cucumber, and this seed pod does look rather prickly!
Prickly Pod!
I guess I have to admit defeat and accept that winter is coming. So the geranium plants that I been tucking inside the garage each night were relocated to the basement today and my mother did the same thing today so it is official – winter is coming.
Relocated Geraniums
It looks like this silo has stood the test of time, even though now neglected and empty. I wonder how many critters the silo had fed over the years from the feed that was once stored in the circle of cement staves under the metal and wooden roof.
Standing Proud
A light blanket of snow covered the ground this morning and when it finally started to melt, I got brave and went outside. Normally the first wet snow of the year, I end up on my butt walking down the hill to feed the cats when the feet start sliding on the wet snow that packs to ice.
At least the roads were just wet and not snow covered so people could go out and vote, but there was something missing on the ballot. There should have been a line about extending a warm fall so I could vote no to snow.
Vote No to Snow!
In my back road wanderings, I’m always on the lookout for interesting scenic things and old things like wooden barns, old silos and windmills and every once in a while, you might find all three close together. And I’m sure all three would have interesting tales to tell of the past.
Triple Rustic View
Dandelions may be considered a weed by most people and people are constantly trying to get rid of them, but in the spring the dandelions often provide the first hint of color after the long winter. And just like in the spring, the dandelion often gives the last hint of color in the fall when everything else has turned brown. So it was nice to spot the glimpses of yellow scattered around the lawn this week, although they might not turn to seed before covered with snow or if the chickens get a dandelion treat instead.
Hint of Color
Long after dark I heard noises outside and when I looked out, the field across the road had a large combine harvesting the corn so this will be the last sunset picture over the corn field until next summer.
Sunset over Corn Field
Just like when I shoot pictures of flowers, I often take close ups of the old barns I photograph and you can discover some interesting things that way. This barn had two large doors but the door hangers where two different types although the same brand of hangers. This Myers Sure Grip door hanger was patented in 1901.
The F. E. Myers, and Bros., was founded in 1870 by Francis and Philip Myers in Ashland, Ohio. They built hay tools, carriers, forks, winnowers and door hangers. They also designed and built the first double acting pump which pumped water on both the up and down strokes. They are probably best known for their pumps, and many of the older pumps still survive.
Looking through some of the old Myers catalogs, there may some old Myers equipment in the old wooden barn that was on my parents farm but the barn is gone now after the wind took it down. But maybe it is good that is gone or someone might have swipe the door hangers right off the door as I have seen this door hanger go for over a hundred dollars on auctions. I wonder what they cost back in 1901.
Myers Sure Grip Door Hanger
With a grey day with only a predicted high of 39 to start November off, I’m already dreaming of warmer fall days and so are the frogs. Apparently the water is already a might chilly as the frog yesterday hopped in for a swim but made a quick U turn and then flattened down in the deer track to catch the sun yesterday and to be out of the wind. I just had to pull my hood up while feeding the fish since I didn’t fit in a down in a hoof print track in the mud.
Warm Fall Day Down at the Pond
The word Halloween was first used in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All Hallows’ Even (‘evening’), that is, the night before All Hallows’ Day or All Saints Day. And while scholars might disagree on the origin of Halloween, whether origin dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain or has only Christian roots, Halloween and its traditions has changed over the years.
When I was a kid growing up in the country, we didn’t go out Trick-or-treating since there were no city blocks to walk up and down to collect candy. But my mother said we could have any candy left over we had for visitors after the trick-or-treating was done. So the goal was to scare as many kids away so there would be more candy for me and my siblings.
Well hiding up in the trees howling and making creepy sounds over the walkies-talkies hidden in metal cans worked in scaring the kids. But it worked too good as less came the next years so mom didn’t buy as much candy so we didn’t gain much candy overall.
So if you see a big round hay bale painted as a large pumpkin, beware that there might be a candy hungry kid hiding behind it, waiting to scare you!
Halloween Round Hay Bale Pumpkin
