October From Start to Finish

October 1-31, 2022                                                        Most Recent Posts:
Greenfield Mountain Farm            The Rains Came and So Did the Three C’s
& Charlottesville Virginia                    Crystal Springs Recreation Area
Virginia

This post is a first.  It’s going to cover an entire month.  After 11 years on the road and returning to Virginia every spring and/or fall.  I’ve covered this and what I do here many many times as those of you who have followed David and I know.

This year’s October began with a power outage at the farm which I discovered after pulling into the barnyard after a long drive.  Unfortunately for me, I am at the end of a power line that goes over a mountain.  So if any tree falls anywhere, I lose my power.   The only real problem other than inconvenience is the food in the freezer which I had to leave in Winnona where the propane refrig can keep it cold and frozen.  Thank goodness for Winnona.

And it rained AGAIN and for days in a row which is probably why these mushrooms abound.  I wish I knew if they were edible. 

There was a low of 37 degrees the first week of the month.  That’s getting mighty close to freezing.  You can see why I’m making short shrift of October.

But the weather did improve back into highs in the 70’s and lows in the 50’s thankfully.  Unfortunately, it went back and forth.

The highlight in Charlottesville was all the Halloween decorations.  Some folks go all out.  I’ll sprinkle some of the good ones throughout this post. 

These two were the sporting skeletons.

A dog and a rat??

I spent most of my time here this month dealing with the problem of increasing insurance.  It’s getting out of my price range especially Winnona.   I did the requisite medical, dental, dermatology and eye appointments.   The older you get, the more often they want to see you.  So far it’s only twice a year but if I go west, I’ll have to fly.

I caught this glimpse of my neighbors from my bedroom 2nd story porch.  They were hanging around in the mowed area along the farm lane.  The fields were mowed shortly after that which I suspect they liked very much.

One very sad thing happened this month.  I sold the 1985 Chevy S-10 pick up.  The best truck ever made I think.  It was still running great but I’m not here to use it enough.    I sold it for $500 and wonder if that was too little for such a great antique.  What do you think?

I hope it has a wonderful rest of its life and I know I will miss it.   It was like saying good bye to a dear and valued friend who has faithfully had your back for 36 years.  Not to mention that every time I looked at it I could see David driving it to cut and load firewood or any of a million other chores.   Very sad to see it go.

It’s fun to walk through the neighborhoods in Charlottesville and see the creativity.  I’ll bet Christmas here is quite something as well.

The fields were cut finally.  Ever since the death of our wonderful neighbor who raised cattle, I have been unable to find anyone to cut and bale the hay even if I give it to them.  Everyone does those huge cylinder rolls rather than the nice bales of yesteryear.   So it just gets the bushhog which I have to pay for and grows thicker by the year.

Looks all neat and tidy once it is mowed.

Laurie and I had our book discussion and lunch at Carter’s Mountain Orchard.  You can just see the apple cider donuts at the bottom of the picture.  It’s great to do this in person instead of on facetime.  We were discussing Daphne du Maurier’s The House on the Strand.

That’s Charlottesville in the distance from the top of Carter’s Mountain.  It waited until we left to start raining.

These folks win the prize for the best Halloween show.    The decorations are put all around their vegetable and flower gardens.  All over their yard.  And on their house.

Their Halloween decorations seem to get more detailed every year.  It is amazing.

Notice the wicked witch’s legs in the back.  And the spider web.

Look out!!!

This is not the farm’s scarecrow.  It’s me in my work clothes.  I spend a lot of time in them here.

Winnona in the barnyard at sunset.

We celebrated Pam’s birthday 3 weeks early since I will be in Florida on the actual date.

Her gifts were two books about dogs.  She is the world’s #1 dog lover.

But my favorite gift was from  the Mast General Store in North Carolina where I found this metal hanging of one of her favorite sayings.  Though in my opinion there are few people’s problems that get this designation.   She is one of the kindest and most generous people I’ve ever known.  Always looking out for others.

Clearly when the frost is on the ground, it’s time to head south.

Next post is from Florida as I leave the frost covered fields behind.