Tuesday, October 26, 2021

October Days

October has always been a favorite of mine.  The cooler weather brings a refreshing change of pace.  I do enjoy the change of seasons as fall settles in.  Our leaves are falling now, though not the color that one would hope.  My grandson and I have begun mowing and gathering the fallen leaves weekly.  The compost is now acquiring more brown matter that will turn into rich earth for future garden beds. 


It's been thrilling to see monarchs continuing their journey to Mexico.  I don't remember seeing them as late as October.

October is a month of birthdays in our household.  Both me and my husband's birthday and our anniversary is celebrated this month.  We usually plan a special trip every year around our anniversary, but this year is different.  Unfortunately Grayden has a stress fracture in his foot.  So hobbling along in a boot has kept us at home so he can get the rest that his doctor prescribed.  


I've enjoyed these anniversary roses so much.  We were married on the 14th and these roses are still around.  I did recut them and put them in a clean vase of water with a tablespoon of bleach.  They are now on our dining table.


Zinnias always look like Autumn to me.  So I'm cutting them as often as they blossom until frost comes to our area.  It's quite late for us this year.


I have continued to walk without my walking buddy.  For my mental and physical health I lace up my walking shoes each morning and venture out for my three mile walk.  It's not the same without Grayden by my side and I've found it difficult not having his hand to hold.  Yesterday while out I was treated to a lovely sight!  A bald eagle flew over my head.  


This is a photo I took last year.  My camera is a little too heavy to carry as I walk.



Don't you love apples?  We have a bowl full in our kitchen all year long.  Grayden and Samuel love Granny Smiths.  Hopefully we'll be able to take a trip to get some great Virginia apples. 

"A plate full of apples, an open fire, and a jolly good book are a fair substitute for heaven. "  Lucy Maud Montgomery


I hope you are enjoying the change of season in your area.  Have a safe and happy week. 








22 comments:

  1. A bowl of apples looks so autumnal and attractive. Good for you continuing to walk even though your Beloved is sidelined. Soon, he'll be back walking again. Perhaps not three miles at first. Very lovely bouquet of red roses. How fresh they must have been to have lasted all this time. Enjoy these waning days of fall color. Find it where you can. ☺️

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    1. Vee, Grayden will have to resume walking with limited milage. The doctor said 1/2 mile at a time. He goes back on Monday and he sure hopes he can get rid of the boot. Most of our trees are still green except the oaks that are dropping leaves like crazy during this windy weather. Happy autumn days to you!

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  2. How wonderful that you have so many happy occasions to celebrate Martha Ellen :) A Very Happy Birthday to you both and a Very Happy Anniversary also. I was so very sorry to read of Grayden’s stress fracture and hope he heals quickly. Your grandson must be an enormous help at such times. I enjoyed your pretty home with all the Fall decorations, and the Monarch and Eagle photos, and the flowers. And those apples! A friend of mine went apple picking with her daughter and granddaughter recently, just outside of Richmond. They had a grand time and I know you will also when you get to go. A lovely post! Wishing you joyful Fall days.

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    1. Thank you so much, Denise! Samuel is a great help to us always, but especially now. Grayden is doing better--it's just going to take time to heal. Thank you for your good thoughts. Apple picking sounds wonderful for this time of year. I wish you joyful Fall days as well, my friend!

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  3. I am so sorry to hear about that stress fracture! We haven’t had any frost yet, though there is a chance for overnight tonight! We love going for apples in the fall and have missed doing that!

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    1. I hope you get some good fall apples, Nellie. I doubt if we go picking, but farmstand apples will be welcome this year.

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  4. Happy Birthday and Anniversary wishes again! All the best people are born in October, didn't you know? I love your Autumn decorations. October 21 is National Apple Day here, and I thought of you.
    xoxo

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    1. Deb, I agree about October babies! We have several in our extended family as well. I thought of you on the 21st as well my friend, though not because of National Apple Day! xoxo

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  5. Your home looks warm and cozy and very full of love with those beautiful anniversary flowers. It's a splendid month -- wonderful colors, flavors and smells. Apples are definitely a part of that. But I'm sad to learn of Graydon's stress fracture and hope it heals well and soon.

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    1. Jeanie, Grayden is doing so much better and is really ready to get rid of the boot. Hopefully that will happen on Monday. Thank you for your kind comments.

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  6. Happy Anniversary, Martha Ellen. The red roses are beautiful, and I've never heard of cutting them and putting a tbs. of bleach in the water. I think they look so pretty on your kitchen table, and your table cloth is Fall looking. It's so good that you continue to walk. It's always a treat to see the bald eagle. I never really saw this grand bird until I moved to the mountains.

    Yes, I love apples! And my favorite are the Gala and the Red Delicious ones. It's
    always a pleasure seeing the treasures around your home. And I know I told you before, but I just love your furniture. The dark traditional wood is beautiful to me. Happy Birthday, Martha Ellen, and your capture of the butterfly looks like
    Autumn. What a great photo that is. : )

    ~Sheri

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  7. ps.....I'm so sorry to hear Grayden has a stress fracture in his foot. I hope he heals
    quickly from that.

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    1. Sheri, your comments are always so kind. I do appreciate your good thoughts for Grayden. He is doing better and is looking forward to getting back to normal.
      Traditional furniture feels right for us. I personally feel it never goes out of style. I'm so glad you have seen a bald eagle in your new home! I never tiring seeing one. Thank you for the anniversary and birthday wishes! Enjoy these Autumn days, my friend.

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  8. Hello Martha Ellen, Happy belated birthdays and anniversary to you and Grayden. Hope he heals quickly and can take those walks with you again. The roses are beautiful. It's always a special treat to see an eagle and then to be able to capture a photo is double the treat! Happy last week of October to you!

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    1. Thank you, Ellen for the wishes! Happy October to you as well.

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  9. Martha, I love this post so much. It's so mmm Autumnal! I hope Grayden's foot heals perfectly and quickly. Mr Delightful was in that boot for a while (but not for a fracture), and he did not like it one bit.

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    1. You are so kind, Jean. I'm sorry to hear Mr. Delightful has been in the boot club. Sounds like he felt the same as Grayden does now!

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  10. My goodness, I know you have missed your walking buddy, and I am sure that he has missed being with you too! Applause to you for getting out there and keeping up with your daily walk. May Grayden's foot heal quickly.

    Hope your birthdays and anniversary were joy-filled!

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    1. Thank you for the wishes, Cheryl. Though quite different this year, we are thankful for another year together.
      Grayden is really hoping on Monday he is able to get rid of that boot. Though we've already been told it will be some time before he can take those long walks.

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  11. Granny Smith is one of my favorites along with Pink Lady. Sorry to hear of Grayden's stress fracture. Sounds painful. Beautiful roses and sitting on that table in front of the striped chair is just the perfect picture. Love your colors in your home. We will be off to Paughs orchard in Quicksburg Va next week to get some apples there and stay a few nights in the mountains. I love this time of year

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  12. Belated birthday and anniversary wishes.
    I do like the roses, just beautiful.

    Sorry to read about Graydens stress fracture, hope it heals quickly.

    My good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  13. Happy belated anniversary! We were also married in early October, 47 years ago! Octobe ris also one of my favorite months. I love autumn!

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