32: Sunday Sunshine

(A light in the woods.)

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.  ~ Maori Proverb

Hey!  I’m finally getting the hang of the star-effect using the manual settings on the camera.  Some are better than others, though.

It’s day 32 of my outdoor commitment.  It’s the kind of day when you want to bring the outdoors inside by throwing open all the windows and doors, inviting in the sunshine and fresh air.  Of course that’s just what I’ve done today.  It’s driving the cats bonkers since they would rather be outside playing than hanging around in the house.  Sometimes I feel bad about keeping them indoors.  Then I remember that it’s healthier for them (and for me as I don’t have to worry about whether or not one of the visiting hawks or owls will decide to eat them).

(Sunlight and leaf on the pond.)

Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair…   ~ Susan Polis Shutz

M and I have spent a goodly part of the morning on more winter preparations.  Say goodbye to the pedal boat and the swim platform.  We’ve hauled them out of the water and won’t see them in the pond again until next year.

(This morning’s view of the pond.)

The rowboat will stay out for a while longer, probably until the pond starts to freeze.  Putting the rowboat away for winter is easily accomplished.  We haul it up on the bank and turn it over.  Voila!  Winterized.

(Leafy sunshine.)

I am grateful to report that hauling in the swim platform didn’t end with one or both of us swimming in the pond.  The weather is warm today, but not warm enough for a dip.  The nights have been cool, sometimes cold.  The temperature of the water has dropped with the air temperature.  M did wind up stuck in the muck a few times, the mud grasping and suctioning on to his hip boots (formerly known as the scary boots).  I wish I’d had the camera.  It seemed unwise to take it along on this excursion as we weren’t sure whether or not pulling up the platform anchor would result in tipping the boat.

(Prayer flags and sunlight.)

Breezy Acres is not just breezy today.  It’s downright gusty.  The wind is whooshing and whistling, creating a kind of music for the falling leaves to dance to.  The laundry on the line is drying quickly, allowing me to get quite a bit of it done today.  In between hanging laundry I’ve been soaking up the sun and wind and warmth, taking in all the sights, sounds and fragrances of this beautiful day, and once in a while doing a dance of my own in celebration.

(Creek-side reflections.)

This week will be a busy one.  I want to finish up the fall cleaning and winterizing the garden.  Thunderstorms are expected tonight and tomorrow so it looks like the garden will have to wait until the middle of the week.  In the meantime, I think I’ll relax and take in the what’s left of this sunshiny Sunday.

(On the deck.)

The drawing for the Give-Away is tomorrow evening so if you haven’t signed up yet (and you want to), head on down to day 30 (The leaf and berry collection) and do so.