Cooler Weather and the Big Snow Job

Howdy from the hills!
I'm thrilled to report that we got rain \0/ and are enjoying much, much cooler temperatures.

Blue Morning Glory on the pasture fence.

We're still harvesting our beloved Rutger's and heirloom Beefsteak tomatoes, but they're definitely slowing down and ripening before they get very large.   The tiny ones are cherry tomatoes from a volunteer that popped up beside one of our raised beds.

I picked up this linen tablecloth at a garage sale a few years ago for $4, and I love it.

Goodman took a few days off work a couple of weeks ago so we could have a full day to visit our favorite apple orchard, Kyle Carver Orchard in Cosby, Tenn..   I always love seeing this covered bridge built in 1875 as we pass by it on our way to the orchard.

We enjoyed their mighty fine catfish dinner in the restaurant.

Arkansas Black apples were for sale, among many, many others.  I know, not black, lol.

I got a li'l grouping of gourds and a few bags of apples, but mostly we just like the yearly trip with all its autumn-ness.  Is there an apple orchard in your neck o' the woods?

I couldn't resist giving this goosey-looking gourd an eyeball.

My glass pumpkins are a daily joy to look at.  I keep them out until Thanksgiving is over then store them until the following October.

The hydrangeas sprouted new buds as soon as we got rain a few weeks ago, but it won't be long until they'll be frozen and sleeping for the winter. 

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THE BIG SNOW JOB:

a.k.a. Daylight Savings Time

My state is going to vote on staying on DST permanently.  Whaa??

Why?  

The reason isn't what people have been told for years, that it helps the farmers. That's always been a full-of-baloney statement.  Farmers think it's stupid as most of them get up long before daylight anyway.  Businessmen are the only ones wanting DST permanently because folks are out and about spending  money until later in the day on it.

What they aren't considering are the busloads of kids that never see the light of day at their bus stops. Some kids have parents that wait with them in the dark of the morning, but 

A LOT OF THEM DON'T. 

I'm convinced we have lily-livered  politicians that simply don't care as long as goods are sold and money is made.  

And, yes, that burns my hide. 

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Have a great week, y'all!

Falling Leaves, A New Book and Flu Shots

Hello from the foothills where we are eagerly awaiting cooler, fall-like temperatures.  I've decked out my Singer treadle machine with pumpkin pincushions to welcome fall...if it ever gets here. lol

It's been hot, very hot.

Leaves have been falling from our Sugar Maple trees from lack of moisture without turning the usual yellow or orange.  Sadly, they're a gnarly black as above or just brown as below.

I recently bought a book that I wish I'd had sooner.   The Backyard Pharmacy Book is by the same author as the Be Your Own "Doctor" book, and it's a real gem in the herbal remedy genre.  (Side note:  There is also a Be Your Own Pediatrician book by the same author that I hope to get someday.)

The author is very knowledgeable on the subject of herbs and how to administer them for optimal benefit. 

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True Flu $hot $tory:

For many years Goodman worked for a company that supplied their employees with flu shots at no personal cost.  He didn't want to miss workdays at home in bed so his work ethic bade him to get the shot, until looking back, he noticed that he came down with the flu every year he got the shot, but didn't get sick when he didn't get the shot.  And he wasn't the only one, either. 0.0  Hmm

I've done a lot of reading over the years about flu shots.   Mind you, I've never had one, but I've never had the flu, either.  Some people think they have the flu when they get a bad cold, but unless you have a temperature and a host of other symptoms, you don't have the flu.

Did you know there are so many sub-strains of the flu that there is no way this side of heaven to prevent a flu epidemic even if every last person on earth got the shot?  No one can see into the future to know which strain will be going around or even IF a strain will be going around.  It's that simple.

What's not simple is the math involved:
Did you know that flu shots are a nearly 2 billion dollar annual industry in the U.S. alone?  That's a lot of money.

p.s.  For the glass pumpkin lovers, there are similar ones in three colors at this site.

Would you believe I've never used any tea lights with them.  I'm so enamored with the colors I just never thought to do it until today.

They're okay, but I think they're the most colorful in natural light without the candles.

Have a great rest o' the week Y'all!