My Tree!

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I tried to capture the colors, but it's something that just doesn't come across as well in a snapshot as it does "live". Well, that, and I can't figure out the settings on my camera very well. This is the tree in my front yard---a red maple! It has been a delight since we got here as it even looks good with no leaves (it has good bone structure). In the spring it began to turn green and by summer it was really green and leafy and lovely. But now? Yowza!

My Minnesota mom even went for a bike ride today. She brought over a freshly baked apple crisp this afternoon before I was about to leave for my ride, and she told she likes to ride over the leaves and listen to them crunch! I do too! In town, it's especially nice, but once you get outside the "city" limits, the wind-factor (enough about the wind, Joni!)...let's just say it was a wonderful fall day even if the wind was blowing 20 miles per hour on the prairie. Oh yeah...and it was around 77 degrees to boot!

By the time I got back from my ride, it all but died down. That's another common thing. When the sun goes down...so does the wind. I like to ride for around 3 hours and so I need to ride in some wind or else I'd have to ride in the dark [if I waited for the wind to die down]. On really good days I time it well enough that I ride with the wind at my back until it dies down...the problem is that sometimes it doesn't die down and I end up riding into a headwind home. (Not complaining though---I'm riding outside still).

There are still lots of hunter's everywhere...I guess some guys take time off of work and come and stay on the prairie this time of year. Jamie, you are totally right. It is like OLN. I never watch OLN except for when bike racing is on, but now that I think about it, it is OLN in my own backyard (practically.) How funny. You see guys driving around in trucks with Glow-orange hats, vest, gloves, everything. Glow orange and camouflage.

Yesterday, Sydney chased a big white tailed deer for about an entire mile before I was able to catch up with her. It was hilarious watching a small little scrappy dog chasing a HUGE deer with a big white cotton tail! Like a cartoon.

Next week is the rural writers festival at the college. I am going to some of the events. Robert Bly is a keynote speaker (Iron John author), plus there are several others I am hoping to see.

Happy Tuesday!