five moments over the past three weeks

post #402
       Pieces of a life from the past three weeks, five bits in all, three photos each.  Next week, more humor and the joys of the unexpected. After that, everyone, please vote, to support our joined democracy since it's too essential to be taken for granted for a single minute.

       First, the annual Storytelling Festival took place near Morehead the last weekend in September, on Cave Run Lake.  Twenty years of amazing story tellers.  This year we had good weather, and the lake is always beautiful no matter what the weather. What's also fun is that many of the families who attend are now bringing grand children whose parents were once kids at this same festival.

          Then there is the prep for the annual Hallowe'en party at the end of our road -- I loved these spiders, and the "statuary" located along the route.  I couldn't go to the actual party (see next bit) but maybe next year. (The party happens a couple of weeks early.)

        A week ago Saturday night, on a chilly eve with some showers, I went back to Cave Run Lake, this time for an outdoor wedding, Emily and Jenna's.  Lots of good food (a soup bar, perfect for the temperature), tears, and love.

       I also was able to go with T. to her weekly horse riding lesson, and it was so interesting. The three of them that were there that night helped get the horses ready, and then it was time to go into the square ring to do their paces.  The horse's name is Blue.

        To end, one last photo, my moment in the political event of the day, a visit by Joe Biden to share the stage with Amy McGrath, in Kentucky's nearby 6th District. I was so glad I went. Lots of good energy for new approaches to governing that currently aren't working all that great. Amy's trying no PACs and minimal attack ads. So far she's holding her own.
       It's fun to see some of what goes on around here as we wait for November 6.  We are even finally getting some fall color in our leaves. Believe in the power of change.

the PUMPKIN place

post #358
       While on the island of Martha's Vineyard, in Massachusetts -- see previous blog post -- I was taken to MORNING GLORY FARM, in Edgartown. When I returned to Kentucky, I discovered that my daughter has the book about the place, with photos taken by Alison Shaw, my photography teacher when I did a weeklong photography workshop on the island in 2004.  Anyway, we went to the farm stand (a large building) for lunch. What an amazing place. And they go all out for pumpkins.
         Normally I wouldn't do a whole post about pumpkins and seasonal decor in another state, but, since today is Hallowe'en weekend and it was so much fun to be there, this post is inspired by their "art." Enjoy!!

a cornucopia display

overhead

in the yard, with pumpkins in trees

pumpkins everywhere

        I do wonder what the place looked like before Oct. 20 when I made these photos!

        I wrote last week that I had to change planes in Philadelphia -- with a 2 1/2 hour layover.  This is the view out my window as we took off from Philly, on a chrsytal clear night. The city lights were even more sparkly than this iPhone photo shows.
          I'm always glad to be headed for my Kentucky home.

Halloween revisited

post #256
     I think my best bet for today is to republish last year's Halloween post, including its admonistion to get out and VOTE.  Here in Kentucky this Tuesday we are choosing our next governor. Those of you who are not regular viewers may not know whom I will be voting for, but you can guess by which candidate shows up at the end of this post from a year ago...
      Another reason for my decision to use last year's post is my recent laptop upgrade along with additional memory.  I have had email hook-up problems AND no access to my usual tools for downloading my photos and producing a post!  I need more time to calm down, refigure things, and have hope.
      So enjoy this blast from the past, as if a year ago didn't just happen!

post #215, Nov. 1, 2014:

[He is saying] "Well, here she comes again, with that black thing in her face!"

    I saw this goat on my way to visit my clever neighbors who always have an amazing Halloween display.  The family hay ride and party had to take place two weeks ago, but LUCKILY two of their creative creatures were still there to greet me the day after Halloween:

  










 The leaves have been changing all through October.  Here below are three photos from last week:

fallen leaves on the driveway, facing the way we "leaf home":

the barn, behind the sycamore

the chicken house/tool shed building, with forestry sign

       My milkweed project lasted a year [2013], but I have been keeping an eye on the plants this year as well, out of habit.  I have seen hardly any of the fluffy, sailing seeds!  This year would have been a bust as far as following the plants month after month.  
      Then, just the other day, I noticed a single milkweed plant in a totally unexpected location, with seeds opening!  At last.  I took this first photo Thursday evening, with its lovely sedate artistic display. 

 
      This second photo was taken after our Friday night storm: wind! rain! first freeze!

       Many thanks to someone for the comment on my blog last week about my letter to the editor!  I'm sorry not to be able to write back, but I don't see an email address when the comments are sent to me to review before being published.  
       The sun is shining today which is why I decided I would not continue my blog review until next weekend.  I want to get outside!!  But I do have one last democracy directive to throw your way.  The election is soon, on Tuesday, though the political shenanigans continue.  My hope is that if enough people get to the polls to vote, Kentucky might actually elect Secretary of State Alison Grimes to be our US Senator and change the course of history.    
      Alison came to nearby Morehead Thursday night, for some speech giving and photo taking.  She could so entirely do a great job as our US Senator.  I will be calmer next week once this whole thing is decided.  

       PLEASE VOTE, where ever you are, and bring a friend with you!!  We need to make a special effort this year to do so to honor the many citizens who are being shut out from voting because of repeated Republican attempts to make it harder to pass muster at the poles, despite hardly any voter fraud anywhere in the nation.  In Kentucky, we also need to honor the convicted felons who have done their time but remain blocked from voting! 

midway between Halloween and the election....

post #215

"Well, here she comes again, with that black thing in her face!"

    I saw this goat on my way to visit my clever neighbors who always have an amazing Halloween display.  The family hay ride and party had to take place two weeks ago, but LUCKILY two of their creative creatures were still there to greet me the day after Halloween:

   










 The leaves have been changing all through October.  Here below are three photos from last week:

fallen leaves on the driveway, facing the way we "leaf home":

the barn, behind the sycamore

the chicken house/tool shed building, with sign

       My milkweed project lasted a year, but I have been keeping an eye on the plants this year as well, out of habit.  I have seen hardly any of the fluffy, sailing seeds!  This year would have been a bust as far as following the plants month after month.  
      Then, just the other day, I noticed a single milkweed plant in a totally unexpected location, with seeds opening!  At last.  I took this first photo Thursday evening, with its lovely sedate artistic display. 

  
      This second photo was taken after our Friday night storm: wind! rain! first freeze!

       Many thanks to someone for the comment on my blog last week about my letter to the editor!  I'm sorry not to be able to write back, but I don't see the email address the comments are sent from.  
    
       The sun is shining today which is why I decided I would not continue my blog review until next weekend.  I want to get outside!!  But I do have one last democracy directive to throw your way.  The election is soon, on Tuesday, though the political shenanigans continue.  My hope is that if enough people get to the polls to vote, Kentucky might actually elect Secretary of State Alison Grimes to be our US Senator and change the course of history. 
      
      Alison came to nearby Morehead Thursday night, for some speech giving and photo taking.  She could so entirely do a great job as our US Senator.  I will be calmer next week once this whole thing is decided.  

       PLEASE VOTE, where ever you are, and bring a friend with you!!  We need to make a special effort this year to do so to honor the many citizens who are being shut out from voting because of repeated Republican attempts to make it harder to pass muster at the poles, despite hardly any voter fraud anywhere in the nation.  In Kentucky, we also need to honor the convicted felons who have done their time but are still blocked from voting! 

The 48 hours when autumn peaked in my Kentucky county

post #162
       This week's post is all about 48 hours of trees and color, Wednesday and Thursday.  By coincidence, I had plans to meet two close friends for lunch in Prestonsburg -- two hours away -- on Wednesday.  However, I barely made it out of our driveway because it turns out that was the day fall peaked.  It was beautiful everywhere.  But, even with all the driving I did -- and it was all exhilerating -- nothing was any more beautiful that day than our driveway. 
       So please excuse me if I share too much fall foliage today and next week as well.  I am not trying to be competitive, truly, but we did have a very amazing two days -- followed by a front passing through with strong winds and .62 inches of rain overnight....

This is where the driveway opens up, close to the house I am leaving for the day.

halfway out, looking back at where I had come from

a second look

  


 

by the side of the driveway

Because I stopped and got out of the car, I happened upon an unusual sight and one which turned out to be very brief, since the wind soon blew the web away.  I am thrilled with these three found moments.

I continued out to the road, looking left,

and looking up, while stopped,

looking out again, when the driveway crosses the pipeline area,

looking left before turning right and heading to Prestonsburg,

and passing the neighbor's fields and woods along the road.

      More next week. I have to confess I went a little bonkers with my camera despite some challenging weather conditions.  All these photos are made during that one day, the day  before Hallowe'en.  
      Speaking of Halloween, I want to add this colorful photo of the season:
 

Lovely Mary!  Great colors on you!

     I am now going out for a short walk, before it gets too dark (earlier than yesterday.)  I'm glad to be able to share these wonders with whomever makes it here to this post!