Things I've seen lately

I've been going through a bit of a rough patch. A number of family challenges have surfaced lately that have left me feeling, well, challenged. And sad. I don't have much to say about this, but looking through my pictures from the last few weeks, I notice that this hasn't really lessened my appreciation of the various things going on around me. Here are a few of the things that have been intriguing me or making me smile lately. I'll let you decide which pictures did which. :-)

A very kooky raspberry:

Poison Oak. Did you know it turns various shades of red and yellow in the fall?:

My fall/winter apparel. It kind of looks like a crime scene chalk outline, doesn't it?:

This really cool package that was delivered to our front porch:

A new weather station was inside that package. My husband has proudly (and quite prominently) displayed it off the edge of our deck:

A Fork-Tailed Bush Katydid. We have yet to have our first frost in my part of Oregon - I find it uncanny that in mid-November I am still hearing these guys chirp at night:

Reggie and Pete helping to put up the clear roofing panels onto the chicken run. Thanks, boys:

My oldest son and his girl taking a fall walk with me and the goat boys:

My friend from middle school, Scott, helping me clean out the goat house:

Roxy, my farm pup, mesmerized by a squirrel in a very tall Douglas Fir tree:

A heart in my avocado. I see hearts in the most unexpected places some times:

Lots and lots of Earth Bread ready to go into the oven. This bread is heavenly (and an awful lot of fun to bake with your best friend):

My pal, Marcee, taking my sweet donkey, Beau, for his first "off property" walk. He did *such* a good job!:

A lacy tomatillo. It looks like a piece of art, doesn't it?:

Today, I am especially thankful for my camera and the ability it has to remind me of all the happy stuff that goes on, even when I'm feeling low.