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It don't look like they're going anywhere soon.

Bricks Revisited

Fall is definitely here.  The leaves are turning, although it does seem a bit late to The Fuzz.

Over the weekend, The Fuzz decided to tackle a project that has been in the queue for a while now.

This brick walkway was put in when we first moved to our new Home in the Woods.  Over time, the timber shoring it up had slid off the edge of the bank.  This has caused the bricks to separate, as can be seen here.

The Fuzz had been putting this off (as he has a tendency to do at times) probably thinking it a bigger job than it was.  But, it was finally time to deal with it.

First he pulled up the worst of the bricks along the edge.  Next he reinstalled the timbers, this time securing them with pipe driven into the ground.  A bit more fill was added, and the bricks replaced.

He finished up by removing most of the grass poking though, and sweeping some fresh dirt over all to fill in the cracks and spaces.

Sure, it's not up to "professional" standards, with a gravel sub bed and all that.  But it will do nicely for our Home out here in the Woods.

Tall

The drought that has been in the news has not been a problem for us here this year.  

The Fuzz and His Sweetie have been enjoying right smart of Okra this summer.  In fact it has grown so well, it's getting hard to reach.

Here is a rare pix of The Fuzz's Sweetie, illustrating just how tall this year's crop is.

But Fall is now officially here.  Soon the Okra will be history.  Let's hope the Collards make good.

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The Fuzz and His Sweetie saw this one whilst dining on bread and wine on the quay.

Poison

Earlier this year, the power company sent huge machines to clear under the power lines.  The Fuzz didn't like this much, but there was nothing he could do about it.

This time they came though one morning spraying poison on everything.

The Fuzz and His Sweetie (mostly) had planted a hedge up along the road where they had cut everything down earlier.  Fortunately, the spray guys figured out that all those little trees in a neat row were something intentionally planted.  But they did get the privet at the edge of the woods.

The Fuzz has a problem with folks spraying poison on things.  Admittedly, there are times when it seems necessary, like when wasps have moved into one's doorbell.  

But something just seems wrong about poisoning the ground.  Here's a look at the ugly mess left behind.

But there is hope.  This morning The Fuzz found these young shoots struggling up from the roots of the privet bushes.

Birthday Party Weekend

The Fuzz previously mentioned a Birthday Party Weekend.
It was also an opportunity to pass on an unused chest of drawers.  Of course this meant hooking up the trailer.

The trip was done at a leisurely pace, stopping for fuel, and later a brief stop for The Fuzz's Sweetie at that infamous (to guys) Mary Jo's.

After the first wave of partyers gathered, there was a Birthday Dinner under the watchful eyes of one of the House Kitties.

The next day was filled with activities including the Thrift Store expedition and Laser Tag. (which The Fuzz opted out of)  

Then it was back to the house for a bit of Hackensack.

And then a cookout, and more partying.

Here's a look at the Sweet Sixteen Birthday Cake!

The trip back was interesting with rain and all, which nobody seems to want to slow down for.  There were a few wrecks, and we passed this unfortunate incident.

But The Fuzz and Family made it home to the woods, safe, and sound.

It was a good trip, but it was nice to be home.

Picnicin'

Last week after making some preparations for a Weekend Birthday trip, The Fuzz and His Sweetie had a few hours on their hands.  So they slipped off for a short hike and picnic at Crowders Mt State Park.

There was some evidence of the change in seasons.

The Camping area was deserted, and they found a clue as to why.  The water supply there is an old hand pump and well.  They had been here a few years ago, and used it then.  But this time there was a bag over it, and a sign that claimed it was "out of order".  Later The Fuzz enquired about this at the Park Ranger Office, and was told that the well was dry.  This did seem a bit odd to him and His Sweetie, since they have been getting plenty of rain at their Home in the Woods, not all that distant.

After some discussion, they are still considering an overnighter there.  This is a hike-in campground and The Fuzz and His Sweetie are not as young as they once were.  But the trail in is not bad at all.  Yet at 8lbs per gallon, they will have to be frugal with the precious liquid.

Here's a few pix that The Fuzz got along a power line they crossed on the hike in.

Tried Again C

It has been a great year for Fantastic Fungi out here in the woods.  Close ups make great Mystery Pix.

Let's Try It Again B

Perhaps a Little Clue?

Off to the Laundromat

With cooler weather coming, it was time to get out the blankets.  That meant it was also time to get them washed up.

So it was off to the Laundromat for The Fuzz.

He got there good and early, and had the place practically to himself.

It took a couple washers to handle things.  The Fuzz got a chance to watch 'em go round and round, like the wheels on the buss!

If you look closely, you may even be able to see The Fuzz.

Then of course it was time for the dryers and even more quarters.

But The Fuzz did get to play around with this pix.

Let's Try It Again A

It's Coming

The mornings are getting cool.  It was down to 56° this morning.  Obviously, Fall is about to fall upon us.
The Fuzz was out in the yard, and he is seeing sure signs of it.

It's time to get the old wood stove ready.

The days are still warm for now, but it's coming.

Sunflowers

And how about this one.
(From Spiegel)

Farmer, 74, Grows Cannabis Crop by Mistake

""An elderly Bavarian farmer who said he had intended to grow sunflowers planted a field of 1,000 cannabis plants by mistake, police said."

"He explained to the astonished officers that he had really wanted to grow sunflowers," police said in a statement on Tuesday. "But because he didn't have any sunflower seeds, he instead scattered half a sack of old bird seed he had at home."

The hemp seeds contained in the bird food flourished. "The friendly elderly gentleman was surprised at the strange plants that had grown next to the flowers but didn't realize they were cannabis plants,"

He promptly ploughed up the field with the tractor under the watchful eyes of the police."

Stuff happens.

The Story behind the Mystery Pix

Well Jeff got it on the second shot-

Jeff said...

"Leaf veins!"

Whilst The Fuzz was in the mountains last week, he had a bit of lunch at the picnic area near Crabtree Falls.

Since he did have a beer with his lunch, he was in no big hurry to get back on the road.

So he made another attempt at sketching the place.

And while sitting there he couldn't help but notice all the cool little details on the table itself.

So he got out the camera and made a few closeups of the things that caught his eye.

And this was the inspiration for that Mystery pix.

And you can see more below.

Chimneys Series #19

Another Chance At It

"...Beyond My Lifetime..."

The Fuzz sees that the Space Shuttle Endeavour is heading to LA.

Unfortunately, this is bad news for the Tree Huggers.

"400 trees to be removed along shuttle Endeavour’s path in South L.A."

"Trees that interfere with the shuttle will have to be removed, and some residents are upset.

"'They are cutting down these really big, majestic trees," Lark Galloway-Gilliam, a longtime resident and neighborhood council director told the L.A. Times. "It will be beyond my lifetime before they will be tall like this again."
"The California Science Center said they would replant twice as many trees along the route, to replace those that will be chopped down."

That's right thoughty of 'em.

The Fuzz has been known to do a bit of Tree Hugging himself at times.  But once they're gone, they're gone.  At least like the man said,

"...beyond my lifetime..."

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New Mystery Pix

Another ride

The Fuzz enjoyed his ride into the mountains so much, that he decided to do it again.

Here's a few pix from just over the county line.

There's a lot of real nice country close by.

And it's great for motorcycles.  

He went back up on route 80, continuing north from where he'd left the Parkway last time.

It did look like rain at times, but one has to expect that on the Parkway.  As it turned out, The Fuzz did not get wet, which was nice.

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