This is where the wild things are

The morning was very cool and dry.

On Wednesday morning the dog decided we would walk down to the Pig Farm.   The morning was beautiful with temperatures in the mid 40's and low humidity.  When we arrived at the farm I noticed that some type of animal has made an opening in the dead and dying Kudzu and Air potato plants.

Wild animals live in there, I think.

 I walked over and poked my head in the openings to have a look.  It was difficult for me to discern what had been walking around there in the area under the canopy created by the dead vines.  The ground has been trampled and all of the green plants have been eaten up to about 3 feet off the ground.

The floor of the forest has been trampled

 I would say that a family of pigs is most likely living here at some point during the day or night. The farm is at the end of the road and it is very dark and quiet there at night.  The pigs are probably enjoying this quiet little enclosure before venturing out in the early morning hours to forage.

The Air Potato is sort of ugly.

 I saw a couple of the Air Potatoes hanging on the  Air Potato vine nearby so the pigs maybe eating those where they can reach them.  I would like to go and spend the night in the woods one weekend and see exactly what is that is moving around down there.

 We walked back up to the house and I went around to my sad looking garden.  All the vegetables are gone now and I have almost decided that I am not going to plant a winter garden this year.  If I skip it this year it will be the first time in nearly ten years I have not had a garden growing in my yard.  I want to let the ground lay fallow for a while then I may put in some organic material for next year.

the squash beetle is clashing.

 I saw a squash beetle walking around on a volunteer Cosmos flower that was looking very orange.  The beetle is probably a late arrival that emerged from the ground recently.  It will be surprised when the next cold snap hits in a few days

The tomatoes are nearly ready. 

.
 I also have some nice cherry tomatoes growing now.  If the temperatures stay warm they should get far enough along that I can take them off and bring them in to ripen the rest of the way.  The dog likes them ripe or green so they wont go to waste.  Thanks for reading my blog today.   Bye.

My debt repayment plan

The clouds are running away from the blue sky behind them.

On Saturday morning the clouds were moving quickly to the south and blue sky could be seen on the western horizon.  The air was very cool and dry with a temperature of 57 degrees.  The dog and I walked up to the east end of the paved road to have a look at things. When we arrived at the end of the road we turned around and were greeted with a very nice looking cloud layer just ahead of the clearing line.  The patterns made the sky look like a painting.
  On the way back to the house I saw an evening primrose blooming quietly on the roadside covered with droplets of dew.   This is one of the last wild flowers still blooming this season.

The four o'clocks are very pink.

Look closely to see the dew droplets.

  When we arrived home the sun had broken through and a beautiful day complete with blue skies and cool temperatures lay ahead. I decided to  walk around to the back yard and have a look at the plants that were still growing there. I have some four o'clocks growing on the side of the house and they are continuing to bloom and make seeds for next years plants. The pink color of the four o'clocks is very intense.

Will my tomatoes make it?

The tomatoes I planted awhile back have really begun producing green tomatoes.  I am not sure if they will make it to harvest though as the first frost is headed our way quickly.

These peppers are pretty hot.

I also have a pepper plant with quite a few peppers on it.  The pepper plants just loaf around all summer then come on strong about this time every year.  I am going to make some hot pepper sauce from these colorful peppers when I get a free moment.

Enough walking. Let's ride.

The dog ran around to the front yard and jumped into the truck ready to take a ride.  On Saturdays and Sundays we ride down the road in the truck to get coffee and danish at the gas station.  My family, friends and acquaintances tell me I have spoiled my dog by walking him everyday and taking him in my truck with me to various places.  I guess you would have had to be there for the past five years to know that my dog has given to me far more than I have given to him.  All my dog asks in return is the opportunity to spend time with me.  What a deal.   Thanks for reading my blog today.  Bye.