Easing into winter

Had another busy month - work, house, preparing for winter, shopping for Christmas (already!). Dealing with various issues with my back and trying to adjust to new diabetes medication has left me feeling less than perky. However, the latest bloodwork shows the A1c dropping, so I guess the new pill is working. I just wish it didn't plummet my sugar levels so low. I'll just have to remember to eat a snack earlier than usual and try to raise the levels before the pill takes hold of me.

Buddy has had a super busy month, growling and woofing and barking wildly at all sorts of things. He lies on the back of the couch and looks out the window. Then he alerts on everything and everyone who dares enter his space. It doesn't matter if it's a car driving by or the yard guy shoveling the walk (and boy is THAT worth the money - my back is spared) or a bird flying or the squirrel on the fence.

This isn't as sharp as I'd like, but it's shot through a window and between the lilac branches. Note his stash of cones from the spruce tree. He was eating there when I pulled into the driveway and remained there until I came in, shot a few photos from inside the arctic entry and didn't move until I brought Buddy outside. Then he ran to the spruce tree where he sat and chattered at us until we went back indoors.

He chattered so long and loudly that Buddy - Mr. Tough Guy inside the house - just sat and looked. He didn't make a sound. In this photo the squirrel's mouth is open. I guess we disturbed his dinner.










The days are getting longer now, and this morning (for the first time this winter) I had single-digit temperatures at my house. However, the sunsets are gorgeous. This one had just a hint of pink and a promise of what was to come. Since I was on my way out, I snapped it before it reached its peak, because I knew I'd be driving by the time it was at its best.

I like the colore filtered through the branches of the spruce tree. Although summer is by far my favorite season, there's something about all four of them that I love. Each season has a special beauty all its own - and each one makes me so glad I live in a place with glorious things to photograph.








I'll be taking some time off work to use up some leave between now and New Year's, and I'm truly looking forward to it. I plan to do some housework (not looking forward to that!), some shopping for Christmas and birthdays and some cooking.

I bought a convection oven this morning after much research. I hope it's all I've read it is. I'll give it a try today with a baked potato and some cookies for my granddaughter. Maddy is coming over to show me her pirate costume :), and she's always hungry when she gets to my house.

I'll also be making some gifts for my sisters, so that will keep me busy in the weeks I'm off.

Happy November everyone.