Time

Time for me.

Being a caretaker is not an easy task. But I am not complaining really. I am again going through the stress of taking care of billings that are done improperly and juggling appointments with the VA Medical Center. I try and help Rich get one goal accomplished each day.

I realized that I needed some quiet time. I hadn't been leaving the farm at all really. Just getting groceries and in the mornings I await for him to get up. We both have the fear that another stroke will happen if I am not there to watch him get up.
He awakens and wonders if something will happen.

But we are working through that now.

So this morning I took a 5AM jaunt to some of my favorite places. I was only gone for about an hour and a half.

But it was worth it.

My first stop was on top of the ridge. The sky and colors were out of this world.

And then I jumped in the Subaru and headed to Black Bottom.

Black Bottom Creek ~ 

the creek is called something else now 

but the old timers still refer to it that way.

I caught a little color before the fog moved in and took over.

I headed home to get a cup of coffee.
And when I got out of the car I had to stop.

The heavy moisture in the air had created a beautiful dew on the burdocks that I intended to cut down.

When did burdock look so lovely?

When did fleabane look so incredible?

My morning was complete.
I went inside to start the day with a huge list of 'to dos'.

However I got some quiet time in before the day really started.

A trip to the creek was on my next "Me Time" list.
As a caretaker I have learned that it is so important to take some time out for myself in order to do things I really enjoy.

Early mornings work out fairly well, and sometimes late afternoons do also.

Chilly morning at Jersey Valley

I drove to Jersey Vally a couple of days ago when it got to be in the higher 30's at night.

I thought I might be able to see some mist coming off the water and I was not surprised.
However the very cold Northeastern breeze did chill me to the bone.

On the ridge the sun was already blazing away, warming the morning up.

However deep down in the valley it was quite cold.

Althought when the sun began to just peek over the tree tops, the valley started to brighten up with colors.

I stayed a few more minutes and tried to rub some warmth into my hands. Finally my patience ran out.

I headed back towards the car and decided to just head home.  

Next time, I am coming with finger-less gloves and something much warmer to wear.

Duck Egg Hike

With two inches of rain in the morning, I thought that it would be fun to go to Duck Egg and see the small creek running high and full of rain water.

What I didn't expect was the incredible barrage of small wild flowers that were so brilliant along the way.

At every turn we found some beautiful late fall wildflowers.

The creek was running high and I go this shot from one of the foot bridges over the creek.

Dennis found some cool fungi along the trail.

We found Maidenhair Fern with raindrops still on them. The fern was beginning to show its fall colors.

We hiked to the muskrat pond ....

and most of the trail was under water so we returned back to the second bridge and took a break and an apple snack.

Our busy day ended up with Grandpa playing catch with Dennis for a bit while Ariel spent time with Siera and Fred.

And our day was ... done....