“Soon the old autumn sun would bed down in cloud blankets and there would be weeks of gray rain before it finally decided to snow.”
– Katherine Arden, Small Spaces
Absent when bound for work and early to set, the sun’s impact on the waning days of October brings a sense of urgency. Although the days can be warm, nights get cool, leaves change & shed from the canopy, and inevitably have one readying for the transition to winter. We worked hard to wring the most out of each day… from early morning walks through to crash at bedtime. Keeping the “healthy living” groove on too… Daily exercise, jobs out of doors, and, of course, eating well!
In short, I got in camp trips on every weekend of October. Lots of friend visits too, with Scott and the Graham’s making the sojourn down Rte 16 to spend a few nights. The chores list this time of year is long… as prepping of firewood, winterizing of all plumbing materials at risk of freezing and shut down / pack up / trek out of summer gear is ongoing. The shed quickly closes in as the storage gets stacked higher, while hands are filled on trips out!
Looking ahead, I did do some preliminary work toward developing an outdoor kitchen area. That included pulling a substantial amount of roots, the prying of a “not so small” pile of stone, and levelling with locally sourced gravel. For several years the southeast corner of the property has been “best bet” as a potential site. It would be a super option, with July/August proving far too warm for indoor cooking. A covered site would provide some much appreciated protection during inclement weather and a welcome shaded lakeside space on hot days. I think the room is there to do it… with the greatest challenge most likely connected to sinking four large posts in what are some very rocky soil conditions. Maybe there is some 2022 magic that’ll get this idea from “grey matter” through to completion 🤪!
As the Covid situation continues to unfold, we remain hesitant in regard to any kind of involved travel planning. For starters… not quite sure it’s the responsible thing to do yet. Risk of exposure and exposing is still very real. Secondly, the thought of cleaning up after something that has been carefully planned due to cancellation (rescheduling / deposits / returns / bookings) is honestly sickening. Lastly, the more I’m hunkered down in Nova Scotia, the more I’ve learned to appreciate our situation. In essence, our health region has had scarcely over 40 cases since March 2020. I like those odds! Why “roam” when, most likely, one is in the perfect place to be 😉!