Friday Randoms the Halloween Edition

Just a little throwback photo of pumpkin carving.  

In case you need some pumpkin carving ideas just check out this.  

This is nothing short of a Halloween classic.  However, this is better for a laugh.  

If you are looking for a haunted house, then I've got one for you.  Currently for sale, this house even comes with the furniture.  

Though not livable, this house is pretty creeptastic on its own.  

What are your plans for this All Hallows Eve?  We are attending a high school football game with freezing temps and the threat of snow.  Gotta love it!  

Linking up with Tanya today!  

Thoughtful Thursday

Thankful for the decorative efforts of spiders on this Thursday.  With our morning moisture and fog, their artistic wisps are everywhere.  

"The difference between utility and utility plus beauty is the difference between telephone wires and a spider's web."

Edwin Way Teale  

Linking up with Teresa today.....

Forever Working

Yesterday we had unseasonably high temperatures for the end of October.  That brought out all insects, birds, and flying creatures to enjoy this bonus day from Mother Nature.  

The front porch Mums seemed to be the gathering place and quite a few honeybees joined in on the warm weather fest.  

It was good to see them out and about.  

All different types of bees were enjoying the Mums.  

Tomorrow signals the start of cooler weather.  As in low thirty degree temperatures at night.  

"When the flower blossoms, the bee will come."  

Srikumar Rao

Black Walnuts

Its life no doubt began before our old farmhouse was built,

this Black Walnut tree seems to be delivering a bumper crop this season.   

If you believe in old wives tales, this would seem to mean that we are going to have a bad winter.  

If you are familiar with Black Walnuts, then you know they are quite a pain to harvest.  The pretty, green ball hanging from the tree must be dried and then opened to then reveal the nut still in the shell.  Maybe when I retire I will have time to take on this project.....or maybe not.  

High in omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts are especially good for you.  Though this health benefit intrigues me, I am content to leave them right where they are.  

Friday Randoms

The young lady of the house surprised me with a selfie on my DSLR camera.  A nice shot with her friend in the background.  

Postmodern Jukebox does it again with a cover of, "All About That Bass", using a real bass, no less.  

I could go to an Ohio State football game just to watch the half time show.  Seriously.  

Fancy a visit to a haunted locale?  Garden and Gun magazine has a list for you right here.


A bit of frost for us this week and I admit that I am enjoying it.


Linking up with Tanya today....

Thoughtful Thursday

Today's fence is brought to you by the oldest courthouse west of the Allegheny Mountains.  It resides right here in Smalltownland.  Built in 1803, it was last used as a functional courthouse in 1933.  The chain, "fence", around the perimeter served as a bench, of sorts, for gentleman waiting outside the courthouse.  Back in, "the day", it was the place for socializing and general gossip.  Though, I am sure men would say they don't gossip....

"Be impeccable with your work.  Speak with integrity.  Say only what you mean.  Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.  Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love."  

Miguel Angel Ruiz  

Linking up today with Teresa....

Boys Will Be Boys

This past Sunday afternoon my son had friends coming over to film some scenes for a Senior class project.  

I had my orders to stay inside.  And, especially, no photographing the activities.  But, how could I not peek?  These days are numbered.  Life is dashing by at the speed of light.  

The Lady of the Yard surveying the Autumnal scene.  This photograph has nothing to do with this post.  

So, I looked out the laundry room window and what did I spy......

~young men jousting with poles....on bicycles, with Secret Agent Man's body armor~  

~the wearing of long, brown bath towels as tunics~ 

~one young man wearing a black, curly wig~ 

~a homemade crossbow being fired~  

~an arrow being used inappropriately, as a body part no less~

~lots of laughter, fun, and camaraderie~ 

Though I still haven't witnessed the completed video, I have no doubt the high school teacher will let me watch, if I email a quick request......

"True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country."  

Kurt Vonnegut  

  

The Leaves Must Fall

I don't know what it is about falling leaves that I enjoy so much.  

Maybe it is watching them float to the ground, like snow, that makes it such a peaceful season for me.  

Perhaps it is the crunchy sound underfoot that I enjoy so much.  Maybe it is the memory of my children playing in them.  

Secret Agent Farmer Man likes to mow over them, but I would let them pile up to the roof top.  

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."  

Emily Bronte  

Friday Randoms

The temperatures are really starting to fall in Kentucky, as evidenced by this poor Zinnia.  

I don't have the urge to live in New York City, but this house is almost too good to pass up. 

Unearthing history is something that really intrigues me.  This is quite a find.....

Secret Agent Farmer Man likes to listen to Puddles sing, but me not so much.  Maybe it is the clown costume that just doesn't do it for me.  Anyway, you can check him out here.  

This is my choice, a classic from Allison Krauss to send you off into the weekend, right here.  

Linking up with Tanya today!

Thoughtful Thursday

With our weird and wild weather recently, my eye is always on the sky.  Though the weather has given us some trouble, it does give the best views.  Thankful this Thursday for not too much rain.  I am sure the dogs will be thankful when it dries up a bit.  After having them cooped up in the house this week, I will be glad to see some sunshine myself.  

"It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, it is what you have in your heart." 

Author Unknown  

Linking up today with Teresa......

Ring the Bell

I am fortunate to have had this old dinner bell passed down to me.  In my mother's family for generations, it now stands sentry here at the farmette.  

Storms and heavy, flooding rains are moving into our area and staying for the next twenty-four hours.  The last time we had such rains the Man-child paddled the canoe around the pasture.  

If that happens again I just might have to run out and ring the bell myself.  

"The temple bell stops, but I still hear the ringing from the flowers." 

Matsuo Basho

The Solar Project

Some time ago the power line from our barn to the garage fell.  Meaning a costly repair to us as the line needed to be run underground.  While we still had power in the barn, there wasn't any in the garage. Power needed for the son's small workshop and lighting in general.  

Money was going to have to be spent for repairs no matter what we decided to do.  And so, Secret Agent Farmer Man started researching solar power for the garage.  He decided to purchase a kit from Windy Nation and then spread it all out on the kitchen counter.  Because the professional thing to do is work among pasta and pizza boxes....

The four panels arrived several days after the initial kit and inspected.  You can clearly see my kitchen griddle behind Secret Agent Farmer man.  Confiscated by the Man-child for his knife making projects, it will now be powered via solar.  

The panels were attached to the garage roof  tout de suite.  

The panels send energy to the batteries which store it for use.  The box on the left gives information about usage and serves as a plug in device.  This allows our son to run his shop and light his area.  Separate solar lights provide lighting throughout the rest of the five bay building.  

All in all we spent a bit less on the solar project than we would have repairing the existing electrical line/problems.  And, we are not beholden to the electric company for any power we use in this building.....ever.  

Friday Randoms

My reward for early rising each day, is this view.


If you are a fan of Calvin and Hobbes, and who isn't, then you will enjoy this.  

Secret Agent Farmer Man is working on a solar power project for our garage.  A post is forthcoming.


Watched an episode of, Live Free or Die, on the National Geographic channel.  All I can say is Thorn needs to up his game.

How about some Stones to roll us into the weekend.


Go forth and have a great weekend!  Linking up with Tanya! 

Thankful Thursday

Back in the saddle this Thursday morning with a different, "fence view", than usual.  Thankful to see the man-child, (#62!), enjoying his senior year of football.  So hard to believe that he is as old as he is.  Parenting - the days are long, but the years are short.  

Also thankful today for a fantastic visit to the gulf coast and the chance to spend time with my parents.  I spent some quality time with my daughter as she was my traveling buddy for the week.  The men of the house had a full schedule and thus we had a , "chick trip".  

Linking up today with Teresa....

Thankful Thursday

Thankful this Thursday for this view of my neighbor's property.  No buildings to obscure my view, which is something that I truly enjoy.  I have yet to secure a photo of the donkey!  He is on another neighboring farm and seemingly far off in the woods.  

"There are three easy ways of losing money - racing is the quickest, women the most pleasant, and farming the most certain."  

Lord Amherst  

Linking up today with Teresa.....

**That glorious time known locally as, "Fall Break", is upon us and I will be on a blogging break until next Thursday.  See you then...same Bat Time same Bat Channel.**