Brisk autumn winds are rustling through these final days of October, rudely shredding fragile leaves from trees and impatiently sweeping away the golden memories I desperately try to retain.
Last week was glorious, with balmy sunshine and a burst of Indian Summer accompanied by 80 degree temperatures.
This week was dismal with heavy rains courtesy of tropical storm Zeta and languid mists that nestled in the Tennessee forests and hills.
Last night the temperature dropped drastically, reminding me that November waits in the wings with the somber promise of winter.
Earlier this week I stepped out on the front porch one morning and saw a whitetail deer in my front yard.
I grabbed my El Cheapo camera, eager to take some pictures, when - out of nowhere - two work trucks came rumbling down the narrow road that winds past my property. The deer got scared and ran away...and I only got one photo.
When I first moved here (six years ago) there were lots of deer, wild turkeys, and other beautiful critters of the forest. Unfortunately, a steady influx of logging trucks and hunters are destroying the harmony of nature.
After the deer ran away, I took a few more photos from the front porch. The colorful foliage is fading quickly.
And the misty back yard (below)
Yesterday afternoon (Thursday) the rain and mists finally blew away, leaving clear skies for the end of October.
I had planned on posting lots of Halloween-oriented things this month, but a myriad of personal problems have been sapping my energy and inspiration - to the point where I'm completely drained and hardly able to function.
But enough of this.
Halloween is nearly here. Let's savor the final remnants of October.
