Meanwhile on the North Fork...........

[Volkonski]

Afternoon temperature in the low 60s with bright sunshine makes the porch a great place to be again.

The dreaded pumpkin traffic has returned. Probably worse today since last weekend was a complete rain out.

We have two more visitors to close out the season. On Thursday Mrs. V's BFF since before she was born will arrive for two nights then on Saturday Mrs. V's brother from North Carolina and his wife will arrive for a week.

Then we will shutdown like crazy in order to depart on November 3rd.

[Volkonski]

Since 1976-

[Volkonski]

Columbus Day, Indigenous People's Day in some states.

There will be a big parade in NYC today. Italian Americans will show their pride.

The Oldies station's morning DJs have been singing a Columbus Day song they learned in grade school. Good singers they are not.

Mrs.V and I have mailed our ballots for the election. Texas still allows old folk to vote by mail. Probably they imagine we are all Republicans. With some Republicans threatening Social Security they may be disappointed in that this year.

We are in for a week of perfect autumn weather. Highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s. Lots of sunshine.

[Volkonski]

Sitting on the porch waiting for the cesspool cleaner.

The town's modern sewer system doesn't reach this far out yet.

[Volkonski]

The cesspool is now empty.

Typically lasts 2 seasons before it has to be pumped out again.

Just have to refrain from using the dishwasher and clothes washer for 2 days while the chemicals do their thing.

[Volkonski]

Spent the whole morning at the local dealer getting things done to our Pacifica. Total cost nearly $1400!

Big problem turned out to be that both batteries (the Pacifica has two) were about to fail which caused a lot of spurious warning lights on the dashboard. Computer analysis reported that all systems were in fact working properly.

They really need a warning that the batteries are about to fail.

Then a lot of little things-

Windshield wipers

Oil change

Tire rotation

Air filters

And so forth, but the Pacifica app on the smartphone now shows no problems, correct air pressure in the tires, fresh oil and no regular maintenance due.

We we are ready for our drive back to Texas.

[Foggy]

Then a lot of little things-

Tsk, tsk, insufficient description, it's AUTUMN!

pumpkin spice Windshield wipers

pumpkin spice Oil change

pumpkin spice Tire rotation

pumpkin spice Air filters

And so forth, but the Pacifica app on the pumpkin spice smartphone now shows no problems, correct air pressure in the tires, fresh oil and no regular maintenance due.

We we are ready for our drive back to Texas.

There, all fixed up.

[Volkonski]

Well, you can get pumpkin spice car air fresheners.

[Volkonski]

A sunny and mild morning now but heavy rain is on the way.

But for now I sit on the porch in short sleeves enjoying the sun.

[Volkonski]

With 2 days of rain coming the lawnmowers have begun early today.

Most of the trees around us are still green but when it gets breezy the leaves start falling.

[Volkonski]

Let history record that today the leaves on the North Fork started falling in large numbers.

Not much fall color. The summer drought is being blamed.

[Volkonski]

We will leave for Texas 3 weeks from today.

The brothers of Mrs.V's cousin who lives down by the Bay are here to close up the cottage just to the west of us. Yep, it is autumn.

[Volkonski]

With maybe minutes to go before the rain arrives our lawn service is here. If nothing else they will take up all the leaves that fell today.

Getting quite dark now so the rain is almost here.

[Volkonski]

Rain.

Lots of rain in the darkness.

[Volkonski]

[Volkonski]

The annual switch from noisy lawnmowers to noisy leafblowers has happened this week.

It only gets quiet at night.

[Volkonski]

A return to beautiful mild weather today has me back on the porch.

Mrs.V, her NC brother and his wife are out shopping and visiting a winery. That's too much walking for me just now. Besides someone has to keep the cats company.

Our lawn service didn't come yesterday so I expect them this afternoon with leafblowers at the ready.

The weather this weekend is forecast to be like today so we are expecting the pumpkin traffic to be horrendous.

[Volkonski]

Our leafblowers are here!

[Volkonski]

And now they are raking up the piles of leaves in the traditional way.

[Volkonski]

They will mulch those and sell that mulch to me next year.

[Volkonski]

Nine turkeys now in our front yard. Making a lot of noise.

[pipistrelle]

Nine turkeys now in our front yard. Making a lot of noise.

Gotta be preferable to the leaf blowers and lawn mowers. I'd love me some turkeys in my theoretical yard.

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

Nine wild turkeys in my yard,
One flies away, then there are eight.
Eight wild turkeys in my yard...

[Volkonski]

Nine wild turkeys in my yard,
One flies away, then there are eight.
Eight wild turkeys in my yard...

Still nine this morning.

Migrating geese overhead just now. Honk, honk, honk...............

[Volkonski]

Later Mrs. V counted 17 turkeys in our front yard and the Circle.