Scenes from Haywood Hollow

Hello dear friends!

Although it still seems like we are on an extended vacation,
the fact remains that we are NOT!

This being retired business feels pretty strange too.
Among other things, I'm getting used to not getting up and getting myself all prettified for work.
Geesh...I used way too many gettings in that last sentence, didn't I?
See what happens when you retire?
But on the the upside, think of how much $$ I'll save on makeup!
And, I'm learning how to sleep in...
...instead of getting up at 4:30, I now sleep until 5:30...even 6:00 one day!
That's saying a lot since we are on central time and it was actually 7:00 eastern time.😁
And these guys certainly look right at home, don't they?

They don't care where they go as long they are with us.
And they also have new cousins (cousins???) to play with.
This is Millie...



...and this is Dolly, the two newest members of the family.

These sweet dogs were evidently dropped off down the road and hanging out together.
Dolly, an Australian Shepherd mix, is unrelated to what were three German Pointer pups,
including the one now known as Millie.
Adam took them all to the vet where they were checked out, vaccinated and the females spayed.
And they are now living the good life, getting lots of food, water and plenty of attention.
The other two pointer pups were also adopted very quickly.
~
So one beautiful but chilly morning this week while Jim was taking the kids to school,
I decided I needed a good, brisk walk so I donned my chicken boots and flannel jacket...



...and proceeded down the 1/2 mile plus decline to the bottom and then over to our land.

There was no frost up top but quite a heavy one down below.

Bonfire, anyone?

I could have used one right about then since the sun had not yet peeked up over the hill.

Too bad I had forgotten my matches. 😏

Some fall color is finally beginning to show it's beautiful face.

It's kind of amazing to see these lovely little wildflowers still blooming...

...among these dried up thistles.

I'm not sure what kind of tree or bush this is...

the branches were heavy laden with these clusters of berries.

But I do know what these (below) are and believe me, they are plentiful.

I am envisioning fresh blackberries included in many recipes next summer. 😋

Just a little nippy for swinging...I think I'll pass.

~

Time to trek back up to the "house"...

On my way back up the steep incline, my eye was drawn to this huge but familiar tree.

Adam, Carrie and the kids carved their initials into it when they first bought this land,

long before they built their lovely home.

But I think this was the first time I noticed that the tree had legs and a...crotch.

Well, what else would you call it? 

And this is a super cool way that the neighbors below get water for their livestock...

...the spring coming off the side of the mountain drains through this pipe under the gravel road

and empties into a hose that fills their watering trough below...pretty smart!😉

Up, up, up...

...finally I made it to the top.

I was tired...but it was exhilarating!

Just what I needed.

~

Such is life in Haywood Hollow...I still can't believe we're here...

...and as I always say, God is GOOD.