Summer Slides into Fall

St. Croix Falls

Fall Photos
After my return from Ottawa, the weather began to warm and we enjoyed several 80-degree days at the end of last week, extending through the weekend. We put away our jeans and delayed shoving our shorts into our Florida wardrobe drawers.

Dahlias at the Arboretum

Outdoor projects can wait. Day junkets to St. Croix Falls and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum reminded us that retirement  gives us the opportunity to enjoy drives in the country when others are at work. On Sunday, we fell back into our year-round habit of afternoon appetizers at Pier 500 in Hudson.

Waking up to autumn on Monday was something of a shock. By Wednesday we  were used to the idea, and a day of rain seemed like a good time to have the carpets cleaned. Today, surfaces are almost dry and I'll take advantage of clear surfaces to declutter and clean.

However, virtue has its limits. More rain today and I think I need lunch out ... or something!


Fall on the Mississippi River in St. Paul

Gatineau and the Temiscaming Reunion - September 19-21

Photos  and blog posts.

I was in the Ottawa area for my hometown reunion two weekends ago, September 19-21. Last year, I got sick with a bad cold and returned from the reunion 3 days early, so I decided that I would simply do a one-stop trip this year -- a good idea because I was ready to return home after Saturday's festivities.

The cross-country flights to and from Detroit were very enjoyable on two sunny days. I quite enjoyed several hours at DTW on both days, although I couldn't get the configuration right for free Wifi access. No matter: it's a great place for people watching and Louise Penny's Long Way Home, sent by my sister just before I left, kept me entertained.