Fall in Logan Lake

Fall is coming a little earlier this year

The rain falls, steady and cold

And creates a white mist in the mountains

And the chill seeps into my bones

I close the windows and turn up

The thermostat for our fireplace

And it clicks on, flames shooting upwards

And sending out welcoming, radiant, heat

My old cat, Henry, moves to the rug

In front of the fireplace

And settles down for a comfortable snooze

Phoebe moves to the pet bed near the fireplace

And smiles as she snuggles

Into the warmth of the pet bedding

Encompassed in the radiant heat

Gradually the other cats come in to join us

Leaving the wet ground in the pet garden

And abandoning the mouse-watch area

In return for a snooze in our warm and cozy living room

The garage has been cleaned out

And the Jeep sleeps in there once more each night

The garden tools have been brought inside

And the watering hoses disconnected

Ready for their winter's hibernation

Stews and casseroles are now on the menu once again

To almost completely replace the salads and the quiches

Comfort food is called for

Warm, tasty, and satisfying to the body and the soul

Winter will soon be here, I can feel its approach

And we'll be ready for it when it comes

Snow shovel in the garage

Extension cord for the Jeep's block heater

Ready for its winter duties

But for now, we'll take Fall

With its rainy days and its trees shedding leaves

And we'll get ready for long evenings indoors

With good books

Old favourites and future favourites

The seasons come and go

My pet family and I are safe and snug

In our Logan Lake home

Our little home in the west.

The Lanes of Bratton Fleming, Devon

Photo by Bridget Moore, Devon (c)

Living in Bratton Fleming was a joy

A quiet, safe, community

With countryside views from our home

Green rolling hills, scattered with trees

And silver streams running across narrow lanes

It's there I spent hours walking my dog

My dear spaniel, Topsy

She was full of joy

And her happiness at simple things was contagious

She'd wag her tail and her whole body in an ecstacy of excitement

In the spring time

When the wild flowers bloomed

It was a feast for the eyes

And we'd pause on our walk, down the lanes

And gaze across fields and meadows

At the bobbing daffodils

Or snowdrops

Or bluebells

Each season presenting a different kaleidoscope of colour

We'd walk the lanes, my dog and I

And I thought I'd never leave my beloved Devon

Fate had a different life in store for me, for a while

But I will return

My spaniel has passed away

And I have another dog to walk

And I can hardly wait to introduce

My Toffee dog to an English country lane

I know she'll love it

And together, we'll create our own

Special walks and places

Somewhere in Devon

I'm not sure where

But its gentle, rolling countryside

And flower filled fields

Are calling me home.