Ready for the plow

Stakes are high. My dear wife Karen and I looked outside our front door and realized that our plowing company rep had stealthily places this season’s stakes to mark the edges of our driveway. New this year: The markers are skinny, blue synthetic poles instead of the bigger wooden stakes of the decade past. Also,…

See you before winter

Scenic. Yes, I will return before the snow piles up, I thought before I turned back toward my car, taking in the beauty of Onondaga Lake Park during autumn. Of course, in Central New York, snow can fly any day now. Stick on the grass, even. Hopefully, not accumulate too much on the roads. Knock…

Past peak

Bye-bye. Gone with the wind, I thought as I encountered some trees that have dropped more leaves than most this autumn. To be bare soon enough. Sigh.

Can’t hide it

Round the bend. The clouds and trees tried their best to hide the early morning sun during my Onondaga Lake Park autumn stroll. Couldn’t quite pull it off, though.

Happy trails

Not many walkers. Yes, it was chilly when I decided to stroll my favorite local park next to the lake. The scene I soaked in on the path was beautiful. That way, too. I even spotted another appreciator of the morning quiet when I turned toward the sun.

Smoke on the water

Temperature’s rising. When the previous night’s sub-freezing chill meets the next morning’s warm-up, our lake sends up steam to help set the autumn scene. I loved it a lot during my morning stroll.

Taking its turn

Peeking at the peak. Let’s Go Orange, I thought as I took my Onondaga Lake Park stroll. Yes, it’s seemed that the trees in my part of the world changed colors later than usual. Great contrasts. But the blazing red and orange sure was worth the wait, especially set off against the brilliant blue sky.

Holiday feel

Great prep. Yes, workers at Onondaga Lake Park have made progress in setting up the many light displays that will soon be twinkling every night pre-Thanksgiving to post-New Year’s Day. Twinkle in my eye. It makes my autumn stroll jaunty indeed.

Back home

Almost empty. As the last days of October wound down, I took a stroll through my lovely Onondaga Lake Marina to take note of the boat count. Going, going, almost completely gone. Can’t say I blame the owners for taking their crafts out of the water and bringing back to wherever they spend the cold…

Happy Halloween

Pretty setting. The good folks who set things up at our neighborhood supermarket Nichols do a good job of finding the right mood each holiday season. A lot for this day. They carefully picked the right ingredients for Oct. 31 for all who enter and exit the store. Happy Halloween, all.