Our wonderful weather is about to change.  Today is 80 degrees, sunny with a little humidity and no complaints from anyone.  We've experienced chamber of commerce conditions for the month of October and with all the festivals and outdoor activities in western NC, this has been a bonus.  Leaves began gently dropping a few weeks ago until just the other day little bursts of wind invaded the forest and the trees gave up their hold.   Crispy yellow ocher and  brown leaves rained onto the porch and the forest floor.

From my view at the edge of the garden.......................

morning glories still vining

a winter squash hiding under nasturtiums

 nasturtiums

cabbage not too badly destroyed by slugs

rosemary and parsley

broccoli

I've been able to freeze 5 bags of  chopped red and green peppers for winter recipes and picked the last of the kale the other day.  The bottom third of the garden was cleared of tired vegetables and 6' weeds so Cliff could play with the tiller.

I'm going to get him some side-view mirrors for his glasses.  Note the large dead tree laying horizontally as he works the tiller in reverse.  Next time I saw him he was on his back with his legs up in the air!  I wanted to snap that scene, but figured the wifely thing to do first was to check and see if he was ok.

The last day we saw the only  HB that hung around after all the others left was October 22, the latest we've seen HBs in the 4 years we've been living in NC. The feeders will remain hanging on the porch for another 10 days to feed any travelers on their way south.  With our first cold front moving in, we can breathe easier knowing all the hummingbirds have begun their migration.  Temperatures this week will drop to upper 20's at night and high 40's during the day.  We did our pre-burn in the wood stove yesterday.  Cliff gathered boxes of kindling, and we have firewood stacked on the back porch.  We're ready for the first cold snap.