Fall is Here

Guess it's about time!  I finally updated the blog lead-in photo to a Fall picture of our house.  Temps have been in the mid-60's during the day and mid-upper 30's at nighty - so it's either late fall or early winter.  Not sure when the first day of winter is but I bet it's getting close.  They're predicting a heavy frost for tomorrow morning.  I've noticed that our mountain forests are not as colorful as they probably used to be.  They have harvested most of the hemlock and a lot of the maples and other hardwoods that have the more colorful leaves during the fall changes.  In fact, most of the trees remaining are assorted softwood firs and pines and a few hardwood species of oaks and hickory.  There's also a whole lot of junk trees such as the sycamore and sweet gum etc.  I imagine there's a lot more species of trees than what I know about but unless you get into an older growth forest, you don't usually see the vivid color like they have in the northern states like Maine and Vermont.
Ah Well - I just finished up a project for a homeowner over near Picket State Park.  He was not able to find anyone to help with scraping and painting the upper reaches of his home.  So - I volunteered to give him a hand.  I must admit it was a bit precarious but we got it done anyway. 

 

 

 

It's about 33' to the peak of the roof.  I was really glad they had that cross beam up there.  Even though it was decorative it gave me a place to put the paint bucket and help me free up a hand to hang on with.  I'm sure OSHA would not approve of my methods but it worked.  And so tomorrow, back to the mundane work of installing insulation and framing etc etc.  Looking forward to some light work for a change where I can keep both feet on the ground.

Just finished talking with my son, Stephen.  He was telling me that our new grandson, Kai, is a real quiet baby and a sleeper.  They have to wake him up for feedings and unless he's wet or has a stomach ache, he just sleeps.  I told Stephen to enjoy it cause it's unusual.  But then, Stephen was the same way.  When we brought him home we were expecting to do shifts to cover the all night vigils associated with babies and the wet diapers and every two hour feedings.  Didn't happen with Stephen.  Anyway, he and his wife, Lisa, are coping well and are adjusting to parenthood.  Well - that's about it for now.  

 

Noah's Weather

Firstly - We've recently had a new addition to the Elston Family Tree.  A new Grandson, Baby Kai, Born 11 Oct, weighing in at 7lbs 9ozs to Stephen and Lisa.

Unfortunately Cathy and I were unable to be there but we'll try to make it up in the not to distant future.  He looks just like his Daddy.  Welcome aboard Kai and standby for the adventures in your life.

Wow - It's been raining nearly everyday for the past two weeks.  This has got to be the wettest summer/fall I've ever seen.

  I'm probably gonna have to mow the yard one more time cause it's green and growing.  I was reminded this morning by a good friend, that this blog was delinquent on entries and she was absolutely right.  I've been quite remiss and will try to regain my self-esteem by being more diligent. RIGHT!!!  Anyway - my sister Diane came for a week visit this month.  She does internet medical transcription and has trouble finding time to get away but she finally made it.

As luck would have it, the weather was perfect for an afternoon on Dale Hollow Lake so we took a lunch and lazied around on the lake.

Good thing we took advantage of the opportunity cause the next day the weather turned to crap and has been that way almost everyday since.  We still had a good time.  Took her to O'Charley's in Cookeville for a prime rib dinner.  Always enjoy this meal which, admittedly, is loaded with cholesterol, but Wow - what a steak.  Our waiter, Josh, recommended we try a locally brewed lager beer, Calf Killer, which is brewed near Sparta, Tennessee and it has become our favorite with this meal.  Cathy and I usually eat here in the early afternoon but this time it was much later and Josh had just finished his shift but he stayed around to wait our table and chat, as usual.  Needless to say, his dedication was duly reflected in his tip.
Just recently Cathy was diagnosed with spinal stenosis.  It has been causing her extreme pain in the lower back and legs.  She is now scheduled for back surgery for a laminectomy and fusion of the spine on 30 October.  Although we're both apprehensive, we're also looking forward at not having to deal with the continuous pain - we hope.  As always, there's no guarantee the surgery will relieve all the pain but it has to help some.  Neither of us has had more than an hour of sleep at a time and it is taking it toll on our nerves.   Well, that about catches the blog up to date.  Thanks Barb for the reminder.  Until next time, Ta Ta...