Day 614

With the way things are for both of us, hubby and I didn't get very far with cutting back the roses today. We did have a helper but she was more interested in playing in the leaves than helping us in the garden.

Day 613

This is the week we're going to cut back our roses for the winter. (With kiddo's help, of course.) Before that happens, just a few last-minute pictures of roses still in bloom.

If you look closely on this next picture you can see a bee at work in the middle of the rose.

Knowing I was patiently waiting, the bee made another appearance.

Day 612

Our backyard seemed a good place to get fall-ish pictures today.

But I sure didn't expect to see a fall picture like this. Poor little Johnny-Jump-Ups are having to fight the leaves.

Day 611

Lab work is back.

After several weeks of hubby's kidney tests improving, these most recent results are heading in the wrong direction. Blah.

And after multiple blood tests from my doctor's appointment this week, two things of note. First, my inflammation number is sky-high. Higher than it has ever been in my life, so no wonder I've been hurting. Secondly, of all the numerous things they were checking for no fewer than 10 (that's ten) came back abnormal. Just great.

While that may be sarcastic, what is not sarcastic is how great the quilting is turning out on the kids' quilts from Day 602, Day 605, and Day 607.

I'm especially proud of the work I'm doing on the purple one from Day 607. Straight stitching, a meandering stitch, my favorite curls, a decorative stitch, and even a getting-better-all-the-time free motion flower. I love how it looks on the bright purple section of the backing. I just might be able to call myself a quilter pretty soon.

Day 610

On my way back from the gas station I took the back road across the dam. The foliage around the lake is always pretty this time of year so I stopped to get some pictures.

While I got exactly what I was looking for - pictures like this one - I also got much more.

I've learned that if I'm patient enough I can get an even better picture. As I was sitting waiting for the sun to break through the clouds a bit more, some birds appeared and decided to line up for me.

Most of them flew away but a few stuck around.

And just in case I missed my shot, one stayed behind.