for the little things~for the least of things

Good morning everyone from here along the Western Slopes.....  It's a pictorial blog post today as it seems as though all of the seasons here in southwestern Colorado are fighting for the right to be seen, felt and heard.  The times "they may be a changin" but the seasons are doing their dance as well.  Winter is trying to cut in and take over for autumn just a tad bit early but spring and summer's voices are echoing in the background so as not to be forgotten.  Have a beautiful day that turns into a wonderful weekend everyone and greetings from here in Montrose, Colorado~a place far, far away.

The leaves of the Cottonwood trees lie still and golden on the front lawn just waiting for Mike and I to mow them up into mulch for next spring's garden.  It didn't take long for them to drop.

Don't even bother telling these snapdragons that their growing season is over.  Through rain, sleet, snow, wind, and freezing temperatures aplenty, they still stand as beautiful as they were this summer along the east end of the clothesline.

The stately Cottonwood tree just to the west of the house still remains fully decked out with its leaves of the summer, but sooner or later even they will fall.  My favorite sweatshirt is hanging out to dry on this November 2nd day.  The sky is blue here today with not a cloud to be seen for miles around.

The snow covered San Juan mountains just to the south of us.  Each week they receive even more snow and will now stay covered with it until the early days of June next year.  By Monday of this week, even those of us in the valley will see some of the white stuff's arrival as well.  The alfalfa field, barren of much vegetation, is getting ready to rest and sleep until next year's first cutting arrives.

Old paint stirring sticks mark the spots where beautiful red tulips will make their appearance in the early days of spring in 2014.  We planted about a hundred of them around the house and yard, hoping that at least a few will make it through the long Rocky Mountain winter.

Barren for the winter time, even the state tree of my beloved Kansas deserves to get its due rest.

The 55-year old kid that lives here will sooner or later have to get rid of his carved pumpkin but it was a lot of fun to watch while he did it.

Time to put away all of the last vestiges of summertime's warm weather activities.  Summer, I will miss you until next year my friend.

Sally and I~She loves Mike more than she loves me but I will "do" as a friend when he is not at home.   Although she will never be like my Oblio the roundhead (and since that would make Sally a cat, well you see why that's not possible) but she is good "medicine" for me when I feel homesick for Kansas and my friends/family back there.

Look for the little things today, each of you.  There's a lot of pleasure, much peace in the things just outside your front door.  Don't be in too big of a hurry as you make your way this day.  You might miss some of the best stuff around and hey, it's pretty much "free".