Some people cringe at cool days with clear blue sunshine followed by an early sunset. For me, they are both energizing and cozy. Here is a glimpse of the things that are capturing my attention.
The Waupaca Area Triathlon is held in August each year. George and I volunteer and earn funds for the library. The 2014 triathlon will be held on August 16 next year. If you have any desire to participate, let me know how to encourage you! Both the short and long courses fill up most years.
Swim to bicycle transition area
Our garden might not contain a large variety of plants, but the ones we do have are plentiful.
Tomato frog, August 11
Garden spider, August 14
George planted hardy hibiscus from seed this spring. Most of them were transplanted into a row containing composted manure. The difference in height is apparent, but the difference in number of leaves on each is striking!
Hibiscus seedling
Hibiscus with compost
The composted row is in the foreground. The second row with zinnias and zucchinis has the small hibiscus in it.
Garden rows
Our property lines follow the road and perpendicular as marked by the stop sign.
Looking northeast
The large tank behind the clothesline belongs to the neighbors. Jack and Ed helped us with the steps on the deck earlier this year.
Backyard
Asian pears are ripening on a tree planted several years ago.
Asian pears
Grasshopper, September 1
Tomatoes on the vine
I estimate that I picked over 100 pounds of tomatoes on Monday. This is the second picking.
Tomatoes in a pile
While I was picking, I found a monarch caterpillar preparing to form a chrysalis on one of the tomato plants.
Monarch caterpillar
When I checked back today, it had transformed. According to The Life Cycles of Butterflies, “If this phase of its life cycle occurs during the warm summer months, the butterfly should be fully developed and ready for eclosion, or emergence from its chrysalis, in about two weeks. If the insect enters its chrysalis phase during the cooler months of autumn, then it may wait out the winter by going into diapause, hibernating until warmer spring weather arrives.” Since I’ve seen so few butterflies this season, I get excited when they do appear.
Monarch chrysalis
Each year a group of friends gathers to camp, gather mosquito bites, and eat. This was our 20th year. William, Violet, and James explored a geocache at Lake Kegonsa State Park.
Geocache explorers
Those of us without dogs checked out the White Oak Nature Trail.
Sunny smiles
Son and dad
A happy couple
Indian pipe
Almost a sphere
Pollinator
Farmer George
Professor George, first day of school (again)
Happy Autumn!
samplingitall 
I’m glad to see the pile of tomatoes is at your house instead of mine!!
We have more if you change your mind!
You have taken many beautiful photos of your garden. I love the tape measure and comparison of soil. And I like the Farmer George and Professor George photos, how did you sneak those?
The George transformation is remarkable – way to get it on film! 🙂
I’d like to know what Jack and Jenny’s boys think of George’s first day of school photo.
Regarding the George photos, you may have noticed that they aren’t the best. A silly face in the first one and overexposed professor in the second. That’s how I get George photos…fast and however I can!
[…] butterfly emerged! Well, I think that it was our butterfly. (See Approaching Autumn.) The tomato stalk that the chrysalis was attached to fell over, like tomatoes do at this time of […]