On Wallin Pond

It's interesting how circumstances and events in our childhood continue to influence our thinking and behavior into adulthood.  I grew up on a farm, the buildings of which were in the middle of fields of grain, corn and alfalfa.  We couldn't see another building, house or barn from our house.  Sometimes we could see smoke from a neighbor's chimney, but we had the illusion of privacy and lots of space.  This probably explains why I have been wishing for a little more privacy as I look out my kitchen window.  I would prefer to look at trees or bushes or a more rural scenery.  Instead I see straight across the road into our neighbor's house.  I see every time they walk their dogs, every time they leave the house, every time they mow their lawn or work in their gardens.

So this morning we had 4 western red cedar trees delivered and Andy spent the morning planting them.

They will supposedly grow to 50-60 feet tall with a spread of 15-20 feet.  They aren't filling in the gaps yet but I have high hopes that in only a few short years, my view from my kitchen window will be more trees and less neighbors.
 

Today was such a beautiful fall day.  After cleaning the bathrooms, I did some more bush trimming.  This crape myrtle bush grew amazingly tall since being planted, but I had to trim it back so Andy isn't frustrated when he has to clean the gutters.  I have to keep him happy where these bushes next to the house are concerned because cleaning gutters is not a pleasant job for him and if bushes are in his way, he may hack them back mercilessly.  As painful as it is for me to prune bushes, I'm sure it hurts me more than it hurts them!

When I was trimming the trumpet vine, I discovered a little nest.  I wondered if it might be a hummingbird nest, but on studying into the matter, I think it might have been too big.  According to the all-knowing google, a hummingbird nest is only as wide as a dime.  So maybe it was a tufted titmouse nest.  I tried to get the nest out of the vine, but it was intertwined securely among the branches and it tore apart on me.  It was a good spot for a nest because it was well hidden before I started pruning and cutting branches.

Our weekend was a good mix of people and alone time.  On Saturday our friend's daughter was married and we attended the wedding.  Stacey had worked for us in the office for eight years so we knew her well.  We are very happy for her, she waited patiently for Mr. Right.

On Sunday after church we met up with some of our older single friends at The Olde World Bakery for lunch.  There were so many of us that by the time we all ordered and got our food, it was well past lunch time.  But the fellowship was sweet and the food was good.  We had planned to go on a hike at Smithville Park after lunch and we did drive over there, but Andy and I couldn't stay because he had to be back for choir practice at the church at 4:00 pm.  We did get a hike in, though, just the two of us.  After choir practice and a bite to eat, we went over to Laurel Acres Park and walked around the lake.

The cool fall days are so invigorating.  We've been walking a lot more after dinner, enjoying the great outdoors and the exercise.