"First Cold of the season"...or...I feel like crap

Dear Blog,

So both Kevin and I have told the kids not to send their kids here when they are sick...HARK!! I catch every bad germ they drag in and even though those little germ carriers are up and running with their runny noses while hacking out their little healthy lungs I am put down and out.

Here's me...down and out. Even a bit feverish. It will be a (call-in sick) week for me. I'm thinking of making a small pot of chicken soup to have with my orange juice and hot tea. I was so hoping to put this winter gunk off until it is actually winter. Thanks to Libby and that 45 pound ball of snot...Henry J. I have been gifted with it early again this year. The doc won't let me get the flu shot until this is gone so I at least am able to put the dreaded flu shot off for a couple more weeks. I always end up with a low grade fever and all over icky feeling for a few days after I get it. Nothing bothers the old boy. Butt-holey-o.

On a good note...we have beautiful weather here today and we actually have a sunny ski. About a quarter of the leaves have turned colors and the autumn beauty is taking over. I heard that the colors up north...closer to the Canadian border...are like 75% at peak. This is the time of year for a road trip north with the camera in hand. But then again, how many pictures of colored leaves and trees could one possibly want? Still, it would be a beautiful ride. Maybe take a cooler with a picnic lunch and pee can with. I can't go anywhere without some sort of port-a-potty these days. Especially on days when I bloat up and need to take a diuretic.

The one or two squirrels that neighbor Rick has not hoarded...have gone into hiding and are not building new nests in the tall oaks for winter. I am not very fond of old Rick any longer. Squirrel thief.

I've fallen madly in love with the new TV show that has replaced "All my Children". It's called "The Chew" and is a cooking/healthy/nutrition show. It's been on for only 3 days and I have enjoyed every minute of all three shows. One's never too old to learn a new trick. It's on at noon on ABC here. We have the CST. Check it out you might love it too.

One of the good things about fall...beside the kids going back to school...is the new TV programs. Especially for those of us that are pretty much house and deck bound. I am so thankful that Kevin built me these two great decks last spring. They really opened up the outside world for me. And the computer and TV bring the outside world into my home to keep me company. I do wish the phone would stop ringing all of the time with sale calls.

The crochet hooks and yarn have moved (in their basket) back to their winter spot by my favorite TV chair. Richelle sends me a bundle of crossword puzzles every week or two and of course I have books up the wazoo. How do people ever get bored? I never seem to have enough time to get all I want to do, see or read done.

The last of my tomatoes and dahlias were brought in last week. Four deep wine-colored dahlias in a vase has brightened this whole week up. My scruffy little rose bush is still full of the pretty pink roses that seem so delicate and that I so love. I am always surprised that they are the last to give into the weather of fall. There's lots of yard clean-up to do and of course there will be a couple of raking the fallen leaves weekends.

So it's back to stews, root veggies and squash, roast and such again. Maybe one or two more grill meals on the warm days. And life goes on and the weather will get very cold and the snow will turn everything white and I will bring the quilts back out and these darn kids and grand kids will bring me colds and the rest of the crud that comes with little boys who go to school, do lots of homework, and give out big hugs and snotty wet kisses.

UGH!!! Germs.

Bye Blog, JjB...
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