Coke Machine Glow

One of my goals in 2020 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

I really enjoy Gord Downie’s solo music and his band The Tragically Hip. Coke Machine Glow is the companion poetry book to his album of the same name.

IMG_3866.jpg

To accompany his solo album, Gord Downie collected this book of poetry incorporating the lyrics from the album.

An atmospheric and graphic look at life on the road, this books has mostly short poems. I’m not a huge poetry person, but I guess if I had to choose, I prefer short poems. Three to five lines seems to be my favorite. Perhaps my favorite style of poetry are haikus. I love poems that can make you see or feel something in only a few lines. Having had a little taste of life of the road living with a band in my youth I liked that these poems reminded me of that time. That was also the time that I got in to Downie’s music so the whole collection was very nostalgic for me. Overall, I didn’t love this book tho and still don’t love poetry collections. I got thru this book in a day, but the only entries that stuck with me were the lyrics I already knew. I liked that Coke Machine Glow included the lyrics form the album bc it helped me to think of all the poems as songs, which made this book easier for me to digest. I would recommend this book if you are a fan of Downie’s music or the tragically hip, to those who love poetry or who want a glimpse of life on the road in prose, and people who have an affinity for Canadians.

Have you every listened to Gordon Downie or the Tragically Hip?

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

6 More Months of Zero Waste | Find the Hidden Plastic | November

At this point in your Zero Waste Journey you might be getting pretty adept at avoiding the major plastic and waste items. Plastic bags, plastic straws and single use water bottles are among some of the easier, more obvious, single use waste generators to avoid. Some items we have identified, like tetra-paks, to go coffee cups, disposable bathroom items might be less obvious and took us more time to root out of our lives. These items may be harder to give up completely.

Having become used to avoiding these two categories of waste, we have to move on to the next step. Time to level up in our zero waste journey and learn to avoid the more hidden plastic in our day to day lives.

Moving to the next step definitely involves more research and attention to detail. Reading labels, identifying what other names plastic goes by, and making sure to weed out hidden plastic items that we already own will take work.

I’m not much a tea drinker, so it’s taking me a while to get thru these old tea bags. When I use one, I rip it open, put the leaves in the compost and throw away the bag that contains plastic.

I’m not much a tea drinker, so it’s taking me a while to get thru these old tea bags. When I use one, I rip it open, put the leaves in the compost and throw away the bag that contains plastic.

Here are some items you might not know contain plastic:

Kraft or paper looking to go containers - similar to to-go cups, these seem like paper, but are lined with plastic cannot be recycled or composted. Don’t be fooled! Bring your own togo container, or choose take out that use non coated containers.

Most clothing - polyester, acrylic, and nylon, are all plastic fibers. try to avoid them. Check labels, and try to buy only natural fibers. You don’t have to donate or throw away the clothes you love that contain plastic, but get a micro plastic catching bag to wash the plastic items you have already in your wardrobe.

Tea bags - almost all tea bags have plastic in them. Get loose leaf tea to avoid worrying about it!

Tampons and other menstrual products - tampons and pads are mostly made from or packaged in plastic. There are many alternatives, like menstrual cups, period underwear and reusable pads.

Disposable masks - these may seem like cloth but they are actually mostly plastic and will break down to micro plastics that will get into the soil, sea and air. These and other disposable PPE are quickly becoming the fastest growing litter on land and in the ocean. Use reusable cloth mask to protect yourself and others!

These are only a few examples of everyday hidden plastics. Are there others you know of and avoid? Share them in the comments!

I try to avoid take out, but sometimes we do end up getting something to go in a box lined with plastic. I wash these out and reuse them as much as possible.

I try to avoid take out, but sometimes we do end up getting something to go in a box lined with plastic. I wash these out and reuse them as much as possible.

If you are new to this series, here’s what we are working on for this 6 moth block. Follow along or pick and choose challenges to try:
June 2020- Say NO, Say Yes
PLASTIC FREE JULY
August 2020 - Carry No Disposables
September 2020 - back to school/educate
October 2020 - Beach clean
November 2020 - Hidden plastic
December 2020 - Repair before you replace

We started our tackling new zero waste challenges six months at a time in 2019:
January 2019 - Trash Audit
We separated and looked our trash to see what we are throwing away and what we can reduce.
February 2019- Declutter Everything
We went thru what we have to declutter and reduce.
March 2019- Switch to Paper
This month we moved to paper to get one step closer to reusables.
April 2019- Compost
Composting is an easy way to reduce food waste and prevent it from reaching the landfill.
May 2019- Meatless Monday
One of the best ways to improve the environment is to stop eating factory farmed meat and industrial fish. Small steps lead to big change so this month we gave up meat (or dairy or fish) for at least one day.
June 2019- No Bottled Water
We gave up bottled water as an avenue to give up more disposable plastic in Plastic Free July.
July 2019 - Plastic Free July!
Go plastic free this month!

In late 2019, we continued our journey to becoming more zero waste:
November 2019 - Zero Waste Kit
We created a zero waste kit to help us be more zero waste in our day to day life.
December 2019- No Gifts
We took Dec to give no gifts and get no gifts.
January 2020 - Clothing and Fast Fashion
This month we explored what fast fashion is, and how we can stop buying it forever.
February 2020- Use Mass Transit
The shortest month seemed like a good time to explore alternatives to driving our cars.
March 2020 - Bathroom Make-over
You’ve swapped out a few items to more sustainable choices around the house. It’s time to tackle a full room.
April 2020- Grow Your Own Food
April marks the start of spring in the continental USA, and when we can start growing food easily. But there are many ways and time to grow your some of own food.

The Borrowers

One of my goals in 2020 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

I loved this book series as a child, but my husband had never heard of The Borrowers by Mary Norton. Talking about it with him made me want to revisit it.

IMG_3856.jpg

Arriety Clock is a typical teenager, she longs to adventure and explore and do other grown up things. Except Arriety is only 3 inches tall.

Told in a flashback story from an aunt to her niece, we are introduced to the borrowers as if no one believed that they exist. When our narrator’s brother gets sick, he is sent to a relatives house to rest and recoup. Telling his story the reader, like the niece, is not sure at first that the events happened or were imagined. But we soon get the perspective from the borrowers themselves. What I remembered most before rereading this story was the pictures and the world building. You are immediately immersed in a rich and interesting world, which is pretty awesome for such a short book. I loved hearing about how the borrowers used everyday objects for their own means and needs. I remember wanting to appropriate every little object in the house and create a borrowers type world for my dollhouse as a child. This book gets a child’s creative mind moving but it also deals with themes of intolerance, xenophobia, and classism. I think this is a great book for sparking young imaginations, and that, along with the gorgeous illustrations, should make this a classic and must read for all children, parents, and the young at heart. In short, I would highly recommend this book.

Have you read The Borrowers or it’s sequels?

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

Unnatural Causes

One of my goals in 2020 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

The third book in the Adam Dalgliesh series, I’m not sure where I picked up Unnatural Causes by PD James. Maybe a book sale?

IMG_3596.JPG

Superintendent Dalgliesh is looking forward to some time away from his work and his personal life. He’s looking forward to quiet days and long walks with his aunt. When a body is discovered, Dalgliesh is drawn into the investigation.

Reading this series out of order was not the best idea. I am constantly tyring to remember where in time and Adam’s career we are when I start a book. I liked that in this book Adam was taking some time for himself. Dalgliesh usually is all business, even most of his travels are done out of some sort of obligation. This book starts with him being excited to visit his aunt, but not looking forward to having to dodge writers in the author enclave where she lives. It’s not ideal that she lives in a den of writers, but he hopes he can avoid most of this bookish community. Since Adam is a published poem, he is able to fit right in, but he finds the community opressively gossipy and catty. My favorite part of this book was how hard James' pokes fun at the book and writer’s community. She clearly doesn’t love this community either, but is also a part of it. Another great and unusual aspect of this book is that Dalgliesh is not the copper on this case. He cannot use his talents, skills, and connections to solved this case in his usually expedient manner. In fact, he can only do investigating, despite the lead detective, instead of ordering the lower ranked officer to act. It’s interesting to see Dalgliesh in such a frustrating position. I would highly recommend this book to those who are following Inspector Dalgliesh’s journey, those who like mysteries set in remote towns or communities, and those who like satires or parodies of the writing world.

Have you read any books about authors communities? One that comes to mind is Bimbos of the Death Sun by Sharyn McCrumb. I remember enjoying that book, although I haven’t read it in many years.

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

Pandemic Pantry | Zero Waste Winter Meals

Recently, I mentioned the joy of using up the last of summer’s bounty. We love summer for it’s fresh fruit and veg. We don’t buy many of these items in the winter bc they are heavily packaged, out of season, not local and don’t taste as good. It worth waiting for a really delicious fresh tomato in our opinion.

In the summer we tend to choose light fresh easy to make meals.

In the winter, we like to have the stove or oven on. We make heartier, warmer, more elaborate, more comforting meals. Here’s what we have been eating more since the weather has changed.

Soup!!
I was soo excited to start making soups again. I am a soup all year round kinda person, but in Fall and Winter, they are particularly enjoyable. Soup is great for your pandemic pantry: Inexpensive, great for using up ingredients that might otherwise go to waste, they freeze well, are quick and easy to make or reheat, among other reasons. We love creamy soups, ramen, and miso soup the most.

Tacos, quesadillas or taco like things
Rice, beans, veggies, tofu, cheese, hot sauce, sour cream, etc… add any and all the good thing to a tortilla, chip or bowl and you got a great meal. These are great Summer meals, with fresh Summer veggies, pico de gallo, but works just as well with pre made salsa, a good way to use the tomatoes you froze, or try winter veggies. All good ways to get the most out of your Winter pandemic pantry.

Pirogies
We love these warming hearty potato and pasta pillows with onions and sour cream. We buy ours pre-made, but choose them packaged without plastic. I like lots of onions, practically burnt. The sour cream in this meal isn’t zero waste, although I have been trying out vegan sour creams to reduce the waste it creates. I would also like to learn to make my own vegan sour cream someday.

Pasta with red sauce
I’m so happy that my favorite pasta company now uses less plastic! I was buying it anyway and recycling the bags, but now I feel even better recycling the cardboard. Pasta is always a great option and so easy top keep in your pandemic pantry. I always make my own tomato sauce: you can check out my recipe here. Make the sauce and keep in the fridge for about a week, or freeze in portions and defrost as needed.

Sides meal
Mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli, stuffing, and/or anything else you can think of can be a sides meal. We def always have mashed potatoes and veg, but other than that, go nuts. Sometimes we play it up with gravy, or sauces and dressings, but mostly we just eat up what ever needs eating in the fridge.

Tofu and rice
This is one of the simplest meals we make, but literally every time we eat it, I’m amazed at how delicious it is. I make the rice, set aside, boil broccoli for about 2 minutes, throw large diced tofu in there right before draining to warm through. Assemble and serve. We like chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and peanuts as toppings, but this is another area where you can use up any sauces or extras you need to eat.

IMG_4332.jpg

We’ll rotate these meals a few times a month in the Winter. With some of the meals, like soup, we’ll eat them a few days in a row. when this happens we often have a big soup for dinner, bread, maybe a salad, and then the next day soup for lunch with any left overs. Finally, we may have the last of the soup as a side, or starter.

None of these meals are totally zero waste, but we try our best and that’s all you can do. With Winter meals we just try to be as mindful as possible.

What are some of your favorite Winter meals? Do you eat differently season to season?

Don't Panic

One of my goals in 2020 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

I’ve had Don’t Panic, The Official Hitchhikker’s Guide to the Galaxy Companion for many many years. When I picked it up again, I had forgotten that this was one of Neil Gaiman’s first book. I couldn’t remember if I had read it (I had), so I started it again.

IMG_3582.JPG

The Hitchhikker’s Guide to the Galaxy was a surprise hit when it was written (and performed, and recorded, and filmed) in the 80s. A comedy, a sci fi, a comentarty, a travelog, it’s not surprising that so many people loved it. A radio play, a record, a book, a computer game, a tv series, it’s not surprising so many people were confused about it’s origins. Don’t Panic! Neal Gaiman is here to unentagle it’s miraculour and drunken beginnings for us.

I was surprised at hoe soon after H2G2 this companion book was written. I started reading H2G2 when I was very little bc a friend recommended it to me and I’ve never stopped reading it. I knew I loved it but I had no idea how beloved and hyped it was by the world (or mostly England?) at the time of it’s inception. This companion explains all the twists and turns that the series took, how it was made, what iterations it became and how Douglas Adams continually said he was not making more books and then did. Even in the eighties, as the books were still being written, people needed a companion to untangle the convoluted path of H2G2. This book was written as guide to the guide, includes interviews and thoughts from the author. It uses a silly and comedic style so that it can be read as a book in it’s own, as well. I feel like this is a must read for anyone who loves The Hitchhikker books or Douglas Adams. It also has some insights into the publishing world and how writers write. I would also recommend this book to anyone who likes to learn about the history of how books, and especially phenom books, were created.

Have you read the Hitchhikkers “ Trilogy? What is a favorite book you’ve read would you like to see/read the history of it’s inception?

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

The Silence of the Lambs

One of my goals in 2020 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

After watching Hannibal, based on the Hannibal Lector Series, and after reading The Red Dragon, the first book in this series, I had to pick up a used copy of the second in the series, Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris.

IMG_3373.jpg

Jack Crawford needs help finding the lastest serial killer he’s been hunting. He can’t turn to Will Graham after his run in with first Hannibal Lector, and then the Red Dragon. He needs Lector himself, but Dr Lector won’t talk to Jack. Enter Starling, a bright and ambitious student at Quanico. Will Lector see the spark in her that Crawford has already identified?

Hannibal Lector is a well known charactor to say the least. Most identified with actor Anthony Hopkins, many people will know at least a little about “Hannibal the Cannibal”. Much like the first book, FBI director Crawford uses a young and talented agent (student, in Starlings case) to help solve a case he is at a stand still with. Her help is needed not in the investigation, but in attracting the attention of and gaining information from Hannibal Lector. She, like Will Graham in Red Dragon, has a quality that Crawford knows Dr Lector cannot resist. The relationship between the three men in the first book and their relationship to the titular character, The Red Dragon, is what makes the first book so appealing. The same is true in Silence of the Lambs. How Crawford manipulates the situation, knows his own shortcomings can be rounded out by the talents of both Starting and Lector, is not only a driving factor of the book, but also a fascinating character trait. And as always, Jack Crawford cares little for who gets caught in the cross fire. While still a genre true thriller, SotL, falls into second book syndrome a bit, by being more about advancing the characters and focusing less on the plot and action of the story. I enjoyed this book, and am interested to see how the trilogy (Yes, I know there are 4 books, but i’m not counting the prequel that Harris was harassed to write), wraps up in Hannibal. I would recommend this book to those who want to continue in the series or people who are reading the source materials for the movies and show, readers who like serial killer mysteries/thrillers, those who are interested in forensic science fiction or FBI fiction.

What’s your favorite second book in a series?

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

The Long-Legged Fly

One of my goals in 2020 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

I always keep my eye out for books set in my favorite cities. The Long Legged Fly by James Sallis always makes in onto lists of books set in New Orleans.

IMG_3365.JPG

I had tried to buy this book second hand several years ago, but it never showed up to my house! When I started my 2020 reading highs, I decided it was time to try to get another copy.

Lew Griffin may have his ups and down, but throughout his life he tried to fight the good fight and stand up for the downtrodden and forgotten.

I thought this book was really interesting. I’ve had some time to separate from it, between reading and writing this review. I think that is good, bc where when I first read it I had very strong feelings, they have mellowed a bit and I’ve decided that I did like this book. The first chapter is absolutely shocking and gripping. But perhaps after starting in such a graphic and astonishing manner, the rest of the book can’t help but be a bit less intense. This book follows Griffin, a PI, from the 60s to the 90s through many changes in his life, and many cases he has had. It was interesting to have a story that was told over many years, and to see those years change our main character. My biggest issue with this book was that the main character is a black man, but written by a white author and Lew Griffin never felt completely believable as a person. Similarly, this book is set in New Orleans (which is why I initially picked it up), but it seems like the author only knows a few things about New Orleans. In short, this book left me feeling like the author was trying to hard to write about things they had no actual experience of, and therefore the book fell short. Now that I’ve had some time to think about it, the things that stuck out the most, and that I liked, were Griffin’s (failed) relationships with people and how he interacted with the world. He was often a passive character but one who’s inactions moved his life along as much as his actions. I hesitate to say I would recommend this book based on it’s flaws.

Have you read this book? What were your thoughts?

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

Mad Cat Capsule | Fall 2020 (Oct, Nov, Dec)

Let’s talk about capsule inspiration pieces: what’s new and what stays the some.

I find that there are lots of pieces that I never take out of my capsule. I often look at these items and think about switching them out. Then, as I’m going thru making my new capsule, I find that I just can’t take them out! This is not to say that they are always a great inspiration to me. Mostly they are too useful, too basic to let go of, even for one season.

In making my fall capsule there were many peices that I left in. I didn’t even complete my capsule until over a month into the quarter. I even thought about not changing my capsule this quarter. I knew I would need more cold weather clothes, so I did eventually switch over. But I feel that the next shift, from Fall to Winter, will be very minor.

In a way, this sounds like there was no inspiration in this capsule. But really, the basics, the utilitarian and simple are the inspiration! My Summer capsule was working so well, was so easy to use, that I almost didn’t need to switch it over. I anticipate this happening again Fall to Winter. In Many ways, thats the goal for a capsule. Not needing to switch out an entire wardrobe only a few weather dependent pieces.

My color scheme for this quarter is dark and light grey (surprise, surprise), black, deep brown, denim blue, and various pops of color. I’m really into thermal long sleeves this capsule.

IMG_4252.JPG

4 dresses - dark denim (thrifted), chambray (thrifted), white eyelet (thrifted), rorschach (small biz, ethical, 7+ years old).

IMG_4256.jpg

6 pants - everlane blue (ethical, sustainable), everlane grey (not pictured, ethical, sustainable), red (thrifted), brown linen (thrifted eileen fisher, ethical, sustainable), American Apparel brown (ethical, 10+), raw edge (not pictured, thrifted).

1 skirt - tea length (10+)

IMG_4258.jpg

3 cardigans - light grey (hand me down), brown (hand me down), dark grey (hand me down).

IMG_4260.JPG

4 sweaters - teal (not pictured, 5+ ), black eye (thrifted, vintage), black and white (7+), orange vest (thrifted, hand made, vintage).

IMG_4262.jpg

5 button down - red and blue (10+), white (15+), blue henley (5+), brown (5+), blue chambray (found).

IMG_4263.jpg

3 long sleeve - lace sweat shirt (thrifted), talulas baseball (work tee, local, ethical sustainable), leopard mock neck (vintage and thrifted).

IMG_4266.jpg

4 waffle tees - dark grey henley (10+), AA light grey (10+, ethical, sustainable), dark grey (5+, hand me down), brown (15+).

IMG_4271.JPG

4 “nice” tees - rainbow (vintage and thrifted), pleated black (hand me down), brown silk (vintage and thrifted), yellow silk (vintage and thrifted).

7 tee shirts (not pictured) - aa grey (10+, ethical, sustainable), black mets (thrifted), blue mets (thrifted), spiritualized (band, artist), sounds tee (aaa baseball, gifted), talulas hugging pizzas (work, locally printed, local artist).

4 tanks (not pictured) - white lace (7+), black crop (15+), grey (10+), purple (5+).

that’s about 45 pieces, but I’m sure there are one and two that escaped me as I made this post. A lot of these are staple items, but that’s what was inspiring this quarter! Since this capsule took me a long time to put together, I will be only swapping out a few items for my next capsule this winter. I’m already feeling happy with that idea. And I already have a few of the swaps in mind…

What does your capsule look like this quarter?


2020 Monthly Goals | October in Review and November Goals

October was not a good month for goals in many ways, but some big goals got accomplished, if that makes sense. Sometimes my goals here are things that I know I can achieve, but sometimes they are wishful thinking. In Oct, I had thought my goals were of the former category, but they were actually in the latter.

I didn’t even finish my goals illustration for oct, which might show you how much attention my actual goals got.

IMG_4246.JPG

Two quilt finishes
I need to prioritize this but am excited.
Nope.

Make 6 videos
Here we go.
YES!

Book tattoo appointment/practice tattoos.
I want to get a tattoo in 2020 and I want to give a tattoo in 2020.
Nope.

Go on a over night trip + 1 day trip
I want to make sure to get away a little this month.
No

Take Irving in the car
We are working with our “bad” cat to make him a travel cat!
Nada.

How did you do on your October goals?

IMG_4248.JPG

Sooooo, for Nov, will my goals be pratical, or wishful thinking? It was actually really hard to make goals this month.

Make 15 videos
gotta keep getting better.

Better cleaning routine
I would like to have a routine, that doesn’t make me feel like I’m always playing catch up.

Tattoo appointment
I know where I want to go… I just have to start that process.

Get back to walking every day
Winter is coming and I don’t want to get trapped inside, even if my mind is what is trapping me.

Have one Life Admin Day
I need to get things tidied up before the beginning of the year.

I’m gonna call my November goals there, and perhaps I’ll add more at some point. Or perhaps, Nov will make the goals I need to work on in December more clear to me.

How are your monthly goals going? Are you gearing up for some end of year goals?

The Good Life

One of my goals in 2020 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

My parents had long talked about The Good Life by Scott and Helen Nearing. When I asked for sustainable living books recs, they both suggested it again.

IMG_3371.jpg

In the 1930s Scott and Helen Nearing leave thier intellectual city life for the Vermont countryside and never look back.

The Good Life is part memoir, part instruction manual, part social experiment observations. But whatever it is, this book is like life goals for me! Just the idea of bucking societal norms and living the life you feel good about is an amazing concept. But even more inspiring is that they did all this within the confines of society in so many ways. For someone like myself, this book is a game changer. Although dated in some ways the basic principle are sound and so inspiring. The techniques and ideas will never be out of style for myself and those who strive to live a good life, free from the limitations of our modern, wasteful, automated, disposable, uncaring, selfish society. And the idea that one can do so in harmony with that world is truly a revelation. I don’t see myself building stone buildings in the near future but reading about the way this community did the planning, design, and hard work was just as important as the plan for the buildings and construction themselves. The Nearings do every task, every goal, every movement with mindful intention and consideration. Once they lived for ten years honing these principles, ideals, relationships with friends, building blocks, and working within the limits of country state and society, while still living separate from them as well, Scott and Helen leave VT and start all over again in Maine. There, they wrote the second book in this series. I have only read the first book so far, but certainly plan to read the next as well. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interesting in living a sustainable lifestyle, those looking for avenues to escape some or all of the issues of the modern day, those interested in self sufficiency, growing a garden, building structures, and anyone longing and looking to live by their own ideals and moral compass rather than the one set out for them.

Have you read any life changing books this year?

More about books here:
BookTube
Goodreads

Mad Cat Garden | October 2020

It was an interesting month for the Garden. Most of October was dreary, rainy, and sparse in the garden. But there were moments of brightness and sun. For some reason, I didn’t take too many photos this month, so the Oct tour of the garden will be specific.

IMG_3680.JPG
IMG_3703.jpg

At the beginning of the month, our morning glories were still going strong and even coming up through every break in our concrete patio. We love the morning glories and want to think of a way to train them better next year.

IMG_3676.JPG
IMG_3704.JPG

We have been moving things into the green house, trying to get everything we want to save (or try to save) inside before the first frost. When the sun is out, it’s so nice to peek inside the walls. We have some foraged furniture and shelves inside, but it’s not big so it’s a fun puzzle to try and fit everything.

IMG_3517.JPG

There was a lot for this month, we lost a lot of our last tomatoes and peppers as they were shook of the bushes.

IMG_3731.JPG
IMG_4032.JPG

Our pineapple sage went to flower this month and it was brilliant!! The flowers are beautiful.

IMG_4034.JPG

Our orange thyme mascot is still doing well and got a little company for October.

What was your garden doing this month?

October Plant Update

Looking back at October’s plant observations, I sort of only took pictures of the brightest and bluest days! there was a lot of rainy days in October, that shook the blooms and fruit off the plants and bushes. There were copious downpours that made all plants grey, sodden and sagging. But there were clear bright days as well. Flowers hanging on for dear life.

Tall trees in Northern NJ.

Tall trees in Northern NJ.

Anyone know what these white drop blooms are?

Anyone know what these white drop blooms are?

Looking quite idyllic with a busy road right and train tracks out of view.

Looking quite idyllic with a busy road right and train tracks out of view.

Tempted to buy any flower still blooming when we visit the farmers market.

Tempted to buy any flower still blooming when we visit the farmers market.

American Beauty Berries provide a pop of color!

American Beauty Berries provide a pop of color!

Someone said these are Asters?

Someone said these are Asters?

This moth was STUNNING! Huge and iridescent.

This moth was STUNNING! Huge and iridescent.

One of my all time favorites.

One of my all time favorites.

I never managed to see what this fellow was stalking.

I never managed to see what this fellow was stalking.

Our pumpkin fam.

Our pumpkin fam.

But just down the road, they go bigger.

But just down the road, they go bigger.

What was October like where you live? Was it a month full of observation or light on them?