Here comes fall.

Thank you for all the lovely and sincere messages about our dear little Audrey. I was really happy to read that so many of you remembered her, missed her and mentioned her funny little ways that you found endearing. The cat of a hundred faces, she was called. 
All of our cats and dogs are precious and we miss them terribly when they pass on.  We don't like to think we had 'favorites' but one might stand out from the rest for it's affection, it's neediness or it's quirky little ways. Audrey was that cat for me. I remember every little look, her disgust for my camera, her stare when she needed my attention, her 'wonder' of anything new in her path.
She was loving and gave the best little hugs one day and just stared at you with disgust on her face the next. She made me laugh. Audrey was a cat's cat and loved her mom, Annie. But her mom was a 'mommy dearest' so she could never be sure of the reception.  I bonded even stronger with her for that reason alone.  And when she became ill I never left her side. 
Her passing hit me harder than I expected. After living and losing many cats over the years you think you can handle it, be strong and accept the loss but her illness came out of nowhere and she was far too young. I still get teary just thinking of her and I miss her every day.

Your comments made me smile, though. Thank you again for your kindness.
xo


Fall weather is here and so much is happening at Fox Grove. Outdoor construction of our deck and chimney is going on presently along with the necessity to get the wood-burning stove ready and waiting for what's to come.

I'm hoping for a rain-free weekend ahead so the guys can finish the deck.  We have lots of wood to burn inside and out and because of a few trees being taken down this summer (time-consuming but necessary) we will have lots for next year, too.

I have been working with the new chickadees that have arrived...

Here is the first brave one. :) Gorgeous little thing.

Cora is all that we hoped for and we adore her. 'We" includes Wilson who is enamored with this little gal and follows her around all the day long. He has trained her to be on the look-out for those dastardly crows. She copies everything he does.
 Annie is calming down and spending more time in the same area with her (if only she would not play with her tail). So our new family member has settled in. 

Pooped out

The maples and sumacs are just beginning to dress

up for autumn.

And the inside is looking Fallish, too.

I baked pumpkin bread today. One for us and one for you. :-)

Thanks for dropping by.

Annie found my fall mat and thought it complimented her markings. 
Deb xo

Remembering my Audrey

Audrey would have been eight today. She was taken from us with a brain tumor at the age of six and a half. I don't think I will ever get over her loss; much too young, much too soon.
She is missed every day.
xo

Little changes at Fox Grove

For John...I watched the green heron walk into the wood-lot and was quite sure
that it was not hurt. I have since looked for him there but no sign. I find it odd that he was in the sumac but they do hang out in trees, I am told.
They nest in trees, too.

Well, here I am again getting way behind in my posts. It's obvious that I found this to be one of the busiest summers ever. And here it is September and today the sun is setting at 7pm. 

I have a new family member to introduce to everyone.
Meet our little Cora.

                                               Lady Cora

Cora (known as Belle at Bee Meadow Farm) has come home to be a little sister to Annie and Wilson.
Well...that's what the plan was. Our Wilson has had quite the time of it trying to figure out just what the purpose of this kitten is and what his role is with her.
Is she a toy? nope
His girlfriend. NO!
His BFF (since Annie can take her or leave her, the latter preferably.)
His baby?
Well, baby it is. He is actually acting like a mother cat with Cora: calling (with a new voice by the way), washing, sleeping and eating with her and protecting her from Annie's predictable hisses.
As my friend from Henny Penny Lane would say..."he's a mess." lol
But he's in love and that's all that matters.
Annie will take a bit more time to, at the most, tolerate her. 

Fall is showing up at Fox Grove inside and out.

Although we still have work on the loft to do, the work has been taken outside to get the deck on before winter.

Gramps and 6 year old grandson.

Our son

And we had 'the boys' in the family rolling up their sleeves and measuring, cutting and drilling (and apparently our three year old grandson was raking but I'm not sure what that was all about :-)
until a good portion of the deck was on. More to come.

My garden has been put to bed but I still visit Tao the tree-frog each day in his birdhouse since he kept me company all through the hot summer days.

I'd say it is soon time for him to find a warm and appropriate place for the winter. I do hope he returns again in the spring as he has been with us for a few years now. Much like Simon the chip was.

I've been busy with my cat-sitting service all summer but will save a few of my fabulous felines to show you for another post.


Be well,
Deb