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Post by Phalon on Sept 22, 2005 23:49:19 GMT -6
So today was the fall equalnox: that time period when all oxen celebrate equality amongst themselves; no bull. Or maybe the equinox is the coming together of horse and oxen; the equine/bovine mating season and I hope at least they get to eat sometime during this time, unlike Katina's echidnas. Possibly even, the equinox is the time of year when night and day are of equal length? Nah. Too far-fetched sounding I think. Whichever, it is the start of autumn. And like the summertime thread, this is for seasonal meanderings. [Edit]
I merged two Autumn threads, and this is the first post in the first thread, titled as "Falling into Autumn". The title of the second thread was kept in the merge, which is: "Autumnail Sketches". ~*~ Joxcee ~*~ [/Edit]
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erco
Whooshite Apprentice
Too technologically challenged to insert a picture!
Posts: 118
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Post by erco on Sept 23, 2005 11:08:40 GMT -6
Well Phalon, I don't know if this is exactly the colorful kind of posting you are looking for or not.
So far this is what our Fall is looking like. The first day of Fall brought our 8th day in a row of 90 degree temps. No rain in over 4 weeks and the well has dried up. Literally! Had to have a new well drilled this week. Where the last one was 50' down, the new one had to be drilled 200' before they found water.
The only Fall color on the ground is brown. And more brown. These warm shades of brown consist of dead grass and pine needles, completely covering the ground.
We really only have two seasons around here. Summer and Winter. Perhaps I can post again if you start a Winter thread.
Sorry for being such a breath of fresh air! Yeah right!
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Post by Gabbin on Sept 24, 2005 22:05:43 GMT -6
Hey, Erco. We simply must work on your avatar. If I change the background on mine to a stadium scenario I could be a Panther football fan. Well, that and the glass of wine to beer. I don't know if I can find the site where I first did this masterpiece. I am babbling! Imagine that!
Okay, I went for a fall hike, but I was okay, just brushed myself off and all, pip, pip.
I plan to trim my bushes soon....
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Sept 24, 2005 23:40:45 GMT -6
LMAO....
Ok...someone said fall? Where? It was 95 today. That ain't fall. It better cool off before Halloween! I hate dressing up and sweating at the same time.
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Post by katina2nd on Sept 25, 2005 0:27:34 GMT -6
LMAO.... Ok...someone said fall? Where? It was 95 today. That ain't fall. It better cool off before Halloween! I hate dressing up and sweating at the same time. Whatcha going as Scrappy, got your costume picked out yet, and when exactly is it anyway?
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Post by Phalon on Sept 25, 2005 0:34:55 GMT -6
You don't do Halloween in Australia, Katina? Dang - missing out, I think. Halloween is my favorite. Here, in the US, it is starting to surpass Christmas in terms of decorations and such. Once thought of as strictly a kid's holiday, it is starting to revert back to its beginnings here, in this country: in the 20's and 30's it was more of a holiday for adults.
It is October 31st. All Hallow's Eve.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Sept 25, 2005 0:38:13 GMT -6
DANG!!! No haloween in Austrailia!? That sucks...sorry bud but it does. Can't live without it. My all time favorite holiday. Xmas a close second.
As for my attire...ask P. I think she had something totally badass appropriate picked out the other night. lol
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Post by Phalon on Sept 25, 2005 9:47:13 GMT -6
Eroc, I can commiserate with your brownness. Severe drought here this year, and our fall color is mostly shades of brown, only sparsely dotted with hints of yellow, orange and red.
You've only summer or winter, eh? That helps. Hope summer holds out a week longer. Here, fall temperatures for the upcoming week; only in the low sixties. Packing confusion: sleeveless, or wool. Wool in sleeveless clothing; that bites. Plaid flannel pajamas with woolen nightcap, and wool ewe still respect me in the morning?
The above was a plaid public disservice announcement.
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Post by Phalon on Sept 25, 2005 9:51:39 GMT -6
Oh...and speaking of attire: Katina, refer to last night's "Word Assoc." conversation for Scrappy's.
Wait....nevermind. You were talking Halloween costume and not everyday garb.
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Post by Phalon on Sept 25, 2005 23:01:03 GMT -6
Friday, at work, I was sent to do one of my favorite tasks of autumn: drive to see the pumpkin guy, and fill the truck with those beautiful orbs of orange for us to sell at the nursery. It's a job I've had since the first year I worked there when I told my boss we needed pumpkins. 'Why', she asked. 'Because I like them', I told her, 'everyone loves pumpkins'. It's been solely my job since and no one else's; I covet it.
There is something about pumpkins that is just so enticing to me; the feel of smooth, cool skin; running my fingers down the vertical ridges; their smell, their color - bright and sunny. Even the weight of them in my arms feels good.
I never pick small ones; those you can get anywhere. The bigger, the better. We have to weigh them when I get back to the nursery to know what to pay the pumpkin guy, and I love watching the numbers on the scale fly by until the arrow finally rests on a number that is much larger than I imagined; the weight of these things are deceiving. I usually get an array of 20 to 30 pounders; those I carry two at a time, arms around them, one resting on each hip bone - the reason God gave women hips: to carry pumpkins. Then the big forty and up pounders; those I like best. I hug them close to my body, arms barely reaching around and leaning back with the weight against my stomach stagger back to the truck. A good ab workout for sure. The pumpkin guy always asks if I want help. 'No', I say, 'you're busy. I'll manage', secretly wishing he'd go away and leave me to my obsession.
Not only does size matter, (eye roll); shape is important too, (another eye roll). I like the fat, squatty ones best. Or the tall, narrow ones. Perfectly round. Hell, it doesn't matter; I like them all. They must sit right though; no tilting or listing. No mars, scars, or bruises. Big, fat, thick stems; twisted and curled is always interesting. I inspect the chosen specimen from every angle before hauling it to the truck and then set it on the tail gate and inspect its posture again before it makes it into the bed. Our nursery is known throughout the state and in the Chicago area as being one of the best; a wide selection of high-quality plants and why should our pumpkins be any different?
All this work for no profit; we sell them at cost. They are just nice to have around, and back at the nursery, I display them - not in neat rows of soldier pumpkins standing in formation - but tucked in our fall displays among the mums, asters, goldenrod, sedum, sweetspire, viburnums and such. So autumnal, and who could resist.
A woman this weekend commented that she'd never seen such gorgeous pumpkins. Smile. It's nice when all your hard labor is appreciated. LMAO.
I usually end up making two or three more trips back to the pumpkin guy before Halloween. Same laborous process each time.
And then...in November, right before Thanksgiving, (cause my boss - the one I had to convince we needed to have pumpkins - likes to have them hang around just for fall decoration), I load up the stragglers, drive the Gator out to one of the fields, and standing on the trailer, lob them as far as I can heave them into the field and watch them explode on impact. Usually good and soft by then; pumpkin guts splattering everywhere.
A muttered brief eulogy to those gorgeous orbs of orange.
And reading back through this, I suppose it fits in just as well with that fetish thread that was floating around here as it does in the fall thread.
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Post by katina2nd on Sept 25, 2005 23:30:02 GMT -6
Nope, sorry guys, don't do Halloween down here, my only experience with it is in films and such. What do you do to celebrate, go around terrifying the neighbours [ in costume of course ]
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Sept 26, 2005 21:15:27 GMT -6
OOOHH...halloween! How do you explain halloween to someone who's never been through it? Lemme think on that one.
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Post by katina2nd on Sept 26, 2005 23:12:12 GMT -6
OOOHH...halloween! How do you explain halloween to someone who's never been through it? Lemme think on that one. Yep, my knowledge of Halloween begins and ends with trick or treat and Michael Myers. ;D A pumpkin fetish P, that's a new one on me......... "I inspect the chosen specimen from every angle before hauling it to the truck and then set it on the tail gate and inspect its posture again before it makes it into the bed." ................................. now that's what I call dedication.
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Post by HobsonsChoice on Sept 27, 2005 23:59:30 GMT -6
Ok this is the place to tell everyone about that most important fall happening-my birthday. It already went by but just in case anyones keeping track were at 21 now. That makes 3 years of me and whoosh. Is that crazy for anyone else? Not that Ive been around much lately. I guess I was too much of a realtime girl. Posting seems like so much work even though it's less of a time commitment. Ah well. Happy fall all.
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Post by katina2nd on Sept 28, 2005 0:03:41 GMT -6
Well happy [ belated ] birthday HC. 44 posts in that time, you have to come on more often and help liven the place up a little.
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Post by Phalon on Sept 28, 2005 4:33:57 GMT -6
Hey Dobs! Twenty-one already? They grow so fast, don't they? Happy Belated to you. Hope it was a good one. Last year of school? Dang, it's been awhile. Still have 'the Poisonwood Bible' sitting on my desk; unopened and collecting dust, but every time I push it aside to make room for more in the vast heaps of stuff piled precariously high, I think of you.
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Post by HobsonsChoice on Sept 29, 2005 15:27:19 GMT -6
That 44 posts must look pretty sad for 3 years. Have to factor in the old switch from ezboards though. Not to mention the hours logged in the live chat. Hell I was around when a wave of posters came in from the o2 board that shut down. My last year has been pretty feeble though. Frankly, Im surprised to even have over 40 posts.
Thanks for the happy b-day phalon. I'm actually only a junior. Just old for my year. I have a major now though I think so graduating in 4 years isnt just a dream anymore.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Oct 1, 2005 16:59:22 GMT -6
I thought I should share this with everyone. I live in a part of the country in which Fall is almost the same as every other part of the year. Everything is dirt colored and the trees don't change color and except for the heat lessening slightly the weather is always the same. For some this might be a good thing. But I grew up in a part of the country where we actually had seasons. The trees changed color to the most magnificent shades of reds and oranges. You could feel the season change by the slight snap in the air in the mornings. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind generally living here. The sunrise and sunsets are almost always awesome no matter the time of year, and we do get to spend a lot more time outside than most in fall and winter. No worrying about unburying your car from the snowbank before work in the morning. However I do miss it a lot. The smells and the sights. Anyway, I had mentioned this to a friend a while ago, and guess what I got in the mail yesterday? A big envelope with all kinds of Fall foliage in it. Leaves from trees that I haven't seen in years. Oak and Sycamore. And not to mention acorns and pine cones. The most beautiful shades of Autumn colors I have seen in a very long time. When I opened the envelope the smell alone brought back some of the best childhood memories. Playing in the woods behind the farm house, sitting by the fire at night with my grandparents, climbing the trees in the back yard. Just too cool. I just wanted to say thank you.
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Post by Joxcenia on Oct 1, 2005 17:03:13 GMT -6
Oooh... you can burn one or two for that leaves burning part of the season... get out the marshmellows and light them up to make smores... ...now I'm hungry...
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Oct 1, 2005 20:51:08 GMT -6
No burning....they are being framed....
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Post by Siren on Oct 4, 2005 20:48:09 GMT -6
Is there a Dr. in the house? There is - Doc!! How good to see you, Hobs! Our little Hobs is 21? My, how time flies. Buy yourself a libation of choice, Doc, and think of the chat gang. We're thinking of you, and that crazy laugh of yours - hahahahahahahaha! Happy belated birthday!
Oh, and Gams, thank you for starting this cozy thread. I enjoy your writing so much. ~Siren
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Post by Phalon on Oct 4, 2005 21:43:07 GMT -6
Enjoy yours too, Siren. Glad to see you stop in here. Care to tell what wonderful fall feasts grace your table this time of year? I'm feeling quite hungry at the moment.
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Post by Siren on Oct 5, 2005 19:46:50 GMT -6
Funny you should ask, Gams. It's OU vs Texas weekend, a big event at our house. My sis' Texican fiancee is conjuring up his famous bbq ribs for us. My mom, sisters, and I will provide the potato salad, pinto beans, coleslaw, and sweet tea. I've hinted for jello/cool whip pies and rice crispy treats from my sis. We will sit, stuffed and sated, and enjoy the game. Well, it may be a lot more enjoyable for the Longhorns' fans than the Sooners', but I'm hoping for the best!
Very fallish here tonight. Our high temp was in the upper 80s today, but fell into the 60s in a very short time this early evening. As I type, a soft rain is falling, and a cool, cool wind is ruffling the curtains. Tomorrow will be the first time this season I've needed a jacket. I love fall! ~Siren
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Post by Phalon on Oct 5, 2005 22:37:19 GMT -6
Nice avatar, Siren.
Knew I could count on you for a descriptive feast such as that; my taste buds worked up a sweat just reading. Good luck to your Okies, and horns down to the Longhorns. Did you see that gesture? I'm sure I got it right.
Scrappy, glad for you that you enjoyed your leaves from your friend. Smile.
Reminds me of a poem I recently read:
October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came. The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name. The Sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand. Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band.
by George Cooper.
Fall leaves; I've been looking forward to this all summer; roller-skiing in the woods with the changing color. There wasn't much when I left for my vacation a week ago; green, and a lot of brown from the trees stressed from drought. Still lots of green; far from peak color, but I was amazed at all the oranges, reds and yellows that appeared over the weekend.
The clear, bright yellow of the aspens, in my opinion the prettiest yellow there is; bright red-orange sumac and crimson Virgina Creeper dripping from trees. Sassafras; orange, yellow and red all mixed together on one tree, same as its leaf shapes are mixed; the mitten, ghost, and open palm. Sassafras is one of the most beautiful, I think, in fall; lots of times it looks almost pink from a distance; the pale rose color of fine boxed wine, (rolls eyes).
Skied slower than usual today; wonder if it was that I was enjoying the scenery so, or that it had been a week since I've been. The latter, I think; felt like mush. Five miles, three times a week, and sheesh miss a few, and I felt it. Picked up the pace after awhile; Marysgurl's "Drive" cd saw to that; just can't go slow listening to my favorites. A slight breeze, but dripping sweat anyway, and the leaves wafting down from the trees stuck to my arms making me think I must look like some kind of strange winged creature on wheels.
By the time I was nearly done; that last quarter mile up hill, I was beat; thighs burning, light headed, and breathing heavy. Dang, that sounds fun; more fun that it was actually, and it was all I could do to keep the skis on and not walk the rest of the way. Didn't even make it to the car, but instead flopped on the grassy hill at the top, and stared into the sky for a bit.
Ever hear a song; one that you like, but one that has a line or two that sticks out and just makes the thing complete? "It's Been Awhile" by Staind, does that for me; like it a lot, but there are a couple lines that I love. No personal meaning for me; just what I think is a beautiful combination of words and voice....
And it's been awhile Since I've seen the way the candles light your face. And it's been awhile But I can still remember just the way you taste.
Nothing sexual, (though I'm sure it could be), but dang, sends chills down my spine every time I hear.
Anyway, listened to the song on the hill before I dragged myself home to complete the mountain of laundry that seemed to spring from nowhere while I was gone this past weekend.
And that was today's fall day in my part of the Mitten.
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Post by Gabbin on Oct 5, 2005 22:42:30 GMT -6
The leaves are very pretty here. The chill in the air is very nice and crispy.
I just got back from a fall trip and, even though I didn't meet the fall guy, I met some fall girls. Over thar I bought my pal a package of choco covered coffee bean sor something and it broke so I put them in a Ziploc but, not before I tried one.
Now I am wide awake--really wide awake.
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Post by Phalon on Oct 5, 2005 23:15:03 GMT -6
LMAO, Gabbin. You and your caffiene intolerance. Dang, I saw those things too, and was fixin' to git some for the drive home, but shoot, got all distracted by the bawled peanuts.
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Post by Siren on Oct 6, 2005 18:29:10 GMT -6
"fixin' to"? You're really gittin' the hang of it, Gams! I's 'bout to ask you what hubs thought of those bawled peanuts. Tell him he can have my share.
Thanks. My new avatar's kinda hard to see, but you can see a bigger pic on that website listed below it. Its title? "The Siren," of course! I love Waterhouse's work.
Thanks for taking us along for your "ski trip". Ski-tripping would be more my speed. You listed one of my favorite fall leaves - sumac. Lots of it around here. So pretty. My mom has some sort of Japanese maple in her yard that's an eye-catcher, too. Another sign of late summer/fall is the fluff from thistles going to seed. As kids, we'd run and jump around in the pasture, trying to catch it in the air. ~Siren
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Post by Gabbin on Oct 8, 2005 21:47:27 GMT -6
What the hecky darn is going on in that avatar of yours Sireeeen? She is pouring water down on someone in some suggestive shower? Let me peep, I mean peer a while.
Today was my birthday party. It is really a fall party. Every year we have it and it is so fun. Colourful (My caffeine self wanted to through in the English spin on that word. My this is a long parenthesis do-wap) gourds and (I think I shall go for a ou-word paragraph) bread with Balsamic vinegar/100% dyed in the wool Virgin oil, (maybe that is what is coming out of Sireeen's avatar pitcher-Wow! What a grammatiful sentence this is. I just made up another word. I love that ectasex cake.) wine of all colors, beer abundanza, homemade cole slut, tenderloins and chewyloins-one Chewbaca the throat on that mean-and of course THE Extra SEX CAKE!.
Is anyone still with me after that paragraph?
I won't even bother poofing that one. I sometimes poof read and poof away any bothersome things.
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Post by Gabbin on Oct 8, 2005 21:49:03 GMT -6
Oh, I forgot the most important part........yellow leaves falling into beer and dip, sailing onto heads and alighting onto meat. All very fun.
I love fall...except on concrete.
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Post by Phalon on Oct 8, 2005 23:20:13 GMT -6
<note to self: do not read Espresex Gabbin posts while brushing teeth.>
Now I've a mess of Crest to clean off the screen.
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