It Got Cold

 Cold, Damp, and far too much rain. Four inches of rain and 60 mph winds are completely uncalled for. Thank goodness for hot water bottles and teapots.

 Our State Flower, the Goldenrod is thankfully durable.

 I'm afraid the paths through our little park didn't fare as well.

 Gravel washed clear away down to the landscaping fabric.

 Flattened grass...

 This gives you an idea of how glaciers worked on a smaller scale, tearing through and depositing gravel where it wasn't before.

Strange how the really delicate things seem to fare so well.

 

 

This little wooded area is a deliberate planting behind a bank, some medical offices, our townhouses, and the college. There's a community garden, picnic tables, and a volleyball area. You could drive down Dodge Street and never notice it, which is partly what makes it so nice. Yesterday, we set out to do a bit of birding, and soon after saw several woodpeckers knocking about. This neighbourhood has so much going for it, but you have to look hard to spot the gems.

That isn't a woodpecker, it is a hairy post kid. He wouldn't sit on the bench by the goldenrod for fear it would go all sci-fi and do some Triffid style mischief. Goldenrod was used as a natural dye in pioneer days, as synthetic dyes were expensive and scarce. It comes up a brownish, mustard yellow.

But goodness, it is cold. I've got more tweed than the whole of Scotland in my cupboard, but I've yet to get things upacked, so today I made do with an acrylic crochet cape my mother made sometime in the 70's. And a hot water bottle. Gosh, it got cold.

I suggest layering.

 Fooled you-the blouse is actually a matching dickey.

 

If you were thinking today would have been an awful day for car trouble, you'd be right. Still, what can you do? Me? I clenched my teeth, put on the hazard lights, and just made it home. I don't panic over stuff like that, because driving the old cars I do, I'd be in a constant state of anxiety. I am sorry to report that the future looks grim for the Mighty Ford Tempo, but as far as I'm concerned, we got our five hundred bucks out of it. Shopping for a car is worse than car trouble, to be honest. Anyway, I save my worry and disquiet for really important things like, "Where is my hot water bottle?!" Oh god, if I lost that thing I'd curl up and die. I have chronic anemia, poor circulation and rheumatoid arthritis-I'm freezing cold in July.

 

Outfit Particulars:


1960's/70's polyester dress-Thrift World
Headscarf-Ben Franklin
Owl Necklace-Hand-Me-Ups
60's Handbag-Hand-Me-Ups
Earrings-An antique store in Cedar Grove, WI
Large prism ring-Nordstrom's circa '92
Other rings-thrifted
Celtic brooch-Goodwill
Clarks shoes-Goodwill
Crochet Cape-Made by Mum
Onyx/silver ring-Mum's
Fragrance-Mitsouko

 If you look closely, you can see the camera in my ring.

The forecast looks wet and cold for some time ahead, guess I'd better get the tweeds out of mothballs.

 This isn't going to look this good in a week.

Better have another look...the winters are miserably long around here.

 

 

Keep warm, everyone.