Fall Invasions

The leaves are in full color and it is striking. Much more than I could ever imagined. Because we are in such a rural area, the temperature really drops like a rock. We have had 40 degrees swings between the morning 30 and the afternoon 70, so much different than my suburban lifestyle where the temperature moderated because of all the civilization. I can say that the frost on the ground, the frozen pond, the smell in the air makes it so much more worth it to be here right now.
I counted over 20 robins in my yard today as they migrate to wherever robins migrate. I also saw a chipmunk chasing the robins out of its acorn patch then climb a tree. I had no idea that chipmunks could climb trees .
We also have had low flying geese come through squawking as they came by. The next day we had low flying Marines. So you ask, “What are low flying Marines?”
2 legged arthropods that come in helicopters. That is correct. Martinsville has been invaded by Marines that are doing pre-deployment training. I made a comment that I really did not miss the sound of low flying aircraft that I was so accustomed too in Arlington. Now I know that I did not miss them. My usual silence was so interrupted by all this invading and storming buildings that kept me looking up instead of getting the quarter-zillion things I need to get done this week.

A Rainy day at the beach

I went to the beach for some time away and ended up doing work anyway.
Here are my thoughts as I watched the rain.

I should be studying…

Da Beach.
Rain.
It comes down and the people move in.
The flip flops are no more as shoes come out of the closet.
The beaches are empty,
The footprints washed away.
The birds stand as they wonder where the next french fry is going to come from.
Puddles are everywhere and so are the cars.
Restaurants are full as the people scramble indoors.
The clouds, dark and dreary bring needed relief.
The air is heavy, the wind is calm,
The waves gently wash onto the beach and find no footprints to cover.
A set of toes finds the surf.
It is still warm.
Ah, vacation on a rainy day.
Life turns inward.