There was a light frost last night--hardly enough to show on the grass, but by day's end, the Hubbard squash leaves were turning black in a few places. I harvested four large squashes and 8 icebox-size (small--about 8 in. diameter) watermelons. I was lucky to get both of those. They got planted late, and if we hadn't had an extended season this year (no noticeable frost until today, October 12), we wouldn't have gotten Hubbard squash or watermelon. I've got to find a smaller variety of Hubbard to plant--these must be 20 lbs each (25.5, actually).
The geese are making themselves heard. For the past two or three days I have heard them honking overhead, but without being able to see them. Their call carries a long way. Today I was thinking they are calling their brothers to join them on a southward trek. Later this afternoon I caught sight of two groups, each in a "V" shape. One group was pretty symmetrical--the other was lopsided--one side of the V was longer than the other. But both groups were flying together in the same direction. But NORTHWEST??? Maybe they were on a recruiting mission--looking for some company for the long flight south. I remember reading in Aldo Leopold's Sand County Almanac how geese in the fall fly high, out of the reach of the shotguns. In the spring they return much lower, splashing from pond to pond. If you haven't read the book yet, you have a wonderful treat ahead of you, especially if you love nature as I do.
