We had our first cold snap around here last night. It was supposed to get in the 30s, but when I let the dogs out early this morning, it was in the high 40s. Brisk. It was nice. I put on a pair of jeans for the first time since May.
It’s been in the low 60s when I’m out in the morning with the pups. They’re digging the colder temps – A lot. So much so they are double timing me. They want to walk at a trot, and a trot for the big guy is a fast, fast walk for me. So I have the choice, be pulled by them and overcontrolling, or use enough control to where it’s me determining the pace.
The pace is surprising because the big guy, Jethro, has been limping. It’s not a leg or paw thing. It appears to be in his shoulder. He dips while walking when he gets up, but his gait seems fine once he’s been up an about for awhile. At almost seven years, he’s a little young to have joint problems.
I’m just grateful that I’m in shape enough to fastwalk two miles with these two without a flop sweat or wheezing. Hell, I don’t even break a sweat at these temps. I find it energizing.
But true to form, the ninnies are out walking, bundled up like Nanuk of the North. To this day that reaction to some mildly brisk weather astonishes me. Hell, one even had a ‘sweater’ on their dog. I don’t know, but I seem to remember beagles being hunting dogs and OK with mild fall temps.
In addition to a fast walk, the two dogs have been super playful.
As an aside, I’ve played tug of war with them. The force they are exerting here is astonishing. I sure as hell wouldn’t want them grabbing on my arm and yanking it like that.
As it cools here in Dallas, the shock starts killing off garden plants. But other’s seem to thrive.
My morning glories have regenerated for the last two years. I’ve done nothing but collect seeds, at least the ones that didn’t fall. Those vines have been growing all summer with a flower here and there. Now that it’s cooler, they are busting out. I’ll be gifting seeds this year, no doubt.
My Marigolds have been awesome this year. They are from an earlier plant, so they were free as well. I’m told they keep rodents away from your veggies. Seems to have worked.
Lots of seedpods. I’ll be collecting seeds for next year.
Speaking of seedpods, specifically seedpods blooming in the garden of stupid, Peter at Bayou Renaissance had this piece the other day about Uncle Stupid where “Biden has forced all Americans working in China to pick between quitting their jobs and losing American citizenship”. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but with this group, it’s probably stupid, not unlike blockading Japan back in the day. It certainly won’t go unanswered. Keep in mind, while competitors, we aren’t ‘at war’ with China. But like I said, the Joey IceCreamCone administration has done nothing that was smart or had any sense whatsover in two years, I don’t expect anything different now. They certainly seem to want war, but at the same time are depleting the strategic oil reserve and our munitions stockpile.
Winter is coming and things are going to go weird.
Lastly, right on time, I have a jury summons. Since I’ve lived in Texas I’ve gotten one every year and a half or so. And it’s not in a nice North Dallas court. It’s in downtown Dallas. I’ve been there once before and was about to enter the courtroom when we were mercifully stood down. You cannot even imagine what a downtown, uh…vibrant court is like. Not looking forward to it at all.
So I have that going for me, which is nice.
Inspected By Pat 