This morning we heard such a loud chorus and honking going on...as the largest flock of Canadian Geese we've seen yet were circling around overhead. I wish that I had gotten it on video...just so that you could hear them. You can't imagine how loud they are! We live near a lake where the geese gather...before they take off for their long trek south.
Oh! This is a sign winter is definitely on its way!

Three stragglers...but we could hear each one of their calls!
They're so lovely...

Bye Bye Geese! See you next Spring!

The Fall day was glorious so Jennifer and I decided to glory in it by taking the children to a nearby park over in Pittsfield that wends next to the river (yes, there are rivers everywhere up here...and I can never remember their names...much less how to spell them!) and over an old suspended bridge that is an adventure in itself! Come along with us...you're gonna LOVE this walk!

Yeah, the bridge is a little shifty...and a little long...which translates into a little spooky for wee ones! But he braved it just fine!

I took like 10 of these shots of the children...of course who can decide which one's the best...??? Not me!

The late summer, early fall wildflowers are still full of bloom...


And then we came out at the train track. Yippee!

As we meandered back through the woods, I spotted this moss covered log. Aren't the greens simply surreal? How do you capture that kind of color?

After we crossed back over the bridge, we found this fuzzy, very white caterpillar crossing our path. The fuzzy ones are usually moth caterpillars. As you can see, we need to bone up on our nature study because I cannot tell you what type of moth it becomes. But we will find out! Isn't he exotic..??

In this little puddle-pond was a cute medium-sized frog. We thought that she would scare the thing by poking it with the grass stalk. Boy were we wrong! That little frog attacked and bit at that grass with a vengeance! It was NOT gonna give up its perch...no way!

Hard to see, but that's its big mouth chompin' down on that grass! Feisty frog!

Now they're off...to the playground!

Recently, I discovered Countryside Rambles by W.S. Furneaux. We're going to focus on the Fall Rambles...wonderful stuff!

A little over a week ago was Bug Maine-ia Day at the Maine State Museum behind the capitol building in Augusta. Bug Maine-ia is rather fitting for a state that's infamous for its plethora of flying, blood-sucking insects. So, why not make an official day of it...??? If you can't beat 'em, study 'em...right? Right! A couple of our homeschool families decided to trek down so I called up Jennifer...spur of the moment...as usual...and asked if she and the boys would like to ride down with me. She was game. We met Sherry and Tracy with their kids picnicking outside the museum. The day was gorgeous and the bugs...excuse me, insects....were plentiful!

After we perused the hands-on exhibits set up in the foyer of the museum, we heard that there was more to see on the second floor of the capitol building. This was a great excuse to re-visit this grand building...and take in more than just bugs.

After looking over more bugs and visiting the stately rooms of the senate and representatives, and the massive balcony overlooking the river, we decided that outdoor time was very needful for the kiddos. Tracy knew of a great trail just a few miles down the road near the river in the village of Hallowell. I had never been this direction before and oh!! what we've been missing! The absolute best, most delightful part of our whole afternoon was this hiking trail she led us to! I (dunce that I am) left my camera behind in the car, so I can only in my lamest attempts describe this lovely trail to you!

It reminded me of the woodsy path we ambled along on Prince Edward Island last year near Green Gables. After strolling through a rolling meadow we followed a wide path high above a respectable stream gurgling melodically somewhere below us. As we passed over low places, huge stones made small bridges, until finally we came to a large stone bridge over shallow pools and rocks that flowed on down the stream to the mighty river behind us. This spot was quintessentially romantically idyllic and the children splashed and waded with glee...and lots of wet clothes! We've promised ourselves to make this place a regular visit...and next time I'll have the camera...or else! And thank you, Tracy, so much for not allowing us to just wimp out and go home before seeing this lovely, lovely trail!

(NOTE: As a matter of fact, Jen went back that following Sunday and you can check out her photos. Thanks Jen!)

I also must mention this little town of Hallowell, too. The whole place is just as charming as can be with antiques, boutiques, art studios, coffee shops, and ice cream shacks to make your heart go totally pitter-pat...at least mine and Jen's were anyway. And all this right next to the huge river that runs in front of the capitol building just a few scant miles back up the road. I had no idea all this was just around the corner from Augusta! Welp, now I know!

Just to top off our Day of Bug Maine-ia, when we went back to our land to pick up Daddy who had been pulling logs up all day, he had happened to capture a praying mantis! And he even manged to get photos of this insect in the dark next to our shed. What a Daddy! And how I love homeschooling!

Dear Miss Manners,

When do you call a vase, a VAHZ?


Dear Gentle Reader,

When you put DAH-ZIES in it.

This is one of our all-time favorite summer books, A Child's Book of Wildflowers by M.A. Kelly, illustrated by Joyce Powzyk.

A note from the author:

One of the difficulties in writing about wildflowers is that the same name is often used for different species of the same genus of plants. For example, "violet" is the common name for over seventy plants. More confusion is created when the same plant is known by other names in various parts of the country. Thus a flower is called bouncing Bet in one area and soapwort in another.

Wildflowers just don't lend themselves to strict categories. They are after all, wild!

Aren't these watercolor illustrations gorgeous? Why oh why didn't I stick with those art classes...??!

Tasha Tudor constructing a wildflower wreath...a wonderful summer past time! Daisies especially don't wilt quickly and can stay fresh in water for almost two weeks...perhaps this is what is meant by "fresh as a daisy!"