After a trip to Martha's Vineyard this weekend we're back in business.

Beyla's not feeling 100% today, but that didn't stop her from attending to our morning rounds. Today she opted to go left into Skinner Forest instead of the usual walk to the pond. But that's fine, a change of scene is good for you. Variety is the spice of life and all that.

The population of morning birds is changing. The summer birds are starting to thin out. The squirrels, red squirrels, and chipmunks are all very busy scurrying about making their preparations for the cold weather ahead. One red squirrel in particular was most perturbed by our presence this morning and scolded us in the most severe squirrely terms from his perch partway up a nearby tree.

The trees are starting to show their colors now. Not just the occassional confused tree you normally see in early September. There's a lot of red, orange and yellow beginning to show. The fall show is nearly upon us. I'm hoping for a good show this weekend in Maine. Usually Kari takes Beyla for her morning walks on the weekends, but I may have to make an exception this weekend. It may be worth rolling out of bed early on a weekend just to experience Indian Lake in the morning with my favorite morning companions. Perhaps my favorite all-the-time companion will join us as well. Oh Kari? :)

We'll see. I may end up writing a special evening edition instead.