One of my favorite birds is the Junco.  I'm told they are here year round, but I seem to only see them just before Thanksgiving until the end of winter.  I get all excited, like a kid, when I first see one near my feeders.  Years ago, one hit my den window and fell, head first, into the snow below the window.  I went outside, pulled him out and held him in my hands, wrapped in a soft towel until he was ready to fly again and then let him go near my feeders.

It's just one of those experiences that means so much in my life.

Enjoy your day and seek small miracles along the way.

It's not always a good thing to have all your communication systems run by the same company.  I'm not sure what Comcast's problems are, but, it seems they have been having more "Blackout" times than normal lately.

When I woke up this morning, I couldn't use my phone, computer (internet) or television.  It's an eerie feeling when you can't communicate with the world around you.  Thank goodness I have a tabletop radio that works well and I was able to get our local radio station.

This did make me think, though.  It wouldn't take much for our communication systems to be knocked out in this country and everything from grocery store cash registers, bank ATM machines, and emergency services like 911 would not be able to work.

Today's technology is great, but I like having a few "Old fashioned" things around that would keep me connected to the world.  As long as we still have electricity things like radios, scanners and CB radios would still be working.

Oh well, things are back to normal right now and it's time for me to get into this day.

All that is left after the maples, birch and beech trees have lost their leaves to Autumn's masterpiece, is the beautiful oak leaves that have transformed their colors from a deep green of summer to deep reds and browns.

Today it is raining and the look of November is warm and comforting as each breeze sends more leaves floating to the ground.  It's indian summer with temps in the lower 60s.  Soon, the temps will tumble into the 50s and even 40s as with each passing day, winter will get closer and closer.

Thanksgiving is just three weeks away today.  I wish I could say I am looking forward to the holiday, but it's just not the same.  My children are all grown and living their own lives and it's just Steve and I.  This year we will spend the day back at the farm in Hampstead with Ken and Pat.  That is an emotional mixed bag.

I always loved the farm in Hampstead, and before moving here to our cottage, I had never lived as long anywhere longer than I had at the Patey farm.  I will enjoy spending the day again there, but the memories of past Thanksgivings with my Mom and Dad, Eric and his family, Beth and my kids right there will leave a bittersweet note on my heart.

So, back to today.  I have grocery shopping to do and housework that needs my attention.  But for just a short period, I will forget everything else around me as I stand outside and enjoy the autumn  rain and falling oak leaves.