THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS (HOLIDAY SHOPPING)

It's that time again. You'd think, after all these years, I'd have a handle on what this all entails, and plan accordingly. But no........I'll be the last one out of the store on Christmas Eve.....

IT'S UP (PORTLAND, MAINE CHRISTMAS TREE)

Yesterday the big flatbed truck came rolling down Congress Street to Monument Square, where, for the next month at least, the Civil War monument will be eclipsed by this 50-foot tall Christmas tree. During the coming week, the lights will be put on, and the grand lighting celebration will take place the day after Thanksgiving.

Let the shopping begin!

WAITING FOR WINTER

We've had some great weather the last few days, but the landscape is starting to look a little dreary, especially in the very early morning.  Recent rains have left puddles, and the grass in the front field is turning brown: 

Some of our residents are leaving for their winter homes.  I hope they get there; in this photograph they were flying north:

MORE DOGGIES

I had the opportunity to photograph some more dogs. My thanks to those who took the time out of their day to get the dogs ready.

This American Bulldog, a sweet girl who had been rescued from a very hard life as a puppy-mill Mama, still didn't completely trust strangers and had eyes only for her owner/rescuer:

My Boxer friend wanted nothing more than to play, as all Boxers do, but he did manage to stand still for just a few moments:

FALL IN THE BERKSHIRES

Last weekend I attended a wedding at the Seven Hills Inn, in Lenox, MA. The original inn was built in the 1700's. The day after the wedding, I had a chance to stroll the grounds on an early-morning search for photographs:

The front door of the Inn

There was still some foliage left

A statue at one corner of the patio

A table with a Victorian flower arrangement. The wedding couple was married in front of this window.

The staircase leading up to the rooms on the second floor