Monday, December 31st, cloudy: It's 36 damp and gray degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  It's still fairly dark out there, a result of the cloud clover which will be with us much of the day.  It will be breezy also with a high in the low 50's.  Chances for celestial observation tonight are too close to call.

I have a theory, based on years of empirical observation and anecdotal evidence related from others.  It is impossible to consume all of the Christmas turkey.  This year we had a pretty small turkey here.  Still, we have had the full Christmas repast, a full rerun of that meal, turkey sandwiches, and turkey stew or hash.  There is still a large container of that left for lunches and a fair amount of meat left on the carcass, which is waiting to be cooked into stock for soup.  Through some nefarious miracle, the turkey lingers and lingers in its various guises and disguises and I'll probably have cubes of turkey broth in my freezer for months.  (In fact there are some up there now, I think, from another everlasting turkey.)  One does not buy a turkey for Christmas dinner, one introduces it into one's life.

On this last day of 2001, I leave it to the pundits to analyze, review, and spin this year's events.  The analyses have already begun and there will be many more in these next two days.  I will say only that this year which has been indelibly marked with war, death, and sorrow, is coming to a close. Like every year's end, the event is just the flip of a calendar page, one day like all the others.  Psychologically, though, it's a closure and a beginning.  2001 will not be forgotten, but I hope that what we take from it into 2002 is something positive, personally and nationally.

So, we close out another year on the back porch.  He Who Must Play Tennis and I will look for the moon, Jupiter and Saturn at midnight, weather permitting, and count them as auguries for a Happy New Year.  Grandma and Molly and Zoë will no doubt already be nestled in their beds. Add our good wishes to you for a Happy New Year and we'll see you tomorrow! 

With apologies:

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Seven raccoons raiding,
Six egrets roosting,
Five white-tailed deer!
Four raucous grackles,
Three perfect shells,
Two hummingbirds,
And a wren chirping in a live oak tree.

Sunday, December 30th, cooler again: It's 42 gray degrees on my back porch at 7:45 this morning.  It's a bit overcast and the pines and palmettos are dancing, especially along the marsh edge.  The mild respite is past, it would seem, as the wind shifts back around to the north and the cooler weather travels south.  Mixed sun and clouds today with a high in the low to mid-50's  Low tonight near freezing away from the coast.

The setting sun and rising moon conspired last evening to create a sharp-intake-of-breath kind of moment.  Crossing the causeway coming back to island around 5:45, I drove between the bright streaks left by the sun in the western sky and a bright full moon quarter-high in the east.  It's one of those times when I really feel that I am on a planet that is part of a solar system.  At night, when the planets and stars and satellites are visible in their myriads, the sky, though beautiful, is so filled with other bodies that I see it as a whole--a carpet of stars--rather than individual celestial objects.  It's the night sky and it cloaks the earth and I can pick out planets and stars, but my mind places it over me rather than me within it.

Last evening, though, I was crossing the marsh with full view of the sky but still with clear view of my surroundings, and there was a sun and the moon in a still-light sky and I could sense myself spatially between them.  It was an unusual feeling and sense of place, but not altogether an inappropriate platform from which to view this passing year.

There will be more celestial interest tomorrow night as the moon is full and Jupiter is very close to the earth.  At midnight, they should both be nearly directly overhead, and if the weather cooperates, we should all be treated to another chance to place ourselves within universal context.

With apologies:

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Six egrets roosting,
Five white-tailed deer!
Four raucous grackles,
Three perfect shells,
Two hummingbirds,
And a wren chirping in a live oak tree.

Saturday, December 29th, mild: It's 50 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, overcast but still.  There will be clouds mixed with the sunshine today and a high in the mid-60's.  Not an altogether unpleasant day, I should think!

It's Saturday in a very unpatterned week that has had a couple of Mondays and what seemed like a lot of Thursdays in it.  I somehow lost the notion of "Friday" completely.  A strange week.

This will be another travel weekend for many, unless, of course, you are in Buffalo, in which case just venturing to the end of the driveway will be arduous!  If you are a traveler, go gently.

With apologies:

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Five white-tailed deer!
Four raucous grackles,
Three perfect shells,
Two hummingbirds,
And a wren chirping in a live oak tree.

Friday, December 28th, a bit warmer: It's 40 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  There's a light pink blush in the sky this morning rather than the gray overcast we have had most recently.  It didn't last long, fading as I type, but a nice touch of color while it lasted.  We should see a little bit of a warm-up today, not balmy by any means, but around 60 by afternoon.  The wind has switched to the south and subsided a bit.

The sunset last night was another brief blast of color.  It was confined to the western skies but was an intense technicolor display of a full palette of pinks and corals.  Some days there are advantages to being on the road traveling home in the evening!

There are lots of families visiting on Kiawah and Seabrook this holiday as well as many out-of-town property owners here for a few days.  It's great to see folks on a recurring basis over the years and I begin to look for them.  There's a comforting stability in encountering the expected, especially this year which has been branded with so much that was unexpected, even unimaginable.

With apologies:

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Four raucous grackles,
Three perfect shells,
Two hummingbirds,
And a wren chirping in a live oak tree.

Thursday, December 27th, winter arrives! It's 34 chattery degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  The day is waking out of a very chilly night, at least for these parts.  It's below freezing in town, a state we are spared by the warmer ocean waters.  Still we covered a couple of outside plants last night just in case.  The breeze will continue today and the temperature will actually be a couple of degrees warmer than yesterday, around 54.

From record high temps to record low in a matter of a few days.  Don't I recall that the weather prognosticators had all agreed that without the El Nino/La Nina phenomena we would have a more "normal" winter? Perhaps this IS normal and I've just forgotten.  In any case, it was certainly a change to walk out onto the porch this morning and to breathe in the frosty air.  I notice that the two cats did not find the frosty footboards a particular treat, however.

With apologies:

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Three perfect shells,
Two hummingbirds,
And a wren chirping in a live oak tree.

Wednesday, December 26th, Boxing Day: It's 40 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  The sky is clearing of its morning gray and we have promise of bright sunshine.  The brisk breeze out of the west will keep temps down though, probably in the neighborhood of 50.

I would like to take a bike ride this morning, but the brisk breeze and cool temps make me change my mind, at least temporarily. There's nothing like a day of Christmas food to make one look forward to salad and exercise!  The traditional fare was tasty, though, and we have enough leftovers for straight and disguised reruns.

For the former British Commonwealth parts of the world, it's Boxing Day today, a day all about gifts and visits and friends and neighbors.  Here in this country, we also have a "boxing day" of sorts--boxes of well-intentioned but just-off-the-mark gifts are returned to stores and new boxes of look-what-I-got-at-a-great-price stuff is brought home.  Maybe it's more of a "bagging day' here!  It's hard to imagine there could be more sale merchandise in the stores today than there was last weekend, though.

With apologies:

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Two hummingbirds
And a wren chirping in a live oak tree.

Tuesday, December 25th, Merry Christmas! It's 38 Christmasy degrees on my back porch at 7:45 this morning.  It's a bit gray but not raining.  It's definitely cool enough for a Christmas morning fire in the fireplace and He Who Must Play Tennis is about that business as I type.  It will be a mixed cloudy/sunny day with a high in the low to mid-50's.  Perfect for Christmas sweaters and not too bad for trying out the Christmas bikes and skates.

Molly and Zoë have had much fun with their catnip mice, but they are old hat now and it's back to the occasional roll and tumble in the hallway.  We did see Molly knock the phone off the hook this morning and are concerned that she may have set up a feline advisory line or is making calls to kin in Italy!  The receiver removal was very deftly done.

Not many of our family will be able to be here for the holidays this year, but my Mom made it down from Virginia and HWMPT's Mom lives nearby now, so we will have a small family gathering this morning.  With the fire, a few decorations, a bit of music and a bit of family, it's Christmas.  Hope yours is very happy!

With apologies:

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
A wren chirping in a live oak tree.

Monday, December 24th, definitely not a white Christmas: It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  There's an overcast and a moderate to strong breeze.  Clouds should clear, sun should appear and the temperature should near 60.  Santa will need his sand runners for his stops on Kiawah.

We neither had the rain we had been led to expect nor the dip in temperature yet. In fact, yesterday was quite lovely and mild.  Tennis was played, moldy mice were baked, and a few touches of the holiday have graced the home.  Zoë is entranced as usual by all the ribbons and bows and makes many trips past the presents, stopping to sample a few favorites.  Molly hasn't paid them much mind this year at all.

All of us here--Yours Truly, He Who Must Play Tennis, Molly, Zoë, and the elf--wish all of you a very happy holiday.  I hope it involves family and friends, music and laughter, good food and all the things you asked for under the tree.  Most of all, I hope you have a few moments to sit in peaceful quiet and savor the day.  Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 23rd, cloudy: It's 54 degrees on my back porch at 8:45 this morning and overcast.  There's a pretty good chance we will have showers during the day and they will continue tomorrow.  Cooler temps are on tap, also, so check the firewood supply.  The high today will be in the low 60's and it takes a moderate dive from there.

He Who Must Play Tennis hopes that the showers will hold off until after his midday tennis game.  If not, all those sweet potato/buckwheat pancakes he has made and consumed this morning will have been for naught!

It's moldy mice day here in the kitchen as we will prepare a herd of them for the store's Christmas party tomorrow.  Everybody gets into the act, even my mom, who is the chief sugarer.

Many thanks to the elf who visited kiawahchats and put up decorations.  I may have to leave the computer on and the site up on a strategic location--it's the closest thing we have to holiday decorations here yet!  Even the cats are beginning to look askance at me!  But first, it's the mice...

Friday, December 21st, sunny, cool: It's 40 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning.  The sky looks clear already and the breeze is light at the moment.  Sunshine today with a high around 60--a pleasant day after a cool start.

A loyal reader asked about the progress on the new gatehouse at the main entrance.  Thus far we have some decorative orange mesh fencing and a cleared, bare area of dirt just inside the location of the present gate.  It would appear that's about as far as construction will progress until after the holidays.

Thursday, December 20th, breezy and cool: It's 48 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning, a bit overcast yet and breezy.  We should have lots of bright, albeit cool sunshine today, and if you can find some shelter from the wind, it should be pleasant.  The NW wind will get your attention though!  High in the low 60's.

It's actually cool in the house this morning.  Both Molly and Zoë made trips onto the bed for an early snuggle, although I would suspect they spent a good bit of time on Grandma's bed--it's neutral territory as she hasn't been fully "claimed" yet.

Wednesday, December 19th, cooler: It's 48 decidedly cooler degrees on my back porch at 6:30 this morning, still dark and quite still.  There's a different sound in the air--heat pumps!  Much too early for the birds yet.  High today will be around 60.  Haul out those holidays woolens!

We've had one reader comment on favorite holiday song:  Adeste Fideles, for its majesty.  Can't argue with that.

I'm up early to get a running start on another full day.  Both Molly and Zoë are excited to have early company but are blinking a bit more than usual and I am sure will be back in bed before this report is saved.  Hope all our preparations are proceeding.  The cooler weather here should put a bit more of the holiday feel in the air, I would imagine.

Tuesday, December 18th, mostly sunny: It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning, still dark and quite breezy.  There's a wren out there singing, though!  She must be bouncing about on her perch unless it's on one of the study oak limbs.  Mostly sunny today and a high near 70.

Last year this time, if you recall, we had already had some very cool weather.  The golf course grasses were brown and Christmas sweaters were actually needed.  Thus far, the courses are still lush green and wearing a decorative holiday tog is a conscious decision and calculated risk.  A hint of crispness would be wonderful.

One week.

Monday, December 17th, showers? It's 56 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  The rising run is lighting what appears to be a slightly overcast sky.  We are told to expect a mix of sun and clouds and perhaps a few showers.  High in the low 70's.

My Mom arrived for the holidays yesterday.  You can tell she's become an old hand at holidays at our house now.  Her eyes didn't widen at all in disbelief at the lack of any sign of Christmas in or around the abode--not even a wreath yet.  (Should I tell her that the autumn wreath was installed only a couple of weeks ago?)  Anyway, now she knows she arrives in time to be a full partner in the fray and gallop.  She doesn't panic any more and drop little hints like, "Why look, it's the 22nd already!"  It's only the 17th.  I have a whole week yet!

Sunday, December 16th, mixed: It's 58 sunny degrees on my back porch at 8:45 this morning.  There's some high cloud cover this morning and there will be a few clouds now and again today to mix with the sunshine.  High in the mid-60's.

Amongst all the holiday music we hear this time of year everywhere, I always listen for my favorite, "In the Bleak Midwinter."  It's relatively new, in a noel/carol sense, but still very traditional.  I find myself humming it a lot and I've tried to figure out why I like it so much.  Like so many things that are our "favorites," it's all tied up with past and tradition.

First of all, it's an English carol, words by Christina Rosetti and a very English music style.  That meshes pretty much with the very British Isles sort of Christmas that most of us have been brought up with--holly and greenery and candles and the notion of a cold, barren winter landscape.

Second, the words strongly evoke that cold winter landscape and even though I grew up in a more temperate climate, my Christmas memories have the smell of a coal fire wafting through them, especially from the coal stove at my grandparents' house in Manteo.  If you want to picture a barren winter landscape, picture the Outer Banks in December 50 years ago.

Third, we lived in England for a few years and all the Christmas traditions were in full life, real time there--chestnuts, frozen ground, coal smoke, holly, ivy, carols, crackers, the works. We heard "In the Bleak Midwinter" sung in a very old candlelit cathedral.  And it was Christmas.

In the bleak midwinter,
Frosty wind made moan.
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone.
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow upon snow.
In the bleak midwinter,
Long, long ago.

What can I give him
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part.
But what I can I give him,
Give my heart.

What's your favorite holiday song?  Why?

Saturday, December 15th, clouds continuing: It's 62  degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning.  The sky is cloudy and the morning light is faint again.  It's also very quiet out there.  Clouds will be the dominant feature today with the temps a tad cooler, near 70.

Unfortunately, there was no viewing of the eclipse here yesterday.  By late afternoon, the fog was once more in charge of the marsh landscape.  Still beautiful, but a glimpse of a partially eclipsed setting sun would have been nice also.

The girls are in a testy mode again with voluble "discussions" bedside in the early morning hours.  Perhaps the arrival of a Christmas tree will calm them since they both love having the tree set up and spend lots of time underneath it.  I wonder when Santa's elves will arrive because right now, that's their best hope! 

 Friday, December 14th, warmer: It's 63 gray degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning.  (Unfortunately, the website wasn't accessible then, so this report is being posted at 4:30 PM. Sorry.) It's drippy out there, but I don't know if it's actually raindrops or just the fog coalescing and falling.  The southerly breeze will continue moderately strong again today and there will be clouds off and on with a high in the mid-70's.

There's partial solar eclipse this evening. If there are no clouds it could be an interesting sight.  In our area it begins at 4:13 PM and the sun will set just before maximum occlusion.  That means that the sun will be low in the sky, beautifully visible over the river and marsh, and not so bright that you can't see it.  Let's hope for clear skies late this afternoon!  You can find info on the Internet about viewing time in your area.

The fog yesterday afternoon was beautiful over the marsh and the island. There is something nearly magical about fog and the beach or fog over large open spaces.

Thursday, December 13th: It's 62 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, a bit foggy and gray.  The wind has switched back to the south bringing warmer temperatures, in the mid-70's today.  It is also likely to be just a bit on the clammy, muggy side since there's lots of moisture already around and the fog will add a bit more.

Our antlered friend was standing guard over "his" lagoon again last night, a surprising sight as the headlights swept along the edges as I turned in.  He really is handsome and very much "in charge" this year.  There was also lots of raccoon activity, as I spotted three of the rascals just at our cul-de-sac, one loping into the shadows in that very rolling gait they have and the  other two waiting for me to pass on by.

Wednesday, December 12th, clouds:  It's 62 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, cloudy with slightly less breeze than yesterday.  Clouds will be prominent again today but little chance of rain and a high near 70.

The rain and wind of the past couple of days have stripped many of the remaining leaves from the deciduous trees and almost overnight we moved into another seasonal look.  There's still plenty of green considering the preponderance of pines, hollies, cedars, live oaks and magnolias, but bare tree branches punctuate the greenness now for a few months.

Tuesday, December 11th, cloudy:  It's 56 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, cloudy and breezy.  Clouds throughout the day with a high in the mid-60's.  There's a possibility of showers.

We had quite a bit of rain yesterday afternoon, including some very heavy showers that created quite a puddle in front of the shop's door.  We are considering several options, including bridges, pontoons and stepping stones.  Or we could just pretend it's our own version of Venice's Aqua Alta.

Monday, December 10th, rain likely:  It's 56 degrees on my back porch at 8:00 this morning and looking a bit more seasonable out there.  It's gray and overcast, quite blustery with a moderate to strong breeze out of the NE.  Rain is a good possibility today.

Must run this morning and will be back to chat later. 

Sunday, December 9th, mostly sunny:  It's 66 degrees on my back porch at 8:40 this morning.  He Who Must Play Tennis reports that his stroll down the driveway to pick up the newspaper was very pleasant with a gentle, slightly warm breeze stirring the air.  We will be sunny most of the day with a few clouds possible and a continuing breeze.  High around 70.

It rained last evening!  What a surprise to see, hear, and smell it--and to drive on wet roads for a change!.  It didn't rain much, though, and I am sure there was very little to soak into the ground.  But it was nice while it lasted.

Late last night we turned off the KI Parkway and there at lagoon-side was an antlered stag and a doe nearby.  They looked at us --somewhat in disbelief, I think, that there was anyone out and about around midnight.  I'm sure they usually have the island completely to themselves at that time!  We stopped and admired, then let them cross the road in front of us and move along to the quieter reaches of the golf course.

Saturday, December 8th, a few clouds:  It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 7:40 this morning.  The sun is shining and it is nearly still out there.  There are a few chirpy, twittery birds waking up and catching up on the day's gossip and plans.  Should be another nice one, in the mid-70's with a few clouds here and there.

The recent warm weather notwithstanding, the cats think that winter is going to make an appearance.  Both girls' coats have assumed their winter fluffiness and Zoë's ruff is quite apparent now.  Interesting that even though they are indoor cats, they still go through such seasonal changes.

The recent warm sunny days have actually warmed the surrounding waters a bit.  It's readily noticeable at night when the fog forms over the warm water and lies low over the sun-warmed land.  Last night as we returned from town, the fog over the Stono was thick and low enough to create a feeling of detachment as we eased into it from the James Island marsh, crossed the bridge meeting a few haloed car lights heading the other way, and then rolled out of the fog back to the clear darkness on Johns Island.  Not thick enough to be hazardous, but enough to create a briefly changed world.

Friday, December 7th, warm:  It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 7:05 this morning, overcast and still.  There's likely to be a mix of sun and clouds today with the high still in the upper 70's.

The Olympic flame passed through Charleston last night.  We were at a CSO/CSOC rehearsal for this weekend's performance of The Messiah when Kathleen Wilson appeared with one of the torches.  You may remember that Kathleen is the CSO harpist who earlier this year swam the English Channel.  She had been one of the flame carriers and was close by the auditorium and thought we would like to see the torch.  It was a one-of-a-kind interruption!

 By the way, if you are in town this weekend and would like to hear a performance of the Messiah with a smaller Baroque orchestra and mid-size chorus, there are still tickets available at the Gaillard for Saturday's concert.  It will be from an edition of the oratorio closer to Handel's original version without some of the later "improvements." Those of us who have sung the work several times have to watch very closely so we don't sing the "familiar" rather than the written in a few places. 

Thursday, December 6th, warm:  It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 7:05 this morning and a bit darker as there appears to be a heavier overcast this morning.  Clouds are not supposed to be prominent feature of the day, however, and the temp will rise to nearly 80 degrees.

A friendly face greeted me in the driveway as I returned last night.  Peculiar that a masked visage could also be so cute.  The raccoon thought briefly about standing his ground against my car,  stood up on his hind legs and measured his odds.  He thought better of it, though, and with a valedictory look back over his shoulder, he moved off the driveway and into the myrtles.  I know they can be pesky and destructive, but they are still appealing little critters, in no small part because of their cleverness.

He Who Must Play Tennis has become our resident shop network expert.  The last workstation went up last night without a glitch, he diagnosed and fixed a transmission problem, and he reprogrammed the function keys so that they perform the functions one would have reason to expect.  Of course, we still have a few "unexplainables," those occurrences that tech advisors say that they have never heard of before, and we have solved a few by methods that the same tech advisors say shouldn't work that way.  All part of the "magic" of computers!

Wednesday, December 5th, warm again:  It's 57 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning.  The sky looks like it will clear quickly of the morning overcast and we will warm into the mid- to upper 70's today.  Open doors and windows again.

Yesterday's absence was the result of computer contrariness, which seems to be rampant this week.  He Who Must Play Tennis got the computers successfully moved to the new location and up and running pretty quickly.  Then we started adding the new stations to the network.  "Most" of the instructions had bent sent with the equipment and software--except for a few programming changes and some switches that are supposed to be flipped.  And there seemed to be a variance between cable and connectors too.  Anyway, we are closer--just a few awkward system freezes now and again and a lack of one of the transmission utilities.  So when THIS computer started to balk, I did what I CAN'T do at work--I turned it off and walked away!

If you haven't watched or heard the news or read the paper and had any plans to drive down Meeting Street today south of Market, don't.  A broken water pipe has created a huge hole in the street.  Just when King Street was getting back to normal, too!

Monday, December 3rd, cooler:  It's 54 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning, slightly overcast with a light breeze.  The breeze is out of the NE so it is cooler and less muggy.  Ahhhh!  High today around 70.

The birds are back and singing again this morning too, so it sounds a lot more like my back porch!

The moon last night was two days past full, only slightly past completely round.  In the early evening it rose, a slight salmon/gold tinge to its color, a soft light over the marsh as I returned home  It was just skimming the treetops by that time, not a brilliant light yet, but enough to see a lovely young doe standing along the side of the road as I turned in.  She stood still and quiet, not moving at all as I stopped the car, lowered the window and greeted her.  She blinked, twitched her ears, and went back to grazing as I rolled on toward home.  A gentle evening.

Do you have your running shoes on?  The gallop towards the holidays has begun!  I'm considering roller blades this year.

Saturday, December 1st, continued warm:  It's 66 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, slightly overcast, muggy and nearly still..  It's silent on my porch.  I hear not one bird nor the ocean nor a heat pump anywhere.  Strange.  High today AGAIN in the upper 70's.  I am officially tired of muggy, warm days--for the time being.  A little cool crispness would be really welcomed and there should be a little cool air headed our way tonight.

Move recovery continues as we try to find boxes and bits and get everything stowed or at least stashed.  He Who Must Play Tennis and I have moved MANY times in the past--it really doesn't become any easier.  We've just become more realistic!  And we have found that just after each move, we know exactly how it SHOULD have been done!

Anyway, we hope that this afternoon, folks will stop by for a wee celebration and help us enjoy our new space.  That will be fun and get everything off to a good start.

Where are the birds this morning?  The doors and windows are open and I still have heard not the first peep, chirp or chatter.  I would suspect my hearing except that I could hear quite clearly Molly's complaints that we were not getting up quite fast enough to suit her.

Friday, November 30th, continued warm:  It's 64 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  The sky was dotted with beautiful pink puffy clouds for a brief time early this morning.  The color has faded and it's mostly clear with a noticeable breeze blowing. High today in the upper 70's.

We are opening for business in the new location today.  There's still a bit to do to clear out the old space and to get everything settled and functioning in the new one, but we are there!  The store was a true beehive of activity yesterday as many wonderful friends and customers arrived to pack and move and unpack and arrange.  It was amazing and just a bit humbling.  It sort of felt like a barn-raising must have felt!  So, we are tired, excited and very pleased--but mainly tired right now!

Thursday, November 29th, continued warm:  It's 58 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  The sun is just beginning to shine and it's still and quiet.  It's very peaceful and calming, something that is quite welcome this morning!  High today again around 80, with perhaps a few more clouds.

We are neither out of the old shop nor in the new one yet but very definitely someplace in between.  With the aid and support of some terrific customers, we have made great progress.  Today we receive another shipment of just painted fixtures, have phone lines activated and do the computer system upgrade/changeover dance.  What fun THAT will be!

We bought the store on an April Fool's Day and will open in the new location on the day of a blue moon.  For some, those would seem ill omens.  They've been good for us.

Wednesday, November 28th, continued warm:  It's 58 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, slightly sunny with a light breeze and silent.  High today again around 80.

Carpet's in, wiring is nearly done (at least the metal conduit isn't dangling from the ceiling any longer), and the sprinkler drips have been stopped  Not all the fixtures are ready yet (we're only a week late!) but something is being delivered at 8AM, having spent some drying time in the truck on its way down here from Charlotte.  I guess we are ready to move--or as ready as we are likely to be it seems.  Good thing, too, since moving day is upon us.  And Mother Nature seems to be cooperating.  I was afraid that my moving day would be the signal to break the drought! 

Tuesday, November 27th, continued warm:  It's 63 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning, clear and sunny with a light breeze and lots of bird chatter.  High today again around 80.

I am in Mad Hatter mode, racing around and perpetually late with something "very important" to do.  Construction creeps along as slowly as the clock hand speeds.  Please oh please oh please let there be fixtures today!

For a really beautiful autumn sight, check out the crape myrtles in the median as you approach the gatehouse leaving the island.  They are really spectacular right now and about as vibrant a fall color as we are likely to see here.

And now,  I gotta go!!!

Sunday, November 25th, it's raining!:  It's 62 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning and we have been having light showers throughout the night and early morning.  They have abated at the moment but the gray sky promises a few more drops before it's all over.  How nice to hear, see and smell the rain!  High today in the upper 70's.

It was a nice day in my hometown...wait! that's a different show!  Nonetheless, yesterday was a gorgeous day here in the Lowcountry--in the low 80's sunny, pleasant.  There were many disgruntled folks who were having to leave to return to their homes, I can tell you!

When this shop move started, it seemed like such a good idea--more space, better visibility, a backroom and office, and all in the same location.  Well, we are now at the spot where lots of things need to be completed but they are all dependent on something else being completed first--the type of situation that PERT charts and the CPM charts were designed to manage.

Some new fixtures and display wall panels were scheduled for delivery last Tuesday.  On Wednesday--when by MY watch it was no longer Tuesday--I called and learned they were "nearly complete."  Hmmmm.  It's just as well that the fixtures DIDN'T arrive on schedule because the carpet which was to be installed on Monday wasn't ("Oops! I measured wrong!")  So we have half of the carpet installed, but NOT however, in the office, which meant the delivery of office furniture had to be postponed until this Monday afternoon after the rest of the carpet is installed Monday morning (Are we holding our breath?)

So we couldn't move the office/back room stuff this weekend as planned, the painters haven't been able to complete their task, the base boards are still lacking and the sink has yet to be set.  We DID get to place the sales counter so that the top could be attached and laminated, but the slatwall that forms the outside walls of the counter is in that shipment that didn't arrive Tuesday and we are hoping that everyone was using the same measuring scale.  The electrician should be able to come and run the power pole to the counter and the fire sprinkler guys will have to come back a third time to try to stop the slow drips coming from sprinkler heads that are, of course, over the section of carpet that HAS been installed.  Phones, that's a story too!  We will have the same numbers, etc and will add one more line for another modem, but none of that work can be done until the day we are changing the number over (I still don't understand quite why.), which means that for some period of time, there will be no phone service, no credit card clearance, no fax, or order transmission.  And the security system can't be activated until the phone lines are.  I'm looking for a big dog, although just seeing me standing in the store should be a major deterrent!

In the midst of all of this late and non-arrival, there have been some deliveries that have arrived on time--merchandise and furniture for the sitting area.  Of course, we have nothing to put the merchandise on and there's dust everywhere in the sitting area-not to mention a drip or two!

There IS a brighter side to all this.  The contractor's foreman is wonderful and it is a comfort to see the same deer-in-the-headlights look in his eyes that I see in mine!  And as near as I can tell, every sort of skilled craftsman in the Lowcountry will be at our shop on Monday.  That should be a circus worth coming to watch!  Did I mention the ceiling tiles are still stacked in bundles in the back?  That means we will have men on stilts, too!  I'll be there, also.  You'll have no problem identifying me.

Friday, November 23rd, showers possible:  It's 56 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning.  We are likely to see a few more clouds than we saw yesterday and there may actually be some rain showers.  Wouldn't that be a welcome gift to a very dry area!  High in the low 70's.

Dawn was not dramatic this morning.  I started my walk in the gray half-light, silent except for the sound of the ocean.  It was the kind of light that could have been day falling away toward night as easily as night yielding to the day again.  Slowly the air brightened and the rising sun slightly brushed the morning clouds with the palest pink.  The birds awoke and took flight and began their morning chatter.  By the time I returned home, it was full light, no doubt that it was day.

A few ducks flew over as I walked.  I wanted to warn them about the hunters whose guns I heard at dawn. I hope the hunters eat the ducks and do not shoot them just for the "pleasure" of seeing them drop from the sky.  Why do I doubt that?

Thursday, November 22nd, partly sunny:  It's 48 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning.  The sun is shining brightly and the sky is blue, but there may be a few clouds rolling in later.  High in the upper 60's.

Happy Thanksgiving!  He Who Must Play Tennis is starting the day with some pancakes--just to get the eating off to a good start.  This will be a day off--of sorts--for me as I will be attending to the myriad tasks that attend the impending move of the shop.  A mixed blessing!

There have been lots of blessings this year, in spite of immense tragedy and sorrow.  I hope that all of us can find those things we have to give thanks for and can focus our energies on those today.  If you are among family and friends, so much the better.

Wednesday, November 21st, sunny but cooler:  It's 46 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  The sun is shining a bit weakly at present but should soon be brightening the clear sky.  Cooler today, though, with a high only in the mid 60's.  Appropriate.

The Limehouse Bridge has reopened.  Barring any further unfortunate contacts with barges, it should be accessible for holiday traffic.  All Johns Island commuters will be pleased.  A humorous/political note to all of this:  a hand-painted sign along the Maybank Hwy approach to the Stono River bridge that read "What do you think of the 526 now?"

Lots of people are coming to Kiawah for the long holiday weekend, it seems.  We have been quite busy and the island paths are peopled again.  I suspect the local grocery stores will be THE place to be this evening--or not!

If you are traveling, go safely and gently.  If you are being traveled to, take a deep breath!

Tuesday, November 20th, a few clouds:  It's 55 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  The sun rose in a fiery sky this morning, bright red and orange.  A red sky at morning...  We will have a mix of sun and clouds today, highs again in the low 70's, but the low tonight will dip into the 40's.  Dry again.

The closure of the the Limehouse Bridge continues and it as created a real mess at the Stono bridge.  He Who Must Play Tennis left for work at 8:00 yesterday morning and at 8:45 he called me, still on Johns Island.  The traffic going into town yesterday morning was backed up from the Folly Road lights, onto Johns Island, and at one point, all the way back to the Big Pig.  Coming home traffic was also delayed, but not as severely.  Hopefully, the bridge will be repaired by tomorrow sometime.  Is it time to revive the old steamer ferry service that used to ply the waters from Rockville and Johns Island to Charleston?

Monday, November 19th, a few clouds:  It's 55 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning.  The sun will shine today but there will be a few clouds. The temperature will be in the low 70's.  Get out and enjoy the day if you can.

The days begin to gallop towards the holidays now--Thanksgiving being just days away.  How does it happen every year?  Will you be traveling?  It's a tough decision this year:  brave the delays at the airports or face the increased traffic on the highways.

He Who Must Play Tennis was out on the creeks monitoring some marshland on Friday morning and reports that the dolphin are still very much in evidence.  They accompanied the boat for a while and one even did a twirling leap for him.  Better than Sea World!  Add to it lots of waterfowl and beautiful marshland and you have a picture that eloquently states why we need to conserve open land.

Speaking of a picture that says it all, did you see the NY Times on Thursday?  There was a color picture on the Nation Challenged section of Afghan women washing clothes in the Kabul River.  They were not veiled and were not accompanied by men.  It was a scene that many of us would have looked at several weeks ago and tsk-ed at for the primitive lifestyle it showed.  Now I look at that picture and see freedom.  It's only the beginning of a long, difficult road to an unknown destination, but what a wonderful picture of the startling changes a few weeks have made for those women.  Who would have thought that women washing clothes in a river could be such a evocative scene!

Sunday, November 18th, continued mild:  It's 55 degrees on my back porch at 8:00 this morning.  The sun hasn't broken through yet although it is promised.  High again in the low to mid-70's.

As an added complication in the bridge replacement situation, a barge hit the Limehouse bridge on Main Road yesterday, closing it.  Repairs are estimated to take four days.  That means access on and off the island is strictly by way of the Stono River bridge.  The Coast Guard has requested that bridge openings there be restricted to allow road traffic flow.  If you are coming this way for Thanksgiving, be forewarned.  We will try to keep you posted.

I didn't see the Leonids but I did see the eyelids.

Saturday, November 17th, continued mild:  It's 55 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning.  The sun is shining brightly and it looks like another beautiful day for the Warburg Cup.  High this afternoon again in the mid-70's with a continuing breeze.

The skies should be clear tonight--or at least early tomorrow morning--to allow a good viewing of the Leonids meteor shower.  This year's event is touted as being the best in 35 years and to be surpassed only in 2099.  Good out, look east in the direction of the constellation Leo (hence the name) and there should be excellent viewing of "falling stars."

Friday, November 16th, mild:  It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning.  The sun has broken through and it looks as though it will be a very nice day, mild with a high in the mid-70's.  We received only some windblown sprinkles yesterday and there's no rain in the forecast for the weekend.  The drought continues and, in fact, today's paper carries the long range forecast which shows little relief from the dry conditions during the winter.

Yesterday was overcast even if no rain developed.  In the suppressed sunlight, colors assume different intensities and hues.  The wild muscadine vines are now yellow and were very easily traced through the trees and bramble and there is some tree that now sports a soft orange, elongated leaf that sprinkled its color through the wooded areas.  Even the marsh had a changed look, a rustier hue with strips of darker brown and dusky green.  All in all, a very autumnal palette.

Thursday, November 15th, blustery:  It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, the sky is gray and there is a strong breeze blowing off the marsh.  We had a little rain overnight and there is the possibility of more today.  With winds expected to be 25-35 mph out of the NE, this could be an interesting and uncomfortable first day for the Warburg Cup down on the Ocean Course.  They are really going to think they are playing along the Scottish coast!  Except for the fact that it will be near 70 degrees and it's November!

There was a beautiful sunset last night, one of those that flares brightly with technicolor vividness for a brief time and then quickly dims as you stand watching it.  He Who Must Play Tennis saw it from his car as he was headed home and called me at work to go outside right away so I wouldn't miss it.  I did, and hustled down to the end of the parking lot to catch the last bits of the show.  It's not that sunset occurs infrequently, but doesn't each one seem a special event?

Wednesday, November 14th, mild:  It's 52 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  Even though it is a bit gray at the moment, sunshine will be the order of the day with an afternoon high around 70.  Our chance of some nourishing rainfall has been pushed into next week.  That's good luck for the Warburg Cup, but bad news for the continuing drought.

At dusk, a deer sprinted along the side of the Parkway at the edge of the marsh approaching the gate.  She was fleet and nimble and I feared for her safety as there was a fair bit of traffic coming and going at the time, but she kept to the verge and then darted into the brushy bit of woods at the marsh edge.  This is just a reminder that deer are active along the marsh edge and not easily seen before you are right up on them.

Tuesday, November 13th, showers delayed:  It's 50 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning.  What had at first light looked like a promising overcast has turned into clearing skies and sunshine.  That will be the case during most of the day with a high near 70.  It continues to be breezy.  Our best chance for some rain to at least dampen the dry soil will be Wednesday.

It's a monumental mindset shift that we now must seek to prove what is not an act of terrorism.  We are indeed changed.

I find that I am being pelted by acorns quite a lot this season.  That should bode well for the squirrels and deer and other critters that feed on the acorns.  The past couple of years have not really seen bumper acorn yield, mainly because of wind that stripped the acorns from the trees prematurely.  Well, they are coming off the trees now and the squirrels around our house are busy!  Of course, that keeps Molly and Zoë fully engaged in trying to keep tabs on Mr. Squirrel.

Monday, November 12th, a bit cooler:  It's 54 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  The sun is shining and a moderate breeze is blowing. The afternoon temp will brush the bottom side of 70 today--and there's rain possible on Tuesday.

The pines continue to drop needles at a rapid rate, a lot of them on the deck.  At least they are also putting down a fresh layer on the non-grassy areas outside also, lessening the need to bring in bales of pine needles to spread.  That has always seemed a bit like carrying coals to Newcastle.

If you are off today, enjoy the short break before the holiday gallop--or perhaps today is the day it begins! 

Sunday, November 11th, sunny, continued dry:  It's 66 degrees on my shady back porch at 11:10 this morning.  The sun is out and warm and I am sure we will eventually make it into the mid-70's as predicted.  There's a mild breeze and a clear blue sky.

This has been a very busy weekend with lots of rehearsal and last night's performance of the Berlioz Requiem.  This afternoon will be a laid-back, subdued time to recoup some energy and come down from the intense experience of performing with the symphony.

This is Veterans Day--the real one, not the "observed" Monday one.  There certainly is an increased attention to the observance this year, as there is increased attention to most things patriotic.  I grew up in a military area--Tidewater Virginia--and even though my Dad was in the Navy only during WWII, both parents continued to work for the military and the military colored the world I knew as a young person.  The step into being a military wife when He Who Must Play Tennis became a Naval officer was not a great leap from what I had known before.  So, we have never needed reminders of what it means to be in service to one's country or the high payments that are sometimes exacted, from separation from home and family to placing oneself in harm's way to giving one's life.  But this year, the reminder is that in a national conflict, ALL of us become warriors and veterans, some by choice and some by chance and circumstance.  We are all affected.

Friday, November 9th, continued pleasant:  It's 46 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning.  The sun is out, the breeze is nearly still, and there are a few twitterings in the bird world.  Lots of sunshine again today but a few degrees cooler as the wind switches back around towards the north.  High in the low 70's.  Nice enough for November!

The marsh is in full autumn glory right now, gold and green and bits of brown creating fields of color.  Anywhere you can see a wide expanse of marsh is a spectacular sight--around the Kiawah River, crossing the Stono, or especially crossing the connector bridge into Charleston.  And if you are passing near one of these places when the sky is clear blue and the sun is at a low slant, you are in for a real treat!  How Nature displays beauty that humans have tried for centuries to replicate, and are still trying.

It's a weekend again.  Notice how busy they have become as we head into the pre-holiday frenzy?

Thursday, November 8th, pleasant:  It's 46 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning.  The sun is once again shining brightly and it is almost still. Temps this afternoon will rise into the mid-70's.

Are you going to be in the area Saturday night?  If so, I would encourage you to attend the Charleston Symphony Orchestra concert at the Gailliard Auditorium.  The CSO and the CSO Chorus will be performing Berlioz' Requiem.  It's a dramatic, alternately melodic and terrifying piece of music.  The orchestra will include four brass choirs and twelve tympani.  We in the chorus will sing our little hearts out in order to be heard over our "accompaniment!"

Seriously, as has been reported in the local papers lately, the CSO, like several symphonies in the US and Canada, are facing tough financial times.  They were not flush before 9/11 and attendance has dropped since then--again, not just in this area, but elsewhere too.  We have a fine orchestra here and it needs our support, not just this weekend, but throughout the year.  Of course, this weekend would be a great time to attend--and we sure would love to look out on a full house from the stage.  Think about it.

In the meantime, there's a cardinal outside that I'd like to recruit for the soprano section! 

Wednesday, November 7th, warmer:  It's 46 snappy degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning.  The sun is bright and the wind is much reduced from yesterday's breeze.  And after a cool night, we will warm into the low 70's today.

Molly has acknowledged the cooler weather by retreating to her own reserved spot next to one of the warm air registers.  It's a favorite way station between the warm bed and the daytime world.

There have been reports of the albino raccoon being sighted in the neighborhood recently.  I haven't seen him for a while myself, but I'll start looking again.  He's always a bit of a surprise, like the pie-bald deer.  The changed coloration leaps out at you and tricks your mind as to what you are seeing.  The dappled deer always make me think "cow" for that first instance when I spot them, even though the shape and definitely the location are all wrong!

Tuesday, November 6th, breezy and clear:  It's 54 cool degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, bright sunshine and a moderate breeze causing the treetops to dance.  The crisp northerly wind will blow throughout the day and the temp will rise only into the upper 60's.

I love the way cats push up against any hand that is stroking them.   Zoë is particularly good at this, uncoiling from the top of her head all the way down her body to the tip of her tail.  It's amazing how much pressure she can exert with that tail!  She's lying beside me this morning enjoying an intermittent backrub and clearing the counter as she moves around to meet the hand more squarely.  The outer coat of fur feels cool in the morning air, but she's toasty warm down at skin level.  Cozy company this morning.

Monday, November 5th, clear:  It's 56 eye-opening degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning, a bit overcast at the moment with a light breeze stirring the air--a more ordinary November morning.  The sun should burn through the clouds and it will be clear with a high in the low 70's.  Cool tonight.

We are very dry and could use a good, rainy day with some steady, prolonged showers.

The Virginia creeper vine that grows so profusely here, primarily straight up onto any vertical surface and that would mainly be trees, is a beautiful red now and in several places around the island creates a colorful drape that embraces a swath of otherwise green trees.  A touch of Lowcountry autumn color.

It's Guy Fawkes Day in England.  Don't forget a penny for the Old Guy!  For us colonists, it's Roy Rogers' birthday.  Happy Trails, buckaroos!

Sunday, November 4th, one more nice day:  It's 65 degrees on my back porch at 8:20 this morning, bright sunshine, little breeze and the sound of a cardinal fills the morning quiet.  We will have pleasant temps again today, a few degrees cooler, in the mid-70's, with a cool breeze from the NE.  Cooler weather is blowing our way again for the early part of the week.

We have enjoyed a terrific weekend of stimulating and challenging thought and discussion as well as great fellowship with friends and neighbors as we participate in the first Kiawah Seminar.  This one has focused on the Middle East and while some points have been clarified--to some extent--many other questions and conundrums have been posed.  A complex, confusing, and utterly fascinating topic to explore.

We learned with great sadness that one of our furry Web friends, Buster,  has died.  He is still a gentle presence in the Critter Corner.

Both Molly and Zoë are quiet this morning, asleep no doubt.  I think I'll go roust them out of their somnolence for a great big hug.

Saturday, November 3rd, nice again:  It's 65 degrees on my back porch at 8:00 this morning.  The sun is shining brightly, gilding the remaining river birch leaves that cascade to the ground in a rush as the squirrel runs along the branches.  High again around 80.

Cooler weather is on its way again and by Monday we will feel autumn's chill, but hasn't this been a lovely week?  The sun has been bright and warm and the sky a beautiful blue.  Not at all a dreary November--at least not yet!

Molly is my attendant this morning, meowing at me, paw-tapping, and nose-to-nose stares.  There's even the occasional attempt at typing.  Since I've tried to ignore her (except for blocking her access to the keyboard), she has refocused her assault on He Who Must Play Tennis and has succeeded in finding purchase on his knee--a happy cat, but only temporarily I can assure you!

Friday, November 2nd, nice again:  It's 62 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning, a bit damper than yesterday following a light early morning misting.  There will be lots of sunshine again today but also a few clouds mixing in.  High again approaching 80.  The weekend weather should be very nice for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League's house tour on Seabrook.

My early walk was unattended by deer this morning--that's because I was looking for them!  But a bluebird flashed in front of me and a hawk glided overhead.  He Who Must Play Tennis reports seeing a deer on HIS route, however, and some very credible surf too.

I can also report that the pyracantha berries are profuse this year  and shining brightly.  If we were to heed the "old" wisdom, we would be calling the firewood guys NOW. 

Thursday, November 1st, very nice:  It's 62 pleasant degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning.  The sun is shining and the air is soft and slightly moist with a very slight breeze stirring.  High today in the upper 70's out here on the coast.

I went for a very early morning walk this morning, accompanied by many squirrels traveling their arboreal highway and a few birds just beginning to stretch their wings from their overnight roost.  The ocean roar was loud, the dew shimmered on the grass and the air was comfortably cool.  I encountered three deer, a doe and two antlered bucks, all of whom moved away from me as I walked, but none of whom bolted away out of sight.  In fact, one of the guys continued his walk down the 10th fairway on Cougar as I continued mine, both of us sneaking occasional peeks at each other, but trying not to stare or scare.  The moon was just topping the trees across the fairways, a glimmering pink pearl in the early morning light looking much different from the bright headlamp it was in last night's sky.  Sitting in the top of one of the few pre-Hugo pines, silhouetted against the moon, was a beautiful hawk.

As I walked, the early morning contractor traffic continued to build on the Parkway just a few feet and some bushes away from me.  But where I walked, it was a different world, a place of soft air, gentle creatures, nature's music, and serene tranquility.  This is the piece of Kiawah that I "own" and that owns me.  It's a place and time that I refuse to surrender to temporal bickering and contention and it refuses to let go of me either!  Good morning, Kiawah!

Wednesday, October 31st, a bit warmer:  It's 47 on my back porch this morning, sunny already and still.  Bright sunshine again today will mean warm temps, in the low to mid-70's.  There may be showers on the way, however.

We should have a full moon for Halloween--or nearly full anyway.  A harvest spectacular is last night's sky was any indication.  The moon was high and bright at 10 pm when we crossed the causeway.  Most of the stars were dimmed by the bright moonlight, but Orion was still visible lying on his side low in the sky and just ahead of us as we crossed the bridge.

Holly berries are beginning to show and the yaupon berries are already ripened and glowing like small rubies.  The small gray-lavender berries clustered along the branches of the sea myrtle are also easy to spot now.  There's a very nice specimen at the far end of the Bank of America parking lot.  I haven't noticed pyracantha yet, but I'm sure it's berries are also ripening.  I'll have to check and see what Mother Nature's winter forecast is!  We don't have wooly caterpillars here so I can't rely on them for advance notice of a cold winter.

Tuesday, October 30th:  It's 40 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning and the sun is shining brightly again with only the slightest of breezes.  It should warm up to around 70 this afternoon and without the strong breeze, should feel pretty comfortable.

Zoë believes the season has changed.  Her neck ruff of silky fur has begun to appear once again.  By spring it will be much longer and thicker, much like a permanent shawl around her neck and shoulders.  Molly's shorter hair just becomes much thicker until her coat looks like cut velvet.  We just don Polartec!

I came back onto the island just at sunset last evening.  The bright fireball sun had already dipped below the western tree line but its light still flamed orange and pink in the sky.  The moon was already 30 degrees high in the eastern sky, nearly full and already shining.  The river was still and smooth, a slight pink sheen reflecting the day's remnants.  I was the only car on that stretch of the Parkway at the time and I felt like I must have been a disturbance for the two fisher/shrimpers out on the river's edge facing the sunset as they tried to gather some of the marsh's bounty. 

Monday, October 29th, chilly sunshine: It's 40 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  The sun is shining brightly and there's a cool breeze out of the north.  High today in the upper 60's.  The fuzzy robe and slippers feel pretty good this morning.

Molly and Zoë have been our regular attendants during this cool spell and have been discovered curled up next to each other at times.  And I've noticed that the sheepskin-lined baskets are once more in use.

Yesterday morning early I noted a substantial flock of tree swallows rising from the trees along the side of the KI Parkway as one approaches the KI Parkway.  There were hundreds of birds rising, swirling and darting in the sunlight.  I grew up in Tidewater Virginia, a land with broad, flat farmland interrupted only occasionally by small hedgerows and a few trees.  In the winter, the fields would be empty and the trees bare except for hundreds of birds perched on the branches.  Sometimes as we rode by, the flock would lift off from the tree and move up into the air and off to some other destination--the ground to search for food or another nearby tree or off way down the field--but always together in a swirling mass, now a ball and then a stripe passing across the sky.  Except for the abundant leaves on the live oak trees, the scene was much the same yesterday morning.

Saturday, October 27th, cooler yet: It's just over 40 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning.  The cool front has arrived and the high today will be near 60.  Remember corduroy?

Today is my mother's birthday.  She's up in Virginia and we couldn't arrange schedules to be together, unfortunately.  But she and some of her friends--"The Girls"--will go out for a birthday lunch.  I can remember how chagrined she was to find me skipping rope at the end of our sidewalk chanting that she was 31 that day--a few years back.  I wonder how she would react to knowing that I've posted on the web that today is her 80th?

He Who Must Play Tennis is fortified with waffles and apple butter for a cool morning on the courts.  If you can find shelter from the wind, the sun should feel good

Friday, October 26th, much cooler: It's 58 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning.  It already feels much different from this week's very warm and steamy weather.  The cool front is sliding into the Lowcountry and the high today will be around 70.  But there will be lots of sunshine and a bit of a breeze.

Leaves and pine straw are beginning to litter the bike paths now, adding bits of rust, yellow, and red to the dark path.  The breeze and cool weather will add more to the carpet today.

When I returned to the house after my ride, I could hear a bird "screeching" high above.  I looked up, searching for the sound's origin and was treated to not one but two hawks gliding and swooping above the treetops.  They made four or five circling runs before they sailed off down the marsh.

Thursday, October 25th, there's a change on its way: It's 69 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning and clearing.  We will see a mix of sun and clouds and the temp will reach into the mid-80's before it begins to fall into the 40's tonight and in the 30's by the weekend.  Another sweater opportunity approaches.

I'm running late this morning and have to be at the store early.  I have just enough time to say hello and wish you all a happy day. He Who Must Play Tennis began his day with cheese biscuits and homemade apple butter--not a bad start!

Wednesday, October 24th, very warm: It's 69 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning.  The sun is beginning to rise on what should be much like a summer's day--sunny with a high in the mid-80's.

The Stono River was pink as I crossed it last evening, reflecting the sunset colors.  There was still a soft gray tint and pewtery sheen to the water, a color which if you saw it in a painting, you would never imagine it to be from nature.

I returned home later last night traveling through patchy ground fog.  Sometimes it hovered in the air a few feet above us, a ghostly nimbus that sprayed light in all directions and made street lights and security lights look like lighthouse beacons.  In some places the fog was at ground level and we traveled carefully down an altered highway.  And in some places, there was no trace of fog; the air was clear and the stars were bright.  An interesting ride both ways.

Tuesday, October 23rd, warm: It's 65 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, still and quiet except for a few twitterings and the soft sound of the ocean in the distance--and a cardinal who has just tuned up!  It's still nearly nighttime dark.  But the sun will rise and shine brightly today and the high will be in the low 80's.

I took a long bike ride yesterday evening and was struck by how good the island smells.  Riding along, I passed through distinct zones of nearly palpable smells.  Occasionally along the paths there's a spicy, floral smell, sweet and fragrant.  Near the marshes the air sometimes has a salty tang edged with a little pluff mud.  Fallen leaves dampened by yesterday's shower added a slightly acrid, woody smell, common now and making the path through the wooded areas have a lot in common with a mountain trail--at least in the olfactory sense.  Along the edges of the golf courses and through Night Heron Park, there's still the soft, summer smell of mown grass and warm dirt.

Riding on a bike, one passes more quickly from one fragrance to another and there are only very brief instances of combined aromas.  Yesterday, for some reason, the various smells seemed heightened, so much so that I seemed to experience the island by nose.  Funny, sometimes it's the sounds--birdsong or ocean roar--that predominate; sometimes color and light.  The island is filled with many beauties.

I did see one beautiful sight as I was nearing the fire station at the West Beach end--a velvety antlered buck looking straight at me from the understory, unflinching, unyielding and nearly invisible except for the backlighting of the lowering sun.

Monday, October 22nd, showers possible: It's 65 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, cloudy and nearly still. It will continue warm today and there's an increasing chance of showers.  High in the upper 70's.

For some reason, there is much more birdsong this morning than there has been in the past several days, mainly cheeps and twitters and one clear-voiced wren.  Perhaps there are a few transients or new residents joining in.

Yesterday was summertime warm and even had a touch of summer's humidity.  There was soft light and a soft breeze and even a soft coral-pink sunset to round out the day.  I've noticed that some of the trees are beginning to sport some color--not their own leaves, but the vines that grow up along their branches and then drape down toward the ground.  Virginia creeper is turning deep red and the wild grapevine is once again creating yellow polkas dots.  The cooler weather expected at week's end should hasten the process and sharpen the colors.

Sunday, October 21st, warm: It's 65 degrees on my back porch at 8:30 this morning, a bit cloudy and nearly still.  We will see more clouds today than we have in the past week and it will be a touch warmer, high in the low 80's.

There's a large black and white furry impediment to my typing this morning.  Zoë has plopped down as close as she can get to the keyboard and my arm.  Occasionally, a head bumps my hand or a tail sweeps across the keyboard, just to keep things interesting.  At present she in intent on clearing everything but herself off the horizontal surface.

A memorable sight as I was leaving the island yesterday morning.  Just as I was in front of the Sales Center, a bald eagle flew low (relatively) across the Parkway in front of me, a snake pinched in its beak.  An eye-opening sight to start the day!

Saturday, October 20th, warm: It's 64 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning, morning overcast and an occasional light breeze, still a cool one out of the north.  A few clouds, but mostly sunny today with a high near 80.  A good day for the MUSC golf tournament I would think.

The berries are abundant on the palmettos this year and they are just beginning to turn dark and ripen. They can be a bit of a nuisance underfoot and are easily tracked inside, but they provide food for several kinds of birds.  The cedar waxwings love them and are quite prone to indulging in them after they have ripened to the point of fermentation  and becoming a bit tipsy.

Friday, October 19th, warmer: It's 56 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning, noticeably warmer than the past couple of days.  The sky is morning cloudy still, but that should clear as the sun rises and we should have another bright & sunny day with a high in the mid 70's.

It must be snake-viewing time again here in the Lowcountry.  I've had increased requests for "snake books."  The cooler weather does draw the snakes into the daytime sunlight for warmth, so they are much more visible to us during the fall and spring.  It's usually easy to tell when a request for a guide is out of more than idle curiosity--something about the eyes gives it away!

Zoë delights in chasing the small lizards that unwisely choose to sun on the deck when she's out there.  We've already had one in the house this week--sans tail, of course.  He Who Must Play Tennis rescued it and returned it to the deck, reporting that it was one heavy-breathing lizard!  Molly is still chasing pine cones and Mr. Squirrel.

Thursday, October 18th, sunshine: It's 48 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning and DARK!  There's little breeze or humidity and a few very early birds are just beginning to call.  They are crows and I'd be hard pressed to class their voices as singing!    The sun will shine brightly today and the high will be around 70.  Very pleasant.

Molly and Zoë have agreed upon a bit of a truce--weather-related, I am sure.  Both of them want to be on the bed at night, sharing a bit of the warmth and comfort--and it's nice for us to have foot warmers.

Wednesday, October 17th, cool sunshine: It's 47 chilly degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, light breeze with skies clearing of morning overcast.  It should be sunny today but the high will make it only into the upper 60's.  Haul out the sweaters and sweatshirts again!

We should start seeing ducks and geese moving south in the coming days.  Many of them will pass over us in their V-formations, but a significant number will land and spend the winter here on Kiawah's ponds and wetlands.  Time to pull out the field guide and see if I can remember again how to tell them all apart.  By the time I get so I can distinguish them with any near-certainty, it's time for them to leave and I'm back to trying to identify warblers again.

Tuesday, October 16th, sunny: It's 55 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning, slight breeze and still too dim outside to tell what the sky is like.  We are supposed to have another sunny day like yesterday with a high in the upper 70's--but watch out! The wind is shifting and 40's are on tap for tonight!

I went for a late bike ride yesterday and I can report that the island is still beautiful.  I saw a large hawk standing guard on one of the soccer goals at Night Heron Park, sitting perfectly still, watching for movement in the grass, no doubt.  Three deer crossed Glen Abbey in front of me as I rode, two adults and a young one, running, dashing across and then crashing through the brush on the other side.  I was happy I wasn't 25 feet further along in my ride or I could have been on the wrong side of a deer-bike collision!  Further along, I came across a squirrel drinking water that had collected on a manhole cover.  He stretched out full-length across the lid, his tail straight out behind him, and didn't stop as I rode past, just looked towards me and flicked his tail. I listened to the egrets settling in to roost around a nearby lagoon as they clacked and cackled and buzzed--they can be a noisy bunch!   I rode and rode until I finally had to come in because it was getting dark.  Yep! the island is still beautiful.

We heard from another faithful visitor that the color in Pittsburgh PA was at its peak last weekend.  A brisk wind, though, has transported many of the leaves from the trees to the ground, creating what was described as a colorful patchwork quilt ground cover.  Doesn't that sound nice!  Thanks for the image.  We have lots of river birch leaves falling now and yesterday for the first time, I got a brief whiff of that wonderful smell of fallen leaves.  Now when that smell wafts my way, I'll close my eyes and call up an image of a lawn littered with brightly colored, fallen leaves.  Like I said, vicarious autumn!

Monday, October 15th, sunny: It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, quite a bit cooler than yesterday as we finally did get a small shower as the front moved through last night.  Even cooler temps are on their way during the week.  The front also brought clearer skies and we should have a beautiful day today, sunny with a high near 80.

There was little sunshine to bask in yesterday even though the air was warm and muggy--all the better to appreciate the goldenrod now in full bloom along the roadsides.  Ever notice how yellow flowers actually seem brighter on days with less sunshine, as though they have gathered the sun's light over the sunny days and then give it back on the gray ones.  And all the yellow flowers were shining brightly yesterday.

We heard from a faithful visitor from Massachusetts that the fall color there is approaching its peak.  He also reminded me of one of the drawbacks to all that beauty--all those leaves fall and have to be raked and disposed of.  Of course, there's an up side to that--a raking party and hot cider.  Also heard from Maryland that lack of rain may have kept some colors from being as bright as in other years, but still enough to know it's fall.  Pictures to be posted soon--vicarious autumn!

Sunday, October 14th, showers likely: It's 74 degrees on my back porch at 8:50 this morning, overcast, damp, with an occasional breeze.  Mostly cloudy today with a real threat of thunderstorms later.  High around 80

The sweetgrass is in bloom now so it's easy to spot across the island.  Clouds of purple plumes dance above the grass clumps, feathery, almost ephemeral.  In fact, in some lights and seen at a distance, the plumes seem to disappear.  Most of the sweetgrass we see on the island now is the result of landscaping.  The natural sites are dwindling in number, but they are still there and worth the hunt.

Saturday, October 13th, continued pleasant: It's 62 degrees on my back porch at 6:10 this morning.  It's still night out there so I can only guess that the rising sun will reveal mostly clear skies.  High again around 80.

There are few things quite so comforting as having a cat curl up right next to you, snuggle in and begin to purr.  And there are few things quite so annoying as having said cat launch into her morning toilette while in that same location!  Molly is not an overly meticulous cat, but her bath can take a loo-oong time, or at least so it seems when I am involuntarily involved.

I can hear movement in the brush that borders our lot, deer or bobcat, I presume.  How fortunate to live in a place where if you hear noises outside, you immediately suspect critters and not intruders, an opportunity for spotting some beautiful bit of the natural world and not being a target of some malicious intent.

Another busy weekend looms, more to do than time is available.  Hope you find a way to be outside during part of the day.  And what are the leaf reports from prime autumn locales?

Friday, October 12th, pleasant: It's 65 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning.  The sky is pink, which looks nice, but a bit strange behind the pine trees.  The ocean, which has been silent these past few mornings is definitely "over there."  Mix of sun and clouds today and a high around 80.

Some of the spiders and their webs are disappearing now but a few hardy souls are hanging in there--quite literally.  The golden silks that are around our house are of pretty substantial size and look like appropriate Halloween decorations.  I will NOT be unhappy to see the end of those little black, jumping house spiders, however, which seem to be more prevalent this year than ever.

Thursday, October 11th, a few clouds: It's 68 pleasant degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning.  It's a bit overcast, but that could just be the morning waking up, and the wind has died down a bit.  A few clouds will be evident today, but the high will once again be near 80.

We are one month past the WTC and Pentagon attacks and there will undoubtedly be speeches and services to mark the day even as military action continues over Afghanistan.  If our determination and will in this larger endeavor to blunt terrorism should begin to waver, reflect on what a colleague said:  If we were to spend one day, just one day, standing against terrorism for each of the September 11th victims, it would take 17 years to honor all of them.

Wednesday, October 10th, warmer: It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning and the winds have shifted to a more easterly direction as a warm-up continues.  High today will be in the upper 70's, still breezy.

It was still nearly night-dark outside when we first arose this morning--not that long ago.  The sky was just beginning to show blue as the sun's rays--but not the sun--peeked over the horizon.  There was still a bright half-moon high overhead and a couple of planets shining. That's a lot like night!  It's dimly light on the porch now and a wren has warbled a few anticipatory notes, but no other sound--not the ocean, heat pumps, or other birds.  A rooster could make a bold statement right about now--and wouldn't THAT excite a few!

Tuesday, October 9th, teensy bit warmer: It's 52 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning.  The northerly breeze continues to blow in some cool air, but it's dry cool air and very few clouds with it. High today should be in the low 70's as we begin to warm up a little.

Our two mini cool-spells have really sent the message to the river birches and their leaves are dropping rapidly and there are a few red sumac leaves to be spotted here and there.  But the gums and maples remain solidly green.

I crossed the bridge and marsh last evening just at the moment when the sun was halfway below the horizon.  The sky was mostly clear with only a few thin scattered clouds to the east and a very few jet contrails overhead.  Most of the sky was soft blue-gray, giving no hint as to what was occurring at the western horizon.  There, the setting sun blazed yellow-orange, but color-lit only a small patch of nearby space, tinting it pink and coral.  The color didn't sweep across the sky and it didn't linger.  This was no dramatic day's end, but a small, intimate sunset for a few.  You had to be there! 

Monday, October 8th, crisp morning. It's 50 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning  with a continued breeze out of the north.  Even Zoë has found the deck a bit cool this morning and Molly is still snuggled in bedcovers.  Like yesterday, the sun will warm the air to around 70. Cool again tonight.

And so it has begun.  With a swiftness that belies what lies ahead, we have enjoined an opponent so diffuse that it defies definition.  War is anything but holy and even if you believe the cause to be just, it requires determination, courage, and strong-willed endurance.  Fighting an enemy whose "holy" mission is to destroy you and your way of life will follow few rules or conventions of war.  May God bless and protect all of us.

Be alert.  Be informed.  But also go outside, take a long walk and check out the salt myrtle just beginning to bloom.  Talk to your family and hug your cats and dogs.  Savor life.

Sunday, October 7th, pull out those sweatshirts! It's 57 degrees on my back porch at 8:20 this morning with a significant breeze out of the north.  We will have cool sunshine today and a continuing breeze, making for a very fallish afternoon high near 70 degrees.  And I wouldn't be surprised to smell a little fireplace smoke this evening!

The rain and cool winds held off long enough for us to enjoy our neighborhood block party last evening--good folks enjoying some good laughs and stories and food.  We even had some singing, although I'm not sure you would find it in any dictionary under "good!"  In this fractured, unsettled time, it's good to nourish and be nourished by community.

The work one sees going on in Willet Pond is to replace an aging weir system.  We will see similar work at Bass and Ibis Ponds in the near future.

The Charleston Symphony will be in the park this afternoon for a free concert--or at East Beach if the weather requires.

Saturday, October 6th, showers later? It's 70 degrees on my back porch at 7:45 this morning and the skies are clear at this hour.  Clouds could roll in this afternoon and there could be a thundershower or two.  Hope not, since today is the SMOG block party.  High around 80, much cooler after a front rolls through.

It's one of those beautiful mornings that make us remember why April, May, and October are primo months here.  I walked this morning, accompanied mainly by cardinals and deer.  The island was very quiet and the breeze out of the SW was soft and slightly moist.  Dew shimmered on the fairways and the lagoon water was perfectly smooth.  For a time I walked towards the moon, a silvery light still halfway up the sky, shining brightly above a thin layer of low-lying night clouds.  Coming back towards home, I walked facing the sun which was spreading a pink wash over some high, thin morning clouds.  Sun on my face, moon at my back, pink skies above and silver dew underfoot.  If I needed a reminder, it's good to be alive.

Friday, October 5th, pleasant again: It's 66 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, much the same as it has been for the past few days.  And we won't see a lot of change during most of today's weather, although a few clouds may make an appearance.  High in the low 80's.

These cool mornings have meant we have had a measurable dew, particularly noticeable on the very fine, small webs stretched delicately across the tops of several dwarf yaupons.  The dew turns the usually nearly invisible silk into a silvery doily that glistens on top of the dark green.  As the sun strengthens, the dew evaporates and rises in slow, twisting tendrils--a misty moment of magic right at the end of my driveway!

All the elements are in place for a fine weekend to come, some sunshine, some tennis for HWMPT, and a pancake or two, I am sure

Thursday, October 4th, pleasant: It's 66 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, the sky is clear and there are a few early bird twitters emanating from the common area brush.  Beyond that, the only sound I hear is a neighbor's irrigation sprinklers clicking around and crashing against an overhanging palmetto frond.

I was happy to note that a Belted kingfisher has once again laid claim to a prized perch--on top of the "No Fishing" sign on the Kiawah River bridge.  He was sitting there yesterday morning, very tall and still, surveying the flooded marsh.  No fishing unless, of course, you are a "king."

Wednesday, October 3rd, If you love Indian summer, come on down! It's 64 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, clear skies once again and only the slightest breeze stirring.  The stage is set for a glorious day--sunshine and a high in the low to mid-80's.  Take every excuse you can to be outside!

The KI Parkway continued to be an active place last evening.  As we were returning from town and had just turned on to the KI Parkway from the BK, there was a beautiful buck trotting down the right shoulder towards us.  He didn't seem concerned and wasn't "deer in the headlights" panicked; he was just on a mission.

The moon is full at present and the nighttime causeway across the river is beautiful in the moonlight, especially when the tide is high and the silver moonlight is bounced in reflection from the smooth surface of the water.  Evocative guitar music was playing on NPR as we crossed and I turned off the headlights and and slowly traveled in another realm for a brief time.

My wish for all of you in these tense, disturbing times is that you find a special spot, view, or sound, seek it out and draw comfort and strength from the natural world's solid serenity.  Even the most fragile things--butterflies, rainbows, birdsong, and salt spray--speak of strength and endurance.

Tuesday, October 2nd, beautiful: It's 58 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, clear and only slightly breezy.  Sunshine will warm us up to around 80 today.  Ahhhhhhh!

Our brief cool spell will make Indian summer--our usual October weather actually--seem that much more special, I think.  Bright warm days to enjoy and cool evenings that make us love sweaters.

I am beginning to see the bright yellow spikes of goldenrod along the roadsides this week.  There is usually a pretty good row of it between the gate and the bridge and I watch for it each fall.  These days, however, it's hard to see everything going on along that stretch, though.  The sunsets have been gorgeous, there are butterflies everywhere, I always try to spot a dolphin, and the marsh grasses wave like grain just now.  Then there's the small matter of other cars on the road, too!  It's a very busy stretch of road, with or without cars!

Sunday evening, September 30th, the end of a pleasant day: It's 68 degrees on my back porch at 9:30 PM.  It has been a beautiful sunny, breezy day, warm with a cool edge to the wind.  We expect the same for tomorrow.  Beautiful days, these.

The computer has been sooooo sloooow these past few days, taking much time to load and let me talk to it.  On Sunday morning, I just couldn't sit still long enough for it to load so I am writing tonight for today and tomorrow.  So much for awe at how much a computer does in such a short time!

It has been a busy day--books, brooms and apples.  Activity begins to pick up as the weather cools.  The birds are certainly much more vocal and there are bunches of butterflies fluttering all around.  The cats are even more active, mostly chasing each other or trying to intimidate Mr. Squirrel.  I fear for Molly sometimes.  Advancing years and weight gain have decreased her vertical jump accuracy a bit. Now, to get up on the deck rail, she begins at the far corner of the deck, runs at full speed, leaping up and caroming off the side of the house up onto the railing. Now, this is the same cat who has fallen off the deck rail twice, presumably just walking on it.  Each time really is a leap of faith!

A new month starts tomorrow--October, my favorite usually.  We all wait anxiously to see what this one will bring.

Saturday, September 29th, breezy: It's 62 degrees on my back porch at 7:05 this morning, early morning dim with a moderate breeze along the marsh edges.  The sunshine will be with us again today but the breeze will increase.  Highs again in the low to mid-70's.

The morning symphony has not yet begun at full volume.  Each day, however, we have been treated to a mockingbird serenade at work.  The doors are open to the fresh air and our soloist sits in the plaza and sings the most beautiful songs, early morning and late afternoon, so our day is bracketed with music.  In these still somewhat somber days, the pure joy of his singing is a blessing.

The territorial tensions have increased here in the cat kingdom, usually erupting in a fracas in the very late or very early hours.  This morning there was a sharp exchange of opinions at bedside, which seems to have been forgotten now or at least set aside for a bit.

Friday, September 28th, mild and sunny: It's 62 degrees on my back porch at 7:05 this morning, a very pleasant start to the day. The only downside is that it's so dark upon rising.  Still, I'd rather have the daylight at the end of the workday, I think.  Lots of sunshine today and highs again in the mid-70's.  Another good tennis morning.

I rode my bike around the island yesterday--a very quiet island, even for September.  I encountered four other bicyclists and one walker over the course of the entire 12-mile loop.  I did encounter four deer alongside the path, all of whom held their ground and didn't bound away into the brush as I rode by.  And I saw lots of Beauty berry still shining brightly at the woods edges.  Some of it has started to fade a bit, but along the Vanderhorst Allee trail there are still some incredibly bright purple clusters of berries easily seen.

It IS quiet out, but September has always been a slower month, winding down from the summer and not yet geared up for fall and winter.  It's a great time to take advantage of the luxury of nearly deserted paths and beach, to really get out and enjoy a large part of the reason many of us chose to live here in the first place.  When was the last time you walked around Night Heron Park?

Thursday, September 27th, continued pleasant: It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning, still, dry and quiet.  There's a bit of overcast but we expect that to burn off quickly and to have a mostly sunny day with highs in the mid-70's.  A great day for the property owners' tennis tournament.

I read in the online news this morning that scientists in Denmark have succeeded in making important steps towards "quantum entanglement," a physical phenomenon that has important implications for information and communication, but which is also a concept basic to teleportation, the preferred transportation means for "local" commutes from the Starship Enterprise.  It has something to do with subatomic particles being entwined without physical contact.  I prefer Einstein's way of referring to it:  "spooky action at a distance."  He had a way about him, did that Alber