Kingskid! It's been far, far too long. Eep, that does sound like a tough semester. Good luck with all your classes! (But if it was the study of Ents, wouldn't your entire class period be devoted to saying, "Let's get started"? )

Thanks, Jo! (And yes, my nephew is adorable. Sorry; couldn't resist.) I'm a little bit jealous of your weather at the moment. It's not actually that hot, but it's been very rainy and humid for the last few days, so temperatures in the 70's (°F, of course ) feel a lot hotter. :-/ Even though earlier this week, we had a day so cold that I debated getting out my fall/winter clothes! Ahhh, Minnesota, how fickle you are....

Otherwise, though, it is beginning to feel like fall. Our house is starting to be abundant in apples (never a bad thing ), and all the Halloween decorations are coming out at the stores. (As long as they wait to put up Christmas decorations until at LEAST the end of November, since I can't dare to hope they'll wait until after Thanksgiving. )

(Can you tell I was experimenting with emoticons here? )

Honeycrisp apple season has begun here They're on sale right now for $1.99/pound. Can't get enough apples this time of year

Yes, YeS, YES! Sooo crunchy, crisp, and taaaasty! Would you believe it, it was ceppault and stargazer who initially introduced me to this queen of apples back on the old forum.

(But if it was the study of Ents, wouldn't your entire class period be devoted to saying, "Let's get started"? )

That. Is. Choice!!!

Ahhh, Minnesota, how fickle you are....

Ontario too. Up and down; cool to warm—even a bit humid to very cool. That's the beginning of autumn for ya'. Can't wait for the time coming when each day does not go above 15C or so. That should be happening verrry soon (but not this week, as Saturday is supposed to hit 22! ) Oh, that is 71.6F

Hallowe'en decorations are everywhere, yeah, and even some small sections of Christmas stuff are popping up but after Canadian Thanksgiving (the second weekend in October), watch out. Festiveness—and faaaar too much stuff—is everywhere!!!

So, this Saturday is our annual extended family gathering on my dad's side. We have been enjoying this autumn day together every year at this particular location for 30 years now! It's in the rolling hills of beautiful Mennonite Country, about an hour & 1/4 NW of us in a tiny hamlet called "Hawkesville". When we look out the windows of the quaint, little restaurant, we often see a horse and black buggy traveling by. Love it! My dad's oldest brother will be there with his wife (94 and 93 years of age, who will be married for 70!! years this December), as will my parents, then the children of the elder Pipher siblings, and even their children, and even their young offspring! Very special, indeed.

So, our leaves have begun turning here, but there are at least a few weeks left of this glorious beauty, thankfully. Just a reminder of how rural areas will look in awhile ... glorious! This photo is about a 20 minute drive from us, at Rattlesnake Point in southern Ontario.

Many of our stores already have a lot of Christmas stuff out, especially crafty kinds of stores (which I can understand. . . if you want to make something for somebody for Christmas, you'd need to start early). We're even starting to get some pre-Christmas commercials on television. There's one for K-Mart with a giant gingerbread man walking around in this office, and it's a reminder not to let the holidays sneak up on you and to take advantage of their lay-away program. . . it's kind of creepy actually

This photo is about a 20 minute drive from us, at Rattlesnake Point in southern Ontario.

That photo is GORGEOUS! Is that a picture taken recently, or is that just from off the internet. (And the name "Rattlesnake Point" is AWESEOME! )

Our leaves are starting to turn too. . . particularly the golden yellow ash trees. Many of the red maples are half red and half green right now. I'm thinking that we're set for a gorgeous autumn!

Now if only things would get a wee bit cooler

Jo, your family get together sounds awesome!! And your family has kept this going for 30 years... wow. I dream of being able to see all of my extended family that regularly. I hope you guys have a lot of fun!!

And I agree with DiGs; the picture is beautiful! Actually, when I first saw it, I got it confused with your signature (I was scrolling up from the bottom of the page), so I thought it was from one of the LOTR/Narnia movies at first.

Okay, I give craft stores a free pass on this since, as you said, people need time to make projects. If I see Christmas commercials this early, though, I boycott the store in question. (Target, please don't do that again. I do most of my shopping at your store, usually. ) Fall is too gorgeous to get overlooked every year for Christmas's benefit!

My mom is thinking about taking a day trip to southeastern Minnesota to see some of the fall colors in October. She took the same trip last year, but I was still in school and couldn't afford the time. But this year, that won't be an issue.... (And there'll probably be a certain nephew along for the trip... I promise; eventually, I'll make it through a post without mentioning him. ) I'm really looking forward to that.

That photo is GORGEOUS! Is that a picture taken recently, or is that just from off the internet.

Off the internet, but we have photo prints very much like that. Yes, it's a gorgeous place with miles of hiking trails. Repelling is a very popular sport down those Niagara Escarpment cliffs. If we ever have a Moot way up here, we can mosey on over there, to be sure.

Now if only things would get a wee bit cooler

Ditto!

Thanks, Ryadian, our "Pipher Hawkesville gathering" is really a very special time, indeed.

Actually, when I first saw [your Rattlesnake Point photo] ... I thought it was from one of the LOTR/Narnia movies at first.

Totally! You know, it could easily pass as Aslan's How!

Fall is too gorgeous to get overlooked every year for Christmas's benefit!

Hear-hear! Indeed!

How nice you can join in on the trip to see the fall colours this year, Rya!

I promise; eventually, I'll make it through a post without mentioning him. )

No! please don't promise that! It's fun hearing about him.

So, wishing each of you a good weekend. 'Tis still above seasonal average temperatures here, but the nights are beautifully cool, and I'm loving my pre-dawn walks under that awesome night sky!

So, what did you all think of the SC news?! Quite something, eh? I have some trepidation, to be sure, but am also hopeful that they will get back to the beauty and delight and magic of Lewis' beloved tale. And remember to post your thoughts also in the burgeoning GMD topic.

Now to the weather: it's too warm for me today and will be tomorrow as well (feels more like summer than autumn ), but Thursday should bring a lovely change, and after that I am hoping we will see no more days above 20C/68F until spring!

Happy Tuesday to you all ... the day of the Big News!

*A tall, cloaked figure enters the Square as the cool and crisp Fall wind rustles the changing leaves that have begun to fall and coat the ground. Admiring the scenery as it is lit by clear moonlight and the soft glow of lanterns, the figure removes the hood of his cloak and takes a seat at the fountain*

Mortereve all!

Sorry for appearing and then disappearing again. Life and college have been keeping me busy as of late, so when I do have free time... Family or some other obligation takes center stage.

Anyway, I hope and trust that everyone is doing well. And if you are not, perhaps some hot chocolate will help you to feel better!

*with a slight flick of his wrist, a metal thermos with fresh hot chocolate appears on a table along with cups for said drink*

Been taking some lessons from Merlin whenever he stops by. He still won't teach me how to make things come to life, something about he tried teaching a mouse that before and then brooms and a flood and the end of the world or some such nonesense.

Ooh! Hot cocoa! My favourite! *produces some mint leaves from underneath his cloak and allows them to seep into his cocoa*

Glad to see you popping in when you can, Cor. . . we all know that college can be a busy time!

Back in Ditto Town Square for a bit.

Allows Miss Rachel to find me when other methods are not available.

*drops by on a dark, windy night with the temperatures rapidly dropping, while her kitchen smells of cooked tomato*

I know I'm not the Rachel you are looking for but.... it's still good to see you here again Cep.

And hello to everybody else. *waves hi* I wish I had more time to post in this thread, but having a kiddo makes it hard to post in all of the forum threads that I'd like to, so I must prioritize. Maybe one of these days I'll get back into it.

I spent my evening canning tomatoes with my parents. My garden, and Aravanna's garden, produced an insane amount of tomatoes this year. I don't know how many we canned a couple months ago, but we canned another 17 pints tonight. And that was just our little tomatoes. My parents took our big tomatoes home with them and plan to can them tomorrow. Gonna have to make lots of recipes utilizing canned tomatoes this winter!

*disappears once again and leaves some fresh, sweet, vine-ripened tomatoes for everyone to munch on*

I know I'm not the Rachel you are looking for but.... it's still good to see you here again Cep.

Thank you, but you and your happy little one count too. And there is nothing much better than tomato fresh off the vine. Been about 30 years since I helped with canning tomatoes; I miss that a lot.

Strange not having the usual method for people to get a hold of me. The place I am working another job is here, and it as limited service. Not far geographically from George's old warren. Mostly uncomplicated medical help we provide here for folks traveling from all over the world.

Life and college have been keeping me busy as of late, so when I do have free time... Family or some other obligation takes center stage.

Understandably. Cor, it is really, really lovely to see you in the Square again!

cep?!!! CEP!!!!!!!!!! Awesome to see you here! Interesting about this other job. And just look at all that ... desert! If you ever see George again, give him a scratch from me. There must be numerous other Georges, though, around where you are.

*drops by on a dark, windy night with the temperatures rapidly dropping, while her kitchen smells of cooked tomato*

Mmmmm, fantasia! All that sounds just so cool: the dark [and stormy] windy night; the cooking tomatoes; help from your family. Yes!!! 'Tis really grand that your tomato plants have produced so well this year. Ours too. And now I have to make sure I bring any green ones in before the first frost hits, as they ripen so nicely over time inside, and I don't want to lose any, because there are some beauties out there still, but green as anything. Btw, say a big HI to the kiddo.

*disappears once again and leaves some fresh, sweet, vine-ripened tomatoes for everyone to munch on*

*freely, and with great enthusiasm, nabs a few to enjoy* Oooh, so succulent and TASTY!!!

Wishing everyone a good weekend, and sends to all the Square Onions!

Awesome to see you here!

Ditto

It is pleasant to have a seat in the square with my old friends, especially Gorse. Its been quite some time.

Many cousins of George around this location. However, it as been noted the coyote population is quite fearless and does a good job on the business end of the food chain.

Quite scenic here. Guano Point is a spectacular view. Pleasant temperature and elevation at 4800ft.

The place I am working another job is here, and it as limited service. Not far geographically from George's old warren.

*chuckles at the irony that it's on 'Buck and Doe' road*

We're currently spinning out honey over here! It smells AWESOME! Can't believe the difference between homespun honey vs. what you buy in the stores. Should keep us going through the winter.

*a shadowy figure wanders down the Square's familiar streets, once empty and barren but suddenly full of life once more*

It's great to see old familiar faces here once again! The homey thoughts of homespun honey and other fruits of the harvest are just in time for the onset of winter, as we see pictures of western South Dakota buried under snowfall amounts that are impressive by just about any standards.

And, of course, this news about The Silver Chair is awesome!