Oddly, it was enjoyable today to sit outside to read a bit and to actually *not* hear any birds singing.  I guess the mating and nesting season is over, and they just weren't around singing today, which seemed a little eerie after all the birdsongs of summer.  I adore listening to the birds sing, don't get me wrong, but there was something so peaceful about hearing nothing but a lone cricket chirping and no other sounds at all.  Every now and then I'd hear one of our pigeons cooing or a blue jay calling to another one, but for the most part it was just me, and the cricket and the balmy fall day.  

One of the things I love about living here is that sometimes it's just dead quiet outdoors.  Not during the spring or summer with all the frogs and birds and crickets etc., but moreso in the fall and winter.  I grew up in a town near enough to highway I-75 to hear the frequent or sometimes constant buzzing sound of trucks and cars speeding along.  Other friends who live in the country also have highways or busy roads nearby to ruin their peace.  It's amazing how far the noise of cars and trucks can carry!   

Carter joined me to read on the porch for awhile, and then we wandered around the yard and property checking things out and taking some photos as we often do.  Today I was trying to photograph the inside of the groundhog hole that I ended up with half of my leg down the other day before I fell while carrying my grandson.  We were both fine, and I'm stil laughing about it.  I was hoping to get a pic of a groundhog looking back at me, but no such luck!  This is all I got:

The bumblebees were all enjoying the last days of my giant marigolds as they collected nectar like crazy today.  While we photographed them,they buzzed all around us, luckily not seeming to be interested in stinging us! 

Eventually the mosquitos became too thick, and chased me back indoors.  I always wonder what the purpose of the pesky mosquito is.  I guess I need to try to find out, since I despise them so for ruining so many evenings of nice weather for me!  My kids are much tougher than I am, and have remained outdoors with their friends playing soccer and riding the go-cart around the property this evening. 

Earlier today Shannon and I enjoyed sitting in the warm, almost too hot sun, to watch Carter's soccer team win 11-0.  So far they have not lost a game this season!  On our way home we stopped and browsed a moving sale down the road to our west and found a few small treasures. 

Tomorrow we'll travel to my son Landon's college to watch him play soccer with his team.  His ankle is still recovering from a bad sprain, so hopefully he can play!  My mother and father-in-law will be coming too, and then coming back to town to spend the rest of the day and night with us. 

It's hard to belive that a week ago we were wearing hats:  and warm jackets and sporting red noses, cheeks, and hands after some time outdoors, and today we were back to beautiful summerlike temperatures!