So far we're having a beautiful Fall, which makes me so very happy!
Most days are gorgeous, temperatures in the low 70's and this coming week even in the high 60's, and the nights are nice and cool in the high 40's!
The trees are all starting to color and the vineyards are looking so pretty in that low, warm light that is so really Fall.
Most days are gorgeous, temperatures in the low 70's and this coming week even in the high 60's, and the nights are nice and cool in the high 40's!
The trees are all starting to color and the vineyards are looking so pretty in that low, warm light that is so really Fall.
Talking
about vineyards .. Doug and Brenda invited us to an impromptu
wine-tasting on Friday afternoon. They are members of various clubs and
vineyards and could go tasting new releases several times a month if
they would want to.
Well, we didn't say no of course, so we made the short trip to Beaux Frères, a vineyard on 88 acres just outside of Newberg at Ribbon Ridge.
Like
most other wineries at the moment they were still working on the last
of the harvest of the week, and the smell of (fermenting) grapes hung
strongly in the air ..
This winery is one of the earliest and now leading wineries in Oregon, founded by Michael G. Etzel, and brother-in-law (“Beaux Frères” in French) Robert M. Parker Jr in 1986.
Their philosophy remains the same; to produce a world-class Pinot Noir and they certainly do a good job of that since their 2014 Pinot was voted 3rd best IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!
It's a small place, a 'boutique' winery as they call it, their tasting room is simple and the atmosphere very laid back. It's all about the wines and they are certainly very good, we liked them!
It
was a great afternoon and it was fun to hang out a little with Doug and
Brenda besides work and just 'shoot the breeze' instead.
Here's another sure sign of Fall I'm hearing more and more these last 2 weeks ..
Canadian Geese! The Willamette Valley is an important stop-over for them on their way south, and large groups gather in the fields and on the lakes around here.
They often stay for a few days to rest and eat before moving on .. still a long way to go!
And than there's these two does, I think it's a mama and her fawn from this spring, that have been hanging around our orchard for a whole week now.
They graze on the new grass, that's been coming up after last week's rain, in the early morning and late afternoon, and seem to spend the night in the 'wilder' corner of the orchard, in the far back.
I might break down and set out some corn for them if they decide to spend the winter here!
Not much else for this week I'm afraid other than that I made 'snert', the first of the season (but certainly not the last!), and baked a very nice pumpkin loaf, if I say so myself:
Oh and before I forget, we brought Merlin to the Vet for a 'senior' check-up.
She couldn't believe how good he was looking for his 18 years and was amazed by the fact he's been diabetic for 9 years of that.
A full blood panel was taken which showed 2 days later that he is totally healthy and his kidneys, liver and thyroid functions are all normal. How cool is that?
Unfortunately the fact remains that he doesn't eat enough and keeps getting skinnier.
He had some loose stool the other day, but, of more concern, he also seemed to have had 2 short 'episodes', during which time he cried out in what I believe was pain and passed stool during the first, and stumbled over and fell down while passing urine during the second.
He might have had a stroke or a seizure? Time will tell. He's definitely not feeling well, but what else can we do?
He had some loose stool the other day, but, of more concern, he also seemed to have had 2 short 'episodes', during which time he cried out in what I believe was pain and passed stool during the first, and stumbled over and fell down while passing urine during the second.
He might have had a stroke or a seizure? Time will tell. He's definitely not feeling well, but what else can we do?
Not much, I'm afraid, just making him comfortable and just hope he'll have a few more good days left ..