9/21/26  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:16)

A group of hummingbirds is not  called a flock, it is called a swarm.  Swarms of hummingbirds are now being reported in middle and southern states as they head to southern Mexico, central America and Northern South America  for the winter.

   Sunshine, calm, 46 degrees.  Mostly sunny today, a brisk NNW breeze, high 65, low 41.  Partly cloudy tomorrow, a brisk NNE breeze, high 65, low 40. Sunshine Wednesday and Thursday, NNE breezes.  Wednesday's high 66, low 38.  Thursday's high 70, low 46.  Cloudy Friday, a stiff NNE breeze, high 70, low 51.  Showers this weekend and next Monday with strong NNE breezes, highs about 63, lows about 49.  Partly cloudy next Tuesday, a NNE breeze, high 65, low 49.  More clouds next Wednesday, a NNW breeze, high 68, low 49.  Some showers Thursday the 1st, a WNW breeze, high 66, low 47.  Partly cloudy Friday the 2ed through the weekend and Monday the 5th with brisk WNW breezes, highs about 65 lows about 44.

   Not cutting back your black eyed susans and coneflowers or pulling your zinnas this fall isn't procrastination, it's a bird feeder you don't have to buy. Hollow stems are winter homes for pollinators. The chickadees have lived in the woods all summer.  On Friday they started coming to the sunflower seed feeders in the kitchen garden.

    Lights come on in the chicken house at four am now.  For optimal egg production, chickens should get 14-16 hours of light each day and 8-10 hours of darkness.   This helps to boost the hormones required for egg laying, while allowing them a quiet, dark space to sleep at night.  Electricity is so expensive the lights are coming on about 3 weeks later than other years.

    This weekend the cows were put in their winter pasture.  After they ate every mouthful of grass they decided that hay in the feeders was ok to eat.  The pastures need time to grow  five or more inches of grass to  winter over in good condition.  Cooler temperatures mean the grass grows slower now than it did a month ago.  A diet of hay instead of grass means the butter will be a paler yellow.

    The woodshed part of the garage is almost full of wood.  Maybe one more load will fit?  The garage is being rearranged to make room for a load of pellets.  Peak leaf color is forecast for October 4th but this first week of fall we are changing our ways in preparation for winter

    May your day be blessed, Sally.