Sitting out near the curb are the last two leaf bags for the season. That is until my neighbor’s oak tree decides to drop the leaves it’s hanging onto. Oak trees have a strange sense of humor and a good sense of timing. This one seems to know the date the town makes its last leaf pickup and closes the leaf dump. That’s usually when it decides to drop those last leaves.

That’s OK. We don’t bag everything anyway. We leave some lying around in case the birds or squirrels need to repair their nests.

After watching a blood pressure spiking football game yesterday afternoon, I checked Cee’s site to see if there were any new challenge posts. Instead, I found an update from Chris. Cee is in the hospital the news doesn’t sound good. There’s a better update on what Chris referred to as Becky B’s site – The life of B. You can check either one but Chris suggested that comments should be left at The Life of B.

I’m going to fill a gallery with some favorite photos and move on. I hope you all have a great week.

All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.

Bridge to Nowhere

70 responses to “Sign of the Times”

  1. Good luck with the maybe raking. There were 2 games here this morning. Great close games I felt for the 49er’s and Bears, so close.
    I dislike looking at posts with yummy food just before dinner knowing what I have won’t be as yummy as I have to cook it myself.
    Food always tastes better when someone else cooks

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m sorry. It’s hard to predict what meal is best to post, given the time difference. I hate seeing (my) breakfast photos when I know I’ll be having toast and coffee.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Congrats on the win, and those oak trees do keep on giving all winter long. :-) Thank you for the info on Cee.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Heart clutching ending, which seems to be our style, but it was a win,. so I’m good. Passing on the news about Cee makes me sad, but I know she has a lot of friends in the community.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Though I have not been part of Cee’s blog and prompts, I’ve certainly come to look forward to them through your blog, Dan. I did go to B’s blog and saw the sadness there. I’m so sorry. It’s all the more important to look for those back-lit leaves; they are so beautiful and just waiting for us to notice.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I am filled with sadness, Maureen. Cee has been a rock in this community.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I love a good diner. As well as my bunnies… thanks!

    Like

    1. I had to have bunnies.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Like Maureen, I only know Cee through your blog and love her prompts. I went to the blog site and am truly saddened for what this couple is facing, I will remember them in my prayers.

    Love those back-lit leaves. That poor bunny didn’t know which way to run!

    Old Glory, always an impressive sight.

    Wishing you a great week Dan.

    Ginger 🦋

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Ginger. Cee has been so helpful and such a good friend to this community. I am very sad. I have had Chris and Cee in my prayers for a very long time, and I will keep them there.

      I love seeing the backlit leaves. I was sorry to startle the bunny, but I did try not to bother him any more than I already had.

      I hope you have a great week, too.

      Like

  6. I made the sad trip to Cee’s and B’s site. This a very tough time for them, agreed.
    I have no trouble believing the diner has the best fish & chips – I miss having diners around.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks GP. The diner’s fish and chips is so good, and it’s cheaper than two fish filet sandwiches and fries at McDonald’s – that’s a no brainer.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Great photos, Dan, amid a great Steelers season. Very sorry to hear about Cee. :-(

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for your kind thoughts about Cee, she’s reading my blog so if you want to leave a comment there Chris will make sure she sees it

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Thanks Dave. I hope the Steelers can get through the next seven games.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. The bunny takes the prize for favorite today.

    Like

  9. The silhouette of the plane against the white cloud is wonderful

    Like

  10. Thanks for linking to my update and yes in interim to leave comments on my blog as that’s where Cee is currently reading them. She hopes to respond in due course herself too. BeckyB

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for being the ‘go to’ Becky.

      Like

    2. Thanks Becky. I will be sure to do that. Thanks for helping Chris and Cee during this time.

      Like

  11. Those fish and chips look dee-vine! Do you eat the fish with your fingers? For some reason, breaded fried fish tastes better to me if I eat it with my fingers. One of the reasons I only eat breaded fried fish on a sammich or in private.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I eat it with a fork, careful not to separate the breading. I do love a good fish sandwich, but you get more fish in the dinner at the diner. (Take that 3rd grade spelling bee).

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Skooter’s looks like a place I’d enjoy. Thanks for the update about Cee. For a while, back when she did Share Your World, I’d answer her questions. She was fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Ally. She has been such a wonderful supporter of the blogging community. If I hadn’t had a weekly schedule in place, I would have substituted all of her prompts.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Shame about Cee. I am hoping for more positive news.

    The backlit leaves are so pretty. Poor bunny! Dan–you caught him in the act!! 🐰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Lois. I, too, am hoping for better news. I felt bad for the bunny, but I had to get a picture. You understand…right?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. We might need to change that saying about ‘deer in headlights.’ 🤨😀

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Thank you for the update about Cee. I hope she has a good week at home.

    I like your backlit Oak leaf too. Our tree holds onto its leaves for a long time, and some don’t drop off at all. It’s kind of weird. I haven’t looked out front yet, but we had heavy wind last night so I’m guessing there’s a lot of raking and leaf blowing going to happen in our neighborhood today.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We had several really windy days last week. Most of the leaves around here are down. I swear the oak knows the date of the last pickup.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. That was some football game. Congrats to the Black & Gold…though I couldn’t have done with a bit less drama on their eventual win. Leave raking is one of those necessary jobs but it shouldn’t have to last 3 months! :) Where’s a good breeze when you need one?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We joke that we’re going to get tee shirts made with the Steeler logo and “Phew” in big yellow letters. They do this so often. We had some windy days last week that brought down most of the leaves around here. The rest can wait until spring. I need to put the shed in full-on winter mode.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. LOL, don’t ya just love teams that have quite the knack in raising our blood pressure on a regular basis? :) Good luck getting the shed winter ready.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. I am so sorry to hear that Cee isn’t doing well. Thanks for the update. I laughed at your comment about the oak tree waiting to drop its leaves. :) Love the photos and that fish and chips made me hungry!

    Like

    1. Thanks Jan. If it’s any comfort, the photo makes me hungry, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Great shots, Dan. Sorry about Cee. She always had great prompts for the blogging community.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Great pics….I so get the leaf issue…and thanks for sharing the update on Cee. Her and Chris are in my prayers. :(

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Kirt. I’m sure they both appreciate it.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I’m sorry to hear that, Dan. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Teagan. I hope there’s better news in the future.

      Like

  20. I don’t know Cee but she sounds like a major force in the blogging world. What affects to one of us affects us all in this crazy world of blogging. Our oak trees never lose all their leaves but we always have tons of maple leaves. Take care.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Cee has been a driving force for so many challenges, all of them fun to play. The maples around here have dropped their leaves. The oaks will hang on to some leaves until spring.

      Like

  21. your fish and chips had me salivating! I haven’t had a decent fish fry in forever. One day… I hope Cee gets better

    Liked by 1 person

    1. This little diner has the best fish. Holding a good thought for Cee.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. The oak leaves part of Murphy’s law😂

    Liked by 1 person

  23. I only know Cee through all the flowers many bloggers I follow post. But such sad news. I will send my best thoughts her way.

    The oak tree by my younger daughter’s apartment never lets go of its leaves, no matter how hard the wind blows. Stubborn. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks. The one next door holds many until spring.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. 👍👍👍👍👌👌👌✅️✅️✅️

    Like

  25. I don’t rake the lawn, just the driveway and passageway to the back gate. Oh, and the back deck. What stays on the lawn, stays on the lawn. Of course, when we get a good wind well… there I have to go again. Our last pick up is November 29th so… hopefully don’t need another shot!!

    SKooter’s looks like my kinda joint, too! Now I’ve a hankering for a hamburger and onion rings… dammit!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sorry about planting the hankering. I run over the leaves in the front with a mulching mower (feed the “lawn”). I gather the ones in the back that get trapped by the fence.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thankfully, it passed ;-)
        If I had one, I would do the same. All the ones stuck at the base of the hedge, I leave there for whatever critters need ’em over winter :)

        Liked by 1 person

  26. HI Dan, very sad news about Cee. I only joined her challenges last year through you, actually. I thought she’d be okay after her arm healed so it is distressing to read this update. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re welcome, Robbie. I wish I had better news to share.

      Like

  27. Thank you for the news on Cee and the link to read more and leave comments. So sad. Your backlit leaf photos are the best. My blood pressure is up watching football, too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m never sure why there aren’t more heart attacks on Sundays.

      Like

  28. I’m sorry to hear about Cee. I am not a regular anywhere but here much anymore, but her prompts have always been inspiring and fun.
    Leaving leaves for the nest builders is a kind gesture, Dan.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Cheryl. I guess we’re ready for winter. The latest update says Cee will be discharged to home, not hospice.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. That is good to hear. Also glad you are battened down for Winter.

    Liked by 1 person

Add your thoughts or join the discussion. One relevant link is OK, more require moderation.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Trending