Falling Leaves

We’ve had a few cold days in the last week. It’s been a pleasure to see the countryside glistening with frost in the mornings. As for Maggie, we’ve dug out an old dog house and placed it on the back porch with a nice warm bed inside. Now I just need to rig up a door flap and she’ll be all set.

LEAVES. Last Saturday the boys and I went over to Mom’s to mulch leaves. It was a pleasant morning and we put in at least three hours taking care of all the leaves within about 100 feet of the house. We chopped what we could and pushed the rest out to the field with the mower. As we were leaving Nate commented that we had done a good job. I agreed and then added, “Now look up.” He was distressed to see that there are still plenty of leaves up there just waiting for a good rain or strong wind to bring them down. At least they won’t be as thick as they could have been had we not worked on them last weekend.

That afternoon we worked on the leaves in our yard. It was under protest since our trees haven’t finished shedding yet either.

SCARED OF DOGS. The kids and I bring a boy to church on Wednesday nights who wouldn’t otherwise get to go. This boy is Ben’s age so Ben is the one to go to the door to get him if he is not already outside. We usually get a good laugh because as Ben is walking to their door a whole pack of small, yapping dogs assembles for all directions. Some come from the neighbors with others come from the boy’s home, jumping through every window imaginable on a warm day.

Now that Ben has basketball practice in the afternoons it is Nate’s responsibility to go to the door. Nate is not too keen on running the gauntlet of all those barking dogs to get to the front door. The other day we drove up and there were no dogs to sound the alarm. He was relieved. Naturally I started barking as soon as Nate opened the door to get out. I was impressed. I didn’t know he could close the truck door that fast.

THE SPORTS SECTION. Basketball season got under way Monday night with a game against Springfield Middle. Nate had Scouts so we missed the game, but we didn’t figure Ben would get any game time as there was no JV game. Turns out he got to play the last bit of the game, was fouled, and made two free throw shots. If Ben wasn’t excited Vicki made up for it.

Thursday night they played Coopertown Middle. There was a JV game this time and Ben got to play most of the game. He didn’t score but we could tell things were starting to come together for him as he played. Mom enjoyed watching this game. She and I left before the varsity games so that Jenna and Nate could get their homework done. Ben got about four minutes of game time in the varsity game too but didn’t score there either.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN. Vicki and Jenna headed out with some friends this morning for their annual trip to the Christmas Village over at the Nashville Fairgrounds. Vicki told me what all they planned to do today before going out the door. When I heard the itinerary I simply said, “See you tomorrow.” At any rate, they will come home some time tonight having bought a lot of Christmas goodies and caught a bit of the Christmas spirit. I am fine with that as long as we don’t run over Thanksgiving getting to Christmas.

Joe