My oh my what glorious weather we have been having this week! Fall is in the air. Unfortunately, this weather always reminds me of September 11, 2001, as it was a similar type of weather day, clear skies and fall in the air. 

The male hummingbirds left our area a few weeks ago, the female hummers are feverishly trying to “pack on the pounds”. Neighbor and friend Peggy Slater told me that her rose-breasted grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles recently left. 

I am so jealous; I had a Baltimore Oriole for about 5 minutes this whole spring and summer. Everyone I speak with agrees that this is the year of the apple. Apples galore here in Sullivan County.  We didn’t have any frost in May and late April so that probably helped.  

White tailed rabbits all over the place.  Not many deer ticks. The deer are going out of velvet, the fawns are beginning to lose their spots.  Full moon September 16th & 17th.  This will be known as the Harvest Moon.  It will also be a Super Moon.  

Have you noticed how many dead trees are out there? I believe that they are elm trees.  They are dying so fast. The Blue Spruce trees die over a few years, but the elm trees seem to die within months.

Earlier this year, I heard some strange noises outside on the back deck of the Otto residence. I turned on the light and saw two raccoons mating. Fast forward two to three months, a female, lactating raccoon showed up on our back deck with six, yes six baby raccoons.  The mother and one of the young ones disappeared a few weeks ago. Then there were five.  Now we have at least three most nights although some nights there are four or five. One night they got in a big heap and fell asleep on the deck, right outside the bedroom window. They are so sweet and adorable! Raccoons are very smart animals.

The Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church will be hosting the “Fifth Sunday” service of the Western Sullivan parish.  The service will be a hymn sing and will most likely a fellowship will follow.  Hope to see you at this special service.

Save the dates” Kenoza Lake Fire company’s annual Roast Beef dinner – Saturday, October 12th & Jeffersonville Roast Beef dinner – Saturday, October 19th.

Two months until the normal, vote in person election day. The Kenoza Lake United Methodist Women are planning on having their annual Election Day Soup, Chili and Krispy Kreme doughnut sale, upstairs at the Kenoza Lake Firehouse.  

Absentee ballots are going to be mailed September 20th.  Voters need to educate themselves.  Title IX is an issue near & dear to my heart as that became law in 1972 when I was a freshman in then, Jeffersonville-Youngsville Central School. 

After a very rocky 0-win, 5 -loss start of the season, the Mets have had a pretty good year. If you are a Mets fan like me, you are feeling pretty good, not only are the Mets winning but the Yankees are losing.  How sweet it is. I hope that the Mets sign Juan Soto.  I love the Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. The first game of the NFL season is on Thursday, September 5th. Will the Chiefs be the first team ever to have a three peat (regarding the Super Bowl)? Only time will tell.