Nesting & Housekeeping

There is something about September that makes me feel like nesting. Maybe it's the cooler temps. Or that kids are back in school. Or that the summer rush of traveling or the incoming hordes of visitors has wound down.

September is when I get down on the floor and sort through cabinets. What stays? What goes? My pantry gets the same once-over and I make a list of things that need replenishing and other foods that need to get used up.

This past week, I've raked leaves for an hour every morning before it got hot. The chickens follow me dutifully because a raked-up area might yield a few juicy insects. We're still under a burn ban so it may be months before those leaves get burned. But I'll keep piling them.

Soon the garden will need to be turned over and prepared for next season. I was going to plant a fall garden, but with so many pesky chickens running loose, I think I'll stick to container gardening so I can lock away the fruits of my labor.

We have surpassed the all-time record of over 100 degree temps. Technically, it was 72 days of triple digits where I live, but the official record is 71 days for the Dallas area.

We've lost a lot of plants and trees, but not a single animal. In areas south of me, many lost their homes to fire. It's been a tremendously stressful year climate-wise. Certainly one for the record books.

But I think we turned a corner this week. I've had no less than five friends close deals on new homes. A couple welcomed babies into their fold, and some sent their babies to school for the first time. It's a time of rebirth and healing.

Greg and I have petitioned to adopt a starved rottweiler that was found wandering the roads. A lot of people are interested in adopting 'Mercy', but we have our fingers crossed they'll pick us. I know we can give her a home where she'll never know hardship again. I would've posted pictures, but they are too painful to even look at. 

Mercy has her own FB page. She's recovering slowly, but steadily, so we have high hopes she'll pull through. If you go to her photo gallery, be prepared for some shocking images. When you see her, you'll understand why we want to adopt her.

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Blog Housekeeping

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So what's on tap in September for you? How do you prepare for fall (or spring if you're down-under)?

Comments

Kevin Graves said…
Morning! I just followed you on Google Reader! Wish I had room for chickens! I love chickens!! Hope you both fine, all is VERY NICE here!
Maria Zannini said…
Kevbo! When are you coming up to see me? It should be cool in a couple of months.
Sarita Leone said…
I'm so glad to hear things are settling down in your area. I've been nervous for you all summer long. I cannot imagine dealing with those temps day in and day out. We had just a short burst of heat and I ended up flat on my back. I give you credit for dealing so successfully with it.

The leaves are falling here, too. And the maples are changing already, with bits of orange and yellow showing up on the hills. Just a gorgeous time of year. So peaceful.

I cleaned cupboards yesterday, making a list for winter storage purchases. It seems the perfect time to tackle these tasks, doesn't it?

Wishing you a peaceful day.
Sarita Leone said…
And I'll send good thoughts your way for Mercy. I can't look at the photos; I'm sure I'll cry. I'll just hope she ends up with you and Greg, and finds a peaceful life. Fingers crossed!
Maria Zannini said…
Sarita: That's why I didn't post her pictures. The cruelty almost seems unimaginable.

But there are a lot of good people helping her now, but she's still a long way from recovery.

Wherever she ends up, she'll be loved.
Angelina Rain said…
Just looked at the pictures of the puppy you want to adopt. Poor, poor baby. According to the shelter, Joey looked like that when they first got him too. His foster mommy at the shelter had Joey put on like ten pounds before we adopted him, but even then you could see his ribs. Scary how some animals suffer.

Well, I hope you get her. I'm sure she would be great in your home, with two big brothers watching over her at all times.
Maria Zannini said…
Angelina: Mercy was 28 pounds when they brought her in. A dog that size should've been closer to 90 pounds. What happened to her is nothing short of criminal.
Anonymous said…
We're finally below 100, so I'm getting ready to plant a fall garden. I may get some done this week between thunder storms but suspect it'll be this weekend.

Crossing my fingers you get Mercy :)
Krista D. Ball said…
Your blog says I don't follow you, but I do. I know this because I get updates when you post :p

As for fall cleaning...cleaning??!?!?! What the hell is that?!?!? That's what teenaged step children are for :D

*insert evil laughter*
Maria Zannini said…
Raelyn: Thanks. Whoever gets her, I know they'll take care of her. But we'd love to have her.

Krista: Actually, I found you on the GFC list. It was me who wasn't following you--which is weird because I could swear I did follow you. Maybe it was an earlier blog??

Anyway, I have since remedied the situation.

This was the first time I've checked my profile page in a while. Over 6700 people have checked it out. Wow!

Ref: stepchildren
Alas, I have none--and no, I don't want yours. LOL.

I'd rather have the messy house.
Unknown said…
I love fall too. I'm not a big fan of the really hot weather, but fall is nice. It's the smell of woodstoves that gets me. I'm cooking an Autumn dinner for the 23. Beef stew, pumpkin soup and cornbread. Can't wait!

Oh, and I 'liked' Mercy's FB page. I hope you get her.
LD Masterson said…
Good luck on Mercy.

First project on my list - catching that darn mouse. I haven't seen him yet but he's leaving calling cards.
Angela Brown said…
Now that my chipmunk is back in school and each night her homework and reading take top priority, I'm working on developing a sleep and writing schedule that will prepare me for NaNoWriMo in November.
Unknown said…
I was surprised you don't compost your leaves. Are yours poisonous?

My fall is basically watching which leaves turn yellow first. So far, the basswood is winning.
Jayaly said…
Good God, you weren't kidding about the pictures. I hope you get Mercy. She deserves a fresh start.
Stacy said…
Oh Maria - I looked at the photos of Mercy. That poor sweet baby. I'm keeping all of my fingers and toes crossed that you get her. She so deserves the life she'd have with you.
Maria Zannini said…
Darke: I love fall cooking. It makes me feel cozy and secure. What time is dinner? :grin:

Linda: You have a mouse? I need to post the story about Greg and his mouse at work.

Angela: And remember when you had her ALL day? LOL. Good luck on Nano. You have more willpower than me.
Maria Zannini said…
Kay: I have six acres. Believe me, there's only so much you can compost. The ashes will go into the garden and compost too though, so nothing goes to waste. But it'll take up less room.

Rosie: I told you she looked terrible. Poor baby.

Stacy: When Greg first told me her story, I didn't pay much attention until I saw her pictures. That's when we decided we needed to ask about adopting her. We're out of state, so that probably will count against us, but we have plenty of people who will vouch for us, so I hope that counts for something.
Anonymous said…
I will do my very best to make sure our 67 degree high tomorrow here in NE Oklahoma gets down to you guys in Texas. Just don't hold your breath! :D

I've been nesting like crazy this week, and I really need it to last through next week so that I actually have time to get all the fall cleaning done! Darn having to go to work for the next three days . . . Saturday is my last day, though, so I'll have time (maybe) after that!

And OMG, poor Mercy! I'm the type of person that cries when I see dead pets at the side of the road, so I can only imagine how you must be feeling about Mercy! I hope you guys get to adopt her!
Maria Zannini said…
blackanddarknight: How can we live so close and have our weather so different?

Ref: Mercy
She has a lot of fortitude. Thank God someone found her and brought her in.
Mike Keyton said…
Your climate verges on the apocolytpic for those of a sci fi bent.

The 'Fall' Spring clean. The concept has been discussed over here until someone pointed out that the research showiing this as a growing trend was financed by the supermarkets.

Good luck with Mercy. Similar horror stories over here as the recession bites and irresponsible owners abandon their dogs. Here mind they're not allowed to starve. They're simply put down. Horror either way
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: The nice thing about weather is that you know eventually it'll change. But we never had a break this summer.

Re: Mercy
I get so angry with people sometimes. They're lucky there are laws to protect idiots.
Misha Gerrick said…
Aw it's so kind of you to offer a home for Mercy. Fingers crossed they pick you. :-)
Nadja Notariani said…
Maria ~

September brings that 'nesting' to my mind, too. I've found myself cleaning out the closets, organizing all my bowls and pots/pans/trays under the sink, and sorting through the 'never-complete-set' of tupperware in my cupboard. It must be a built-in-feature, for I get it every year. Ha!

I am so sad to hear about Mercy. How on earth anyone could neglect an animal so cruely is beyond me. I sure hope she gets to come and live with your family!

Sunday is the day I post links to my favorite reads from the week...I hope you'll stop by as I'm featuring a link to your blog. I've enjoyed reading since we met through the Campaign, and I wanted to share that.
Have a great weekend! ~ Nadja
Sarah Ahiers said…
it's so strange to me that you burn your leaves. No one does that here. I think it may actually be illegal. Best bet here is to compost them, or to throw them in the woods of you're lucky to live on some
Maria Zannini said…
Misha: We were so moved by her plight, we couldn't do any less.

Nadja: Oh, lord. I'm not ready for closets yet. But soon. Looking forward to your post. :)

Sarah: We live in an unincorporated area so there are very few restrictions. But a county-wide burn ban trumps all. After all the wildfires we've had, we take fires very seriously.
Marianne Arkins said…
Omgosh... that poor puppy!!! She couldn't HAVE a better home than with you two. I hope the rescue sees that. That just breaks my heart.

I've started nesting, too -- cooking, canning, baking. Something about fall says: COOK! EAT! as if I'm going to hibernate. LOL...
Maria Zannini said…
Marianne: If bears could cook, I doubt they'd hibernate. :)