Preparing for Winter

When I walked outside the other day, all I saw was this incredible mess the squirrels are making as they prepare for the imaginary winter here.

I say imaginary because we don't have a real winter in the south. It does get cold and sometimes below freezing at night, but it always warms up during the day and there's food to be had for the squirrels all the time. Yet it is in their DNA I believe and as the days get shorter, they start eating and eating and eating. And making a big mess!

And when they are done with a pine cone, the simply let it fall, making it quite dangerous to sit outside these days...

After I surveyed the mess from afar, I zoomed in and discovered the gorgeous pattern on this pine cone they had discarded. Isn't it beautiful? And it smelled so good! Thank you, squirrels, for that moment!

Wishing you a less messy day, but equally filled with little surprises!

I'm off to the art supply and knitting stores, two of my favorite places to visit...

❧ Silke