Fall's Here

Yes, even though it's supposed to be in the 80's today, we see definite signs that the season is changing. One of the neat things this time of year is the butterfly migration. Monarchs, of course, but there are many other types of butterfly, large & small. Monarch butterflies are why I try to leave the milkweeds standing when I mow the horse pasture.

Another sign of fall - the sumac has started to change. Sumac changes color early and the leaves turn a brilliant red. The red will soon be enhanced by Virginia creeper and poison ivy, and we'll start seeing yellow on the elms and maples and Osage orange. Another thing to watch for on the sumac is stripped bark - caused by bucks rubbing their antlers against the whippy stalks.

October activities in Warrensburg & the surrounding area include the Chautauqua next weekend (see www.visitwarrensburg.org) and UCM Homecoming on 10/20. Here's an idea - come to Warrensburg on the 20th, see the parade, then head for Warsaw's Heritage Days. We're full for both the Chautauqua and Homecoming, but have plenty of openings the rest of the month - come enjoy the back 40, who knows what you'll see!

What's Blooming

This is a really nice time of year, with all the fall flowers blooming. I re-mowed the trails in the Back 40 a couple of days ago & saw lots of Goldenrod, Jerusalem Artihoke & Sunflowers. The pond area is full of bright yellow Bidens. Also, the Indiangrass along the Cottage lane is in bloom - bright golden feather-like heads. For purples & reds, try the Red Clover, Tall Thistle (cirsium altissmum) and, surprisingly, Butterfly Milkweed (aesclepius tuberosa). Other flowers in bloom include White Snakeroot, Tick Trefoil (aka stick-tights) and Ragweed (take your allergy meds). Seed heads on the Sumac are starting to turn their rusty red (& deer rubs are just starting to show on some), but the trees probably won't turn until mid-October.

This is small town festival season. This weekend, the nearby town of Holden holds its annual Fall Fiesta. Warrensburg has a Chautauqua on Oct 6-7. Warsaw Heritage Days will be soon thereafter. We always enjoy the small town events because they're so friendly & one gets a flavor of the town.

Yesterday, we went down to Clinton to see the start of the 2nd stage of the Tour of Missouri bike race. I'll process the pictures & post some before long [oops -they didn't come out well - sorry].

September Already

Here we are in September and it's still hot (and dry). The past weekend has been festival time. On Saturday, after taking care of the guests, we went down to Chilhowee (a small town about 15 miles from here) and enjoyed some food and listened to the Nace Brothers Band. A great crowd. One of the band members wondered how a town of 329 can raise $16,000 to bring int he kind of entertainment it does, when Warrensburg struggles to even think of a festival. May have some contest pictures out of Chilhowee.

On Monday, we went to Germantown's Labor Day Picnic - you won't find it on the map. It's an old Catholic parish that's been de-accessed by the Church and taken over by local folks. $8/person, family style. We got there early, and good thing. Great event. On the way home, we stopped at Deepwater (pop. 507) for their annual picnic - country band playing, carnival running, horse show about to start. Finally, after quick stops in Clinton (pop. 9311 - Olde Glory Days were back in early July) and Calhoun (pop. 491, 98th annual Colt Show a week earlier), we stopped at Windsor (pop. 3087). Windsor's weekend event was over except for the tractor pull, and their big local event is on July 4th.

All is not lost in Warrensburg, since there will be a Chautauqua on Oct 5-7. We're involved, but the bureaucracy is appalling. Also, we're fully booked that weekend, but come on down anyway for the event even if you don't stay.

At the Farm, as I said, it's dry. The native grasses are doing OK because they evolved to fit our climate, and are starting to look really good with waving golden plumes on the Indiangrass. Flower color is yellow, with goldenrod, assorted sunflower species and bidens starting to bloom. Once the weather breaks it will be perfect for the fireplace, so I'll be cutting more firewood soon.