We Turned on the Furnace

    After a prolonged fall of warm weather, I noticed the house temperature was in the low 60s last Wednesday morning and turned on the furnace for the first time this fall. I can't recall when we turned it on in previous years, but it didn't take long to warm up. The next morning, we had a light frost on the rooftops and lawns, but it was not cold enough to kill any plants. The official 32˚ marked the end of the growing season, according to the weather reporter. 

    Yesterday, Ray and I drove to the north side of Indianapolis to Noblesville, IN, to visit the Russell Farms Pumpkin Patch, about an hour away. Thrivent Financial sponsored the event; we paid $2.50 each and roamed the many acres. Families not affiliated with Thrivent may have been there too. There were hundreds of people roaming and participating in all the activities, especially families with children and youth. We went on a hayride and then walked through a small corn maze, where we found all three hidden boxes with seeds. The prize was a Dum-Dum lollipop! Besides what we did, guests were playing mini golf, kids were sliding down a giant slide, jumping on a large mat, and many enjoyed seeing animals up close, including a small petting zoo. Russel Farms is a busy place with something for everyone. The temperatures were in the high 50s, with overcast skies, but I'm glad we had a chance to visit. 

After entering the gate, we were 
greeted by a large pumpkin.

Inside the country store with candles,
fudge, t-shirts, etc. for sale

We took advantage of this photo op, one
of many throughout the farm.

Two little girls screamed in joy as
this wheel was spun around and around!

Path to the corn maze

We found all three seeds:
Soybeans, Oats, and Black Sunflower

    We participated in a service project and enjoyed cider, a hot dog, and chips while coloring cards for children in the hospital. We colored two cards, noticing that this was a favorite project for many of the children, using felt pens.

                 

    IU football continues its impressive season, defeating UCLA 56-6, and is ranked #2 in the country with an 8-0 record. This afternoon, the Colts dominated the Tennessee Titans, winning 38-14, and are now 6-1 on the season. Another Hoosier team in the spotlight is the Purdue men's basketball team, ranked #1 in the preseason. 

    Until next time, when I'll post some more Halloween photos, may you enjoy the trick-or-treaters on Friday, and may you find a fun corn maze if you are so inclined.

It's Fall, Y'all

     We had rain overnight, which was welcome after a long dry spell. The cold front brought lower temperatures, too. After several weeks of warmer-than-usual temperatures, but cool overnights, we have noticed the leaves are changing color, a sure sign that fall is here. Yesterday, we were wearing shorts and short sleeves as we celebrated three birthdays, but today it is definitely sweater weather.

Singing Happy Birthday to
Ray, Dustin, and Samantha

    Dustin's birthday was earlier this month, but he was visiting Gatlinburg and didn't celebrate then. Ray and Samantha, Dustin's first cousin, share the 17th for their birthdays. Dustin's friend, Josh, made three cakes--one for each. It's hard to see in this photo, but Dustin was celebrating his 30th.

    I had a busy week, helping with the annual ingathering for Lutheran World Relief. My church hosts the site where churches from southern and central Indiana bring their donations of quilts and various kits. We had 25 different churches bring 670 boxes, which were loaded onto the truck for their eventual destination in St. Paul, Minnesota, with two stops in Missouri. Throughout the week, we had sixteen volunteers helping throughout the week. Here's an idea of what 496 boxes looks like.

Twelve of our outstanding volunteers

    About two weeks ago, I had a text from a fellow pickleball player, congratulating me on my photo in a local community magazine. After that, I've had several other people mention that they saw the same article. 

    I won't reprint the entire article, except for the two paragraphs where I'm mentioned. I'm actually one year older than the 86 reported in the article.

The Indiana State Games at the 2025 National Senior Games had several participants from Johnson County -- Ruth Everson (86) and Janet (61) and Leja Simpson from Greenwood, Joe Shumaker (4) from Franklin, and Thomas Marcotte (77) from Nineveh.

Competing against women in her division of 85-89, Everson won Gold in the 5K Run, 10K Run and 5K Power Walk. Janet Simpson placed 7th in Women's 60-64 in a very competitive Bowling Singles competition. The Indiana State Games is open to any 50-plus Indiana resident. 

    On the sporting front, Indiana teams are still in the news, with Indiana University, ranked #3 in the nation, defeating Michigan State 38-13, and is 7-0 for the season. This afternoon, the Colts played the Chargers in San Diego and came away with a big win, 38-24, and are 6-1 for the season.

    Until next time, may the leaves turn a bright red or orange, and may you find the perfect pumpkin for making a jack-o-lantern.

The Invaders are Demolished

     A week later, all the yellow jackets have been wiped out. Late last Monday afternoon, the pest control technician came and sprayed a non-repellent outside where the wasps were coming in and out. It was behind a gutter. He explained that repellants from Lowe's or Home Depot won't accomplish the job. The yellow jackets carry the non-repellent into the nest. When wasps encounter the residue from the spray, they contaminate the other members of the colony, eventually causing the queen to die too. There was a setback because the overnight rain washed off the non-repellent spray, even though we're in a light drought and welcomed rain; it was unfortunate that it rained. The yellow jackets were still flying in and out of their nest when I checked a few days later. On Friday, the technician returned and treated the area again. Since then, I haven't seen any flying around. 

    If you recall from last year and last week, I posted a photo from a nearby neighborhood that has skeletons doing various things. The display is changed daily, and last week I posted the first one I saw this year. Here are two more:

The supervisor instructs his helpers carrying 2x4s

Gender Reveal: Will it be a boy or a girl?

    On the sporting scene, we watched the fifth game in the Cubs vs Brewers series yesterday evening. Unfortunately, the Cubs lost 3-1 in the National League Division Series. The Brewers are heading to the National League Championship Series, and if they win that, they'll play in the World Series.

    Yesterday, we watched IU defeat Oregon in Eugene. It was an epic game with IU scoring 30 to the Ducks' 20.  Earlier in the week, I was amused when I saw the IU Graveyard and took this picture.

Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State, Illinois, Iowa

    On our way home from church this morning, I was able to get a photo of the latest team to be interred in the IU Graveyard:

Who will be the next team in the graveyard?

    The Colts played the Arizona Cardinals at home this afternoon. The former Colts quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, played today since the Cardinals' regular quarterback was injured. The Colts eked out a 31-27 win and are 5-1 for the season.

    In a few weeks, I hope to get some photos of fall colors. Most trees are still green, but I've noticed a tinge of color on some, probably caused by the low morning temperatures.

    Until next time, may you enjoy blue skies, and may your favorite teams play well.

We've Been Invaded

     On Friday afternoon, I noticed something flying in our living area and asked, "What is that?" It was rather large for a housefly. Not much later, I glanced into our sunroom and realized there were more flying insects. 

    Dozens were flying around in the room. We opened the door to the patio, and some escaped, but Ray got busy with a fly swatter, and we eventually were free from what I believe are yellow jackets. One of the dark spots on the ceiling is the hole where they entered, and I covered it with tape, thinking there would be no more wasps.

    Yesterday afternoon, when the sunroom was sunny and bright, I realized we had more yellow jackets flying around. I also noticed another hole in the ceiling, as shown in this photo. I put up another piece of tape. It was late in the afternoon, and all the pest control companies were closed for the weekend. I did leave a message for one, and didn't think I would hear anything until Monday. This company sent a text saying he understood the problem but was unable to help until late in October. He suggested I try other companies, which I'll have to do tomorrow when they are open again.

Two entrance holes and one wasp under the tape.

    Over the past week, I've been taking photos of some of the Halloween and fall decorations in the neighborhood, thinking that would be all I had to write about. 

Can you see the black cat?

The entrance to our subdivision

Skeletens Producing a TV Show:
"Cooking with Bones" S1 E1

    Now, an update on the sporting scene. We didn't watch the game due to the late West Coast start, but when our clock radio sounded on Wednesday morning, one of the first things I heard was that the Fever had lost game five in overtime to the Las Vegas Aces, who advance to the championship series. 

    The Chicago Cubs won their wild-card playoff series against Las Vegas and are now playing the Milwaukee Brewers in a five-game series. We watched the first game yesterday, and Milwaukee was on the offensive, winning 9-3. The Cubs' three runs were all home runs. Milwaukee scored most of its runs in the first inning.

    This afternoon, the Colts defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 40-6. In one of the last series, Daniel Jones, the regular quarterback, was on the bench, and Anthony Richardson played. Richardson lost the starting quarterback position to Jones during training camp this fall. 

    After the game, it was time to go to a park in Indianapolis, where church members were meeting for a hayride and a weiner roast with s'mores, too. The park was only 35 minutes away, but when we arrived home at 8 p.m., it was already dark, a sure sign that daylight hours had diminished over the last month.

Ray and I are on the left (I am wearing a cap with orange pants)

    Until next time, may you enjoy the colors of fall and spot pumpkins, may you enjoy a s'more, and may you be free from pests invading your home.