From My Window

Mid-Fall

By Jane Thibodeau Martin,



**********

I know we've reached the middle of the fall season because this morning there was light frost in some areas when the dogs and I set out to walk. Forewarned of the frost, I wore both a hooded sweatshirt and a windproof jacket along with my warm gloves. Halloween decorations are no longer premature, but the impetus for me to buy candy, should I be lucky enough to get munchkins.

The road-kill fawn of the year lying a quarter-mile north has been reduced in just two weeks to some hide and major bones. A scapula was dragged a short distance away, but like the other disarticulated skeletal remains, it was picked clean. I grieve such vehicle-related deaths, as they seem more wasteful than a wolf or cougar kill, which has a purpose in Mother Nature's plan. But humans have replaced these natural predators with metal boxes hurtling down roads at high speed. This scene also reminds me, though, that it is almost easier to think of what wouldn't eat such a find than it is to list all the things that probably fed on the carcass ?? coyotes, raccoons, crows, blue jays, vultures, bears. Even rodents gnaw on bones for the calcium they contain. I must keep my dogs on a short leash, because they absolutely love carrion too, and regard a dead deer as attractive as a pizza is to me.

The garden is nearly bare but I won't like Mike rototill until a frost kills my thick hedges of zinnias. They are still in full, vibrant bloom, and are alive with pollinators on sunny days. The zinnias help the insects prepare for the long winter, and I won't prematurely deprive them of this increasingly scarce resource. My sunflowers are likewise holding up the tilling of the messy garden, and I enjoy watching small birds picking the seeds off the tall, blackening stalks of the flowers. Not all the seed gatherers look like locals, so perhaps this is a "roadside restaurant" for migrants.

I am washing the windows, inside and out. The sliding doors and the window by the cat tree are covered with months of dog and cat nose smears; the outside windows, especially those near a nighttime source of light, are covered with abandoned spider webs. Even the oldest webs maintain an incredible amount of stickiness; adhering to my sleeves and toweling with remarkable persistence. I marvel at the gift given the arachnid clan, this ability to manufacture such a substance in their tiny bodies.

The woods trails are a mass of layer up layer of fallen leaves. Toward the bottom are the ash trees, which dropped first this year ?? noticeably first, perhaps as the result of the emerald ash borers which are pillaging the trees. Then the maples, then the popples. The birch seem to be lagging a bit behind. I never had a chance to study this sequence before; and it may be different every fall, so I will watch to see what happens in our woods next year. Mixed in are dropped white pine needles and shrub leaves, resulting in the second noisiest walking conditions of the year on dry, windless days. (First place goes to breaking trail through ice-glazed snow in the dead of winter when the silence of the woods is near complete.)

We've enjoyed a long, warm October so far; I'd be tempted to call it an "Indian summer," but according to an almanac I consulted, there is actually a criteria for a true Indian summer. It requires an atmosphere that is warm but also hazy or smoky, without wind. The warm days must follow a cold spell or a hard frost, but be before the first snowfall. And it must occur between St. Martin's Day (November 11,) and November 20.

That's a pretty tight criteria, so I'll continue my habit of calling any string of unexpectedly mild, sunny late fall days Indian summer weather ?? or maybe I'll try "false Indian summer," - something of a gift, unexpected; to be treasured and made the most of.

I have to admit, I will welcome the first hard frost, like a lot of other allergy sufferers. But in the meantime, there is so much to notice, wonder about, and enjoy.

You can reach me for commentary, alternative viewpoints, or ideas at this e-mail address: JanieTMartin@gmail.com.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
11-24-2021	Front Page	Future USS Marinette Christened On Nov. 20
11-24-2021	Front Page	City of Peshtigo Approves 2022 Budget and Tax Levy
11-24-2021	Front Page	Crivitz Okays Budgets, Sets Election Inspectors
11-24-2021	Front Page	Pound Adopts Balanced Village Budget For 2022
11-24-2021	Front Page	Town Chair Cindy Boyle Lists Meetings & Activities
11-24-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Wrestling Sign Ups Nov. 30
11-24-2021	Community - Coleman	Equity Hall December Community Events
11-24-2021	Community - Coleman	Samara Van Ark is Lena Lions Student of Month
11-24-2021	Community - Coleman	Oconto County To Give Covid Shots At Lena School Dec. 15
11-24-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz American Legion Christmas Party Dec. 15
11-24-2021	Community - Crivitz	Jolene Huc Resigns Community Ed Post
11-24-2021	Community - Crivitz	New Transportation in the Crivitz Area
11-24-2021	Community - Crivitz	Northwood's Apostolic Thanksgiving Dinner
11-24-2021	Community - Crivitz	Town of Stephenson Okays Purchase Of Building In Crivitz
11-24-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Lions Donate $750 to Labor of Love
11-24-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Blood Drive Is Monday, Nov. 29th
11-24-2021	Community - Wausaukee	SCFRA Children's Christmas Party
11-24-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Annual Wausaukee Turkey Trot Nov. 25
11-24-2021	Sports	Coleman Falls to Reedsville in D7 Title Game
11-24-2021	Sports	Four Marines Named to NEC's First Team
11-24-2021	Sports	Bulldogs Maul Marines in Early Season Non-Conference Play
11-24-2021	Sports	Kids Ice Fishing Derby is Feb. 12
11-24-2021	Sports	ATV/UTV Riders: Think Smart Before You Start During Gun Deer Season
11-24-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
11-24-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
11-24-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Daniel J. Anderson
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Rhonda Jo Bowerman
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Bill J. Haluska
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Germaine M. Howarth
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Deloyd J. Lindstrom
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Howard N. Race
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Richard Schroeder
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Norma J. Stoneburner
11-17-2021	Front Page	Coleman Football Wins First Ever Berth At State Tourney
11-17-2021	Front Page	BPM Wastewater Unit To Open In November
11-17-2021	Front Page	Town Residents Address Peshtigo Board Meeting
11-17-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo School Replaces Old Unrepairable Boiler
11-17-2021	Front Page	Pennings Heads Biker Cancer Benefit Group
11-17-2021	Community - Coleman	Hillside Thanksgiving Dinner Set for Nov. 24
11-17-2021	Community - Coleman	Give Tour of Remodeled Rescue Squad Building
11-17-2021	Community - Coleman	Lena Centennial Countdown Begins
11-17-2021	Community - Coleman	Over 200 Attend Suring School STEAM Night
11-17-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Essay Contest Winners Announced
11-17-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz 2nd Graders Thank Veterans
11-17-2021	Community - Crivitz	Northwoods Apostolic Church Thanksgiving Dinner Nov. 25
11-17-2021	Community - Crivitz	VFW, Legion Knife and Gun Show Season Ends
11-17-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Annual Wausaukee Turkey Trot Nov. 25
11-17-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee OKs Lubka For Snowmobile Route
11-17-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee School Veteran's Day Program on Nov. 11th
11-17-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Hunters Supper at St. Augustine Parish
11-17-2021	Sports	Coleman Rallies Past Regis For Div. 7 Title Shot
11-17-2021	Sports	Packerland Names All-Conference Athletes
11-17-2021	Sports	Bulldog Girls Open Basketball Season With Hard Fought Win
11-17-2021	Sports	Newman Catholic Wins 8-Player Football Title
11-17-2021	Sports	Neumann Inducted Into The WWCA Hall of Fame
11-17-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
11-17-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
11-17-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Beverly G. Allard
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Robert L. Bangert Sr.
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Viola E. Beal
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Elwood R. Bengry
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Norbert "Nubs" A. Betley
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Randolph R. Blunden
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Bruce W. Braun
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Nathan T. Dahl
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Arthur L. Gummin
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Elizabeth Hagen
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Ruth M. Isenberg
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Shelly A. Majewski
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Robert S. Opsahl
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Pearl J. Pichette
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Sandra L. Pociask
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Stanley B. Sopkowicz
11-17-2021	Obituaries	William J. Tessier
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Roberta M. Wagner
11-17-2021	Obituaries	John G. Wendler
11-09-2021	Front Page	Nearing Completion
11-09-2021	Front Page	County Board Sets Pay, New Districts Lines For Supervisors
11-09-2021	Front Page	City Water, Sewer To Consider Peshtigo Town Water Supply
11-09-2021	Front Page	Culvert Issues Plague Peshtigo Town Board
11-09-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo School Board To Discuss Property Purchase
11-09-2021	Community - Coleman	House Fire Claims The Life of Coleman Man
11-09-2021	Community - Coleman	Pound Budget Down 3.18%, Hearing Is Monday, Nov. 15
11-09-2021	Community - Coleman	Wichmann To Speak at Faith Christian Nov. 13
11-09-2021	Community - Coleman	Lena School Board Finalizes Budget, Levy
11-09-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Legion Post to Celebrate Marine Corps Birthday Nov. 10
11-09-2021	Community - Crivitz	Peshtigo River Center Flea Market Nov. 20th
11-09-2021	Community - Crivitz	Country Gospel Jam Changed to Nov. 12
11-09-2021	Community - Crivitz	Northwoods Apostolic Thanksgiving Meal Nov. 25
11-09-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Hunter's Bake Sale Friday, November 19
11-09-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Hunters Supper at St. Augustine Parish
11-09-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Lions Medical Equipment to Loan Out
11-09-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Blood Drive Is Monday, Nov. 29th
11-09-2021	Sports	Coleman Beats Top Seed Hurley, Moves to Level 4
11-09-2021	Sports	Blue Devils Bow Out in State Semi
11-09-2021	Sports	Avoid Ash Trees When Placing Deer Stands
11-09-2021	Sports	Announce Temporary Closure of Peshtigo Shooting Range
11-09-2021	Sports	Five Volleyball Champs Crowned
11-09-2021	Sports	WIAA 8-Player Football Title Game Slated for This Week
11-09-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
11-09-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
11-09-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Clarence Aland
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Chad L. Atwood
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Paulalu E. Baxter
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Caroline A. Champion
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Halina Duda
11-09-2021	Obituaries	James H. Fischer
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Joseph R. Heinz
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Virginia L. Husbeck
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Randall T. Lavarda
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Richard A. Lesperance
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Helen M. Lindquist
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Harvey E. Noll
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Leigh Rupert, Jr.
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Allen J. Salewski
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Jerry L. Salewski
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Wendy L. Schultz
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Pamela A. Snowtala
11-04-2021	Front Page	Halloween Fun
11-04-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo To Keep Tax Rate Unchanged For 2022 Budget
11-04-2021	Front Page	County Board To Finalize Supervisor Districts Nov. 9
11-04-2021	Front Page	Detective Troy Ugoretz Is New Crivitz Police Chief
11-04-2021	Front Page	Marinette Approves 20 Year Comprehensive Plan
11-04-2021	Community - Coleman	Pound Village Board To Meet On Nov. 8
11-04-2021	Community - Coleman	Community Thanksgiving Dinner Set For Coleman/Pound Nov. 24
11-04-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Utility To Meet Nov. 8
11-04-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Board To Approve Budget, Capital Outlay Plan
11-04-2021	Community - Crivitz	Legion Auxiliary Donate $2300 to Hospital, Veterans
11-04-2021	Community - Crivitz	Veterans Day Program at Crivitz Nov. 11th
11-04-2021	Community - Crivitz	NEWCAP/Crivitz Music Dept. Holiday Craft Show Nov. 20
11-04-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Woman's Club Holiday Auction Nov. 11
11-04-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Junior Halloween Raffle
11-04-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Hunters Supper at St. Augustine Parish
11-04-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Post, Auxiliary 66 to Meet Nov. 6th
11-04-2021	Sports	Cougars Win; Season Ends for Titans/Maroons
11-04-2021	Sports	Blue Devils Are State Bound
11-04-2021	Sports	Gillett Medalist Alex Peterson Paces Area Runners at State
11-04-2021	Sports	WIAA State Boys Soccer At Uihlein This Weekend
11-04-2021	Sports	WIAA Selects Competitive Balance Ad Hoc Committee
11-04-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
11-04-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
11-04-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
11-04-2021	Obituaries	Sharon L. Boyer
11-04-2021	Obituaries	Betty J. Cherry
11-04-2021	Obituaries	Bruce A. Delaet
11-04-2021	Obituaries	Dale W. Dubrow
11-04-2021	Obituaries	David W. Holmes