Today is Halloween and we’re hoping there are lots of little ghouls who will drop by this evening and polish off the bag of chocolate candies Mum got for the occasion. She thought she was getting a mixed bag that included KitKats and Twix but discovered there were only KitKats in it and more than half of them have what’s known as “white chocolate.” Mum said ‘white’ chocolate is a rouse and worse, it feels like you’re being gypped. Then she started howling about something called ‘shrink-flation’ being bad enough rexently discovered companies are now shortchanging chocolate content in candy. Harumph. Mum’s a bit of a chocoholic and said if it’s white, it’s definitely NOT chocolate. I think there were a few HBO words which I shan’t repeat here. I’ll let her tell you just how she feels. You may want to skip over this part since she’s all frothed up about some of the politics leading to her anguish which takes a bit of a turn with the political goings-on.
The Mum: That’s right, Floof. Chocolate is brown (i.e. milk, dark chocolate); there is no such thing as white chocolate. That substitution is simply a sugarfied replacement since cocoa has become so expensive with companies trying to weather the cocoa shortage by diluting content with rice krispies and/or nuts and smaller packaging. Bah humbug! The shortage has been attributed to rising production costs and trade tariffs which have further impacted the situation driving up prices for chocolate makers and consumers. Climate change has also contributed to the shortage with a severe drought in West Africa from where most chocolate comes.
Wilson: Ok, Mum. You’ve had your say, let’s move on now shall we?
The Mum: You’re right, that was totally insensitive of me. In these current economic times, I do hope people consider helping out their local food pantries to help out those less fortunate. The need is even more important now due to the government shutdown. Food prices are still very high and with so many workers not receiving paychecks, it’s compounding the problem. I was shocked to learn that some 40 million people receive some sort of food assistance which they won’t be receiving beginning in November. 40 million people in this country! Let that sink in. While I loathe politics on the blog, but I’m just so angry that Congress continues to receive their salaries but is okay with denying women and children food assistance.
Wilson: {deftly changing the topic to keep Mum from additional howling} So we experienced our first hard frost this week and gosh, has it been chilly. On Tuesday it was only 25F (-3C) and there I was minus my heavy fur coat after getting groomed for my hospital duties. Luckily my dapper fleece coat helped keep me toasty walking across the parking lot to the hospital.
The Mum: Everyone remarked how cute you looked, but I did notice that you blew me a raspberry when I took your pic.
Wilson: {chuckling at being busted} Just check out the frost crystals on our compost bin. I’m shivering just looking at it.
The Mum: Yes, that frost finally did in the tomato plant. I knew it was coming and I neglected to harvest the dozen or so ripe ones and almost felt badly that I let them go to waste but at least they’ll help make some nice compost for next spring. Look at those sad frost bitten leaves. The cold also did a big number on the catalpa tree leaves. Those babies were dropping like bombs on the sidewalk. That second photo doesn’t really do it justice-there were so many fallen leaves covering the sidewalk.
Wilson: It was however a much different picture a couple of days before the frost hit. We found some really pretty flowers and brilliantly hued leaves from around the neighborhood.
The Mum: I loved finding that Burning Bush shrub. It just ‘screamed’ autumn. And even that Black-eyed Susan was pretty even if it was just a bit past its expiration date. And who’d have thought roses would still be blooming at the end of October?!
Wilson: Together with the golden light, it’s turned out to be a pretty spectacular autumn this year. And look what you found yesterday. A cute little mushroom mostly buried in leaves. You almost missed it, didn’t you?
The Mum: I sure did, I nearly stepped on it. I was in the garden looking for a trowel I seemed to have misplaced when I was out there dividing the irises last weekend. Never did find it but will continue to look. Too often I get distracted or need something and set my tool down to take care of it and forget where I set my tool down. Ugh. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done that. They eventually show up but it bugs me when I misplace my tools.
Wilson: You’ll find it, Mum. Sooner or later. Well, that’s all we have. If you celebrate it, we hope everyone has a safe Halloween. Don’t let those ghosts scare you. There are also The Day of the Dead festivities this weekend and we offer our best “Feliz Dia de los Muertos” wishes where people show respect to the traditions of honoring and remembering their loved ones.
The Mum: That’s right, plus the second worst day of the year ends tomorrow night…Daylight Savings Times, so don’t forget to ‘fall back.’ The first being when we started this stupid period back in early spring. I won’t get up on my soapbox about this twice annual switch, suffice to say I’m no fan of going back and forth. It was always a nightmare adjusting the timing of Elsa’s anti-seizure medication. We send our condolences to those who still need to adjust the schedule to keep pets and peeps safe and seizure free.
Wilson: Enjoy that ‘extra’ hour of sleep Sunday morning. Have a great weekend.
Live, love, bark! 🍁
I love real, live Christmas trees; but other than the little potted ones I’ve been buying at the grocery stores these last few years, I haven’t had one since my last Christmas before Sam and I got married.
I love Christmas cactuses, too. But the one and only that I’ve ever had – the one Sam & I bought the day after Radar went to the RB – didn’t survive the insanity of Sam’s worst dementia years. (Which is why I bought Zen’s shamrock for his 1st birthday, nearly 3 years ago.) The thistle is pretty. I’d have done a double-take myself.
There’s no doubting the smell of real trees is something extra special during the holidays but the needle dropping makes me a bit crazed.
With everything being fairly brown, the blue of that thistle really jumped out at me. It took my brain several steps to realize it and go back. Wilson always confused when I do that to him. He’s so focused on moving forward-backtracking sends his brain into confusion. Wishing you and the Zen kids a lovely Thanksgiving week!
I hope you, Wilson, and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving week, too!
💙
I wrote a big comment which got tossed out, Argghhhh!
Anyways I enjoyed seeing all your nature and hope your fig picks up soon. My Christmas Catus bloomed in mid September! Now there is nothing but leaves. I am going to prune it back and cover it for 12 hours a day (needs darkness) to encourage another blooming maybe by mid winter, early spring. I used to have a huge one that would bloom 2x a winter, due to where I kept it, in a cool, unused bedroom.
Well poop. I hate it when that happens. So sorry. When I write a long comment anymore, I try to remember to copy it because it’s so frustrating. Let’s hope WP got over its hissy fit and it won’t happen to you again. I’m such a luddite I never know what or where the problem is.
That said, thank you for going to the trouble of writing a very sweet comment a second time. I appreciate it. September?? Holy cow, and I thought mine guy was early. After the summer of Hades, I think nature needs hormone therapy-she’s totally mixed up! I leave mine in the kitchen window all year long. Even when it’s not blooming, it’s a pretty cactus. Have another one that’s so finicky, if it sets one bloom, I feel like a complete success. Too bad it’s so difficult, it’s a pretty peach colored variety…when it blooms. LOL
Have a great weekend. Hopefully there will be no more cancellations. 🤞🏼
test
It came through! 💙
Furabulss post Wilson an Miss Monika! Yore nayburrhood iss *poppin* with color!!! Issn’t Autumm wunderfull?? Wilson yore Tongue Out Selfie iss so cute!! Yore THE kewlest mee frend….
Happy Hallowe’eny!!
***nose bopss*** BellaDharma an (((huggiess))) BellaSita Mum
Thanks, you’re too kind. Autumn is our most favorite of all the seasons. but with the temps dropping, so are the leaves. Now it’s time to rake, rake, rake!
That’s a Nice cozy coat you have on there, Wilson!
The catalpa trees here drop everything all at once too…what a mess…and don’t even think about mulching them with the lawnmower…that layer is way too thick!
Those burning bushes shrubs sure live up to their name!
Thanks, it’s a very cozy jacket. Catalpas make for great shade trees, but they are so messy between those gigantic leaves and those cigar shaped pods, neither of which compost easily and mulching doesn’t help break down the plant material. They are so annoying in that regard and take so much energy to rake up. Hope you had a great ‘Howloween.’
Nature still looks fabulous there, even if there has been some frost. The coat makes Wilson look very smart.
Thank you. He’s such a fashionable guy. 😉 We tend to forget all the work we’ll have to do after beautiful leaves fall. Lots of raking now! Hope your Halloween was spooktacular.
You look quite dapper and handsome Wilson in your fine coat. Be proud. 😊
I understand your mum’s rant about the gov shutdown and people going hungry. I feel the same! 😡
Thanks for helping to brighten us up Wilson! Got to keep the smiles coming!
The flowers certainly lift spirits. Beautiful!
Happy Weekend to you both!!
Why thank you! He dresses up nicely. Autumn is such a beautiful time of year…but now comes the raking up of all that beauty. We hope your ‘Howloween’ was frighteningly good.
You are very welcome, and yes, it is a beautiful time. At least raking is better on the back than shoveling. 😉
Our Howloween was fine, didn’t get frightened at all. LOL!
I find seasonal back pain can be fairly relative. 😂
LOL!
Be kind to yourself. Heating pads and snack breaks. 😄
I keep praying for a good windy day before I move. LOL
You could have had our wind this week! I will try to send more your way. 🙂
It’s been breezy bit not enough to send them down the hill. I feel like I can only handle sweeping off the front patio!
I so 100% agree with everything in this blog about white chocolate and the government. I’m glad you showed the most adorable Wilson pic after to make me quickly shift into “oh he’s so cute” softy mode! The lady skelly walking the dog was cute!
Thanks, Martha. It hurts my mum’s heart knowing there are people who have to choose between buying food or buying medicines or paying rent. We sure are in a fiscal mess. Right after Wilson was adopted, my best friend got him that gorgeous coat. Normally we don’t need it but since he was just groomed, it came in handy on that morning when the temps were in the mid-20’s. We hope you and Chester had a spooktacular ‘Howloween!’
Lulu: “Wilson, you do look very dashing in your flannel! Like you are on your way to solve a mystery or something!”
Java Bean: “We got some trick-or-treaters here, but not a super lot. There was candy left over in the box again at the end of the night, including some Almond Joy, which apparently our Mama loves. I don’t expect those to last much longer!”
I need to find Wilson a deerstalker hat to go with that plaid coat. It’d make a great costume for next year’s ‘Howloween.’ Oooh, Almond Joy’s…those are the first to get eaten here. Enjoy them.
Brrr, frost already! Those maters look like they survived, even if the plants didn’t. But maybe it’s just a trick of the camera. Love that Day of the Dead Skeleton lady and dog picture!
They tasted ok-the flavor was sort of there but they were ‘mealy’ textured so they will continue on to the rainbow bridge for spent veggies…the compost pit. 😉 That Day of the Dead pic is from a visit to Mexico. I absolutely loved it and may have howled just a bit when I came across it outside a store. It always makes me smile. Hope you had lots of little ghosts and goblins drop by last night. Have a great weekend.
Oh, wow, yep that makes sense that was from Mexico. We Americans don’t celebrate that day like they do. We had a lot more trick or treaters than usual, but we have more kids here in the neighborhood than we did last year. I’ve put what’s left way up on the top of the cabinets so it takes some effort to eat any of the little candy bars that are left. 🤣
Blogging since 2007, until recently would never mention “pawlitics”, but now it is unavoidable, feeling the need to speak out, and often. So agree with your words here, thank you. Moving on ~ your images yet again show us that Mother Nature speaks beautifully no matter what is happening in the world around us. Whatever season she brings she offers us hope of renewal and the cycle of life continuing.
Thanks for understanding. You’re so right, speaking out now is more important than ever in these crazy mixed up times. At least images of Nature can bring us back from the darkness that has overtaken the political realm.
Great photos. Happy Halloween! XO
Thank you. Hope your Halloween is frighteningly good!
We’ve never heard of white chocolate Twix, how disappointing is that. Mom likes white chocolate but not in a KitKat! Here we had a hard freeze a few days ago and that pretty much stopped things from growing which is fine with us. We are ready for winter. Have a spooktacular Howloween!
It’s worse than you can imagine. I think they call them ‘Ghosts.” I just call them a big ripoff. It’s time for the next season and while it will take some getting used to carrying a leash between gloved fingers, I’m ready for it to start. We hope your Halloween is frightfully pawsome!
I started writing a response to your political thoughts – I with you 100%! – but changed my mind. I’ll just say that Mike Johnson needs to be stripped of his speaker duties. Too bad WE THE PEOPLE can’t do to members of Congress what King Charles did to his brother Andrew. At least not before Election Day 2026.
I’m shocked Johnson’s such a colossal zero as speaker in accomplishing meaningful legislation for the country. His smug sanctimonious look sends me into orbit! He should be ashamed accepting a salary during the shutdown. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a bigger hypocrite. This political/power upmanship is bad for the country and needs to stop.
You look so smart in your lovely fleece coat sweet Wilson, wishing you and your mum a happy Halloween too! 🧡🎃 xxx
Aww thanks, Xenia. Appreciate your lovely comment. We’re hoping for a nice quiet evening and hope your weekend is equally pleasant.
I LOVE your fleece coat! I need to get rain coats for the hooligans, but they’d probably refuse to wear them. (Sigh)
Thanks. Wilson’s not keen on wearing coats but seems to appreciate staying warm and dry after a few blocks. 😉 We hope you and the Zern kids have a spooktacular Halloween.
I sure miss chocolate but I can’t have it because of the dairy component. You are looking mighty fine Wilson but goodness, that poor mater plant. Have a fun weekend!
Oh gosh, so sorry you can enjoy chocolate, Terry.
Yeah, it’s been very chilly in the mornings. We even postponed this morning’s walk so it would warm up above freezing! Have a frightfully good Halloween.
Wilson looks SHARP!
And yes to chocolate, REAL chocolate. And NO . . BIG NO to this shrinkflation crap that is going on everywhere, not just with our candy. It’s BS. And other HBO words I will not utter here.
So with you on this idea that ANYONE should have to worry about feeding their families in this country. That is absolutely shameful.
Frost?! Oh yes . . . that stuff.
Enjoy that luscious extra hour too mama
Thanks, Marc. Wilson cleans up pretty nicely and I guarantee he was pretty chuffed wearing that nice toasty coat. I knew frost was inevitable but dang…my poor frozen digits sure weren’t even with gloves on. And then there’s that whole learning process of how to manage a leash with them on. The first several outings are very fumbly and frustrating.
We hope your weekend is full of good cheer and great fun. Feliz dia de los muertos!
Chuffed and handsome and goodest, that’s him.
Yeah that would take some practice, LOL. But ya did it!
Salud!
Time is a-flying, enjoy the last of the fall color… it’ll be Christmas before we know it!
61 days. Yikes!
Wow. Those tomatoes still look terrific among the wilted leaves. This from someone who can’t grow them. Lovey fall flowers before the frost. I’m with you on daylight saving time. This shutdown is a travesty. People are suffering because of fatheads in Washington. Happy Halloween 🎃
They look pretty but were kind of mealy so in the bin they went. Even ole ‘hollow legs’ was like, eew…not what I was expecting, Mum. 🤣 Have a great weekend, John!
P.s. Travesty is an understatement when it comes to Congress. Both sides are feckless.
Wilson, you do look so dapper in your fleece coat. I am jealous and need to up my game in that department with the winter weather approaching. I do understand the unfortunate HBO reaction of your Mum to that white chocolate. I will eat it on occasion, but it never approaches the level of satisfaction good ol’ chocolate does. I will admit to throwing out a few HBO reactions myself to the subject of Daylight Savings Time. I think aside from the sheer stupidity of having to do it in the first place…is hearing all of the politicans who could change it say it should be changed…but it never, ever is. Have a barking good Halloween!🎃👻😱🦇
Thanks, Bruce. Eddie Bauer makes some cool threads for pooches.
These days the People’s House is woefully inept. And not just about DST. I think I’ve heard the same ‘recording’ to “we need to do something about xyz (e.g. immigration reform or gun control-two notables)…and when they’re called out on it, they say, ‘yeah but now is not the ‘right’ time.
We hope you and Mrs. Bruce have a frightfully awesome Halloween weekend.
I’m with you on the white chocolate issue. Blech. Hoping there will be some leftover REAL chocolate after tonight. The kids really seem to go for the sugar candies more…they love those little boxes of Nerds, LOL.
I used to buy those gigantic bags with Snickers, Almond Joy, M&M’s, and Milky Way’s but they were way too pricey this year for the few trick-r-treaters I receive. And I sure as heck don’t need a 5 lb bag of leftover candy! Hope you have a good weekend.
I share your political views. Very challenging days ahead for women, children, and men too! And I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to go looking for my glasses that I only wear when driving or watching TV. You would think I would put them down the same place all the time, but alas…have a happy Halloween!
Thanks. When my son was an optician, I bought reading glasses for every room in the house so I wouldn’t have to go on a search party! It was great until my prescription changed and I had to update them all! Have a good weekend. Stay safe and warm. We’re just barely over freezing now. Brrrrr.
My best story about looking for glasses was, after looking everywhere, my husband informed me they were on my head. Sigh. Getting old.
Bwahahaha. I wish I didn’t have personal knowledge of doing the same thing. 😂
Hehe!!
Entirely with your mum on the subject of chocolate……and it looks like you caught the last rose of summer there…..
That white junk is disgusting.
Last good looking rose of the season and I felt so grateful to be able to capture such a pretty. Have a good weekend, Helen. Feliz Dia de los Muertos.
Wilson. Loved the pictures. I always do, and that with Cher is such fun!
Thanks Carole. Unfortunately I couldn’t dissuade Mum from going off the reservation today. She’s so upset. Hopefully she’ll get some good news about an upcoming move. 🤞🏼 Have a wagnificent weekend. That Cher meme is always good for a smile.
Your fur-iend,
Wilson 🐾
You’re Rockin’ that fleece vii oh at, Wilson. Stay warm and dry. Thanks for the beautiful photos. I hope the trick or treaters don’t bother you too much with the doorbell.
Thanks, Dan. I think my mum is going to put out the candy bowl on the sidewalk so people don’t ring the doorbell getting me overly protective. We hope you have a safe and happy Halloween and a great weekend.
I’m of the belief that if congress isn’t in Washington and in their chambers when they are supposed to be, they shouldn’t get paid. ’nuff said. We are getting into full color here. Very beautiful except that soon it will be bare gray limbs and no color.
Between all the days they take off (and not even counting all the dumb things they do when they’re actually in session), I totally agree. I’m not all that much in favor of them getting paid most of the time. Enjoy the color while it lasts and have a wonderful weekend.
Wilson we haven’t had our first “hard” frost yet but it can’t be far away…….the trees have dumped about 75-80% of their leaves and you can’t see even one blade of grass now because of the leaf cover. I like burrowing in a pile of leaves. It’s warm and cozy. Mom thinks I’ve lost my mind. Anyway, be wary of Trick or Treaters tonight because after they get their treats they might do a trick……good or bad! Thanks for sharing the photos – we love to see photos of Fall !!
Hugs, Teddy
You are most welcome for the pics (sorry about Mum’s rant-I have no control over her, despite what she says). The leaves seem to enjoy burrowing in my furs…whenever I go outside, Mum comes after me with a brush as soon as I cross the doop threshold. Stay safe this weekend.
Your fur-iend,
Wilson 🐾
I want such a checkered coat; it looks so fashionable. Happy Halloween, and I hope everyone has a great weekend.
Thanks. Mum loves it when I wear that warm coat. Enjoy your weekend!