1. Backyard Adventure I look up at the butternut trees, where the trio of nuts remain unfallen. I step off the porch, wary of the dog's leash since I prefer to avoid falling on my face. Maybe in the grass, some others will have fallen.

2. A careful study of the ground revealed one new fallen nut which I swiftly picked up and put in my pocket. I also noted a fairly large amount of young, fresh dandelion greens throughout the grass - tenacious plants, they will continue growing until snow falls.

3. Plantain leaves seem to be getting older and tougher however, since these plants now focus on producing seed. I'll be collecting seeds soon - psyllium is a primary ingredient in several over-the-counter fiber mixes to combat constipation, by the way. So many things we buy in the store, and there they were in our lawns the whole time. To think some of us don't like weeds in our lawns. A little less pesticide in the garage, more food and medicine in our own yards.

4. The corn patch is mostly gone now, a few winter squash still maturing on their vines. Plucked an acorn squash when I walked by - walked by means stepping over corn stalks now lying wind-beaten along the ground between the garden plot and shed. Around the back of the shed I estimated the amount of vines growing there. These will become wreaths after the foliage dies down a bit, hopefully enough for some to sell around town during the upcoming holiday season.

5. Another little surprise - the patch of greens I grew in the spring keeps speedily throwing out new growth since the nights cooled down. A large handful of chard and kale joined the acorn squash. Hands now full, I headed back toward home. This was a rather uneventful walk across the yard, until the cat decided to return home as well. The dog took chase, hopping rabbit fashion along the way and thus missing the cat by mere inches as she passed under the porch. Sorry pooch, no cat for dinner today. What was that? Oh, you just wanted her to play with your stick? Now you want me to play with you? Later, Zeus. Down, Zeus.