A Frosty Morning

Is there anything better than the start of hockey season? Yes, I realize it's not the "official" start of the season yet, but there's hockey on the radio--I'm not picky if it's pre- or regular season. Even though I don't know any of the names of the players on either team (they're all minor-leaguers; when Shorty calls the names, I don't know who has the puck), it's nice to hear it again. This is how I know that fall is here. Ah, hockey--you're my hero.

*cough* Okay, that got a little awkward there at the end. There are, of course, other signs that fall has arrived, even if not in the autumnal equinox sense of the word. Leaves turn colour from vibrant green to a crackling shade of yellow; soon all the trees will bare their branches, losing the splendour and vibrancy that characterizes their summer adornment. In summer, everything seems more alive. Yet there's something comforting about a crisp autumn morning that you just can't find in summer. When your breath crystalizes as it comes out of your mouth and there's that familiar bite in the air--that's my favourite time of the year.

And there's hockey on. Did I mention that?

Yesterday morning we had the first true taste of fall around here. I woke up to a brilliant sunrise...

And turned to look at the ground...

'Twas a surprise, it was. I took a couple more photos, just to give you all a sense of the fact that it was, indeed, frosty...

I think the flowers were caught unawares...

Other than catching up on photos I took yesterday, nothing much to report today. I wore a toque to school for the first time (but it's okay that I wore a toque because there's hockey on the radio)--could see my breath when I stepped out of the house, so I knew it was time. My only fear (and it's a reasonable one, I think) is that it'll be an absolutely brutal winter this year. Haven't had one around here in quite some time, they say--we're due. Maybe, just maybe, it'll hold off for one more year, giving us ample time to retreat back to our temperate climate like the wimps we are. But then again, maybe I'll have to buy a pair of long underwear this year. I've never owned a functional pair before (I had a pair for snowboarding, but I wore them about twice), so it should be a new experience. I say I'll keep you posted but, you know, there are just some things that should remain in the privacy of my own home.

Oh, how could I forget my manly achievement of the week--I installed a new battery in the car. Grunt, grunt, grunt! Yeah, you're jealous of my life, admit it. Next week I'm moving on to heavy machinery. Stay tuned!

So off I go to build a zoo (Zoo Tycoon has me in its grips--I'm powerless. There are dinosaurs, people; DINOSAURS!!!). Thanks for swinging by, and hey, the comments section is always available for your disposal. See you again tomorrow.