Day 2 started smoky…

Shadow mountains. Lovely clouds.

Sky and clouds as Emmett and I took our sunrise walk.

Maybe my morning favorite …

Nearing the end of the morning walk.

We breakfasted.

We spent another morning on the motorhome interspersed with walks and play.

At the end of Day 2 work time: Front and driver side clean-ish.

Back and passenger side to do … and garage … and interior :)

End of Labor Day Weekend Day 2.

Labor Day U.S.: celebrated on the first Monday in September in honor of the American Labor Movement. I am fairly sure that most of the current U.S. population do not have a clue what that is. Labor Day is the “end of Summer” holiday for most … including me.

Almost always, at least as a property owner in Northwest Montana, Labor Day weekend has been a time of thinking about and starting property prep for Winter.

This year, my Labor Day list includes: prepping Wild Thing for sale (yes … I plan on selling Wild Thing), prelim house and window cleanup.

So.

Day 1.

This week’s cherry tomato haul … background is…

Wild Thing! I moved her out to allow access to water and power for wash and cleanup.

There were some issues with retracting leveling jacks. But WD-40 and a lift from a shovel resolved those. Pedal to the metal and out she came!

And then the power washer.

My current weekend task M.O. (modus operandi) is to work on my task list, with breaks, until noon-1:00 p.m. ish.

Today, Day 1, I did the off and on bit until 2:30 p.m.

I managed to get all set up and cleaned the front and 1/3 of one side in that time.

In my defense, this was all along with “outings with Emmett”! Walks, playing fetch, playing in the hose.

I feel the same!!!

Labor Day Weekend: Day 1.

***For the record … temps were a very pleasant 70ish … high was 73F late afternoon (my house)

Yes, I know … September follows my birthday in just two weeks, but the suddenly … it was hot and dry and kind of miserable up until the day after my birthday … and then…

It cleared (smoke) and cooled (by 20F degrees) and suddenly felt very Autumn-like.

I was afraid to believe!

But, it has stayed cool-warmish, i.e. NOT hot and mostly not smoky.

Every morning, I look at the weather expecting some return to heat and smoke …

So far, we seem to be firmly entrenched in normal: low to mid-70’s F daytime and lovely cool nights (40F).

And suddenly, it is September 1 with Labor Day weekend approaching!

The weekend is forecast to be warm-slightly hot at 80F for Friday-Saturday-Sunday! There is some chance of return of smoke…

No problem here.

Emmett and I will be home, enjoying the woods and the yard and the hose …

I have some indoor video projects to keep me busy!

And we will take naps :)

Suddenly September and lovely weather and much to enjoy at home.

There is a weather phenomenon called a singularity. It is “a characteristic meteorological condition that tends to occur on or near a specific date more frequently than chance would indicate”. Here, in Northwest Montana, we have or did have an August Singularity for August 24-26: a very cool, cold event. Locals and particularly local fire fighters are on the alert for the singularity as it has often given an opportunity to get a leg up on wildfires.

In the 27 years that I have lived in this part of Montana, I have experienced and enjoyed this weather phenomenon many times.

This year … after a 6 day heat wave that was forecast to end on my birthday: August 16, we have experienced a dramatic cool down AND rain!

I look each morning at the forecast to see when we will return to heat and smoke … shuush!!! so far, nothing more than 76F is forecast for the forecast future.

It feels like early Autumn.

As I told a friend, I am enjoying and ignoring the future.

So cool outside, that I brought in two trays of microgreens!

The first non-cherry tomato … Manitoba Tomato … is ripening!

Front Porch gardening: 2 Fuchsia are doing well, kale has been harvested from the rolling planter with remaining herbs and flowers all good, microgreens, impatiens, “rock garden” and other herbs are all flourishing!

Afternoon sun …

Morning mist.

32 days until official Autumn, but we are having respite from summer and a preview of autumn.

I have many, many favorites of all of my pets, but this photo always sticks in my mind. It was an incredibly lucky capture of Auggie and Emmett … in sync.

Walk this way.

Sailing Vessel Sunrise, on corrected time, won the overall. The skipper gave an impressive recap!

In my favorite class: IMOCA 60, Charlie Dalin and co-skipper Paul Meilhat took a VERY impressive first!

Above video is also a great summary of conditions and perspective.

A legendary race in extreme conditions.

It was an incredible race to follow,

Kudos to all of the Rolex Fastnet team and to all competitors. Thank you for a spectacular show!