Home of the Practically Perfect Pink Phlox and other native plants for pollinators

Monday, November 17, 2008

Keep Warm!

That's what we are trying to do here at Clay and Limestone!

Sunday morning we woke up to blue skies and chilly temps!

Leaves golden bronze in the trees and

even more browning on the ground and beds!


Given that the leaves aren't going anywhere and


there are more to come
from all the trees still
in fall color.

We assessed our options.

We could stay home and mulch the leaves, or
we could head out for an afternoon adventure
to see what was left of fall in Nashville!

Being folks with a well developed play ethic;
we bundled up, grabbed a snack and the camera
and headed to Radnor Lake!

Radner Lake is a favorite destination of many
Nashvillians. We love this park!
It is home to snapping turtles, beavers, otters,
herons, ducks...and many other critters!

It is also a class II protected natural area...


with the most restrictive
rules of our state park system!

That means there will be no dogs
on the trails, no jogging, no picnics~~
just hiking and enjoying the beauty.
(I ate my snack before we
set out on the trails! I know
how to be a good girl!)

The park has wonderfully kept trails
that wind around the lake through a
deciduous forest of native tall oaks, maples, paw paws,
serviceberry, dog woods and other
plants and wildflowers.


Each January they are mulched
with shredded Christmas trees.
It smells heavenly of balsam and pine!

The trails are springy to walk
on and aging hips and knees
don't mind the 3 or so miles
around the lake!

I can't help it. Each fall I fall in love
with these trees and this sky! I never
look down... it is so lovely
to look up and ahead on the trail.

You can certainly see why birds
would
flock to Radnor Lake!

It's home to
240 species of birds; including
26 different water fowl....and all the bird watchers
you can imagine! Early mornings are
very quiet on the trails; we
don't want to scare off the birds!
Generous birders like to point out
the beauties they've spotted to
a novice like me!
I don't mind being quiet and I love
having them share their sightings!


We dream of snowy times when we can
strap our cross country skis (Mr I Don't )
and snow shoes (me) on and
have a great adventure
on these trails!

The road the runs along the side of the lake
has been closed to car traffic for years.

It was once a romantic drive on a
full moon night for many young couples!

Mr. I Don't (Short for Mr I Don't Garden or Blog)

We love to walk the lower trail. It's a time of reflection and
conversation. It invites reverence and laughter.
Neither strangers to each other.

Thank you for joining us on
our walk around the lake.
I hope you all have favorite places
to walk in nature.


We're going home to sit by the fire
and read the paper!


Keep warm!
Have a delicious day!
Gail



If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive. ~Eleonora Duse


92 comments:

  1. Good morning Gail, like a deep cleansing breath, your post is the perfect way to start a new week. The park and its trails beckoned and the fire was a welcome warm up after the brisk air. I would love to be there sometime. With you.

    Frances

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  2. What a beautiful post Gail. Your warm welcoming spirit shines through. Thank you so much for taking us with you and the Mr. I can just imagine all the birds and birders gathered there.

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  3. Gail .. I made it over in time not to be the 30th poster ! yahoo !
    What beautiful blue skies and gorgeous trees .. Autumn is still very much alive there. I love the "home fires" burning .. but where are the marshmallows ?????? LOL

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  4. What a beautiful park Gail - how lucky you are to have it so close to home. How nice that Mr. I Don't DOES when it comes to enjoying the trails with you!

    Your fireplace looks very inviting - a perfect spot for relaxing after a walk in the woods.

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  5. That is a lovely park you visited. I have a few near me that I visit often.
    Marnie

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  6. What a wonderful park! So beautiful with all of the colors, and I agree the shot of the trees with the blue sky....heavenly. That fire place was welcoming you home!

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  7. Hi Gail - what a beautiful walk! Thanks for showing us - I felt I was right there with you.

    NAH's a Mr I Don't (MID?) too!

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  8. I wish we had a park like this and it's a testament to the "no dogs, jogging, picnics, etc" rules that you describe. One of our parks has a trail around the lake, but it's hard to have a peaceful walk with joggers and bikes zooming through. Your cozy fire is the perfect ending.

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  9. Gail, I could almost feel the crisp autumn air as I walked along with you. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon and what a delightful post!

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  10. That's a beautiful park! Yet another place nearby that I haven't been too...yet. Once our youngest starts walking, which should be any day now, we'll be able to do a bit more. That fire looks warm and toasty!

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  11. What a beautiful place, Gail. But with all the dogwoods and paw paws, don't you think they should allow canine hikers, too? (Kidding). We had our first frost last night--light, so no damage yet--but your fire looks very cozy this morning!

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  12. Gail,

    What a beautiful park and lake! These green spaces are to be cherished.

    I think winter has finally arrived!

    Cameron

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  13. That fire looks like the perfect end to a lovely nature filled day. I'll be by with marshmallows and chocolate for smores!

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  14. Frances,

    I have a long list of activities for us when you visit! There are beautiful places to visit and we can breath deeply in most of them. Does shopping induce relaxation or is it an energizer for you! Radnor is a great park, plus I have to take you to a Cedar Glade Natural area! Today I will begin to deal with leaves; begin, I say because they will fall for the next 6 weeks! Having dozens of trees is a challenge. Thankfully we have a handyman clean the gutters...We had a falling ladder incident that has left Mr I shy of getting anywhere near them!

    Gail

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  15. What a wonderful way to spend the day! Thanks so much for taking us along. We have a similar quiet and beautiful place with scenic trials, a lake and plenty of birds at Sapsucker Woods - Cornell Lab of Ornithology here in upstate NY. Your Radnor Lake reminds of this place.
    Beautiful photos and colors. Love that fire! We're very chilly here this morning...32º.

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  16. Gail, the quote at the end of your post is just perfect. Like Frances, I would like to walk these trails with you; this is such a beautiful park. I'm afraid I might stumble, though, with my head always looking up at the magnificent trees:)

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  17. Lisa,

    I thought of you when I saw the ducks...the ranger had been so excited when I spoke with her earlier. She got out the bird book to show me a photo of the special park visitor...A merganser. A beautiful creature! You would like this lovely park!

    Gail

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  18. Joy,

    Hi dear friend! Marshmallows! I knew something was missing! Glad you stopped by, btw, I loved your post... I saw it late last night when I was too pooped to make a coherant comment, but I will be 'up' there today!

    Gail

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  19. The golden trees and blue lake and sky make for a very scenic hike. I can imagine that three miles fly by when you're enjoying that kind of scenery.

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  20. Linda/Gardengirl,

    Mr I Does like to walk! He is so funny...really, he is. He used to do stand up comedy! No one you would recognize! But we walk every Sunday...it is a ritual. We are fortunate to have a few really excellent parks very close to us.
    Linda, have a good day and keep warm!

    Gail

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  21. I can certainly deal with this kind of walk when I am feeling ill. Thanks for it! Very lovely park. Reminds me of Germany with those walking paths.

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  22. What is better than a walk in the woods on a crisp, fall day? Love your trail pictures although I can't believe they don't allow dogs on leashes. That is not too evolved! LOL It is getting to be time to cozy up to the fire. Cold temperatures are in the forecast but the fire is so delightful.

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  23. Good choice - the leaves can wait - there's never enough time to enjoy a splendid walk in the park.

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  24. Gail,
    What a lovely post! I wish I had seen this the past weekend. Maybe it's beatiful pictures would have motivated me to do something to commune with nature. :-)This time of year I really need an extra push.- Randy

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  25. Radnor Lake is so beautiful all year round-- the path now covered with leaves makes me want to get out a jacket and take a hike over there. Seems to be such a relaxing place.

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  26. Ah, all that fresh air woke me up this morning. Thanks for the stroll...

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  27. skeeter,

    It is crisp and cool here, too. I just returned from a walk in the neighborhood with my best walking buddy. Still lots of leaves in yellow with a few red maples...but you can really feel the cold air blowing in! Frost tonight! Keep warm!

    Gail

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  28. Thanks for the great Radnor pictures, Gail. You said it was once a romantic drive for young couples. Well, that's where my husband and I drove to after we left our wedding. We were not so young, but it was beautiful.

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  29. Marnie,

    We are lucky folks to have fine parks near our homes!
    Unfortunately we still have to get in the car and drive there~how about yours? Nearby or a car drive away?

    Gail

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  30. What a beautiful stoll, it makes me miss fall up north! This is my first visit to your wonderful blog, love the photos and thoughtful muse!

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  31. Jan,

    It is a beautiful spot...what a delightful memory ...thank you for sharing it with us! It is a delicious place when the full moon hangs over the water! I think I am going to schedule a walk there on the next clear full moon!

    Take care and keep warm...the wind is blowing some cold air our way!

    Gail

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  32. Consciousgardener,

    Hello and welcome to the midsouth! We have 3 nice seasons and then there is summer! It is hot, humid, and recently dry! All with mosquitoes! But we love the fall color..are you in TX? Strange weather you all have been experiencing lately. Thank you for your very kind comments...I love the quote! I am very glad you stopped by and I hope you visit again!

    Gail

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  33. Darla,

    It is a great park...even I was surprised by all the golden leaves! We did come home to a fire and the newspapers! have a good day and have fun in your garden.

    Gail

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  34. dp,

    You and cam ought to head over there before all the color is on the ground! But even with the trees bare of leaves there is so much to see! If you are adventurous then take the Gannier Ridge walk! You will get a good workout on that one!

    Let me know what you think!

    Gail

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  35. VP,

    We love them anyway! My Mr I is funny and supportive and tolerates my blogging (with occasional eye rolling) and loves my garden passion!

    The park is one of the city treasures. I am glad you enjoyed the walk!

    Gail

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  36. jgh,

    I totally get what you are saying! We have several greenways but the jogger/bike/etc traffic makes for a less then peaceful walk! It takes real concentration to be meditative!

    Have a good day today!

    gail

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  37. Randy,

    I could easily have sat around doing nothing myself!
    Even with all the leaves that need to be swept off the driveway....it was quite chilly and I haven acclimated to the cold yet! Have a good day, Randy!

    Gail

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  38. That's a beautiful place. I love walking in the woods at any time of year, but most of all in autumn.

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  39. cindy, mcok,

    Why thank you! It was a great day, crisp and cold with just he right amount of outdoor time and then...home to a nice fire! I hope you had a good day, too and an even better one today!


    Gail

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  40. Pam,

    The yellow leaves and that blue sky were luscious...and the springy trails had us bouncing long. What would make even better would be to have the garden bloggers with me...oh the flora and fauna we would identify! Plus good conversations! Have a good day! I need to pop[ over and see what you've done in your new garden.

    gail

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  41. dave, Your girls will love the park! You will, too! They have a nice visitor center...another park with terrific children's activities is Edwin Warner Park. Then there is Cheekwood's Owl Hill! In the meantime...that is so cool that your baby will be walking soon! Let us know!

    Gail

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  42. mmd,

    It is a lovely place to walk and talk...I do wish that you all could go along. I have very dear friends but they aren't as plant loving as we garden bloggers are! Do you have woods nearby?

    Gail

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  43. Layanee,

    Hi...Tucker would be welcome in most any of the other parks and he would be welcome at Radnor on the road but not the trails!

    The cool weather is here! I am not ready...how long does it take you to acclimate to cold? It takes me weeks!

    I do hope you had a good birthday! Keep warm,

    Gail

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  44. barbarpc,

    My thoughts exactly...the leaves are still here and still coming down! But sweet days like Sunday are almost all over. I knew the garden bloggers would understand! Thanks for popping over...take care!

    gail

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  45. cosmos,

    That was cute! There are plenty of pups out there; they are able to walk the paved road but not the trails.

    But the trees were gorgeous! Leaves lovely and it was a nice peaceful day...even with people! Nice that no one was jogging! It's easier on the paths, too. So where in the world is Cosmo now?

    Gail

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  46. Tina,

    Hi! It is a lovely park...sometime WHEN you visit we can take a trip over there! Hope all is well with you and keep warm..A big freeze is coming our way!

    Gail

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  47. cameron,

    Thanks...I love our park system. I think it would be very sad to live in a community that did not offer parks and trails for its citizens....we are lucky. Hope your day in the garden is wonderful!

    Gail

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  48. Cindy,

    Come on over I will start the fir, you bring the somores (sp) and I will supply the hot cocoa. Just bring Lillian...we don't have any babies among our group and she will be fun to visit with, too.

    Gail

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  49. Rose,

    I would love to walk with you...I can't think of many things nicer then to be in a beautiful natural setting with like minded people! BTW, you can keep looking up...'cause if you stumbled the springy paths don't hurt your knees or bottom when you land. They are really springy! You feel like you are bouncing!

    I am glad you like the quote..sometimes you find one that you hope fits the occasion. Take care...and keep warm out there!

    gail

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  50. LOL, Gail. Cosmo is home in VA for a while, but we're headed to NC for Thanksgiving and then back to AZ for 3 weeks at Christmas. I never realized how much we travel until I started this blog. Which I really ought to work on more often--I have an afternoon off and I'm dedicating it to catching up! Anyway, lovely, lovely walk.

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  51. Kerri,

    I imagine your trails were beautifully fall clolored not too long ago...the other thing...I bet you really could use snow shoes! Ours is merely a dream...we haven't had snow in ages!

    I think we are lucky to have these pockets of total beauty in our cities! Almost all of them were privately held and usually by wealthy business men who later in life wanted to create a lasting legacy. Maybe that is what age and being grandparents does to our way of looking at life...we want a legacy of some kind!Take care...I am so glad you commented.

    gail

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  52. Cosmo,

    You must let me know if you ever go through Nashville! have a good time...and post when you can...we miss reading you!

    gail

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  53. Good choice. Work can always wait when there's fun to be had instead!

    I keep intending to build a fire of my own but I always seem to find something a bit more pressing to do. There's nothing like the crackle of a nice fire.

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  54. Thanks for the beautiful fall tour. What a treasure you have there. Aren't you glad it's protected by rules?

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  55. Dear Gail........

    I do indeed have a soul.......

    What a wonderful area to walk....so unspoilt.....the sort of place where you will discover or see something new.......

    Log fires are great, aren't they.....always so cost and inviting......

    Beautiful post........

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  56. cheryl,

    I knew you had a soul...it is all over your blog, in everything you write about the bees and other critters that live there!

    It is unspoilt and surprisingly so considering the million user and being in our city!

    You keep warm and enjoy those bees that are still visiting your place!

    gail

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  57. balisha,

    I really am...in this case the rules make sense and I appreciate that we all respect them! Glad you stopped by!

    Gail

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  58. cinj,

    Yes we made the right choice...I am glad we opted for the walk in the sunshine...brrr it is getting cold...but then you know cold...you've had snow!

    Gail

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  59. Sounds like you made a good choice on how to spend your day. That park is lovely with all the fall color still lingering. I can't even imagine how it must look in the springtime. That fire looks nice & toasty, nice way to finish the day!

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  60. Racquel,

    The wildflowers are fabulous! There is a delphinium...D tricorne that will knock your socks off~~dutchman's breeches, squirrel corn, columbine, phlox, hepaticas, spring beauties...I could go on! Radnor is one of the inspirations for me having native plants in y garden. You can tell I like it out there!

    I hope everyone has a similar park to visit for inspiration!

    Gail

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  61. I don't blame you, I'd go play too while it is still nice to be out. I love walking in parks in fall, although I do always have the underlying concern that I'm going to get shot by a deer hunter. ;) I will have to go visit the lake there sometime, we aren't far from Nashville here. Alas your day was much more fun than mine sitting at my desk at work. :)

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  62. lythrum,

    Where are you in Alabama? You will love the park...it's beautiful and the ridge walk is a good bit of exercise!

    This park is very safe from hunters...it is in the middle of a well established neighborhood! But I have been in parks were hunters were hunting! Once we were hiking at a state park and we had no idea that there were bow hunters out there...it was really unnerving!

    Take care and keep warm!

    Gail

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  63. I enjoyed that very much. The contrast in the blue sky and Autumn leaves is one of my favorites too. You already knew that. I've never been to a park so quiet. I can't imagine.

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  64. Dearest Gail, well... my soul is more alive now that I've had this rejuvenating walk with you... hope "Mr. I don't" didn't mind me trailing along.

    Simply gorgeous and breathtaking really! Must tell Marmee about this lake and trail.

    That 3rd from the bottom photo is beckoning to become a painting. Hmmmm... Very lovely.

    I know you and hubby were breathing in all the goodness of nature. And just think you guys were doing just about the same thing we were doing yesterday at just about the same time. I love it.
    Thank you... thanks for such a beautiful post.
    meems

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  65. Gail, what absolute beauty. You are so fortunate to live close to this area. I don't blame you for deciding the leaves could wait!

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  66. Gail,

    I'm in Huntsville so it only takes about an hour and a half to get to Nashville. I've been there a few times but for business not pleasure. I'll definately keep it in mind.:)

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  67. anna,

    Hi...oh we like that classic blue and gold! It is one of the busiest parks, too but there are many quiet times!

    Gail

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  68. Meems,

    We didn't mind you joining us at all...we loved the company...I was so glad we decided to visit Radnor Lake...it was still holding on to fall and the sky was that perfect blue that you just want to stare at. There are curves and photo opts all along the trail..Marmee will love it! She will capture views that will delight us all.

    I had a feeling that you and your Mr. would be having an adventure this weekend! Car trips were times for catching up as our son played in the back seat! So getting out and about on Sundays feels right!

    Thank you..I was surprised that particular photo turned out well...I was shooting into the sun! Sometimes we get lucky...take care...is the weather still comfortably cool?

    gail

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  69. Beckie,

    Let me be perfectly honest...I am feeling very lazy these days...it didn't take much to get me out off leaf detail! But i am so glad we headed to the park...it was a perfect day! I wished that some of you were with us, really...

    Gail

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  70. Gail, Always nice when a photo surprises us. It is very nice to take a car trip and have so much time for chatting. Yes, the weather here is still cool and predicted to be cool all week. Perfect really... it is my kind of gardening weather. Never broke a sweat today even with the sun shining full on. Heavenly! thanks for asking. Your fireplace looks mighty cozy!
    Meems

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  71. Meems,

    Perfect "accomplishing a lot weather"!

    The fireplace is a delight...we served dessert and coffee in front of the fire on Saturday to friends who came for dinner. Sometimes I think about getting rid of the sofa and just have club chairs!

    Off to get ready for tomorrow...take care...gail

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  72. Thank you Gail, for an exhilarating walk in the woods. Breathing the fresh air & being with the one most important person. It couldn't be more perfect.

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  73. lola,

    You said it and said it perfectly.

    Gail

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  74. Excellent photos ... and thanks for having the fire ready at the end, I was getting cold out there in the great wides spaces of the open blogosphere!

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  75. Hi Gail,
    Looks like you two had a lovely excursion out in the woods, and a perfect lazy fall day too! That park looks like a wonderful place, and somewhere I'd love to visit if I were closer ... and you captured a lot of the pretty fall golds, which are, alas pretty much gone here now. I should start taking pictures of the bare trees soon... but I think I have plenty of time!

    The last picture makes me wish we had a fireplace, because we certainly could have plenty of wood to burn this weekend with the newly downed maple in the back! LOL

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  76. Wonderful post Gail and you certainly did the right choice, Carpe Diem. The photos are all WOW and OH.../ Tyra

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  77. Hey Gail,
    I'm sure you made the right decision by choosing to see what's left of fall in Nashville. Nice tour around. The more fall photos I see, the more I want to been in Western Coutries at least for one seasons cycle.

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  78. IVG,

    I had to have a fireplace...it felt necessary! We never had one growing up but all my rental houses before we bought had them and they were a big part of our socializing! Back then it was cheap wine, decent food and lots of great conversation. Pretty much the same but we do serve better wine!

    The park is a jewell...We have several others but they are not as charming...rugged and lots of joggers running past. I have never figured out how they don't fall over the roots! I do and I am only walking.

    What will you/did you plant where the maple used to reside?

    gail

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  79. Tyra,

    Thanks...it's a beautifull park and was showing off its best when we visited.

    gail

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  80. chandramouli,

    I would miss the seasons...do you have spring or are you in a tropical garden area?

    BTW, thank you for visiting me!

    Gail

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  81. robert,

    Thank you for stopping by! it was a chilly day and the fire helped! So glad you enjoyed it!

    gail

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  82. I'm a little late joining you on your Monday walk but from your description anytime would be the right time for a walk there. I have to say I enjoy a well developed play ethic also. and I'm probably in the minority because I would love it if a few parks near me would put restrictions on dogs too (and I am a dog lover, own one, etc.) just too many times when the signs clearly state all dogs MUST BE ON LEASHES, they are NOT! If you are an avid bird or wildlife observer, free running dogs completely interfere with observations to be made. Enough said. Beautiful park Gail.

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  83. Kathleen,

    Hi! I am glad someone commented on the Play Ethic! I thought for sure it would catch everyone's attention! I would walk in the park any day over raking the leaves! But then I do leave the leaves in the garden beds!

    It is a lovely park...I appreciate the state designating it a Class II Natural Area...it was with a great deal of work on the part of Friends Of Radnor Lake.

    Gail

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  84. Hi Gail, I'm adding post #84! ha! Anyway, You always give us a beautiful tour and something to think about. :-) Here's something for YOU to think about! Visit Mr. Brownthumb today. Do you think you could keep something like this away from your indoor wildlife? ;-)

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  85. Shady,

    That is too cool! I love it and if someone was selling them I might get one if the price was reasonable! What the heck does reasonable mean!

    Gail

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  86. 'Being folks with a well developed play ethic', you certainly made a wise choice for a memorable day!

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  87. Reasonable indeed! ha!! Well, Gail... I do have some jade plants. I do wish we lived closer - I'd make you one!! :-)

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  88. Joey,

    Another person with a well developed play ethic! Don't you love it!

    Gail

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  89. Shady,

    I would let you teach me how to make one! You are going to have to move here...I don't think I could take the cold anymore!

    gail

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  90. now you see how I really am ~ all over the fun stuff!!!

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  91. Hi Gail,
    I hope I am not too late to leave a comment on this post.
    I loved this stroll...
    I have never seen this part of the world before.
    There is such great beauty to experience here, and so much fun...
    this time of year I look at all that needs to be done in the garden, but I await a change, a precipiting incident like rain.So, the weeds and this and that in the garden like leaves can happen: it is ok...time enough for that...but not enough time to ignore a stroll around a lake such as this!

    Warm regards,
    :)
    Philip

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"Insects are the little things that run the world." Dr. E O Wilson