Random 5 for October 18, 2026 – Frost, fall, mouse, aging, weather

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Fall (Courtesy of S. Mailloux from Flickr)

It’s official! – We got our first freeze last night. It wasn’t a hard one but there will be another one tonight. We are officially in the “other side” of the seasons. It’s a signal to switch out the coats. Maybe not the January ones but I need more than a hoody in the morning.

Another thing about fall – By the time we get the first frost, I’m ready to hang up the hose and sprinkling cans that I was so eager to get out in the spring. I dream of winding down and concentrating on writing and planning a project or two. That never happens. There is always other stuff that comes up and distracts. Last winter was a gravely ill cat that sucked out my energy. Time fritters away. At this stage in life, that’s ok except for the sick cats.

Source: Google

Some mouse drama – Friday night both cats were staring into the fireplace. It wasn’t on. They were just staring. This can only mean one thing. There is a mouse in the fireplace area. I used a flashlight but didn’t see anything. Didn’t matter what I could see. They knew. Since it was 8 p.m. and neither the beloved husband nor I were full of energy we opted to check it in the morning. Saturday morning there was no interest in the fireplace. Clearly the mouse had moved on. We opened it up anyway. We didn’t see any mouse or signs of a mouse. Worse yet, we didn’t see any openings that it could get through although it’s a gas fireplace so there is a pipe feeding it. We used the fireplace last night and there were no issues. The cats napped in front of it as they always do when it’s on but no staring. (For all you heartless folks, we would not turn it on if we thought there was a mouse in it!)

Is this it? – One sure sign of aging is you revisit every mistake to assess whether it’s the first sign you are getting dotty. I used to be a great cook, but I must be careful these days. I’ll forget a key ingredient or swap measurements. I blame some of it on eyesight (anything but brain cells!). Sometimes it doesn’t matter but sometimes it does. Then there are days like yesterday. I made a big pot of minestrone soup which has a tomato-y broth. The recipe called for a 14 ounce can of diced tomatoes. My brain interpreted that as a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes. The soup is a little more like spaghetti sauce with vegetables and beef. Still tasty but not what I was going for. Not sure what to blame this on. Oh well.

Grateful – After an extremely hot summer we’ve had a delightful fall. There was a lot of nourishing rain (without the floods that plagued some areas). I hope that it continues for a long time. I am not ready for winter!

So how was your week?

 

 

42 thoughts on “Random 5 for October 18, 2026 – Frost, fall, mouse, aging, weather”

  3. We’re having a beautiful Fall too – a bit WET (like every day for a week) but after a DRY summer the rain is a nice change. Our fireplace is “ready” but we haven’t used it yet – we are looking forward to that though – it’s just so darn cozy!! I am having a lot more senior moments too – “what was I in the kitchen for????”…….”why am I staring into this closet????”……that kind of stuff. At least I know which house/driveway is mine when I’m returning from a shopping trip – so far.

    Hugs, Pam (and Teddy)

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  5. You left the mouse mystery unsolved. You left me thinking the mouse there somewhere and somehow got away. Hmm.

    Fall is so beautiful. Today the orange and red leaves were bright against a blue sky.

    Yesterday my sister and I discussed the kinds of words we tend to forget and the ones we remember. Old words are firmly stuck in my head. It’s the new ones that get lost.

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  7. Fall has been glorious here too (if you disregard those two stinkin’ hot days last week); we are setting up for a nice week ahead too. At least I can catch up on some of those walking miles I missed out on earlier in the year. We had frost two mornings in a row, not a killing frost, but it was very windy this morning. As I stepped out I thought, five days ago you could be in a sleeveless top and sandals and this weekend you need a Winter coat, hat and gloves. I was scrambling around to get out everything. Southeast Michigan … sometimes you need two wardrobes “on the go” simultaneously. I would have to sleep in the car with a mouse in the house – you are very brave!

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    • Mice aren’t really dangerous critters. They are fearful of humans so they won’t bother you preferring to look for food crumbs. I’m into heavier cloths and jackets now but not the “winter” ones. Not yet. Come December maybe.

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  9. It was 25℉ this morning when I made coffee. It was cold. My hoses are put away and faucets covered, but I do have two more areas I need to cut back the perennials. I’m not a fan of rodents, and I was spraying peppermint spray in my shed and garage a couple of days ago. Thanks for the tip regarding eyesight and changing out menu ingredients because I have been at a loss to explain it when it happens, and it definitely happens. :-) We’ve had some needed rain but are still in drought conditions. Fingers crossed we get some more for all the folks with wells.

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  12. The mouse/mice knew where to move to for the winter! They seem unfazed by the Sassy Cats.
    My big dementia worry/sign is when I walk into a room and don’t know what I was going to do. Another one is being in mid-sentence and forget what I am talking about. My only consolation is that SSNS does it also. I also go to the wrong cabinet in the kitchen often. You would think I would know the spice cabinet is not the plate cabinet. My brain feels full and distracted. We made it to Florida’s idea of fall this morning…63 degrees. Low tonight 68 degrees. The wind is out of the north… a reason to celebrate!
    Our week was spent worrying this cold front would not make it to us!

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  13. Good chance the mouse met its maker, at least it would have in this house.

    As to ingredients, admit nothing, just rack it up to youthful experimentation of a recipe you once saw . . .

    Have a not so forgetful and fun week

    ERin

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  14. It was 54 degrees here this morning. Brrr!

    We had the Celebration of Life for my sister yesterday. My younger brother and wife stayed with us for a couple of nights. My older brother and wife met us at the service/celebration. I am happy to report that I did not collapse into a soggy basket case . . . just a few discreet tears when talking to people about my baby sister. It’s hard to believe she’s gone.

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  15. Now girls, these little memory lapses aren’t dementia at all!!! Never!!!! It’s just that our hard drives are getting full and it takes that old processor a little longer to find what it’s looking for. Sometimes it just gets impatient and grabs whatever is handy!!

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  16. I’m with you about enjoying this perfect fall weather, even the chillier days, and winter can take its time as far as I’m concerned! I know what you mean about mistakes and wondering if this is the start of dementia or something. I really hate it when I can’t come up with a word I’ve known forever.

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