At this time last year we were preparing for a fall trip to New Hampshire in mid-October. This year that trip took place a month earlier. Last year the weather at this time was downright balmy, not so this year, much colder, less sun, more rain. We had taken clothing with for cold weather both times but last year didn't need it, and nor did we this year. But the current weather situation is nothing like it was then.

Now, Jackie and Jillie have to wear light jackets and so do we. When we set out on our ravine walk through the forest yesterday afternoon I was wearing a scarf and gloves along with a jacket to feel comfortable in the cooler atmosphere. With no sun, dampness prevailing, and wind in good evidence to make certain we knew we were in fall mode.

We've had to turn the furnace on in the house earlier than usual this year. And every morning when we come downstairs for breakfast one of the first things done is to put on the gas fireplace in the family room adjacent the kitchen, to warm things up a bit. It's cheery in appearance and the warmth it emanates helps us to warm up.

In the warming-up connection, last week I changed our bed linens to reflect the colder nights. We're now sleeping with flannel sheet sets and a medium-warmth duvet, with another on top (in an aesthetic bedspread mode) for good measure. More comfortable, warmer, just as cozy as we like it to be against the cold. We'd had our bathroom window open slightly after our shower yesterday morning, and the sharp coldness it permitted entry was shocking to our sensitivities when we'd forgotten to close it soon afterward then came upstairs an hour or so later to be hit with a volume of brisk cold.

The outside preparation for winter tasks are in partial mode. The garden is still colourful and although not exactly fresh looking, does retain its ebullient look of contentment. That will change as soon as we reach freezing overnight temperatures. So far it's only gone down to 6C, so most plants can withstand that level of cold.

But the garden cut-back of perennials and cleaning up of annuals has begun, and it will take weeks upon week to finalize. In the meanwhile, the floral presence is steadily diminishing through many flowering plants are still flourishing, giving us the pleasure of their company for the time being