Closed A Month, But Still Busy

September 27th marked the end of the season at Highlands Golf, but work isn't done.  October's sunny days make a person want to be outdoors, certainly more often than during this summer's intense heat. 

A collection of October photos:

Here's Welder Mel reinforcing the 15-year old BBQ on the patio...so that it'll last another 15 years.

Welder Mel

And (below) it's Richard Lockwood of Lockwood Bros. Concrete of Armstrong as he takes on the task of picking up to reproduce--albeit better quality than the original from Leko Precast (which were a retirement gift from my employer)--concrete tabletops and seats for the two concrete picnic tables on the patio's west side.  The original tables have been falling apart for years (visible in photo below, see tabletop corner that continues to shed little pebbles from an insufficient amount of concrete used in their construction presumably).  Seats were also getting pitted, which allowed water to penetrate them too!

Richard Lockwood, of Lockwood Bros. Concrete

Tabletops continue to shed stones...

A lot of shed stones indicated the tables would eventually "disappear"

A bit of thought went into lifting the 720-pound tops prior to truckloading.

 

Despite October's beauty, I can't help but remember that geese mate for life as this hunter sets up numerous decoys on ranchlands south of Highlands Golf...and within hours, as dusk approached, shots were heard.  It saddens me.

Hopefully not a "sport" hunter, and that he'll actually feed his family with his kill.

After the ugliness/sadness of the hunter's task, time for some happy photos:

yes, those are Palm Trees that flank 3 Yucca Rostrata!

Reddish geraniums against a rock wall

Gaillardia

Fall-blooming Asters

Pyracantha

A clematis' dried seedhead shows nature's supreme architecture

A weeping (grafted) larch begins its colour change behind yet-blooming lavender

"Autumn Joy" Sedum

This maple arrived with me from The Coast.

This variegated dogwood appears intent on hiding the Alberta Spruce

A bougainvillea, whimsical addition near the palm trees.

Saving the best for last,

My 17-month old grandson

Now, onto November!