A Vintage Raleigh Mixte

This well preserved bicycle belongs to Cait, a lovely young nurse who works in the clinic on the main floor of my office building. She bought it at a second hand shop in Ottawa and appears to enjoy it immensely.

I meant to cover the saddle for her when I arrived at work today as it was starting to drizzle, but I have the attention span of an elderly gnat, and totally forgot by the time I had locked up Eselin and crossed the street. I hope it isn't damaged.

I am used to our fall being clear and crisp, not damp and murky.

Luckily only my jacket and helmet were wet and I wasn't soaked after my ride, unlike poor Dottie.

The Helmet Cover

With cold weather setting in, I bought a cover for my helmet. The cover isn't made specifically for Troxel helmets, so the fit is not optimal; there are big gaps in the temple area, but it will do until I can sew one especially for this helmet.

I am going to make a pattern for it using a variation of this method and I think I will use some kind of tweed. It just seems more cozy.

Re-wind to Autumn, Press Play

The snow from last week has melted and we were promised a weekend without rain.

It was only two degrees yesterday morning so I pulled on a bulky sweater and my mitts and went out to see what there was to see.

The crazy weather means the leaves aren't turning colour in the spectacular fashion I have become accustomed to, but the trees are trying their best to put on something of a show.

Today was even nicer-we reached 16!

I hope this lasts for awhile, as I am not mentally prepared for the cold and snow. Winter is like a impatient suitor, always pushing for a commitment you aren't ready to make.

My Angel was Watching

Early this morning I was on the sidewalk of a busy street waiting for the light to change so I could walk across with Eselin. I pushed the 'walk' button and a car stopped almost immediately. I glanced at it, wondering why it had stopped so suddenly, when I noticed the light had indeed changed.

My confusion saved me. A car went roaring by, accelerating, in an failed attempt to beat the red. All I heard was the howl of the engine as the driver sped off into the darkness. Had I stepped off the curb when I noticed the walk indicator, even tho' it was at least five seconds after the signal had changed, I would have been killed. I wonder if the driver of that speeding, red-light running car would have even noticed.

Fast-Forward to Winter

Friday's snow came as something of a surprise. Two weeks ago, it was 28 degrees so nothing has had time to acclimatize, as the first killing frost arrived only Thursday night.

The leaves have yet to turn.

The hollyhocks look like they might still be alive.

And the grapes hadn't even started to ripen.
Ice wine anyone?

Upon Reflection

Now that the days are shorter, at least a part of the daily commute is done in the dark.

The Geek picked up this Illuminite windbreaker last fall. During the day, it looks like any other jacket.
But when a beam of light hits it, it glows amazingly well.

She also has reflective strips on the back and front of her back pack, on one pair of gloves, and bits of reflective material on these runners. Anyone who doesn't see her probably is not paying attention.