Fall on the farm

Fall is a beautiful season up here in Sullivan County, NY. Most every man is happily getting ready for hunting season with wild turkeys leading off, archery bear season batting second, archery deer in third and batting cleanup, the big daddy of them all, regular deer season (high powered rifles for you city folks). Deer season brings the New Jersey weekend hunter up here and let me tell you, this classy individual is a real eye opener. Middle aged, balding, overweight hunters in fatigues driving pickup trucks(and that is just the chicks).
The Ruebman family has a deal with the Mandrake Club (no web site), which allows them to be the 'exclusive' hunters on the farm property in exchange for clearing the ever-present Juniper Shrub that grow like weeds and would take over the property if not cleared every year. Miles likes to grab his play rifle and run out to greet the fellows before they head into the woods. Nicest guys in the world, and I do hope they let him into the club when he gets old enough (no joke).
Speaking of deer, the motion lights went off last night around 11 pm, and I was pleased to find a 6 point buck just a few feet from our beloved mini-van. We have galvanized trash cans with tight fitting lids, so I have no idea what he was up to, but I was not complaining. Maybe some other local would have shot him right then and there, not even worrying if his kids would wake up to the noise of a squealing deer, but I just kinda admired him for a moment and went back to bed.
Veronica turned 3 last week and now is living life without the comfort of pacifiers for the first time in her life. We try to feed our kids healthy foods, they are not addicted to TV, we usually don't spank them but we have let them use Pacifiers to the point of ruining their teeth. Veronica is doing well without them, but our future dentist is the one who will benefit the most.
For V's birthday, we boarded the 'Santa' train from Honesdale, Pennsylvania (http://www.honesdale.com) for a 2 hour ride from hell. The best was the Santa singers crooning away as my son covered his ears and promised to shoot both the players with his guns. Nice.
Bobbi is still a perfect baby. Never really cries, sleeps great and smiles at everyone(including the crack/meth head addicts who cleaned our chimneys the other day.
E and I are busy building my photography business in the city and enjoying the country life.
October, with the leaves full of color, warm days and cold nights was pure magic.
Let's hope winter is half as nice.