2026, October 5-11

We transitioned into fall rather abruptly. That said, we adapted and welcomed the joys of the season. 

Hallie walked down the Hello Walk on her way to Starbucks, taking photos of some of the messages painted on the walkway. 

Mike's Chile trip colleagues wanted pictures from our group wearing the T-shirt we got from the trip. Mike decided to show off UM's fall flair. 

Early in the week, Missoula's fall colors were still coming into their own. 

Some trees have gotten the memo. 

Eliza had some riding time a couple of times this week. 

When Mike let Ferg out later in the week, he startled a deer munching the front lawn. Mike caught her as she turned tail to stumble run into the street. Not pictured is the green sports car that had to come to a sudden stop when the deer crossed its path. 

Fergus seemed intensely interested in interfering with Eliza helping Mom put on a bracelet. Eliza made Hallie a fall colored bracelet.

Eliza seemed intensely interested in eating large quantities of ramen while doing schoolwork. How many packets of ramen? We will never know.

Mike seemed intensely interested in capturing the changing colors on campus. 

Ferg seemed intensely interested in keeping Hallie as a heated bed. Fergus has decided that she is his person now, but being Ferg's person can sometimes be annoying. 

On Saturday Eliza was supposed to do a Halloween o-mok-see (meaning "big riding dance" in the Blackfeet Indian language). The weather turned bad Saturday, and the event was canceled. Drue had an alternate activity. Chanel Shaffer from Onwards Equine was the clinician. Eliza and the horse Payday she rode had a great time! Drue had nothing but great things to say about Eliza and her riding.

We had a change of weather later in the week from late summer to early winter. We had snow in the upper elevations and a fair amount of rain in the valley on Saturday and Sunday. Mike caught Old Main lit up like a Jack O'Lantern (also, note the pumpkin on top of the spire) as he went walking Saturday night.  

On our Sunday morning walk, Fergus joined us. He wouldn't go all the way to Starbucks and started meowing loudly as we got nearer. Mike stayed with him while Hallie got her drink. They then all three made their way back home, Ferg leading the way. Maybe what he really needed was the chance to relieve himself closer to the house. 

Hallie liked the look of the water droplets that had formed on the back of this fallen maple leaf. 

Mike noticed right before we took El;iza out to help at Drue's that the car has nearly reached 90,000 miles.  

Before going to Drue's, we stopped at the Turner Farms pumpkin patch for cider, donuts, and a burger. 

Somewhere before getting to Drue's, we passed 90K. 

Eliza is no friend of the chilly weather. Oh, well! There's a lot more cold before we get back to those long warm summer days.

We ended the day with a visit to SHEELS for its annual Ladies' Night charity activity. 

While we can't burn the candles we made, Hallie can use the candle melter, so indoors will smell like the weather looks outside. Here's to fall! 

Landon continues looking for a job. If you know of someone who's hiring, drop us a line. He sent some photos of him with a bloody nose after waking up from his night's sleep. This is a new development, and it's happened more than once recently. The weather hasn't been particularly dry.

Katara is only waking up once a night. Yay for her!