Winter is coming soon !

Hello family and friends, The rumor around here is that it will start to snow within a few days. It has been overcast with some drizzle and near freezing but so far no snow. The surrounding mountains have a light dusting on top. Did you know that there is an evergreen tree that turns yellow and looses it's needles in the winter? I did not know this but they are everywhere here. They are called Tamarack or Larch trees. They really add to the beautiful colors seen at this time of the year. There is such a wide variety of trees here. Right now the rivers and the lake are very low, and the trees are varying shades of yellow, red, orange, green and brown. It is just gorgeous. Yogi bear has been in my yard again recently. A few days ago I was transplanting my iris, rhubarb, and a few other plants when I accidentally stepped in a very large and messy "calling card" from my bear friend. Yuck!! I was hoping he was hibernating by now. I have seen deer, elk, and moose recently. Usually at the side of Hwy. 200. Thankfully, none of them has decided to jump in front of my car. It is hunting season around here but I'm not sure which animal anymore...it seems to change frequently. If you like to hunt this is the country for it. Everywhere that I look I see hunters around town. I can hear gun shoots in the wilderness around my home too. My plan is to eventually get a gun of some type (and maybe even go hunting in the future?...) A friend of mine got his deer yesterday in Montana. His BIG dog has already tried to tear down the door to get at the meat. Speaking of dogs, I am thinking about getting a large dog for protection. I especially would like a big one that could scare the bears away in the spring. I am planting berries in my yard and do not want to have to fight the bears for them. It is already bad enough that they want the fruit from the fruit trees. I am trying to get my garden plot ready for spring by rototilling it and fixing the fence but the weather has not been cooperating. I have taken down the old wire from the fence in preparation for replacing it. I would like to make the garden area larger. I have so many strawberries to plant that I could fill the whole area that is already marked off. I will need more space. I plan to plant raspberries and blackberries by the solid wooden fence so that I can see clearly if any bears are around (they won't be able to hide on the other side of the berry bushes). I have to go into Clark Fork tomorrow so will probably not get my strawberries planted then, but I will try to stop at my daughter F's house and dig up some raspberry plants. Her raspberries are so thick and are spreading into areas where they are not wanted...so I will help take care of that problem by moving some to my yard. I wish I could transplant Huckleberries too, they are so delicious and cost anywhere from $35 to $40 per gallon. I already have elderberries growing in my yard. Well enough about fruits. I will have something much more interesting next time. Love to all, CJ PS I have added family pictures...