That ol' late fall sun.

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I kept wanting to let the ducks out.  I just won't until dawn hasn't just peeked, but is full on.  In the winter I may not even let the ducks out on really cloudy days... just feed and water them right in their coop, watering twice.  Though some may have a way out?  No, I can close those, mostly, I think.  Predators.  I smelled a skunk the other day, it smelled like... within a block... it had perfumed a curious dog or car.  I know there are raccoons.  And I have personally been in the presence of a mountain lion.  Though, if a mountain lion really wanted in, not sure much could keep it out.

It wasn't until after eight before it really showed.  Or, that I noticed and was satisfied.  A quarter after?  Or so.  I thought I had checked every quarter hour or so, but... who really knows.  Finally, when out, I got out.  Changed their water.  Truth is?  I don't think the muddy water is at all poop, as I had thought.  It is about all from their bills, from rooting for shoots, roots, and whatever else.  Anyway, I change it all clean every few days, filling as needed between.  If their pool is about to go up.  I can't maintain it through freezing.

I found a rat.  Too big to be a mouse.  Huge, for around here... probably 9" to 12" long... not including the tail.  Quite dead.  It had been beaten to death.  Too big for them to eat, so they just killed it.  Not in the hutch, out between food and water.  I cover the food now, so it can't really get in.  Jealous of their food, the birds.  As were the others, sometimes.  I think they just plain eat mice, smaller critters.  I wonder if they would eat voles and moles?  That rat died a pretty harsh death though.  Bruised to bloody all over it's crushed body.  Good!  I love my ducks even more now.

I checked the battery again, just... because.  Still topped up and out.  That doesn't mean it will stay that way, when hooked to a load.  But... I have some hope.  It is a bit cold to be out there working, quite yet.  It was 38 just now.  38?  Already?  Well, okay.  I must be acclimating to the slow... if steeper than usual... reduction in temps.  I am able to keep the house at 66, mostly.  Some days I have had to turn it up to get going, or just shake that death-cold that gets into the bones.  But... I am handling the cold better.  Winter may be different, when every crook and cranny is filled with cold and/or drafts, looking to snatch the very breath of life from me.  But for now, at least, all good.

A shower shortly, then setting the last dishes up.  I need to do a bit more with the surface they will be final drying on, as I've used it for meal prep.  Very minor work.  The dishes are the big job.  After that, and a bit, if it could get to mid 40s, I'd happily get the battery back in.  Either way, by noon at the latest?  I can hope.

Oh, it wasn't dying for sitting, it was that the trunk would pop, if keys were bumped, which would turn on a light or two, and... I am beginning to hate remotes.  Hmm... I wonder... is there a way to get the remote to not function?  Could pull the battery, but there might be some sort of lockout?  I ought to check.

I'll probably have a breakfast in a bit.  A slice of the pork roast.  Veggies of some kind would be good, with a pat of butter.  I have burger out.  Patties.  But they can be broken up and used as any other burger, in whatever.  I probably should begin thawing more meat too.  Chicken?  Yes, haven't had that in a bit.  Something else though too.  It will be a few days before that is ready, right as I need it.

What a wonderful day and last night.  A gift from God for an old dog, long in the tooth but still at least as willing as able.  Mostly entertaining, I suppose, to watch sleep... dreaming of the days of chasing rabbits and... not rabbits.  A wonderful, if often wrong, life.  Long considering.  Full as I could make it.  Finally given over to a better purpose.  Even pain is a gift, now.  Good morning and day.