The fall temperatures have turned cold and the skies are often gray as I look out my kitchen window. Bright bluejays and dark eyed juncos add activity to what is otherwise a dull landscape.

I hope, now that November is here, you have your gardens and house tucked in for colder temperatures. That is usually a fulfilling but labor-intensive job, at least it is at our house.

When the job is done, l realize that the emptiness of the flower garden is like cleaning a slate to redesign next year's palette of color.

Of course I enjoy the escape from watering and weeding, but look forward to what...