After hunting yesterday, Jeff Norris lifted a woolly bear (Pyrrharctia isabella) off some grass.

And we gave it a good eying, trying to decipher the meaning of the coming winter.

If our prognostications are right, it looks like a regular winter.

So much for witchcraft or natural knowledge or folk lore.

Wanted to go on the ramble early this morning, so I could be back in time to mow the lawn while the dew was still on it, and didn't expect much in wildlife in the darkness.

And I was right. Not a thing. Come to think of it, I didn't even hear early birds.

But I did see a rather vivid Venus in the eastern sky and another bright light was next to it. I can't figure out what the other light was. If somebody knows, let me know.

I use the morning rambles, on one level, to connect to the natural world each morning. But on another level, I understand how ancient peoples tried to decipher meaning from the stars and caterpillars.

But today I was more focused on getting back at a rapid clip, then on mulling.

It was perfect timing to mow the lawn, yes with my righteously correct push reel mower, for one last time before the kids were out the door to school.

And I am wearing shorts for one last time this year.

At least I am assuming it is one last time. Seems a perversely apt homage to Venus in an odd way.