At dusk I stood on the stone wall behind the barn while I waited for the flock to come in for dinner. I called them in from the pasture and let them take their time filing through the gate, slowly picking their way across the wet ravine beside the barn. They always balk at that, hate to get their hooves muddy. If the goats are in the lead, the sheep hesitate. Experience has taught them not to crowd the goats or they'll get a nasty butt with the horns. Caitlyn always brings up the rear.

With the change in season, grass is diminishing. I can tell – the sheep are pretty hungry when they come in at night. They make a bee line for the feeders.

Mishka, my youngest golden, and I took a little walkabout after chores. Visited the neighbors cows, who were also having dinner against a lovely backdrop.

And ended up at the Patten District sign. I'm not sure why there is a huge map sign for Patten Hill (or "the Patten" as the locals call it).  It shows the location of most of the farms and families who live within the neighborhood. Except our farm still has the name of the previous owners. I think maybe you have to live here for several generations to get your name on the sign.

I've noticed a huge drop in tourist traffic, both around the farm and in the village, now that leaf peeping season has gone by. I actually love the muted colors and soft beauty of this time of year. The woodlands are exposed and it's easier to see the bones and contours of the landscape.

I'm trying to enjoy it while it's quiet. When deer hunting begins in a few weeks, it won't be safe to walk at dusk. On the drive home I spotted two does. The stags must be in the vicinity, although so far I've only spotted one. Our land is posted, all 220 acres of it. If the deer are smart, they'll hang out at the farm!