Okay, technically this on was on 9/17. Found this feather in the back yard. Not sure what it is from, maybe a hawk? Looks like it was a natural loss as the end is clean.
The tree by the shed (north side of house) turns pretty colors in fall. However, it only changes in sections and at such a slow rate, that it is never mostly turned at the same time. Interestingly the southwest side (full sun) is the first to turn and had already shed a lot of those leaves between the first and second pictures (first was 9/19, second was 9/23)
Friday afternoon I unpacked the P61a (basement pellet stove) from its summer nap. I would normally wait a little while, but I had replaced the ash pan door gasket at the beginning of the month and the adhesive needed to be heat cured within 30 days of application. Since it was super windy in the 40's, I figured I could fire up the stove and let it run for 1/2 an hour without overheating the basement (which was at 65*).
It started up fine and there was no whiff of smoke (as there had been during start up at the end of last season), so replacing the door gasket accomplished my goal. Oh, and I had forgotten how the smell of fall is the heated metal smell that arises during the first burn or two. I let it run for 30 minutes then reduced the set temp down to 65* until we get further into the season.
When the evening news said that the wind would continue thru the night and into Saturday, I decided to unpack the P43 (main floor stove) and get it going too. I had been using the mini split for the minor heating needs thus far, but with 100% increase in electric cost, the pellet stove is less costly to run. Add to that the house just feels warmer and the forgotten perk of using it as a hair dryer the next morning, and it was a win. Did have enough solar gain yesterday afternoon that the stove didn't turn itself on until after I had turned in for the night.
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