I don't actually think women are better at compromise than men, but I liked this photo, envisioning myself sitting on my sun room bench, with hot tea and one of my cats. Notice the snow falling in the photo. With as cold as it's been, I feel this is an imminent possibility.
Compromise isn't just about us making our own choices, but really is more about two parties coming to an agreement over a dispute that is reached by each side making certain concessions. I wish my cats were better at this. They are as bad as the Democrats and Republicans.
Saturday 9/1
9 - It was 48 degrees when I got up in the dark at 5:15. I had shut all the windows, turned on the little space heater, but was still feeling cold. Here is my version of the above picture, three cats and no snow.
Notice in this second photo, Monita is starting to stir up trouble, eventually that would be aimed at Mama Styx.
The episodes of cat spats ebbs and flows around here, but has gotten bad recently. So I plugged back in the cat calming odor diffuser. I don't want anymore scratched eyeballs nor do I like the combative atmosphere.
It took me too long to get up and moving, so I didn't have time for the yard project I had in mind. Instead (a compromise) I cleaned bird feeders and filled and hung an extra one. My feather friends may need extra energy to get to their winter homes. I discovered a bin with moldy seed in the garage and cleaned that up also. 
Work at the pool was nonexistent. We only had two customers all day, who came during my shift. I closed early, after they left. There was very little cleaning that I had to do at closing time.
I was home before 4:00 and decided to take Maggie on the Overlook Trail, my last designated hike here in Fairfield Glade for the marathon.
When we got down the hill arriving at Daddy's Creek, I saw this sign. What the heck? How is any horse going to get to this point? We crossed several bridges and did many rock steps to get here. There was an old, overgrown trail coming along Daddy's Creek to this point, but I checked it out and there were several trees down across it, making it impassible even for a hiker.
Maggie and I arrived home in time for everybody's dinner. I watered new grass and seed, did some computerizing, and then started a new (John Grisham) mystery novel. I had finished the Janet Evanovich (silly, light mystery) and walked it up to the library earlier in the day, because it was overdue. This next book would have a little more meat to it.
Sunday 9/20 - It had been another cold night and morning. Monita on the beanbag in the corner under my desk that I put my feet under to keep warm, (or I use as a foot stool). I was sharing the space heater with her.
My yard project didn't happen again, just wasn't motivated to go out in the cold. (I know, 54° isn't that bad.) I did wash sheets and put flannel ones, and a blanket on our bed.
The two bucks in the backyard were eating my day lilies (video), which I didn't mind because these perennials die back this time of year anyway.
This larger fellow is quite handsome with his rack. Next thing you know, he will be rubbing those antlers on my trees.
At noon we had our group 'facetime' call. Joe and I (with cats coming and going) sat on the sun room couch.
We chatted with Britney, Mom and Jean, Courtney, Patty, and Cathy, with our conversation lasting over an hour. Since we all can't meet in person, it is so nice to be able to see each other and talk as a group. Sometimes though, two or three people are talking at once, and other times, no one is talking. LOL
I was at the barn before 2:00. Amiga's face sore has improved a lot. Her's and Zorro's scratches (dew fever) are still in need of care, which I did.
Karen and I enjoyed a nice ride together on a beautiful fall day. It was finally warm enough for just t-shirts. 
I made blueberry pancakes for an early supper and then took Maggie on a long walk.
We went up the closed section of Westchester to check out the road construction progress. In this first photo, just when Westchester pavement becomes gravel, we are looking north towards Peavine.
Standing in the intersection looking north still, I was glad to see they are going to keep Catoosa as a boulevard, divided with a central median.
Still in the intersection, looking south down Weschester.
Maggie and I walked west down Peavine. This last photo was taken looking east, back at the intersection way down the hill.
We walked the paved path through the heart of Fairfield Glad, arriving home just as dark descended on our neighborhood.
The cats always think it is playtime at my bedtime. I engage with them for awhile.
Monday 9/21 - I went for a mid-morning ride, avoiding big hills and rocks, because I was concerned Amiga's arthritis might be the reason for her refusing to go down the hill to the winter pasture, and also, she is in need of a trim. We turned around at the top of the switch back and then rode in the field across the street.
I then took Amiga on the trail out back, to the Holly trail, and just down part of the hill to the 14th tee box. Coming back, I then let Amiga graze in her favorite clover patch.
Look at Scrappy's face, covered in a cobweb. She is our barn cleaner. LOL
Amiga had been 'sticky' in several spots, not wanting to proceed forward down the trail, but would finally go after a little bit of gentle coaxing. So I think she is just being barn sour and stubborn.
After an hour laying in the sun and reading, I got to work in the yard. See how green the seeded areas have gotten.
There is one patch that is slow to germinate. It is on a high spot that gets more sun, so has been drier than the rest of the spots. I gave it all a good watering.
Next I worked in this front bed that I have never weeded (all summer). I ended up ripping out a lot of phlox and transplanting several volunteer spirea starts into two cluster groups to give me two more bushes (by the big tree and rock). I only had one bag of mulch left, so this is as far as I got. To be continued.
It was almost dark by the time I came in at 6:30, and by 8:00 I had done cat chores, showered, and had a big salad for a late dinner. The TV and internet were down, so I read in bed. A compromise I had no choice in.
Tuesday 9/22 - Mama Styx loves helping me make the bed, which I do every morning once Joe is out of it.
Joe, Maggie, and I drove to Crab Orchard to hike the Windlass Cave trail. For some reason, I had more troubles than usual keeping up with them.
When I get way behind Maggie and Joe, she loves to run back-and-forth between the two of us (video). Sometimes it's as if she is checking up on me and encouraging me to keep coming. She is definitely completing more mileage than we are.
She is such a happy dog and always seems to be enjoying herself.
It was a pretty day for a hike, although started out a little chilly. 
And it was a picturesque trail. 
When we got back to the 'parking lot' (the shoulder of highway 68) a fellow was struggling with removing a flat tire. Joe lent him a tool to help loosen the lug nuts.
Feeling the need to rest, I read (and napped) on a lounge chair out in the sun on the deck. It was barely warm enough to feel comfortable.
I never got motivated to do yard work, other than watering everything.
Then I went to the barn to give Amiga Prevocox before her farrier appointment in the morning.
Gov was very colicky, wanting to lay down, kicking and biting at his stomach, not wanting to eat, and sweating excessively. Pat, Babes, Jan, Shirley, Patty, and I took turns walking him and doing everything possible to not let him lay down... while waiting for the vet to arrive.
Once Dr. Perry got there and gave Gov a shot of Banamine, we waited for it to relieve his pain. Gov was exhausted and a hot sweaty mess, and then started shivering so we put a cooling blanket on him.
Gov was then given a light sedative and after a rectal exam, Dr. Perry then tubed electrolytes and caster oil into Gov's stomach. And we did more waiting.
As the sun set, and with the wind, we were all getting cold. Judy, Patty, and I stayed with Shirley, and moved into the barn. We walked Gov some more once the sedation wore off and put an additional blanket on him for awhile. 
When I left the barn about 8pm, Gov was looking a lot more bright eyed and less stressed. Thankfully, things were looking up for him, but he wasn't out of the woods yet. Patty and Judy left later and Shirley spent a very cold (48°) night in the barn.
Wednesday 9/23 - I arrived back at the barn just before 6:30am. Gov was doing so much better, but Shirley was exhausted. I brought Zorro in so his feet and legs could dry and gave him a little grain while Amiga ate her grain.
This is the farrier's new trailer, a very nice set up.
I was done and back home by 8:45, but had been called to sub for Nancy's morning shift because her husband was sick. I would be doing a double shift.
I didn't expect a busy day because when I got to the pool it was 60° outside and the water was only 70°, just too cold for swimming. I had started out in sweats, but disrobed to t-shirt and shorts when the sun came out. I did a lot of reading.
I ended up closing two hours early because I had had no customers from 10:30 - 3:00.
When I got home, I started on a transplant project right away, cause I had planned to do it in the morning before my normally scheduled afternoon shift. I wanted to get it done before the impending rain.
The palm plant needed to come back inside for the winter and the large ficus plant in this pot had died, so the palm got moved. I trimmed the ground cover, putting lots of stems in a bucket of sand with some root starter and water.
You can see the bucket in this second photo and the neater look to this bed.
And here is the palm plant, ready to spend the next six months inside. I had one more transplanting to do, moving this littlest shrub here. I was just going to remove it from where it had been by the mum, but decided to put it between these other same kind of bushes.
It sprinkled for a few minutes while I was picking up tools, a forewarning of more to come.
Thursday 9/24 - Awake at 1:30, I took my thyroid pill, but couldn't get back to sleep. So I got up at 2:15 and computerized a few hours. I let Maggie out of the Mancave, where she sleeps, and walked her in a light rain. Then we settled in front of the first fire for the season. I had to tinker a little bit to get it to start since the gas had been off all summer. I read till after the break of day, and then fell asleep for an hour, all cozy and warm with fire, blanket, dog, and a few cats.
I do not like to be compromised by lack of sleep, but sometimes it happens. I felt groggy and slightly grumpy all morning. I got news that the pool would be closed all day, so at least I didn't have to go to work in this crappy weather. I started a puzzle.
Then I got word that Courtney and her good friend Sarah would definitely be dropping in. (I knew it was a possibility.) They were on their way back from UT vet school in Knoxville, where they had left Sarah's cat for emergency surgery. So I quickly did a little light house cleaning.
We visited for awhile and Sarah (who also has four cats and is an avid animal lover) enjoyed meeting all of our critters. She also really liked our cattery.
I did a little more work on the puzzle, getting this far, and then it was time for our family call. We had planned to sing Mom Happy Birthday (now 92), a day early because Jean would be at work on the 25th. 
From top left (going clockwise) Brianna, Courtney, Joe and I, Britney, Cathy, and Mom and Jean. After singing and Mom blowing out a candle, we chatted for quite awhile.
Joe left for the dentist, I jumped into the shower, and soon I was next door picking up Brian and Joann. This photo was taken from my car in his driveway, with our garage in the background. His dogwood is turning red. If you zoom in, you can see that it is full of little red berries. 
We met Joe at Beef and Barrel, sitting outside on a cold rainy evening, but it is where Terry does the karaoke. After filling our bellies and the guys danced an obligatory slow dance with Joann and I, they left. Joann and I continued to have fun dancing and singing along until 9pm. Being short on sleep, I went right to bed once home.
Friday 9/25 - Happy 92nd birthday Mama. I slept till 7am, needing to catch up. There was a big buck in back. I think he is different than the other two that are usually together, because his antlers looked larger. 
The pool was closed all day again, so I had another day off work, but wouldn't plan to do anything outside in the cold and rain. Joe had gotten his second shingles shot the day before, and was feeling under the weather. 
Babe playing on the shelves over head while I sat here at my computer. She is silly and cute.
I finished this jigsaw puzzle and then dropped it off at Patty's (while also getting some stuff from her) on my way to Food City.
It had stopped raining so I went out to unload the ten bags of mulch Joe had bought when in town the day before. Two bags were ripped quite a bit so I went ahead and spread them (and one more) in this section of bed, after doing a little more weeding.
Next I went to the barn with some more scratches medicine that Patty had mixed up and given me. I treated Zorro and turned him back out and then checked in on Gov (because Shirley was too sick to get to the barn). I brushed him and checked on food intake and output, and all seemed well.
I had enough time to hop on Amiga bareback and take her for a short little spin. We rode out in the front yard and around the garden, noticing that many plots are done for the season, but several still have lots of flowers left.
Amiga's scratches got treated when I was done riding. On my way to the car, I helped Melissa (who had just pulled in from UT vet school) unload her horse Buttons. And then it started raining again, just a light mist but giving it a foggy appearance.
I had a salad for dinner and then went next door for Rita's birthday party.
Micki took this selfie of us. Oh my goodness, my home cut bangs still look awful. LOLAfter singing Happy Birthday, (Rita, like my mom, turned 92 today) we enjoyed some very moist and tasty cake along with ice cream.
We (Joann, Brian, Andy, Rita, I, and Micki who took the photo) continued to take pleasure in conversation and libations around Brian's dinner table. Food, drink, and fellowship - a must, even though social distancing had been compromised.
