Peter Tatikian

Ollie the Dog guarding the backyard from squirrel interlopers on this amazingly fine fall evening.

Small white dog standing on the backyard deck

A solid start to the fall season.

Blue skies, green trees, the trail ahead

Spending some quality time in the bulk aisle at the local co-op.

Big glass jar of bulk taco seasoning ($18.99/pound)

Today was an awesome day to do almost nothing.

Feet up in flip flops on the back deck

Grapes. Yes, in Minnesota.

Ripe dusty purple grapes ready for harvest

Maybe I should put more than water in here?

Dog’s view of the “squirrel tree” from out the back door.

Bright green tree, pale summer blue sky, seen through a windowed back door

Fall is getting a lot closer than I’m comfortable with.

First batch of fallen leaves on a hiking trail

Wise words to live by.

Worn sign on dumpster proclamining, "No trash, barrels, or hazardous waste"

Yes, please.

"Get In, We're Going Camping," stenciled on old-school camp trailer

Drink local. Even if it’s soda pop. Strawberry Lemonade, Whistler Classic Soda

Frosty unopened old-school bottle of pale yellow soda pop

Yet another flat bicycle tire. This time the tube is punctured on the interior side facing the rim, and not the external side facing the tire. The mystery deepens.

Neighbors’s herb garden

And now my cucumbers are running amok.

Bent, overgrown cucumbers laid on a wood deck

Sombrero and a handlebar mustache; this must be good salsa.

I think my lettuce plant has gone feral.

Three-foot tall stalk of lettuce growing from a pot

The first slow, steady, rainstorm in weeks wandered by this afternoon. Waite Park, Minneapolis

Purpled-flowered clematis vine wrapped around wrought-iron gate

The neighbor’s bowling ball patch is really starting to come in season. Waite Park, Minneapolis

ALL WAY sign #01333, supplemental plaque to STOP sign. Minneapolis, City of Lakes

Today’s bumper crop. I’m awash in raspberries.

Staircase to nowhere, Sochacki Park, Minnesota.

Abandoned wooden staircase in wooded wetland

Tasty treat on another 100 degree day. Bottled in old-school, returnable, refillable bottles, here in Minnesota.

Old school soda pop bottle cap labeled "Fruit Punch"

The end of the $25 Craigslist trimmer.

You shall trim no more.

A brisk walk to the neighborhood park on a very sunny, and very cold early afternoon. Waite Park, Northeast Minneapolis