What struck me most about this past week was the temperature differences.  Some very cold and then some unseasonably warm days.  The leaves on our maple trees are almost completely fallen.  Some still remain on one tree in particular.  From my memory, there would be no leaves on any trees at this point in the season.   We planted grass seed about two weeks ago and it is growing, but growing best where covered by wet leaves.  Our local large pond's water level is much higher.  I do not know if that is due to the heavy rain last week or some human manipulation for water levels.