Almost 61

My goodness, had a celebration today, piles of presents, orange cake and song, maybe games later, altogether lovely.  Thanks to all.

Saturday

Awoke to a dark morning,
and then,
more snow.

Blessed sunshine

Bright warm sun
on a snowy, blowy day,
makes it cozy inside,
even if not out.

May we all...

Inspired by Gandhi

May we all be truthful
May we all suffer no injustice
May we all be free from fear
May we all use peace
May we all show good will

May we be free from harm
May we all be loved and give love
May we all be safe
May we all be happy and well
May we all be healthy

Lots of snow

The world is whitening today,
lots of snow, raining down.

What?

Everything blown about this morning
a leap to 67 after the arctic freeze
4-8 inches of snow possible day after next
it must be the changing of the seasons.

November Thanksgiving

so many changes...  from sharp, glittery sunlight and teens,
to the cloudy forties.
Stews and chowders simmer, and meats roast,
Fresh crisp apples are sliced and
cranberry-orange scones quickly disappear.
Music comes from behind closed doors.
Family meetings end in prayer.
May the God of fortune smile on everyone.
May despair be banished and all be uplifted.

Thank you for this, Gerard Manley Hopkins

Pied Beauty

GLORY be to God for dappled things—
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.

Cold, bright, windy Tuesday

Wind chills in the single digits, wow, that is cold for this time of year.  Hunting for scarves, gloves and hats.  Piling on sweaters and lying under lap blankets as the sun goes down.

Rainy Monday

Quiet and peaceful and cozy, books and painting and cooking.

Cold and cloudy, cozy Sunday

Novels, and candles, hubs and cat, snacks and music, ahhhh.

Blessed relief

My back released last night and I can move again today, hooray!  Lovely, sunny cool fall day, the leaves are falling fast and furious, the squirrels are busy, busy.  Much business at home as well, car inspections, health insurance shopping, budget planning, quilt tying and binding, meals and deals....

First snow

Lots of sleety snow yesterday, too warm to stick on the ground, but sure made a chilly day of it.  Today is below freezing but nice and sunny, the apple tree has dropped all its leaves, but the oaks and maples are brilliant.

Cool and damp

We may possibly see a bit of snow today, imagine the weather is aggravating the back issues.  Iced it again today, which alleviates the worst of things, but not too comfortable unless the heat in the house is on high.  Lessons in mindfulness abounding.

Ouch

Out of commission for a couple of days with back muscle spasms, the hubs got me settled in for the day and I got to enjoy the fall colors out my kitchen window, the peak of the show. Hoping the disabling pain will quickly pass.

The Y book sale

Spent an enjoyable few hours browsing at the Y book sale this weekend.  Came home with lots of treasures to entertain us through the long winter nights.  Today however dawned sunny and frosty, just right for a morning of cleaning and straightening and errand running, off we go.

Fall foliage at its peak

The Japanese maples are russet, burgundy, gold, orange, laying in luxurious sprawls before they lose their leaves.  A last glorious show before 4 months of dormancy. 

Thursday art group

Fallen leaves found in the trash inspired this week's study.  A croton that missed a watering dropped its leaves and created inspiration.

Cool rain showers

The rains brought down lots of leaves throughout the night.  Time to turn on the heat, bring out the sweaters, and mud shoes.  The days are gray most of the time with night closing in earlier and earlier.

Everyday prayer

Pigeons landing on the wire,
brilliant fall trees standing against
gray clouds striping the sky, 
yellow leaves drifting downward,
a sparrow passing overhead in flight...

Voting and visiting a baby

Out early to vote and visit my best friend and her new grandson.  Tiny little soul yearning to grow and explore, loving granny-nanny taking care of him.  Gorgeous warm fall day for the outing.

All Soul's Day

Moving into a new sunny warmer week, after a blustery weekend.  Two delicious nights in the new bed, first night was restless , second night sound.  Baby visiting this afternoon.

All Saints Day

We lost St. Ginger 7 years ago today, she lies in the garden with St Francis, her spirit lives on.