Wednesday, October 31, 2012

A Blessed Samhain and New Year To All

Autumn_fairy_by_Ironshod

Halloween

by Arthur Peterson
Out I went into the meadow, 
Where the moon was shining brightly, 
And the oak-tree's lengthening shadows 
On the sloping sward did lean; 
For I longed to see the goblins, 
And the dainty-footed fairies, 
And the gnomes, who dwell in caverns, 
But come forth on Halloween. 

"All the spirits, good and evil, 
Fay and pixie, witch and wizard, 
On this night will sure be stirring," 
Thought I, as I walked along; 
"And if Puck, the merry wanderer, 
Or her majesty, Titania, 
Or that Mab who teases housewives 
If their housewifery be wrong, 

Should but condescend to meet me"— 
But my thoughts took sudden parting, 
For I saw, a few feet from me, 
Standing in the moonlight there, 
A quaint, roguish little figure, 
And I knew 'twas Puck, the trickster, 
By the twinkle of his bright eyes 
Underneath his shaggy hair. 

Yet I felt no fear of Robin, 
Salutation brief he uttered, 
Laughed and touched me on the shoulder, 
And we lightly walked away; 
And I found that I was smaller, 
For the grasses brushed my elbows, 
And the asters seemed like oak-trees, 
With their trunks so tall and gray. 

Swiftly as the wind we traveled, 
Till we came unto a garden, 
Bright within a gloomy forest, 
Like a gem within the mine; 
And I saw, as we grew nearer, 
That the flowers so blue and golden 
Were but little men and women, 
Who amongst the green did shine. 

But 'twas marvelous the resemblance 
Their bright figures bore to blossoms, 
As they smiled, and danced, and courtesied, 
Clad in yellow, pink and blue; 
That fair dame, my eyes were certain, 
Who among them moved so proudly, 
Was my moss-rose, while her ear-rings 
Sparkled like the morning dew. 

Here, too, danced my pinks and pansies, 
Smiling, gayly, as they used to 
When, like beaux bedecked and merry, 
They disported in the sun; 
There, with meek eyes, walked a lily, 
While the violets and snow-drops 
Tripped it with the lordly tulips: 
Truant blossoms, every one. 

Then spoke Robin to me, wondering: 
"These blithe fairies are the spirits 
Of the flowers which all the summer 
Bloom beneath its tender sky; 
When they feel the frosty fingers 
Of the autumn closing round them, 
They forsake their earthborn dwellings, 
Which to earth return and die, 

"As befits things which are mortal. 
But these spirits, who are deathless, 
Care not for the frosty autumn, 
Nor the winter long and keen; 
But, from field, and wood, and garden, 
When their summer's tasks are finished, 
Gather here for dance and music, 
As of old, on Halloween." 

Long, with Puck, I watched the revels, 
Till the gray light of the morning 
Dimmed the luster of Orion, 
Starry sentry overhead; 
And the fairies, at that warning, 
Ceased their riot, and the brightness 
Faded from the lonely forest, 
And I knew that they had fled. 

Ah, it ne'er can be forgotten, 
This strange night I learned the secret— 
That within each flower a busy 
Fairy lives and works unseen 
Seldom is 't to mortals granted 
To behold the elves and pixies, 
To behold the merry spirits, 
Who come forth on Halloween.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The Full Hunter’s Moon

The temperatures have cooled somewhat so the other day I decided to put the flannel sheets on the bed.  It is always nice to crawl into a soft warm bed rather than a crisp cool one this time of year.  It helps to make a nights sleep just a little bit more pleasant.  Of course though eventually one has to crawl out of this warm cozy place. 
December 2010
 Winston insisted last night that I do this a bit earlier than I normally   would, lets say about 3 am in the morning.  He was determined to go outside and do his business.  I grumbled as I crawled out of my warm fuzzy place, slipped on a sweater and went to the back door to let him run a bit. 
 
As I opened the back door I was greeted with a very pleasant surprise.  I knew the moon was full last night, I watched her as she rose in the east.  Yet I was reminded again of how she has a wonderful way of lighting the nighttime.  This time of year she seems to be especially bright and clear.  I stood on the back porch for a bit admiring her beauty despite the cold temperatures.  I could see the ducks as they glided across the pond lit by her.  Winston ran around in his carefree manner like he was a bit unaware that it was still so early.  Or maybe he just wanted me to come out and see just how beautiful the moon was last night. 
 
Crow_Moon_webThis month’s full moon is referred to as the Hunter’s Moon.  Due to the harvest that has taken place in the weeks prior.  The fields do not have as many places for the wildlife to hide, therefore the hunter’s are keen in seeing their whereabouts.  It is also call, thus because it is a time where the days shorten and the temperatures fall, meaning winter is close at hand.  It is a time to start thinking of storing for the winter months ahead.  Samhain is just days away and then the new year.  It is a time of new beginnings and a time to prepare for the long months of winter when reflection and slower times come.  May each of you enjoy the coming days with joy and many blessings.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Autumn’s Here and All is Well

Finally it looks like the feeling of Fall is coming back to us.  A brisk cold front is to hit about mid afternoon with the temperatures falling quickly.  It just doesn’t seem right… almost Halloween and temperatures in the upper 80’s.  Then the following weekend we will fall back with our clocks all making the time of year seem balanced. 
imagesCAOBWDBC
I am so looking forward to the new year.  I know I mentioned it before but a slight bit of normalcy seems to be creeping back into our lives and it is such a welcomed thing.  I have been busy with rune making.  Two sets to ship off next week and another two already for November.  The crafting of my runes has brought me much solace.  Much like needlepoint used to, yet my eyes are not as young as they once were.  I guess I am gradually falling into my later years.  Signs are everywhere of the fact that I am older.  I swore I would never say the words…. “Well when I was younger”…. but they seem to come out of my mouth more and more. 

toast
The cooler weather has also brought the ability to cook back to me.  Although it seems that my children will not be with me this Thanksgiving I have the fever in me to start planning.  The pecans appear to be ample this year which is a good thing as last year they were scarce with the heat and such.  I have a few new recipes that I want to try out so soon I will be warming my house with the oven as well as filling it with smells of the season
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blue teaThe vanilla sugar as well as the homemade vanilla has already been set back as well as the scented warming pads to give to friends and family.  Yes I have been keeping myself busy which as always is a good thing.  This time of year is always a welcomed time.  I smile in content of the time to nestle down with a  good cup of tea, a wooly blanket, and a good book.  Here’s hoping you as well are finding a little bit of joy in the wonder of Autumn and the coming of the new year.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Thought To Ponder–Reflection

personal
I may not have gone where I intended to go,
but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.
Douglas Adams

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Blessed Autumn

Believe it or not I am still alive and kicking.  I think if I am not mistaken that it has been since May that I last posted.  A total of almost four months.  Life has definitely been moving faster than at this time last year.  Maybe not necessarily fast just more full.  There have been up times and there have been down times but it seems that maybe things may be coming to a time of evening out.  And what better time could that be than  Autumn. 
 
Autumn has got to be my favorite time of the years.  The colors, the smells, the feeling of slowing down and preparing for winter…. The cooler temperatures and the ability to get back into the kitchen and cook… I mean really cook, with no worry of heating up the house too much.  Yet the best thing I think is the ending of the year and the beginning of a new year.  New beginnings are always welcomed, especially when what was a constant before was not a necessarily good constant. 
 
Don’t get me wrong… I have always been up for a challenge and change has not really scared me.  But this last year was by far one of the most challenging times I think I may have had.  Talk about retrospective…… I have had enough to last for a while at least.  Yet in all I have grown.  I finally started to work a bit more with my esty site.  Back at the first of the years my runes slowly began to sell.  I added a few other items and they were liked as well.  I still have a ways to go to make it what I want it to be but it is a beginning. 
 
I have missed so many of you over the last months.  Many of you have written emails, letters and such letting me know that I am thought of still.  It is a good thing to know.  I have even received comments on past posts which encouraged me to get my tail back here and at least check in occasionally.  I want to say thank you so much for all the kind words and warm thoughts sent my way… They were so much appreciated and so much needed. 
 
I hope to be here more often in the coming times, I even changed the look of my blog.  I have to admit though that it had been so long since I done it that I felt like a beginner again learning all over.  Ah, life it can be such a beach sometimes, can’t it…. Til next time, blessings to all of you