Monday Mumblings–Five months til Yule

As I rose this morning, I glanced at the calendar and realized that it was the 25th of July already.  Can you believe that it is only five months away from Yule.  I have to admit that I love the thought of that. To be honest it is mostly because of the cooler temperatures that I know will be present at that time.  The temperatures this summer have been brutal to almost anyone who lives in the States.  Oklahoma is well used to having an occasional “hot” summer yet some of the areas further north are way out of their comfort zone with the temperatures as well as the humidity they have been experiencing this year.

It does seem though that the uneasiness that I felt earlier in the year may be subsiding somewhat.  I find myself a bit more focused as well as energized.  It is probably the time of the year and the need to start gathering and preparing for the coming fall and winter is calling even though it seems to still be a ways off.  I have already started considering the treats I will bake and give away for the holidays as well as started my holiday gift shopping.  Last year I was able to complete all of this busy work well before and I was left with ample time to leisurely bake and cook to my hearts content.  It was quite enjoyable.

Although thought of cooler times are well on my mind, I still am saddened by the excessive heat.  The flowers have struggled so, as well as many of my bushes in my yard.  We have been without rain in some areas for so long that the ground has started to crack and buckle.  Many areas have mandatory water rationing and thus can not water their yards as they may wish too.  I am fortunate that we have a water well and thus I am able to water within reason.  Our pond once more has started to decrease in water yet it could be much worse.  Earlier in the year (May) we received a good rain which filled it to the brim.  If we had not gotten that, it would be no more than a muddy little hole. 

Last night I woke to the sound of rain drops on the skylight, a noise that usually does not wake me.  It did not rain much but enough to dampen things a little.  I in turn went out this morning and turned on the sprinklers for a bit so the birds could have a bit of fun before it became too hot today.

Here is hoping that this finds you all well and if by chance the heat has gotten you down, just remember…. Two more months until fall and only five until Yule.  Then we will have a whole new weather condition to complain about. 

blessings,

Mother Moon

Monday Mumblings - Babies, Mushrooms, and Fairy Gardens

Once again another week has past and we begin again. As we drove the two and half hour drive home from visiting the moms yesterday on Easter Sunday, I realized that we were already into the fourth month of the year. How time seems to fly sometimes… I could not help but recall that it seems like it had only been yesterday when the New Year had begun. They say that one grows older that time goes faster until you reach your golden years and once again it slows as it did when you were young and a child. Think I have a ways to go until I reach that point.

It was a wonderful visit yesterday. The weather was beautiful and almost hot with its 89 degree temperatures. This was Winston’s first road trip other than when we brought him home and he done exceptional. When we arrived home last night, he was completely worn out. He slept completely thru the night and did not wake until almost 6 am. I will admit that I woke occasionally through the night wondering if he was ok and also checking on Vincent. Vincent’s allergies were giving him hell yesterday and nothing he took seemed to help alleviate any of the symptoms. I finally persuaded him to let me doctor him when we arrived home and he felt much better before bedtime and like Winston slept like a baby. But then most of us women know how men can be when they are ill.

I am expecting my new grandson, Nathan, to be born this week. He has already turned, with head first, ready to make his grand entrance into this world. Due date was not set until the 12th, yet I am not sure if he will wait that long… Both baby and momma seem to be ready to have this over with. With no photos of the wee one yet, I decided to put one of my favorites of his big brother and sister.   I have also been working on his baby quilt as much as possible and hope to finish it up this week also. Of course photos of the finished product will be shared. My embroidery sewing machine never ceases to amaze me. What the women of old would have thought of such things.

This is also the time of year for many of nature’s wonderful secrets to come forth. Morel mushrooms have to be one of my favorite secrets. I would love to have some time to walk about some afternoon and see if I could possibly spy some of these treasures. If you have never had the pleasure of experiencing them, you are missing out. They have a flavor that is simply wonderful. People are said to die with the secret locations of their morel groves. I myself know of a few and am always on the lookout for others. It is definitely the time of year to have one’s eyes peeled.

Yet with so much going on, I am not sure if I will have the opportunity to sneak away for such an adventure. Besides the normal weekly chores that need to be done, the yard is softly calling me to mow. Seeds need planted and plants tended. The area which was cleared for the prospective fairy garden is also waiting for more work to be done. It has been cleared and the ground worked. Although I know it will be a task that will evolve over time, I am eager to begin. I do not wish to allow the grasses and such to overtake it again as it had before.

Thus another week begins and once again the chore list is full. Some items are things that definitely need to be tended to and completed, while others are items that if time allows they may see some progress. Of course there is also the list of items that are more personal. I am sure that as the week progresses that all will have some form of attention given to them. Have a wonderful Monday and may each of you be blessed with a little piece of joy. Blessings to you

Monday Mumblings - Warmer Weather, Babies, and Politics

Another Monday is upon us… another week to start. With being gone last week it seems that I have plenty to keep me busy this week. The wonderful warmer weather also is calling me to come outside and play. I have full intentions of taking advantage of this as much as I possibly can. I have flower beds that need to be tended. They need to be cleaned out of the left over debris from winter as well as new flowers planted. I am hoping that if I do plant that Mother Nature will be kind and not let the cold to come back and bite any delicates I may put out.

Also over the weekend Vincent and I got a new addition to our family. It is funny how the absence of the grandchildren has made us desire something to keep us company. I think he has been as lonely as me at times. We talk seriously about considering adoption. Yesterday we finally took the plunge and brought our little bundle home. His name is Winston…a seven and a half week old white lab. He is a lover to say the least and his first night home was a treat to say the least. I have raised labs in the past and think they are one of the smartest animals there are. Of course our new little addition is no exception. He slept through the night in a large crate next to our bed. And thus far has made no messes in the house. It is good to have something around to cuddle and take care of.

While I was away, I was far too busy playing with grandkids to really pay too much attention to the news or what was happening. It is a bit of a treat at times to do this. Not to worry about all the things that may be mucking up the nightly news. There seems to have been plenty while I was away. I see that Obama’s health care passed. And of course there was many who did not agree with it. I was amazed to see such childish actions from people based on the fact that they did not get their way. I thought that congress worked for the people and not themselves. Yet politics is something I have tried to stay away from here on my blog. Believe me I have an extremely strong opinion on many of the things that occur in our country. I have just not been sure if this is the right venue to voice them at or not. Also living in the area that I do, sometimes my views are not the most popular. With that being said I will go no further. Maybe in a future post, if I am feeling a bit daring I will venture into this area of my life.

This is the week before Easter. I am debating whether or not to dye some eggs of my own. It has always been a favorite thing for me yet with the grandkids gone, it seems a bit silly. Although I will more than likely at least dye a dozen just for the fun of it. I love to look out my kitchen window and see the brightly colored eggs dotting my yard. The neighbor dogs make quick work of them as well as the other creatures that frequent our place, so it is not as if they will be in the yard for long periods of time only to be overturned and mulched by the lawnmower later in the season. This always seems to leave a lovely aroma in the air.

While I was away, the book I am too review (Spiritual Partnership by Gary Zukav) arrived in the mail. I am eager to start reading it. I have to say that it has me quite excited. It looks to be quite interesting and something that I will enjoy. So as this week starts off, it looks as if I have plenty to keep my busy in the days to come. I apologize for not being more active in the reading and commenting while I was away. I did read many posts yet when I attempted to comment it would pull up several duplicates. It was taking me forever to comment on just one post. So I just didn’t do it. I have tried to catch up since I have arrived home yet there are still several that I have not gotten too. Life always seems to go on despite the absence of us doesn’t it? I guess we are all replaceable. Can’t help but smile when I say that… I guess that is a good thing. Enjoy your Monday. I hope the coming week brings many adventures your way and that you are able to enjoy them all. Blessings.

Monday Mumblings

Well it is Monday again… Another week has crept by us and hopefully most enjoyed a wonderful weekend. The weather has been very spring like since March has begun. The temperatures have stayed in the 50’s for the most part and at times even managed to go higher. It has been very enjoyable. Although I know that a sudden snow storm can still come and get us I am glad for the warmer temperatures. I have learned not to dismiss old man winter as being gone until at least Easter. That is still a few weeks away so I haven’t put all my winter clothes away just yet. I am thinking about changing out the flannel sheets though.

In a few weeks I am going to get to venture a bit to the east and visit my daughter and her family for a bit. I have to admit that I am tremendously excited because it has been almost 5 months since I have seen my grandkids. Now I know that may not seem like a long time to some. Yet to any grandma, they understand. We exchange letters, phone calls, and even talk via Skype on occasion. Still nothing matches the feeling of a good old fashioned hug from your grandchild. I am sure both have grown like weeds since last I seen them.

We are supposed to have thunderstorms this afternoon. I have to admit that I am a bit excited about it. As long as they do not turn to severe I love to sit and just enjoy a good storm. It is only March yet still we can have some good ones. Last year we had tornados in February. It is something that does not happen too often yet occasionally it can. I have learned living in Oklahoma that you come to expect just about anything when it comes to the weather. I have even seen it snow in the midst of a thunderstorm. This year I would love to attempt to capture some photographs which show the beauty of an Oklahoma storm. We have some beautiful cloud formations at times. And there is always the elusive lightning shot.

My seedlings that I started some time back are doing quite well. Lets just say most of them are. I think I may have started them a bit early. Yet it was a learning experience. I learned which seeds are best suited for such planting. I am planning on planting some more of these seeds and by the time they have sprouted I should be able to put them outdoors. I did find some beautiful cannas bulbs last week. I am planning on planting them tomorrow and more than likely will purchase a few more plus a couple elephant ears. I can hardly wait to get my hands in the dirt.

The Canadian geese are still visiting daily. In fact they stay all day sometimes. Over the weekend we witnessed several standoffs between different males as other couples attempted to come and share our yard with the couple who have already set claim to it. They can be extremely aggressive. I was pinched once when I was young by a goose. Not a fun thing if I do say so myself. The pair that are with us most of the time seem to have befriended our cats. Even though they stalk them like the great hunters they are. I am surprised that the geese have not gone after them. Yet I think that they find the cats, especially Sunny, quite comical.

Well it is off to my Monday chores. Until next time… Have a good day and don’t forget to smile.

Monday Mumblings

Over the weekend we enjoyed a nice reminder that winter is slowly making his way home and spring is likewise coming back. A gentle rain accompanied by a little lightning and thunder was present Saturday evening through the early morning of Sunday. It was nice to sleep snuggled under warm blankets while the sound of the rain and thunder could be heard and an occasional brightness would flash lighting up the house. Thunderstorms always make me feel like spring is close at hand.

 

The additional moisture added to what we already have present was enough to bring our pond to the brim and once again soggy the yard to a point where any yard work was and will be impossible for a few days. Thus it appears to be a week of indoor workings at least for the beginning of the week. The urge to clean and air out the house is gaining strength each day. Already I have started and still I have so much to do. Yet truly it is as they say.... housework is never done... there is always "something else" that could be done.

The closeness of spring is also bringing a noticeable difference to the length of the day. Something I always love, especially when it becomes so noticeable. In 3 short weeks we will turn our clocks forward which seems to make it even more evident allowing the sun to stay with us further into the evening hours. Never has it seemed that change was desired so much as this year, although I am sure it has been. Yet do we ever think of such times when we feel we are experiencing them at the present.

 

I have heard so many speak of the stirrings they feel inside themselves. Whether it is in a creative sense or a personal sense there is definitely movement in the air. From the reflective looks some are taking at themselves and the ultimate decisions on the changes they may choose to make to the inspirations and musings some are experiencing, the sensations seem to be everywhere. I have always enjoyed sitting back and observing such things and the evolution that takes place. It is much like watching life in process.

 

Spring and all it brings has always been a time when newness seems to abound in all things. Not just the obvious things such as the color and life of nature returning yet also in the human itself. Whether we notice it or not, we ourselves lie somewhat dormant through the winter months drawing into ourselves and waiting for the life to return. We are all just part of the grander picture, the ever turning wheel of life.