Quietly Before It Begins…

Hello old friends. It has been some time since I have been here.  I have to say I have missed it in so many ways yet every time I had good intentions of coming by for a visit, it always seemed like something else pulled me in an opposite direction.  But then we all know what they say of good intentions.

When I looked out at this time last year, I thought what I saw was a coming year full of events and excitement.  It did evolve into just that yet the events and excitement were not of the manner that I had thought they would be.  I will say that there were many lessons to be learned.  A time it seemed to realize that there are many perspectives and interpretations to the world around me.  I would not be talking truthfully if I was to say that I was not glad that this year is drawing quickly to a close and a new one is about to begin. 

 

Not only has this time brought a wonderful release from the sweltering heat that came our way this summer it has also brought about a calmness and a form of rebirth.  Even mother nature seems to be experiencing this effect.  Flowers that labored under the heat of summer and held back much of their blooms are now unfolding in vibrant colors and number.  It is as if they are trying to make up for the lost time they had stolen from them by father sun. 

 

Over the weekend we received a wonderful drenching of moisture from the sky.  It brought with it a revival of growth and blooms.  The shorter days as well as the moisture have given cooler days and relaxing moments, something I have missed terribly.

I hope that likewise all of you have been able to experience such a time yourselves.  A few moments to gather ones self and prepare for the quietness that the coming months will soon bring.  I have no doubt that with it we will have our own surprises, much like this last year brought.  Yet I hope that it will give us times to reflect and once again prepare ourselves. 

The year draws down to its final days and soon the time of Samhain will be upon us.  It is a special time for many.   I look forward to all the aspects that it will bring with it.  I look forward to putting this year to the past and making way for the new one to come.

Blessings to you and yours,

M other Moon

Cooler Weather.. A Full Moon.. What More Could You Ask For

I woke up this morning to cloudy skies and a light rain outdoors.  Even at 7 am the bedroom was still dark and beckoned me to stay under the covers a bit longer.  Yet Winston would have nothing of it.  He was ready to go outdoors and greet yet another day. 

Yet when I opened the back door and felt the rush of cool air come in at me, I was glad for his persistance.  The cold front that the weathermen had been promising was actually here.  A brisk breeze blew outdoors and a light rain fell.  It was a wonderful start to another day.  Across the yard I caught sight of a young squirrel hanging around the bird feeders, obviously out for a morning snack.  This is something that I have not seen for some time.  Humingbirds raced here and there in their usual morning routine of keep away from the several feeders throughout the yard. The young frogs also were out in abundance and hopped making their way back to the pond.

I was glad that I managed to catch a glimpse of the glorious moon last night, as I doubt that the clouds will give me the same opportunity this evening when she is suppose to be full and in all her glory.  She was beautiful as usual.  As I have said before I sense Autumn in the air.  Although the tempertures hit a whopping 104 yesterday with the heat index close to 110 still I feel it coming.  And this makes me smile.

I feel myself much like nature preparing for the time to come.  I know that it is still warm outdoors yet my heart yearns to go to my kitchen and cook.  It is a time of shifting.  The harvest has come and nature begins its ritual to prepare.  Growth slows and the focus is now on storing for the winter.  Animals begin their feasting as a means to fatten up for the colder weather when food will not be as abundant.  I love this time of year.  The beauty of the colors it brings, the smells that will soon surround us, cutting and drying of herbs and seeds.  It is a tranquil time.

If by chance you have a clear sky, venture out this evening and enjoy the moon as she makes her walk across the evening sky.  Close your eyes and take a deep breath and feel all that is around you.  The seasons are changing right before our eyes, ears, and nose.  If you are still enough you will experience what I mean.  blessings

Autumn in the Air

Another week has passed and most of us look eagerly towards the weekend.  Free time to do what we enjoy most, at least for most of us that is.  I am amazed that it is already mid to late August and September is not far in coming.  The feeling of autumn is definitely in the air.  It is not only me who feels this way as it seems that everyone is somehow hinting of their intuition or craving for the season.

We have not yet be lucky enough to get any of the cooler weather or any much needed moisture, yet I am keeping my fingers crossed as well as ears open for any good weather spells that may help such a thing to happen any faster.  The days are slowly shortening.  It is not something that is drastically obvious yet it is noticeable.  I read a post over at Moontides this morning and Mary spoke of how the evenings were more quiet as people were not out as late as before.  A sure sign of fall and the shorter days.  A bit of a peace in the evening. 

Although I love the busy work of summer and all it brings, I enjoy also the slowness of fall.  The unwinding of the day and what seems a bit more of an evening to relax.  I know that as the time draws closer and the weather cools more that there will surely be some remorse for the absence of the thrills  that summer brings.  Yet still fall has always been my favorite time of year so I myself am looking forward to the crisp mornings, and the turning of the colors.  I look forward to cradling my hot cup of coffee in my hands as I enjoy the mornings and evenings on my back porch.  I look forward to the many beautiful flowers that show themselves during this time of year and also for the second blooms that will come to some of my spring flowers that slowed and at times stopped due to the over abundance of heat this summer. 

The activity of the wildlife as well as the birds is also something that I love at this time.  All seem to be  preparing for the colder times ahead and are storing what they may need for such a time.  The hummingbirds are definitely more active preparing for their long journey south.  The squirrels are always more plentiful at this time and I seem to have to fill my feeders twice as much.  I have already put up a couple extra feeders as well as started to purchase my seed so that I will be ready. 

I noticed this morning as I was watering some of the areas of my yard where flowers and wildlife like to escape from the heat, that my mum which I planted last fall is covered with blooms.  I am excited as can be as I have never had a transplanted mum bloom.  I am so looking forward to when it finally opens.  Wishing all of you a wonderful weekend.  Hopefully your weather is just right and enjoy nothing but good times.  blessings

Its A Beautiful Day

This morning I rose as usual, made the coffee, let the cats out of the garage, and went to read the new blog posts for the day.  I have to say that I read several that truly touched me in many ways.   From Rayden's Rants to Domestic Witch and a few others I thought my day was planned out.  I was inspired for my entry of the day and although I thought it would end up being a long one, I was prepared to write it.

Then Vincents comes to share a cup of morning coffee with me and my thought to be plans for the day are changed again.  We decide to go for a short drive and see if we can find any unique photo opportunities.  The day started out a bit foggy so I was excited about the possibility of making it to a huge old cemetary I have been wanting to go to for so long. 

We made a quick stop at the post office to send off my home made Ornie to Aunt Manny for our exchange, picked up a couple Rockstars at the quick trip (the energy drinks of course) and we were off.  The further we went the more the clouds cleared and before we knew it the sky was a beautiful color of blue.  It was going to be a wonderful day for picture taking I just knew it.

We stopped at this old run down gas station out in the middle of nowhere.  It gave us some wonderful opportunities.  While we were there a local stopped by and informed us that it was in the movie Rain Man.  Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman had stopped there to use a pay phone that was located outside the building.  Unfortunately it is no longer there.  Still we were able to get some great shots.  We stopped in the town of Hinton Oklahoma and ate at a wonderful little locally run Mexican restuarant.  I had my usual Chili Relano and Vincent his 2 tacos and an enchiladia.    Mexican food taste so much better when it is not from a chain.  Home made all the way... yummy!!

Finally we went to a little state park outside of Hinton called Red Rock.  It was my first time yet I can say for sure it will not be my last.  It was filled with more color than I have seen in a long time.  Beautiful leaves of red, gold, yellow, brown and so on were everywhere.  Huge trees stretched towards the heavens stood everywhere.  Needless to say these are but a few of the pictures I took.  It was a magical place for me.  I am a lover of trees and it was the most peaceful place I have ever been.  Such grace and majesty could be felt.  I am sure the two men that were mowing and the few stray campers there thought I was a bit daft;  Lying on my back in the leaves taking pictures straight up.  Any of you who know Oklahoma know that most of our trees lean to the north, due to the constant south winds we have.  Yet here they all stood straight and tall.  Mainly because it was in a vallen surrounded by huge walls of red rock, hence the name Red Rock Canyon. 

Needless to say I did not make it up to the cemetery as I thought I would.  I did not end up writing that long blog I "thought" I was so inspired to write.  It will have to wait for another day.  Instead I enjoyed life.... again.  This seems to be becoming quite a habit for me, one that I think I could grow to really like.  On my return I was greeted by several of the sweetest comments on my blog - a extra hug for Sobeit.  You truly do brighten my days more than you know.  You are a true blessing to me.  I am beginning to think maybe it really is the red hair.  And they say blondes have more fun... ha!!!  I don't think they have anything on a red head. 

A Change Will Do Me Good

Thanks to Judith over at Merlins Mistress I decided to change the look of my blog.  Although really I can't blame her for the sudden difference.  I mean I did go out last Friday and change my hair.  To most of you that may not mean much... I mean maybe a cut her or there... maybe some curls or some highlights.  Well I was a bit more drastic... I went Red.  Yea... maybe it's just the changing of the leaves to all the beautiful shades of gold and brown and RED.... Or maybe not.

Just wanted to do something different.  And to tell you the truth I think I really like it.  It was time for a change.  I mean so many other areas of my life were changing... They have been all year long, why shouldn't my appearance also have an overhaul.  Vincent says it makes me look more witchy.  I like it because it makes my eyes look more green.  My friend Christy likes it because she is one of those that thinks you should not have blonde hair after Labor Day.  Needless to say I was a bit late in changing, but the important thing was that I finally did. 

The weather feels like it is about to change to as it should be also.  Which is a good thing.  I am ready for the dormant time of the year.  For snuggling inside with hot chocolate and baking goodies all the time.  I am ready for long afternoons on the sofa with a good book or maybe working on writing my own good book.  I am ready for self reflection that this time always seems to bring to me and the anticipation of the coming spring when all will be new again.  I am ready for the holidays and the family and friends it brings back to visit.  I am ready for Winter.... there I said it. 

I can tell that more than the weather, more than the appearance of my blog, and yes even more than my hair... there will be lots of change to come... I will admit I am a creature of habit and at times can be a bit cranky when change comes and takes me from my comfort zone, yet I know by experience that change is usually a good thing.  There is always a lesson to be learned and a new experience to explore.  So with that being said... I look forward to my new adventures as a crazy redhead.

The End of October is Fast Approaching

This morning as I look towards the east at the red/orange hue of the morning sky, I can tell it is going to be a grand day full of sunshine and other great things. There are still a spattering of colors throughout the yard left by flowers that are still hanging on til the frost nips it into its final sleep. The trees are full into their change of color before they too are lulled off for the winter. Their coats of yellow, brown and orange cover the still green grass in preperation for this act. The birds that frequent my bird feeders are active already fattening up for the months ahead as well as the local squirrels that horde all they can to line themselves with that extra layer of fat.... The cats have already begun to thicken not only from their extra food consumption but also from the increase of fur growth. The days are definately moving towards winter and colder times. It is hard to believe that in a few short days October will gracefully bow out and November will be upon us... The new year will start and the quiet time of winter will begin.  I enjoy this time of year, except for the nasty weather that can sometime come with it.  Although it is a time of quietness and reflection it is scattered with festive times of gathering of freinds and familys that help to warm the colder times.  It is a time when the kitchen is always warm due to the constant use of the hearth (or stove).  Kettles of stews are always found simmering or lucious cakes and cookies are baking.  The smell of recently harvested apples can be sensed via the nose cooking slowly in a number of dishes such as fresh apple cake, Candy/Carmel Apples, Apple strusel pie, and even fresh apple cider.  No wonder it is always the time of year when we manage to put on a few extra pounds.  (But its all SOOOO good

 

Another sign of the end of October is the ending of Mrs. B's giveaways... Which today is a good one.. no really a great one.

Such things as A subscription to Witches & Pagans , A wonderful set of Recipe cards every girl should have, An adorable handmade doll with my name so of course I simply love it , and a beautiful pendant with a small feather.  Being the bird lover I am I adore this as I am a collector of feathers myself.. Head on over to try your hand at winning some of the last treasures she will be giving away.  I can promise you you will not be disappointed. 

Oh the Blusterly Cold Days of October

It is hard for me to believe that this month is close to over.  Ten more days are left in October.  In some ways it feels like it has been going on forever and in others it feels like it has only begun.  I had always thought that Spring was the time of year when I evolved most.  Maybe that was because of the rebirth of Spring and the feeling that all is awakening.  Yet now I feel that Autumn is my time.  Turning inward to reflect, preparing for the winter ahead.  The dark times that are close at hand. 

The sun did not come out today.  It was a cold wet day.  The wind blew as it does often in Oklahoma yet at this time of year it is a bit different.  I spent much time watching the multi-colored leaves fall from the trees and blow across the yard.  The cats themselves were somewhat restless and begged me to let them into the garage early so that they would not have to stay out in the wetness.  I did give them what they wanted yet I myself somewhat enjoyed the drearyness of it all.  A hot cup of tea and a couple rice krispie treats was all I needed. 

The quietness of this time has brought much clarity to me as of late.  It is true to hear that small voice sometimes you need to be still and keep your mouth shut..... and just listen. 

The Grassy Owl

When my oldest son was small, he would marvel at the large round bails of hay that would line the fields in summer & fall.  He called them "grassy tires".  This term stuck with me and still to this day I call them this. 

Recently I spied this creation not far from home and had to share.  Another festive inexpensive way to celebrate the season.