November Quiet

Slate gray skies.

Turkeys in the garden.

Gunshots in the woods out back.

A snoring cat on my lap.

Hardly any green left 'cept the grass.

Ken working from home.

Soup on the stove.

One more ornament wreath finished.

Four quilt stockings sewn.

I love my newly quiet life.

Crafty

We had one last balmy evening walk last night. This morning a cold front is moving through and the temps are falling fast.  Down 10 degrees already this morning.

 Time to settle in and peruse Thanksgiving recipes.

Our storage unit is almost impassable and the garage is still full of crap...um, excuse me I mispoke, I meant to say antiques... The house looks like a bomb went off in the dining room and yes that would be a church pew squatting right in the middle of the kitchen. Why there you ask? Well it goes with the cast iron Christmas tree stand and the box of enamelware living on our front porch, the eight or ten other boxes parked near the front door and the chamber pot sitting on the stove that's full of plastic Santas.

Heaven help us. 

 Maybe I'm getting used to this level of clutter or maybe I've just given up. Either way, some how I managed to hunker down and get something done right in the thick of it all. 

Yep, those be Christmas wreaths. Today I'll be re-purposing those wire cages that go on old chicken feeders into hanging lamps and tomorrow who knows, maybe I'll make dirt from scratch!! I know I'm not exactly the crafty type and I don't know where this sudden surge of glue gun energy came from, but I'm going with it for now and it I must admit, I'm enjoying my crafty self!

Holding Fast

I'm inspired by this little lone maple.

Holding fast to its leaves despite the wind

Straight and proud amidst brambles and goldenrod

Brave and courageous somehow

An Auspicious Day

Today is my dad's birthday. Had he lived to see the day, he would've turned 88.

I am honoring his birthday by choosing this date to officially let the world know I'm retiring from my job at the ivory tower to pursue those things I'm most passionate about - growing a business, selling antiques, making beautiful photographs, writing, and living wholeheartedly.

This is the biggest decision I've ever made in my entire life and it wouldn't be possible without my dad. Way back at the ripe old age of 24 and newly out in the professional world, my dad encouraged me to start a retirement account right away. He knew I couldn't imagine where my life would take me but that one day I might just want to retire at 55. And how wise he was.

Thank you dad. As I leap wholeheartedly into the world of self-employment, 

self-empowerment and true fulfillment I honor you.

Holding Firm

Oh boy, when that 6:30 alarm goes off it is ((shudder)) dark outside! 

So grateful K lets me sleep 'til the sun starts to peek through the blinds.

The cold front came in with a vengance but mercifully left us a few leaves to still enjoy. Temps are consistently in the 60's during the day now and well into the 40's at night. Perfect sleeping weather.

The twilights have been extraordinary lately too - crisp with a fingernail of a moon and a clear shot of Venus nearby. And when there are clouds,  the sight will take your breath away.

Our cardinals and jays will have plenty to eat this winter, but I can't focus on that. No not yet.

I'm holding firm on the idea that there are still a few weeks of Fall left. 

Letting Go

Here is the view from my office this morning as I make my way to the auction hall to pick up some recent treasures. Grateful for back road travel and glorious distant views.

Since returning home the weather has taken an abrupt turn. There are tornado watches out for our county with threats of heavy rain and 70 mph wind gusts.

Pippa and Lillie have been contentedly (and surprisingly) sharing my lap as I type. I've got chicken soup on the stove. It'll be hard to leave home today, but unfortunately I've got places to be.

I'm not really the crafty type so I'm especially proud of what I accomplished this morning. I bought this sweet tiger oak rocker recently for a few bucks.

Thankfully it had no structural issues (unless you count the barn dirt & pigeon poop). A good oiling and a new seat cover et voila! You may now refer to me as the staple gun goddess!

Not quite ready to let go of Fall just yet...

Welcome

Hello, October.

Welcome, Autumn.

Nice to see your true colors,

your comforting fog

and weathered imperfections.

Welcome, thorns and all.

Welcome.