We do not remember days; we remember moments. ~Cesare Pavese, Italian poet and novelist
One common question every writer receives is, Where do you get your ideas?
Last Leaf Hanging
Sometimes even to live is an act of courage. ~Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and dramatist
Buffeted by winds,
Rain, sleet, snow, and loneliness.
Tenacious last leaf.
Wordless Wednesday
Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. ~American Indian saying
Wacky Wednesday
Milton (on left): I’m not moving.
Otis (on right): But I want to go north, and you’re in the way.
Milton: Too bad.
Otis: C’mon, bro, humor me. I’d move for you.
Milton, snorting: Yeah, right.
Otis: Really. Don’t you remember I moved yesterday so you could tightrope south?
Milton: I don’t remember that.
Otis: Well, I did. Now, move!
Milton: Nope. Not happening.
Otis: So how can I get over you to the pole?
Milton: Hm, let’s see. Pole vault?
Otis: You’re kidding, right?
Milton: Guess you’ll have to wait til I decide to move.
Otis: Oh, bother. I’ll just drop to the ground then.
Milton: Wait, there’s a dog down there!
Note: No squirrels were harmed here. Otis dropped to the evergreen, then went on his merry way. Milton left when he felt like it.
Sunday’s Gem — Lapis Lazuli
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein
Mined as early as 7000 B.C. and prized throughout history, Lapis Lazuli is the universal symbol of wisdom and truth, used in jewelry, ornamental objects, dyes, and pigments.
Lapis is a metamorphic rock. True Lapis must contain at least 25 percent lazurite (which gives it a blue color), along with calcite (the white layers or mottling) and pyrite (the gold patches.). It gets its name from the Latin lapis (“stone”) and the Persian lazhuward (“blue”).
Rough Lapis Lazuli stone. Notice the striping of pyrite (gold) and calcite (white). Thanks to www.demairo.com for the image (sorry, stone is not in stock).
Worry is Futile
People get so in the habit of worry that if you save them from drowning and put them on a bank to dry in the sun with hot chocolate and muffins they wonder whether they are not taking cold. ~John Jay Chapman, American author
Dallas here.
How does she manage to catch me mid-snooze??
Fall, Before It’s Over
Fall colors…. so bright and intense and beautiful. It’s like nature is trying to fill you up with color, to saturate you so you can stockpile it before winter turns everything muted and dreary. ~Siobhan Vivian, bestselling American novelist
The estimated peak time for Fall color in Central Illinois is mid-October, but I’ve found that estimate to be off by a bit this year.
Still, all one has to do is get outside — regardless of cold, rain, and the urge to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate! — and the trees are ready to strut their stuff. Take a look and enjoy!
A Rainy Saturday
The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet
Cold and rainy day
Good for cleaning out closets
Or taking a nap.
Note: No, I didn’t take a snooze. In fact, I was a whirling tornado, tackling some cleaning chores too long put off. I cleared away clutter; made stacks to be shredded, stacks to donate to charity, and stacks to be trashed; and I used Monday morning to parcel out my handiwork. I can see this is the tip of the iceberg, but already I feel amazingly free! Eliminating clutter is one of the principles of Feng Shui (the Chinese art of placement to harmonize individuals with their environment).
Walktober 2019
We ought to take outdoor walks, to refresh and raise our spirits by deep breathing in the open air. ~Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Roman Stoic philosopher and statesman
As the days get shorter and the humidity finally breaks, it comes time for the annual Walktober, a virtual group walk organized by Robin of Breezes at Dawn.
The dates for this year’s walk are Oct. 6-19, and the “rules” are simple: take a walk, post about what you see, include some pretty pictures, and link to Robin, who will round up the links so we can all visit each other’s blogs and enjoy walking together.
Let’s go!
This year (because the trees aren’t cooperating with Fall color), I’m taking you to Arthur, Illinois (the Heart of Amish Country), to visit The Great Pumpkin Patch, a working farm owned by the McDonald family who immigrated from Scotland in the mid-1800s. Six generations later (150 years!), it’s evolved into a business of commercial pumpkin production and the preservation of rare gourd seeds.
If you love pumpkins as much as I do, prepare to be amazed!
Pumpkins … rows and rows of pumpkins
Bless Me, Father
May the blessing of Light be on you, light without and light within… ~Irish blessing
Dallas here.
Guess what? I got blessed!!
Holy water and prayer book
