Category: Nature

welcome autumn | 9.23.19…

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The Autumnal Equinox officially arrived this morning at 3:50 am, EST. Despite my desire to be wide awake then, I wasn’t nor did I make plans to get up quite that early. In fact, I even overslept, getting up about 7: 15 am… AND, I actually spent MSQT in my craft studio rather than the Great Room (aka dining room/kitchen). Why? Today was the first Mindful Monday session  – a 10 week’s program created and led by Jamie Ridler, the convener of Friday afternoon Journal Club – which resumes this Friday, Yay! Actually, I have spent most of today at the computer – between two sessions with Jamie and catching up with email, etc. We did take time out to bag leaves for tomorrow’s pickup…and you know, it’s hot out; currently 91° F. Yuk! Plus, looks like it’s going to rain.

Yesterday was our monthly Friendstitching gathering…and we celebrated Pat’s birthday! Lunch was delicious: shrimp, rice, salad, breads, fruit and mimosas plus delicious dessert. It is our practice that the hostess gives us each a tchotchke; we got that delightful fall  dishtowel… On my walk yesterday evening, I ran across the sidewalk chalk art and thought of the towel. Pretty close match.

To quote Dee: It’s Finally Fall Y’all *

Cheers~

*Do drop by her blog to see the delightful piece she just finished.

Currently| 6.28.19

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5:41 pm | 91 degrees |unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups

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Hearing a clap of thunder…

Seeing tree leaves sway a bit more and birds dart across the sky …

Watching the sky change from sunny and blue to grey as rain clouds are ushered in…

Listening to jazz vocal hits …oldies and some new …

Taking a loooong sip of ice cold water …

Laughing at Norman who just suggested that we could “turn the AC off; it’s cold in here.” I responded: “It’s not cold in here. Would you like a blanket?” And we both laughed …

Thinking I’d best wrap this post – the thunder claps are getting louder and closer, the trees swaying even more and the sky, greyer…me thinks the storm’s just moments away!

Enjoy the weekend and the last two days of June!

Cheers~

welcome summer | 6.21.19 …

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Summer officially arrived in my time zone – Eastern Standard Daylight Savings – at 11:54 am. This day, the first, has been perfectly perfect. During Journal Club, I wrote:

The sky’s been a study…the wind moving clouds in/around. Lovely and ever-changing. Now, the sun’s out and the sky is blue tho’ the wind’s still evident …resting a bit, I suspect. Shortly before the arrival of the Summer Solstice, I took a walk; the Day Lily are at peak bloom. Delightful
!

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And yes, I’d be the happiest camper in these parts if today’s preview was a promise of the summer days to come.  But alas, I’ve lived in these parts with way too many summers that were just plain wretched: hot and humid! I took a peek at next week’s weather…  Yep! projected forecast: Hot! Humid. Low 90s. Yuk!

Tho, who knows, Mother Nature may just decide otherwise…

Regardless, my plan is to enjoy each day to its fullest…for I am grateful that I am around to do so!

Enjoy this first weekend of Summer 2019!

Cheers~

weekend prep …

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This weekend, we’re supposedly  in for our first snow of  the season…so, just to be on the safe side, we went shopping for ice melt and a few food  items to tide us over. I suspect, based on previous experiences, if the snow does come, it’ll be short-lived…but then again, I could be very wrong! Only time will tell.

If it does snow, I  have plenty on my agenda to keep me company. Today, I tackled the clothes’ closet – finally! I feel so much better that I did…now, I need to finish clearing stuff off the bed…because it just might be needed for sleeping .

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The sun is setting, the moon is shining and homeward bound rush hour traffic is on the move. Have a great weekend!

Cheers~

 

welcome winter solstice…

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Full December Cold Moon ~ 5:46 P.M. ~ 12.21.18

Technically, the Winter Solstice arrived today, 12.21.18, at 5:23 pm, accompanied by the Full December Cold Moon. Despite the moon’s moniker and the advent of colder temperatures, we’ve enjoyed spring like temperatures all day – mid 60°s, accompanied by a nice downpour, mid afternoon.

Technically, the full December Cold Moon is tomorrow, Sat 22 Dec at 12:48 pm. Why can one see the moon in the daylight? The technical term for  this phenom is syzygy . Interesting.

Our day has been quiet…I had a hair appointment and stopped at the grocery store for a few items. Tomorrow, my plan for any weekend shopping is to begin early and return home  circa 2 pm. That should give me my “fill of mingling with holiday crowds.”

Have a grand weekend!

Cheers~

 

brrr…it’s cold outside

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today’s sunrise

The day started bright, with the promise of sunshine all day… well, that was short lived. Sunrise, at 7:03 am and the morning high,  41° F was as good as it was going to get. Within an hour, clouds had moved in and winds picked up – making it feel like 32°.

This afternoon, I took a shorter and brisker walk than planned  ’cause it’s downright windy and cold —brrr.  Even though the Winter Solstice is just 24 days away, I’m really not ready for winter. You?

After my very abbreviated and brisk walk, I was so thankful to step inside our warm house. So very thankful.

a red bird …

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At our last Recent Read gathering, my friend Margaret introduced me to Pulitzer Prize winner and thirteenth US Poet Laureate Ted Kooser. I find that I begin reading one poem and then the next and then the next…

The following poem is from his latest book,  Kindest Regards: New and Selected Poems, ©2018 by the author, published by Cooper Canyon Press, p 205 and also featured on the jacket back.

Hoarfrost

Two days of an icy prairie fog and every blade of grass, and twig, and branch, and every stretch of wire, barb, post and staple, is a knot or a thread in a lace of the purest white. To walk is like finding your way through a wedding dress, the sky inside it cold and satiny; no past, no future, just the now all breathless. Then a red bird, like a pinprick, changes everything.

We didn’t have a hoarfrost this morning, but I did see a red  bird … a cardinal.

@sunrise …

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6:30 am:  On this first day of the return to “normal” time, I stand on the deck, inhale the crisp autumn morning air – it’s only 37°F!  I had the presence of mind to put on a jacket and hat…and I’m glad I did! I look upward to the sky, ribbons of pink-tinged clouds and jet contrails, planes headed to National Airport, greet me. Birds swiftly fly toward the morning sun, so fast I can’t/don’t capture with my iPhone.

The tree, “this tree,” that I observe through every season, is fast loosing its leaves. Everyday, I can see more of its magnificent structure. Still, at the very top, are bright yellow leaves…causing me to remember the symphony of color that greets us these days as we walk, ride, drive, are out and about – on errands, on the way to work, play or home. The season is ending; leaves gather on sidewalks, lawns. Mother Nature prepares for the next.

On this thought, I turn to go inside to fix my first cuppa tea and listen to Sunday Baroque…and I think how grateful I am for the life I’ve had… and to welcome another day.