Are We There Yet?

The acid tang of autumn leaves mingles with dry air - wet dog - we walk along the path to the ski jump. The rain has swept the leaves off and away leaving nothing. Crystalized mud crunches beneath my feet we move quickly up the trail. There is no moment wasted. Every day I see new signs. They are only new to me.  Each walk in the woods, thoughts drift through my mind, changing the focus of my vision. The stone lodged up high in the branches of a leggy hemlock. Another day silent mystery of a swooping owl. Slate quarry Brackish water has a skim of ice today. The wind breaks it up and there is a soft skree skree shushing  - the dog- tests the air with her muddy snout. Winter symphony take my heart to the certain knowledge that I belong.

 Had a fabulous evening in NYC with friends last weekend. An unexpected series of sights and sounds. We arrived in the city just a block from times Square. It took my breath away to see all the lights. And then we were entertained with an evening of Prairie Home Companion. Who could ask for more! Well- Elvis Costello made it so. This is a link to some photos from our adventure, capturing the memory for us. December Fun

It is December 1st and the ground is still soft, the grass still green. We live in Vermont, not Georgia. I am born in November. Having an anniversary in that dreary month has taught me to look for the small favors nature bestows during the change in seasons. Those gifts are subtle and noticing them has always felt special, like a secret shared with the few who pay attention. Soft mauve hues mix with chalky grays and amber grasses. Bright shots of color burst into view occasionally as I see the bright red winterberry or the orange of bittersweet hang in amongst fox grape and ivies. Squirrels and chipmunks chatter and chase in the dry leaves under foot. This is a time for smells of rot and wood. Lichen clinging to burls and boulders send out a metallic scent reserved for particularly dry cool days of November. We still have pachysandra in the woods, looking silky and thriving. The forest's leaves have all been cast down, yet the air is wet with warm breezes as the temperature stays...