Nature Talks

We are now in the true depths of autumn, when there is a bite in the air, the leaves are gone and the grass is dun coloured.  This is actually one of my favorite months of the year because it spells a time of both quiet and a quickening tempo.  The quiet is simply the quiet in nature as it goes to sleep, animals are hibernating or taking a slower pace, even the birds seem to be slower in their flight across the sky.  As I walk around the property I notice all the empty nests that are sitting in the trees and bushes; there are a number of huge, awkward looking magpie nests that are constructed with large branches that seem to go willy nilly in all directions and there are the smaller brown bird nests belonging to sparrows or wrens.  Up in the corner of the eaves and crossbars of the cabin are the tiered robins’ nests and to my delight there are a couple of “condo nests” where robins have nested above each other.  How wonderful is that to see?

At the same time we have a number of holiday events that pile on top of each other, our Thanksgiving and then Halloween and before that is over the stores are filling up with red, white and green and all the sparkling in between.  People are already planning their Christmas parties, what to wear, what to buy, cards to send, wine to buy and let’s not forget all the budgeting that should be going along with the planning.  For those who think even farther ahead there are the bills and the annual fees that come up right after the holidays.  As one of the unlucky ones whose name is called up for license plates I have all of that to deal with before the end of January.  But maybe that’s going a little ahead of everyone else!

Today was a perfect day to begin my 21 day Meditation series with Deepak & Oprah.  I think it’s amazing to get this free offer a couple of times a year especially when it can really enhance a person’s day, week, beliefs and life.  This time around I am going to be mindful every day in the hopes that it will actually become a daily routine.  As this winter approaches I want to take the opportunity to learn something new every day and this is a great beginning to each day.  How perfect is that for November 2^nd?

Below is a link that may get you into the Free Experience.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

https://chopracentermeditation.com/experience

Snowbound

It’s time to get out my copy of “The Long Winter” by Laura Ingalls Wilder since it is my tradition to read this notable book after the first blizzard of the winter.  This year I am blessed with the smells of home made bread and struedel as my mother works in the kitchen.  What a contrast to the subsistence fare the Ingalls had during that bleak winter of 1880-81.  Between this book and “Gone with the Wind” I stock up my groceries in the winter months.

       I’m currently looking out the window, on the watch for the snow plow, in the hopes that he will assist me in scraping out the bottom portion of my snow filled driveway.  Better yet, I just called the MD and they will help me out some time this weekend.  So now I can snuggle in and watch “Matador” with my mother.  This is an old mini-series from Denmark which chronicles the life of a small town after WWI and into WWII.  It is one of the most beloved series in Danish television history and for good reason.  The quality of the writing is even better than that of some of the best of Masterpiece Theatre.  In fact, I wish they would put English translation on the bottom as they do with foreign films.  Although I can understand most of what is said, the dialect is different from my own and they speak so much faster than we slow Aalborgenser I sometimes find myself guessing at what was said.  But in any event, that is my surprise for my mother today since she’s been hounding me to watch it with her (again). 

       I hope everyone is safe and sound today and has something interesting to do at home. My drive home last night was very treacherous and I saw a number of vehicles spun out in the ditch along the way.  I was glad I left a few minutes early yesterday.  By the time I reached Cayley the visibility was only about 10 feet ahead.  Nasty weather.  Stay Safe My Friends.