It is true.

NOT that I have died, which may be the conclusion some of you have reached due to my blog absence.

I have not died. It IS true that I don’t send on chain letters. Maybe this has something to do with being a loner – despite all the gatherings I’ve planned and coordinated over the years.

Now you know. So please don’t send me any more chain letters. They end up in my dead-letter folder.

~~~

Right now I am in bed with my laptop, having hit my late afternoon energy wall.  I’ll begin posting here again, eventually. After all, it will soon be Spring, with its newness, freshness, and clarity.  Yum.

~~~

Inside, the Christmas tree – with no lights or trimmings – stands in a corner in the living room. Hanukkah candles offer a small, wavering light, which will grow as the week goes on.

Winter officially begins, even as we are about to slowly see more daylight.

This has been an intense year for me, because I was given a gift which is slowly bringing into focus the areas of my life where I wish to use my energy. That gift is a “live-in-the-moment” way of being, acknowledging what is and moving on from there, one step in front of another.

The Christmas tree has not been trimmed because my youngest daughter is eager to do it with me when she arrives tomorrow. It will be a delight to be with two of my three grown children. Hopefully I’ll see my eldest daughter and my grandchildren in late winter or spring.

Here’s more light, in the form of light humor. My Jewish brother-in-law sent the following Hanukkah greeting:

The weather has been warm, not typical November weather. I love the feel and smell of autumn, so I’m happy with this warm sunny spell.

The crows put me in mind of The Dark is Rising (Susan Cooper). Crows as harbingers. There is a sense of stillness, of waiting.

Again my life is filled with a series of ER and doctor visits. The most recent was for my mother’s fall. Life is such a mixture of beauty and pain.

Below is my hand, as I cleared snow off the yew. You can see how deep the snow is.

A photo shot skyward at the snow on the maple leaves. With the sun shining on it, the snow has been melting quickly. See the birds in the upper right corner?

The last time we experienced a winter storm here in October was in the 1980′s. We were without power for days, melting snow for water and cooking on the wood stove. So far we have not lost power with this storm, though the lights flickered a few times.

So, what does Mother Nature have in store for us next?

The echinacea plants are wearing tall, snowy caps.

The yew bushes simply bend.

A view from my studio window. Snow was sifting down in the early sunshine, giving the air a dreamy quality.

A few minutes later, the sky was intensely blue.

The clothesline.

Now, in the early afternoon, the snow is melting away.

Transitory pleasures, but certain to be repeated. This is just the beginning!

~~~

Women in the window! There were windows on all four sides of the second floor of this marvelous old barn.

~~~

The interior of the second floor was home to the festivities. The small loft above was used decoratively.

~~~

The stage, ready for a variety of musical acts.

~~~

Three women, three paper lanterns ~ waiting for the music to begin.

~~~

A musical beginning. The show was opened with a lively guitar and ukulele number.

~~~

More music ~ Em and Kate

~~~

Some of the entries in the pumpkin-carving contest.

~~~

A Jack o Lantern with quite the nose.

~~~

Goodnight, Barnstorm! We left early and missed many musical acts, dancing, and the pumpkin judging. Several people brought tents, which were pitched outside the barn for those wanting to sleep over. I opted for my cozy bed at home.

Seasonal fun!

Flowers go to seed,

and autumn flowers blossom.

———————————————————————————————————————

today Sidney was born – on Frodo and Bilbo’s birthday! My niece Anna gave birth to her first child. To celebrate new life in both senses, I attended an O Baby consignment sale, where one of the things I bought was one of my favorite books: On the Day You Were Born, by Debra Frasier.

“Welcome to the spinning world,” the people sang, as they washed your new, tiny hands.

“Welcome to the green Earth,” the people sang, as they wrapped your wet, slippery body.

And as they held you close they whispered into your open, curving ear, “We are so glad you’ve come!”

This is the time when the dark, which has been growing, is in balance with the light. We are grateful for the Harvest, but we also know that Life is waning.

This is time of year when Persephone descends to the Underworld to access her deep wisdom and compassion in caring for the dead. It is the time of her mother Demeter’s grief and sorrow, and with her we weep for our losses.

This year, Mabon, or the Autumn Equinox, is especially meaningful for me. In the past few months I have gone through losses due to an autoimmune disease signaled by a medical emergency in May. Since then, I have not posted much, because I have been resting, regaining strength by walking, and most difficult, getting used to my new life. Some days are good, others are not so good. Until I wake in the morning, I do not know whether I’ll be incapacitated by fatigue, or whether I’ll be able to do some work or visit a friend.

Some days I feel that life is indeed waning. This Equinox I enter the underworld of chronic illness and seek whatever wisdom I am able to glean from this dark place. Certainly I am learning much about patience, loss, compassion, and stepping into my power as I deal with the medical community. The dark also feels womb-like at times, and I can even appreciate how this hermit-life may suit me. This is a perfect time of year for introspection, for seeking wisdom.

Will you be descending to the underworld this Autumn?

Since its inception, Peace Day has marked our personal and planetary progress toward peace. It has grown to include millions of people in all parts of the world, and each year events are organized to commemorate and celebrate this day. Events range in scale from private gatherings to public concerts and forums where hundreds of thousands of people participate.

Anyone, anywhere can celebrate Peace Day. It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, or just sitting in silent meditation. Or it can involve getting your co-workers, organization, community or government engaged in a large event. The impact of millions of people in all parts of the world coming together for one day of peace is immense.

International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire – personal or political. This is an opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time.