Spiritual sustenance, naturally.

Barnstorming!

Last night we attended a nearby annual event, Barnstorm, which included live music, dancing, food, a pumpkin-carving contest, and conversation.

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

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

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The stage, ready for a variety of musical acts.

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

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

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More music ~ Em and Kate

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Some of the entries in the pumpkin-carving contest.

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A Jack o Lantern with quite the nose.

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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!

Signs of Autumn

It has begun.

Flowers go to seed,

and autumn flowers blossom.

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New Life

New life in two senses today! I finally recovered from a wedding over the weekend ~ AND

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!”

The Autumn Equinox ~ Stepping into the power of the dark part of the yearly cycle.

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?

International Day of Peace

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.

Unpredictable

Sometimes, usually when we least expect it, an event happens ~ after which life is never quite the same again. There have been no posts from me for quite some time, as I learn and feel my way into new ways of living after experiencing a health crisis. Slowly, deliberately, over the past few months I’ve been regaining my strength, noticing the little things ~ and coming to terms with the unpredictability of living. We can never know what will happen tomorrow, or even in the next few moments. On some level, we all know this, but for me it has become a lived reality.

Photo by Seth Rockmuller

As a result, I’m not certain which direction this blog will follow. What shall I release? What shall I continue? As the leaves begin to drift down from the trees, autumn seems an appropriate time to sweep away the unessential. Samhain will soon arrive, heralding a new year, a new cycle. Its meaning will be deeper for me this year, as I welcome my ancestors into conversation, and walk on the wild side.

Even though late afternoons are a low-energy time for me, I decided to cook a paella for dinner tonight.

There are many steps in the process, and I miscounted the number of asparagus spears I would need, but apart from that – yum!

These days I am delighted by the simple pleasures.

Sharing the Glory

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature— the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” ~Rachel Carson

This morning I discovered the above quote on WordPress friend Robin’s lovely blog, which expresses exactly how I feel this morning, as I regain strength. Robin’s fabulous Green Man post  is currently featured on Freshly Pressed. Please visit it to see her photography.

And last but not least, a blessing from a friend:  this morning Sharon sent me this photo she took in the Berkshire countryside yesterday.

Photo by Sharon Lips