Merry Meet and Merry Part, and Merry Meet again

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Company's Coming

Cleaning, straightening, organizing, cleaning and ad infinitum.

A very dear friend, who is godmother to both our offspring, is arriving this Thursday for a visit. And daughter raethan is taking the train in for a quick visit to see her godmother. We are hoping for an overnight or two at AutumnWood. That will be a wild time, I assure you!

So I am burning incense and listening to Jethro Tull. Takes me right back to my high school days, lol! But it is very soothing, especially when one of the most favorite of songs come on ("Broadsword", "Song from the Woods", "Living in the Past" etcetera). Music and aromas, two very strong resources for meditation, relaxing and magickal practices. I must have music. And sandalwood is my go-to incense. What about you?

I am feeling great.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Outlander---My Obsession--My Passion (and no, I am not crazy)

If you have read this blog at all, you know I have a great passion for the book series by Diana Gabaldon called Outlander. The first book published in 1991 was named Outlander, and the following 7 books each have different and beautiful titles. But they all center around a lovely English lady named Clair, and her Scottish beloved, Jamie Fraser. I have read the entire series twice and have followed Diana's blog (I am on a first name basis of course, tee-hee) for at least the last 5 years. When she announced on her blog a couple of years ago that Starz had optioned her books for cable, well, I will tell ya, I practically needed CPR (preferably administered by Jamie Fraser!).  This is how obsessed I am.

It is just a damned fine series of books. Written in brilliant style, meticulously researched, it is an epic tale of history, time-bending events, supernatural occurrences, 18th century Scottish events and people. The way Diana writes the characters, it is not difficult to become wrapped up in the lives of these fictitious people who seem very, very real. I adore these people.

And now on Saturday nights I can see my Outlander world come alive and thrill at the story all over again. Don't anyone speak while I am watching this show.  I am blissfully enraptured by this fabulous drama.

And Diana just announced today that the show has (already!) been picked up for a second season.

I love the casting of the show. Jamie and Clair are perfect. All the characters are perfect. Filmed entirely in Scotland, the scenery is amazing. The costumes, the horses, the swords..........whew! Is it hot in here???

I highly recommend you read at least the first book, Outlander. Warning: the books are friggin' long, but you won't care because the story is just.so.good!

Look, I gotta go, because Outlander starts in little less than 30 minutes and I have to get myself situated in my chair. And don't talk to me during the show. Seriously!

Friday, August 15, 2014

Summer Breeze

Gardening has been a challenge this summer. A few terribly hot days here and there, cooking the plants, then days of rain drowning the plants, windy days tossing the plants. Now squirrels are stealing tomatoes. But there are some magnificent weeds flourishing. And there is always the farmer's market!

One thing we have enjoyed, and by we, I mostly mean me, is gliding on the porch glider, observing the birds and bees doing their thing. Now wait, I did not mean that the way it sounds. Many birds visit our yard and feeders. Not to mention sweet little hummingbirds. Many bees, some not too scary, but a few that I would rather not interact with. It is peaceful to glide on a pretty day and listen to the sounds of summer. Most meditative and easy to hear the Voice of nature. I don't mind gliding on a rainy day, either. (I'm under a covered porch and enjoy hearing and smelling a summer rain.)

We have an Arctic Blue Willow shrub in the yard that has grown to massive proportions. Dense foliage provides hiding places for sparrows, chickadees, rabbits, chipmunks and a wood chuck on occasion.  When the breeze changes from a light zephyr to the hardy hustle and bustle of a good strong breeze, the branches wave and dance, swirl and mingle in the most beautiful display of ballet-type dancing. Very magickal.

Every day offers a new way to celebrate nature. I wouldn't miss it for the world.


Thursday, August 14, 2014

Hello? Anyone there?

It is me, Robin Larkspur. Remember?

4 Months since I have been here. Mainly because my laptop died and I had to wait to get a new platform, which I did. A Chrome Book! We shall see how blogging goes!

So several things to catch you up on.

My husband is doing Great!!! He went back to work in July. He has gained back all the weight he lost, his health is excellent and things are going well. He will, of course be having a final surgery in about 8 months to reconnect his small intestine. He currently has an ileostomy, but is managing fairly well. So that is fabulous news.

We are feeling like normal people again (though, I guess to be honest we weren't all that normal before! (snort))

We have gone out to eat (rather a lot now that he is able to eat again),
We went to see the latest Riverdance show called "Emerald"
We've gone shopping and driving and all the kinds of things we haven't done in almost 2 years!!

And we have been spending a lot of our weekends at our beautiful AutumnWood. We bought an old camper to put on the property so we can sleep out there. It is 38 feet long, sleeps 8, has kitchen and bathroom. Pretty old (1987) but excellent condition. We have the water and septic hooked up. It uses propane for cooking and hot water. No electricity yet, because it costs way too much. We will do that next year.
Very cozy eating by lantern light and candles.

Beautiful summer for us.

Hope all of you are doing well! Healthy, happy and enjoying your summer.

Now when I figure out how to load photos onto this contraption, I have some good ones to share.

Getting back to daily blogging will be a challenge after being gone for so long. But I am up for it!!!
And thank Goddess no one hacked into this blog like they did my old PurrrrSnickety blog...remember that?!? eeesh!!
So take care. Love you guys!!!

Robin