Autumn Celebration!

Sunshine on a perfect autumn day!  The air smells splendid: of fallen leaves, of the newly-dying garden,  of frost-bitten plants and shrubs.  Star-studded, clear night skies!  I love the words "star-studded".

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Celebrating this wondrous autumn season. Relishing the feel of it. Summer is so long-done. Winter is still a few breaths away. Frosty clouds floating round as you breathe in and out. Bare-limbed trees etching still life pictures against the sky. There are still vivid golds, reds, rusty oranges amassed in stunning poses along the roads, trees that are not ready to give in to the pull of gravity. "We will fall to the earth at the last possible moment" these hale-hearty leaves state stubbornly.

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The squirrels running back and forth, from home to yards blocks away. Gathering, piling, chattering, arguing, scoffing. Full of fall-inspired fervor to prepare for those long dark days ahead. Will they truly find the treasures they bury now, when the snow has piled into deep clouds of icy-white indomitable hills?

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The juncos have returned from their Arctic summer vacations. These little black and white gems of birds dart and flit, back and forth. Kicking the grass and bits of dry detritus out of their way, searching for the perfect seeds and berries. In the snow, they will shine vividly. The American goldfinch males are discarding their bright summer garb for the duller green costume they love for winter cover.

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Winter is coming!  But Autumn is NOW!  Grasp it, hold it, breathe it in, remember it! Love it! Celebrate Autumn!

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Odds and Ends

Squirrel defense--not for the faint of heart. They are wily little creatures; smart, inventive, tenacious, comical. I am thinking of placing screening over the pots of my container garden, held down by rocks. I expect to see tiny bulldozers at work in a few days, driven by helmeted squirrels with names like Hunk and Mac.  Harm none is the code I live by. I am normally a gentle, loving witch. These little guys will have to work a little harder to steal my garden booty. No rest for the Wiccan.

Uh-oh

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Any opinions on the new J.K. Rowling Pottermore website? Just read a little about it this morning. It is a place for fans to read more about all the characters, new material, get assigned to a house in Hogwarts, receive a free wand and a lot more. Serious fans will love it. I enjoyed all the books and the movies, but I am not tempted by this. I would have liked a new series from Rowling; such an excellent writer.

The Syracuse newspaper, The Post Standard, for the last couple of months, has been running a daily column written by various religious and spiritual leaders in our area. This column has featured writers of Islamic, Hindu, Catholic, Jewish, Native American faiths. The aim is to expose and introduce other views besides the daily Christian column written by the Reverend Billy Graham, a column that is nationally syndicated. This week's writer is Mary Hudson, the pagan chaplain at Syracuse University. It runs from June 19th through June 23rd. She writes about the Summer Solstice and how to put the energy of the Sun to work in our lives. Here is the link to June 19th's column and you can link from there to read the successive articles. Mary Hudson.  I think you will enjoy seeing a pagan writer featured in the newspaper, and her words are stirring. She is a friend of mine, and is also going to be the Officiant at my daughter's wedding.

Tomorrow is Friday. Hey, I will be announcing my giveaway on Friday. Tomorrow! Be sure to tune in.

Sunday Sampler

Need I say the dogs went nuts when they saw THIS!

A chilly Autumn day here, leaves flying around, the sun comes and goes, the clouds look ominous, then scurry away. Perfect!

Here is a favorite movie I absolutely have to watch every October, usually just a few days before the 31st. It may be a bit corny, perhaps a little silly....it definitely is hilarious, and I just adore it. I love all three actresses who play their roles with gusto, I love the scenery, the plot and the cat. I love the haunting little tune that one of the characters sings, and who can forget the "raining fire of death"?

Love it!!!

Speaking of witches, I want to recommend a blog I truly enjoy. There were three posts this week that impacted me on different levels. Lyn over at http://www.witch-blog.com/ posted about blog content theft, which prompted me to add a little copyright blurb at the bottom of my blog. She also talked about intent in our charitable giving, which I had never given much thought to, and has really changed my whole thinking about giving. And finally Lyn offered a little daydream/fantasy that gave me a smile when she asked what our favorite chocolate is and, if, stranded on a desert island who would we share that chocolate with. She mentioned Johnny Depp, and I have to say, wow and oh my, wouldnt that be nice.  (Of course I am happily and inexonerably married to my darling adorable husband, and would not Seriously think of running off to a desert island to eat dark chocolate with Johnny Depp, good goddess what are you thinking!!!!) Anyway, take a stroll over to Lyn's blog when you have a chance.

Take care, and Bright Blessings