Since Last We Met

Greetings Wiccan Wreaders! I hang my head in shame for taking another long break from blogging. All is well with us, so no worries there.

We did have a delightful visit in August from The Godmother, who wanted me to post something so you wouldn't think she had "done in" the entire family since my last post was announcing her visit and I haven't been heard from since.  No, we had so much fun, spent the night in the camper at AutumnWood went touring around, ate great food and laughed so much. Daughter raethan was able to join us as well so, frankly, it was magickal!

Oh? Did I tell you we got a camper for AutumnWood? Gosh, my memory is going!!! It is a 38 foot camper, from 1987. In great condition, a cozy place to take respite from the weather, sleep-over on weekends, have cook-outs, play late night board games, etc. We have it hooked up to water and septic and will get electric next Spring. For now we have been using wonderful oil lanterns at night, which give a cozy glow.

We have been keeping busy with all the usual daily life stuff, husband is working regularly and feeling great. I have done an almost-complete reorganization of all cupboards, closets, hutches, china cabinets as well as shelving all my books in some sort of order. Frankly, my family has been in shock at the amount of de-cluttering I have done.

October has been a most wonderful month, with the glorious fall colors. Putting the garden to bed is always bittersweet, but it is time for earth to sleep for a while.

Samhain is almost here, Friday 31 October. I know all my witchy friends are in full Halloween mode. It is the most wonderful time of the year.

So this post is just a quick hello, to say Merry Meet, and hoping all is well with everyone. I will be back almost immediately, if not sooner.  Blessings from Robin!

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.

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!

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.

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

Blooming

No complaints about the weather here (it has been very hot for a couple of days...that is not a complaint, that is just a fact). I am not complaining because I know parts of this wide country received heavy snow over the last day or two. And I am done with snow. Am I not??!

Our little wild violets are in bloom, as are the forget-me-nots, one white tulip and one purple tulip and I see the beginnings of lots more green growth. The greening of the earth after the winter is a joy to see.

Speaking of green and colorful, here is a link to some fabulous works of art using all natural materials. I am in awe of the artist. Please enjoy.  mandala floral art

A quick hello to everyone. I have got to start taking photos again to share here. And I might try doing it with my new Smart phone. Whew! I am really feeling so techie these days!

Till next time. Hugs from Robin.

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom. ~Terri Guillemets

A Beautiful Day

Gorgeous weather here today. Perfect blue sky, light breezes and a temperature of 70, with low humidity. Who could ask for more?  Happy Mother's Day to all the appropriate people!! Hugs.

SPLAT! That is what I did earlier this week while walking around Autumnwood. We have had some heavy rains lately and there are several muddy spots. Son Nick and I had gone out to spend some time on our property. I specifically wanted to see how the bulbs we planted last fall did over the long, harsh winter. We had planted a bunch by the front gate, on either side. None to be seen. What a disappointment. But lo, and behold, allow the eye to wander around other areas, and there were little clumps and patches of daffodils spread out hither and yon. I think we can guess that some wily squirrel(s) decided to dig up and re-bury the bulbs. Landscaping at its most natural!

Anyway, the splat arrives halfway through our explorations. Put my boot down in a muddy spot, sink a bit and then with a noisy ska-wish, my boot came off as I pulled my leg up. And yes, down I went, in a slow-motion fall, first to knees then slowly down the rest of the way. "Oooof!" Nick came running over and assisted me up, and then we laughed at the mud covering me all over the front. Then a stern lecture from Nick advising an acquisition of boots with laces that can be tied tightly on. And then he found me a walking stick.

Planning stages in the works for our attack on the property this summer. And for barbecues, and possibly an overnight campout. And bonfires.

I can't wait for our first ritual, summer solstice (Litha). Out on our property. It will be Super Natural!