"Go to your Happy Place"

So I didn't tell you all this because, well.....you are really going to think something is "not-quite-right" with ole Robin Larkspur. But........two weeks ago I sprained my foot. And last week I went to the doctor for an x-ray to see if the foot was broken. Not broken, hurray, but the sprain caused an acute flare-up of arthritis (which I did not know was in the foot). So the doc gave me one of those big boots to wear to help support the foot and scheduled me for a cortisone injection. Which was today.

I am settled on the x-ray table, as he is going to administer this injection using the x-ray to make sure he gets the right spot. He tells me to take a few deep breaths and "go to your happy place".  As he is rubbing the iodine on  my foot and getting ready to inject the first of two large needles, I wanted to say..."Wait, I have only gotten to "mildly amused", can you wait a little longer?!!!"

Well, needless to say, the procedure was carried out, and after some huffing and puffing, and more than one or two tears, it was done.Hopefully this will solve the pain, at least for a few months.

What I also failed to mention though, was while wearing the big boot the other night, my HH took me out for dinner to cheer me up. Coming out of the restaurant, I stepped on uneven pavement with the booted foot, and hyperextended the bad knee I hurt during the infamous CourtHouse fall fiasco. So it is inflamed again. But, hey, my foot will feel better soon. And at least I haven't poked my other eye!!

As I mentioned before:

  Klutz?

 OR

Goblins?

 

Protection ritual coming up asap!!

Hurry!

It is supposed to be warm today and tomorrow...possibly up to 70 degrees! I am going to hurry outside and clean up the garden, wrap the shrubs and roses, throw the ball for the dogs, snicker at the squirrels, sit on the porch, and light a lovely magickal fire in the fire pit. A little celebration of the full moon, and to offer up thanks to the Goddess for so many blessings.

We have to hurry though. The winter winds won't be held back much longer!

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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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Random Sentences

Firstly, an update on my brother: He was transferred this week to an acute rehabilitation hospital and is working hard to gain back his strength. After two strokes it will take time; the doctors are saying he should make a full recovery. Very good news!!

So now I think I can get back into some regular daily activities including this blog! And cleaning house, playing with my dogs, baking and crafting for the upcoming holidays, laughing. It has been a while since there was much laughter here, as you can imagine.

Every morning now there is heavy frost. I do not laugh at having to scrape the car. But the beauty of a frosty morning cannot be denied.

And now it is time, this weekend, to set our clocks back. (Remember also to change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors!). I guess winter really is coming. I would enjoy a much longer autumn, really, don't you agree?

Today is my Good Friend Dee's birthday! She is my fellow bird-lover, garden buddy, dog fanatic. Many happy wishes are flying off to her!!

My HH and I broke down and watched the movie "Season of the Witch".  Blech. And not really about witches. Not much else to say about it.

We still have to prepare the gardens for winter, so far behind in that respect. Also, a big load of firewood will be dumped in our driveway. It is going to make me very tired watching HH and nicarus stack it all. (ahem).

Upcoming here at Wiccan Writes: the giveaway I was unable to do in October; some chatter about books; my contributions to The Deepest Well blog Witches Circle conversations; preparations for Yule; a couple of new original short stories; and, oh so much more.

Have a super Saturday!  Blessed Be!!

Samhain 2011

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Blessed Samhain to you and yours!

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May this night be sacred and meaningful.

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We remember those who came before us.

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And we say farewell and thanks to the year that is ending.

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Blessings and hugs from Robin.

Wondrous Nature

An amazing and wondrous sight very early this frosty Friday. In mind-boggling numbers, the sky was filled with grackles and blackbirds as far as the eye could see. This vast cloud went on and on and on for ten minutes at least.

The sound of millions of wings defies description.

It was an honor to witness such a gift of Nature.

Blackbird flock, similar to what I saw this morning

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Don't say the "SQ" Word

First, for an update. My brother has been in the hospital for 13 days now. He had another stroke while there, and some other medical issues have complicated things for him. We are taking things day by day, hoping to get him strong enough to be transferred to a place for acute rehabilitation. He joked today about the "mystery meat" that was sitting on his lunch plate. He never did figure out what it was. We don't really want to surmise! It was nice to share a chuckle with him.

And so we soldier on.

Meanwhile, back at home, the place is falling apart!! Well, not really, but the dust is piling up and I believe the house spiders have taken on the task of Halloween decorating. Thanks to our friend, Dee, my husband and I had an enjoyable lasagna dinner one night, with a nice apple bread for dessert. That was lovely. And The Godmother (really, she is our kids' godmother) came up for a couple of days to see my brother, keep me company since my HH was away and acted as cheerleader, cook and gabfest inducer! 

So onto lighter things:

While on the phone with Raethan (beautiful newly-wed daughter), she mentioned something that made us giggle. A Halloween costume that, if we dressed up our dogs (which we don't) would most likely cause a riot amongst our dear canine companions. Our dogs go nuts over squirrels. You cannot say the word, or even words that start with "SQ" as it sends them into maniacal  rampaging rage and rushing around the yard barking. So what if we were (which we won't) dress them up like this:

www.target.com/Halloween

Identity crisis? Conflicted feelings? Total embarrassment?  Unknown, but just don't yell "SQUIRREL"!!!!

I am looking forward to a peaceful and meaningful Samhain on Monday. It won't be fancy but it will be special in many ways. A little quality time with the ancestors, the cauldron, many candles. Divine!

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Take care, back very soon!  Robin.