Rainy Day Leaky Roof Blues

Looking for a roofer! One has been out to measure, but not to climb up on the roof. One coming any day now who has good recommendations from two neighbors. One called today to say that he'll come out tomorrow. Even though this old house is 114 years enduring, I think this time I want to go for the standing seam double coated metal roof - life time roof. Over my life time roof; invest for the grand kids - whatever eventuality. I am hoping that I can get a new roof before the winter hangs heavy in the hollow. 

 

I love these morning clouds. But today there has been no blue, just drizzle. Not a good day for the Planned Parenthood outdoor benefit, nevertheless, a necessary outing. I have managed to use the inside weather to work on my schedule of poll workers, almost completed with a bit of luck. I only wish that we had a candidate running against Morgan the Republican. 

 

The Brightness in Day and Soul

Happiness - Here are the faces that spark and kindle my spirit!

Fall and Failure

Today while reading five minutes in the middle of a book sitting in my Prius waiting to see if someone would arrive to join me in qigong, it dawned on me that I associated Fall with failure. Having spent a good part of my life trying to avoid failure (not as successfully as the author of the piece I was reading), I was devastated by my second divorce. The first divorce could be rationalized a failure on the part of the other person; but this second divorce was at least half my fault. And the second divorce also revealed a dangerous aptitude of my part, the ability to fall in love with difficult partners. I had failed to find a suitable mate; I might have done better in an "arranged" match. I lost trust in my judgement. I imagine that someone else might say that it was my karma, or in my natal chart to have such "luck." And I would agree that failure should not present a crushing blow, but rather a lesson (a lesson too complicated for this heart).
But failure and Fall, well, the obvious fall from grace. The failure to maintain the laissez faire of summer. The work preparing for the winter to come which might present a failure to endure or even a fall on ice...the connections are facile. The one I fear is the connection I have to Fall and  to slow burning despair. In preparation for this winter I have changed the wattage in several light fixtures and stocked up on Vitamin D. I have begun writing a long piece of dialogue which is very raw at this point, but has been attracting my attention. I have hung a grow light and have lettuce, arugula and spinach sprouts in the green house. I aim to be occupied.And Mr Lee and I will continue to walk down to the river and stare at the continual fall of water.

Blustery Day

A fine day for walk, brittle leaves papering ground creek and sky in the wind. Monday morning with grand kids who joined my effort to pick up black walnuts in the yard for relocation - even T could throw them successfully into the wheel barrow. If I leave the nuts to accumulate under the large tree by the house, I will inevitably slip one cold morning. And if we should loose power, navigating the wheel barrow to the wood shed is nearly impossible through nut strewn lawn. With any luck, there will be no need for wood stove this winter. Stop such thoughts!
We had a heavy frost already on Sunday morning; gone okra, peppers, squash and marigolds. I regret not harvesting more marigolds, their fragrance reminds me of Mexico and of India (though India by photo, while Oaxaca I visited for Day of the Dead). The cool days have inspired me to clean the garden of dead stalks; I scattered volunteer dill seeds on several of the beds. I want to conquer the wildness on the periphery of the garden next summer! I began well this spring, but the edges got out of hand.I am thinking of making an iris bed on one side - I have the irises that need thinning.
Yippee, today is worthy of celebration: Gay marriage is legal in Virginia! I am hoping to have a marriage at my house soon for friends.

ordered new Yaktrax today

Near end of September, Maple going red on the river side of Red Bud, so I've decided to order a new pair of Yaktrax as my old pair snapped last winter. Alma says that the forecast is for a milder winter than last; but she was alarmed that I would even entertain traveling in January. I am having doubts myself of trying to visit the DR this winter. Coaxing someone to stay in my house in the winter is very difficult, but I aim to work harder on the task. The chickens are relatively easy - unless there is snow that needs to be shoveled to reach their house. Their feeder holds enough feed for 6 to 7 days and the water, ditto - and if there is snow they won't want to go into the yard. However, if very cold, one does need to break up the ice in their water basin. Katrina doesn't mind hanging out in the green house. She and Mojo and Mr Lee do need to be fed daily; and the two dogs need a daily walk. The weather is what can put a kink in the duty. ah! Alma did say that she would be a back up for me; she does not drive in snow though! I am hoping that Diane can stay - and maybe Susan.

a 2 snake day

From the looks of the first snake I caught in the act of swallowing an egg, his or her body stretched across all three laying nests, this was not the first stolen egg. I grabbed it behind the unhinged jaw with egg (squeezing slightly to expel the egg) and managed to pull it out of the nests. Back in the house after several attempts (snake did figure 8's and loop de loops, more contortions that imagined), I was able to get the six foot long strong body into a cotton bag with tie. Mr. Lee accompanied me on a drive down the road to drop the thief, far enough away that I don't think he'll be back soon. However, just a half hour ago, I surprised a smaller black snake in the act of closing its jaw around an Americana pale green egg (I know because I was able to expel this egg also). I suspect these snakes were in cahoots. But I did not drive this snake as far afield. I will have to be more vigilant. 
What was more disturbing today was an incident involving Mr. Lee and I am unsure what other varmint. On the way back from our walk to the river, Mr. Lee exuberantly ran ahead (his usual manner). But shortly after I crossed the last creek crossing, I saw Mr. Lee, tail down and limping. He was so distressed that instead of walking slowly beside me, he implored me to carry him! As soon as I got into the kitchen, I got out the tincture of Ledum and gave him a dose of 30C. He lay on the floor chewing at his front right paw. I looked at it to see if it was swelling badly as I remembered that Mindy had seen a cooper head in the same area of the path. There was some swelling, but I could not find a bite. Nevertheless, because of his restlessness and the heat of his paw, I gave him a dose of Cenchris (copperhead). Soon afterwards he jumped up on his chair and napped. He seems fine now. I can't imagine that it was a copperhead bite - but I am thankful that he has recovered from whatever did attack his paw. 
I had planned to do some other things today - none having to do with snakes...

one month - where have I been?

Celebrating the return of summer this first day of September; August having been the coolest on record. Mr. Lee and I returned from a luscious swim an hour ago, water salubrious. Happily musing on visit by my eldest son and his family. Nothing like a room with two two year olds: Fia savvy and articulate and Tru agile in all but words. They played in the sand and water at the swimming hole cheerfully; but with the doll house inside my house, relations were testy. Tru trying to befriend, Fia wanting no interruption. As Tru's mother pointed out, two year olds don't play together - more parallel play.
The food was extravagant with garden tomatoes at every meal and fresh eggs for breakfast. Steaks with fresh herbs, roasted vegetables one night; another evening kale salad (have to make soon again: kale with currants, toasted walnuts and vinaigrette dressing), jerk chicken and rice. Good wine. Good Good company. I am re-savoring the days and evenings. Memories to take me through the winter while sipping an espresso (exquisite coffee Ez brought from Houston).