Yarntlers and the Gifts of Yesterday...

Yesterday afternoon was just lovely and so I went for a stroll in the woods. (Thank you, Mother Nature)

It's a little known fact that these woods have been inhabited for hundreds of years by the shy and humble Yarntelope. Being timid and wary, Yarntelopes are never sighted, but if one is truly lucky, and in the right place and at the right time, one may find lying amongst the forest undergrowth, a yarntler. Yarntelopes, like deer, shed their yarntlers once a year. We have lived here for 33 years and each time I have walked in our woods, I have searched for a yarntler. I did some research on Yarntelopes and yarntlers through our county's Historical Society and the last known find of a yarntler was January of  1906. You can well imagine my excitement and joy at finding this yarntler underneath the canopy of our forest.                    

  (The antler we have had for years. The yarn was attacked and mauled by my brother's cat when I was visiting him in Hawaii.

I have yet to decide if I can untangle and reclaim this lovely yarn.

Gordian Knot?

The tale of the Yarntelopes feeds my inner "brain gerbils" who 

constantly tell me to be silly.) 
So, let us be serious and enjoy the true beauty that Mother Nature
gave to me.

     Look at that beautiful sky.
It came out, finally, about 2:48 p.m.
Is this proof that my Temper Tantrum Text
to Mother Nature worked?
Who knows, but I am eternally grateful for one
afternoon of blue skies and shadows.
Check out what comes next.
While making the bed (points for me)
I spied this handsome boulder outside the bedroom window.
He obviously has a bespoke tailor.
Just look at that handsome coat
and can you see that fantastic boutonniere in his lapel?

      What magic.
(I think that I will hold onto to my fantasy
of Yarntelopes. I do find them to be
 cozy and lovable creatures..
and who other than
a small herd of Yartelopes
would have erased 3/4 of my original post?
They may be shy, quiet and unassuming,
but I know in my heart
that they have a good sense of humor.)
best to all, e.      

Letter to Mother Nature....

I know, this is not New England, but it is beautiful to me.

Dear Madam,
It has come to my attention that you have been somewhere else and have not been attending to my wishes.
I hope that you realize that I normally bless you, hold you in high regard, and revere your wisdom.
I do, however, have a bone to pick.
You are raining on my parade. Where, in Heaven's name is your lovely sunshine, your glory of this season?
Do you not know that I have not complained once about the gnats that flew around my computer all summer? Or the flies (vilest of the vile) who now inhabit my kitchen every damned day?
Do you not understand that you are erasing my most beloved season? Color, color is what I want. The beauty that you can and do create every Autumn. Oh, how I love you. Please quit the raining.
Please let us have some sunshine. I don't mind the cold, the brisk wind and the fact that the wood stove is now going. I just want some sunshine.
If you have lost your Crayola Custom Pack of 64 Colors, your Glow Explosion Pop and Glow, or your No-Drip Gel Paints, or your Zest For Everything Paints, please let me know. I will be more than happy to jump onto the Internet and get you more supplies.
I love you, however, I remain the recalcitrant, obstreperous old lady who is channeling her 2yr. old self.
Sometimes it is fun to have a hissy fit.
Sometimes I just refuse to get with my best side, my inner goodness, my "go gently and accept person".
I remain (for one day) a naughty and unrepentant person. I reserve the right to stamp my two year old feet for a twinkling of an eye.

Love, e.

and p.s. where are the blooming acorns this year? really, this is just too much!

and p.p.s. don't  you already know that it rains

for months and months and months here?
and yes, please know that this is done with the full knowledge
that some people, some countries do not have enough water, rain,
or the goodness of food, comfort and blessings. It is all done
in fun, and with the hope that it is received in fun....
I fully know how blessed I am.
best, e.

Back Home

I have been back home for a few days,

catching up and feeling so thankful

that I could make the trip,

and that I am here safe and sound.

I took very few pictures with my camera,

but I've stored away lots of good

memories and times with loved ones

so far away.

Above and the ones to follow,

are taken not far from where my brother lives.

Beautiful banyan trees...
how I loved climbing them as a small girl..

...sweetest Episcopal church with its

red doors, built in 1884..

      ...and beautiful sparkly sun
shining through the forest.        

best to all, e.

Leaving Home to Go Home...

...to the Big Island in Hawaii.

Going up tomorrow

to Portland. 
Flying out early on 9/11.
Yikes.

My husband will drop me off

at a hotel/motel near the airport.

I will see my beloved brother,

nieces, grand nieces and nephews.

Do I want to leave this beloved place?

No.

Do I want to see that other beloved place?

Yes.

Will I cry when I see the greeness,

the water, the glory of the mountains, 
the rain forests,
the waterfalls, the ginger and

the old familiar?

Yes. 
Am I conflicted?
Yes.
Is it important?
Yes.
Is it the home of my little girl heart,
my almost big girl heart,
when I left to go to college at eighteen?
Yes.
Is everything the same?
No.
Will it be special?
Yes.
Is it the home of my grandparents and
father and mother?
Yes.
Does my brother have 
a washing machine?
No.
Do I have enough clean underwear?
???
Will I forget to take something?
Yes.
Have I found my camera bag?
No.
Do I have my camera?
Yes.
Will I miss my computer and lovely readers?
Yes.
Do I have a laptop?
No.
Will I  be excited to get back to see
what all of you are doing?
Yes.
Will I love the beauty that I see, 
and miss the beauty that is here?
Yes.
Do I send all of you love?
Yes!

best to all, e/.

A Birthday

Today is my father's birthday.

 He was a good and loving man.

I was 30 when he died.

I missed him fiercely for years.

Daddy taught me many things...

look people in the eye,

have a firm grip when you shake hands,

love your family and friends,

and show them with actions

and words...everyday.

I cannot recall a day in my life

when I didn't hear Daddy say

to us all,

"I love you."
He certainly wasn't perfect.
Neither am I.
I like to think that I have all of the good
that was in him,
and recognize some of the not so good.
He is in my veins, 
he flows through me everyday,
not in a conscious way, 
but I know he is here in me
and in my children.
I treasure his sense of humor,
his delight in the small things,
and the child like wonder of this world
he never lost.
Thank you, Daddy, for all you
gave to us.
best to all, e.

Otherwise...Another Poem...

This photo may not have much to do

with this poem,

except that is exemplifies

the exuberant colors of living,

and the starker images of loss.

I hold these words dear

because they help to remind me

that everyday I have something,

many things,

to be grateful for.

Otherwise

I got out of bed

on two strong legs.

It might have been

otherwise. I ate

cereal, sweet

milk, ripe flawless

peach. It might

have been otherwise.

I took the dog uphill

to the birch wood.

All morning I did

the work I love.

At noon I lay down

with my mate. It might

have been otherwise.

We ate dinner together

at a table with silver

candlesticks. It might

have been otherwise.

I slept in a bed

in a room with paintings

on the walls, and

planned another day

just like this day.

But one day, I know,

it will be otherwise.

The incredible Jane Kenyon again.
It is for me, everyone who visits,
and  a dear new friend who knows
about Otherwise.
 best to all, e. 

Which Door Should I Choose?

I have a day all to myself.

Can you hear my squeal of joy?

Freedom comes with making hard choices.

Which door should I choose?

Door #1

Doesn't every well-appointed home

have an artful display of riding helmets

and gloves perched on an unfinished window seat?

And one which is framed by dirty glass?

How about Door #2?

The infamous laundry room.

Perhaps. It's doable, but I could just close the door.

Then there is Door #3, my sanctum,

which is far from peaceful.

One must accept the fact

that when one cleans and purges,

one creates a Hell of a mess in the process.

Nah. Why not put off today

what I can do tomorrow?

Door #4, however, looks promising

and easily done while alone.

Definitely. A Done Deal.

It's Door #4.

I can spice it up

with a little bit of this...

Sometimes you just have to get tough

and bite the bullet.

best to all, ellen