October 28th-October 31st, 2013

October 28th, 2013

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MM

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Fallen gold~held tenderly

October 29th, 2013
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Tufted Titmice circle the young tree
branches dip and dance as they land and depart
small heads wearing a pointed cap tilted ~bright black eyes shining
they chatter and squabble~plucking the ripe Hawthorne berries
will there be any left  for the Waxwings?

October 30th, 2013
~
Shyly hiding ~veiled by leaves
blushing bashfully~ their hearts crack open 
revealing tart jeweled treasure~inviting all to feast
we rejoice with the birds at the generosity of their gift

***

October 31st, 2013
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Insomnia
~
SLEEP!! Where are you??
Why are we playing hide and go seek?
Tossing and turning for hours now
blankets in lumps~pillows pummeled
bed clothes twisted into knots
I have looked for you everywhere
I don't like this game~please show yourself
I am so weary~have mercy and come to me
Oh, there you are~embracing you I start drifting
sinking deep~under your spell at last

October 21st-27th, 2013

October 21st, 2013

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MM

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Silvery light

buzzards soar

October 22nd, 2013
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Chilly morning walk ~wild wine wrapped tree wears coat of generous
warming colors~ as if trying to keep the cold at bay
blue clear water is frigid~dogs barely dip~ today paws only
then out again~ racing along wildly~ trying to stay warm
we return back home with cold fingers but warm happy hearts

October 23rd, 2013
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Morning moon's reflection
shivers on cold water
ripples spill across the creek

October 24th, 2013
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Reaching  into a cloudless sky
flickering bonfire flames 
licking and tasting the cool blue

***

October 25th, 2013
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My day in a trio of Elje
~
Bandaged
walking funny
moving much slower
but not standing still
Mummy
~
Colors
swirling madly
distorting the view
have to act quickly
Migraine
~
Noisy
no rest
tossed and turned
now headed back home
Relief

October 26th, 2013
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SWS Trio
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Oh bliss
sinking into
my bed
~
Waking rested
savoring cool
autumn morning
~
Golden light
illuminates brilliantly
colored leaves

October 27th, 2013
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October trip through the valley
plowed fields, changing leaves
harvested nut trees look defeated
their crop knocked down by noisy machines
in the distance huge plumes of smoke are rising
staining the pale blue autumn sky with a glaze of amber
rice fields are burning ~as are our eyes and throat
still the harvest goes on~we had hoped it was done
the paddies flooded by now~dabbled with squabbling fowl
newly arrived migrants from the north to please the eye
but all we see is the occasional Great White Egret
thoughtfully poking through newly harvested fields 
he too wants the water to return and with it tasty bites

October 14th-20th, 2013

October 14th, 2013

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MM

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Gilded ink drawing

exquisite farewell

October 15th, 2013
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Last wild wine leaves glow in the clearing
dappled sunlight kisses their colored cheeks
but they are not alone~something is moving
a touch of white~a slight  rhythmic movement 
who watches and waits~ready to pounce?

October 16th, 2013

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Technology~such an amazing thing really

especially for those of us of older vintage

as I scrolled through my offerings on FB 

last night I found a link~followed it's trail

lovers of all things owl that I am 

and there it was~live cam~ moving cars

headlights bright~light winds ruffling the tree tops

and then a nest~a bit hard to see in the dark

but empty~then suddenly there she was

Great Horned Owl in all of her glory

first just the back looking like a cat with those large ears

then the side until in quick turn of her head

her large golden eyes looked into mine

unblinking just staring as if she could sense me looking

at her,~peering into her nightlife ~perched on that nest

I was mesmerized~ stayed up late to keep the watch

and in a moment of brilliance remembered a program

that would allow me to capture that amazing moment

for all time~snipping tool captured my screen shot

when once more she gazed my way~golden eyes glowing

now she's mine for all time~saved in My Pictures

the wonders of technology~while seemingly cold and uncaring

at times, what amazing things we can accomplish baffles my mind

this morning the nest is empty, no doubt she sleeps in trees nearby

waiting for darkness to descend once again

returning to her perch~surveying her domain~and those who watch

***
October 17th, 2013
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Last night ~as we made our way home
Luna spilled her silver light across the hills
pastures glowed beneath her gentle gaze
like a sea of silver~ rolling on and on 
broken only by occasional stands of  giant valley oak
~
Here and there newly deposited cubes of hay laid
awaiting the return of cattle from the summer range
back to the valley floor for winter ~they'll come
not driven by cowherds on foot or even cowboys
but loud, rattling cattle trucks filled with uneasy cargo
~
How different I remember the driving down of the cattle
from the Alm~proud cowherds parading down the street
cows with large bells~some with flowered wreaths leisurely ambling along
bells clanging~their return a cause for celebration and good cheer
how much kinder and festive it all seemed~I guess I am romantic at heart

October 18th, 2013
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Once again the trees along our small creek
cast their reflections on still clear water
a few hours of rain weeks ago replenished the flow
transforming a gray landscape of stagnant puddles
filled with struggling fish and froglets trying to survive
into a liquid life sustaining place for them to thrive and grow 
we walk along the banks ~ mindful of Mother Nature's generosity

Hunter's Moon
~
Golden
she ascents
her shimmering reflection
trembles on rippled water
Moon

 #2
~
Slowly
dipping into
the shimmering pool
slipping beneath the water
Moon

October 19th, 2013
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SWS
~
Gorgeous riot of color~celebration time
~~~
As I look out into the garden~bathed in honeyed autumn light
trees and shrubs aflame in riotous colors
so deep and rich~I could weep at the glorious sight
dying foliage glows everywhere~how can we fear aging
how can we see this as the season of death and dying
when nature tells us~yes change is near~but it's not the end
no longer will I look into the mirror~ grumbling ~noting the changes
which show that my seasons too are turning~because despite it all 
I live~still growing and glowing~still learning~expanding my small world
So celebrate~drape yourself in color~savor each and every day
because even as winter is approaching ~with shorter days ahead
is it not the season of rest and renewal with rebirth coming once again?
Soak up the joy and color of the season~CELEBRATE!!

October 20th, 2013
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Divided and replanted
Cupid's Arrow blooms again
bright note of thanks

October 7th-13th, 2013

October 7th, 2013

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MM

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Peace illuminates from within

October 8th, 2013

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River's silvery song in harmony

with papery cottonwood leaves

rustling in the breeze

birds add their jubilant voices

nature's concert~sublime
***
October 9th, 2013
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My inner Universe~mostly a quiet restful place
yet now and then  a cosmic storm blows through
swirling ~unsettling~leaving me restless~on edge
I close my eyes~imagining a star shining bright
at the edge of the external universe we all share
bringing it back to me~basking in the calming light
restoring order~realigning my inner planets
allowing me once again to view my world
with hope and peace despite the turmoil 
of the times we live in each and every day
knowing I must maintain peace within 
thus allowing the beauty of our world to find it's 
way to my inner space~bringing with it joy

October 10th, 2013
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Black and Blue Salvia
~
Opening in the warm October sun
they reach out craning their necks
blossoms open like brilliant blue flamingo
yet from another angle how different they appear
heads modestly nodding ~sporting delicate beaks
their bodies made of feather like translucent petals
one almost expects them to become animated
take flight ~soaring high into the blue sky above
yet here they stay~ earthbound~delighting our eyes

***

October 11th, 2013
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Had Rapunzel been a Scottish Lass
letting down her thick red hair
what would her name have been?
Fanciful thoughts I know about a vine
but for some reason when the sun
illuminated those thick strands
spilling down~this came to mind
it was written once in my report card
Evi has a most vivid imagination!!!
Well what do you expect from a child
raised on wondrous fairy tales but strange
flights of fancy over the most ordinary things

October 12th, 2013
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SWS
~
Changing leaves
glowing brightly
Baroque tapestry

October 13th, 2013
~
Way up there~glowing in the autumn sun
Eucalyptus opens first flowers
trees from down under flaunt
upside down sea anemones
coral cups unfurl delicate tentacles
reaching out in a bright blue sea of sky
filled with thick sweet nectar
ready to slake hummingbird's hunger
so welcome in this cooler season
when the rest of nature goes to sleep

October 1st-6th, 2013

October 1st, 2013

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Tousled heads

next year's promise

ready to launch

***
October 2nd, 2013
~
Quiet day~ home alone~peaceful
golden October rays
spill like honey across the yard

October 3rd, 2013
~
The horror of it all~how could you?
And now to shame me in this way
I shall not look you in the eye
for if I don't they will not see me~will they?
When you least expect it~I shall dive
deep into the dark sacred dog space
under the table and tear this monster off!!
***
October 4th, 2013
~
Gossamer webs~caught in the branches of the Hawthorne
baby spiders taking to the air ~testing their skills
berries slowly turning from bright orange to deepest red
Old Crone's summer is upon us bringing warm days and cool nights
silvered threads everywhere~glittering in the warm sun
we savor each day of this golden fruitful season
soaking up the blessed heat taking it into our hearts and soul
storing it carefully~ mindful of the beauty of the season
soon winter will come with howling storms and driving rain
but not yet~the weeks ahead will nourish us~prepare us
and see us through the dark season of rest and renewal

October 5th, 2013
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SWS
~
Sensing change
first ferns
unfurl bravely

***
October 6th, 2013
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We rarely make our way to town at night
but last night we decided to head out for a bite
What a different place our valley is at twilight
lovely shades of mauve, lavender and gilded apricot
gently smudged as if a celestial finger blended it just so
muted colors settling on the mountain ranges at that time of day
the endless cattle ranges along the way take on a new look
bright tawny pastures gentled by the failing light 
inky outlines of trees~ etched against the evening sky
as is  Great Horned Owl~sitting on a line~ peering down
ready for the night's hunt~such a thrill to see her there
even the power lines ~stretching as far as the eye can see
take on a more artistic look~black pieces of sculpture
dot the landscape~arranged as if by giant's hands
~
We have our evening meal at our favorite Mexican place
the interior brightly lit ~filled with cheerful patrons enjoying their night 
laughter and voices echo through the space~along with clattering dishes
tempting smells drift past ~ we make our choice and place our order
Camarones ~lovely shrimp dishes~one spicy~one creamy~both delicious
Sated we head home~ once again crossing the open prairie
now looking different yet~our headlights carving a wide river of light
the truck leaning into the curves~carrying us homeward
we navigate along fences~highlighted briefly as we pass
and above the endless deep velvet sky~awash in stars 
the Milky Way a wide meandering river of light spills across
back home again we wander for a bit~still looking up
then headed in~chilled by the autumn air~ready to curl up
Sinking into bed~book in hand~ reading myself to sleep