Under October's spell



"There is a path that leads to nowhere...

there is a path that leads everywhere...

I follow the path...

and the path follows me..."

Hello dear friends, it's been a while since I last wrote. I am so behind in catching up with everything!  I note that I am becoming more and more impulsive and very prone to let my thoughts meander. Dust bunnies are taking possession and multiplying in many corners of our house and yet here I am, totally lost in my own world!

The days are absolutely too fantastic. It would be a shame to waste them only to perform such banal tasks. The way I see it, no matter what, the dust will wait until I am ready. Don't you agree?

Our beloved country place will be closed in exactly two weeks. I have chosen the paint colors for the walls and have decided on the type of floors (it will seem very long till April gets here!) In the meantime, I have added a lamp I found at a local thrift shop and embellished with a beaded fringe for that romantic gipsy look I love so much.

From the moment we found the place I envisioned "the" lamp for the dining area. After a non-fruitful long search on the internet I found it by pure chance in a delightful shop located in Montclair. It was their last one and it was on sale!



 Meals really do taste so much better under the many colored "gems" that sparkle lending a touch of magic and romance...



Busy decorating with lamps and dealing with poor Abby's ear infection (don't have a clue as to how and where she got it!) but now that she is much better (don't let the puppy eyes fool you :0)





I have been able to find time to play. The lonely country roads covered with golden, crunchy leaves are full of treasures waiting to be discovered... I put on my best hat and set out to find them...



There is something about wearing a hat with a veil, I am suddenly a woman of mystery, in tune with everything around...



Wrapped within a cozy shawl... the witch inside me wakes up slowly...



I play with the fire and wish for good things...

Halloween has come early to the Purple Caravan, I dance and play with the Moon...

After the day breaks, the "witch" inside me goes to sleep, and for now it's just good old me, Abby, and this amazing sunshine...

 May all your leaves be golden and may all your dreams come true ...

Diamond Days



I had a very difficult week. I won't go into details but I will say this: coaxing a cold, wet puppy to go and do "her business" while holding on to an umbrella that seemed to have a life of it's own, while pushing away a poncho that kept slapping my face, was not easy. To make matters worse, once Abby realized there was mud to play with, my struggles took Herculian proportions!

But then, on Friday, after a rainy start, my favorite month arrived in full glory. I ventured out to check the damage made by the storms and was thrilled to find these survivors buried under broken branches and dead leaves:

The incredible light that seemed to come from within each and every branch made it's way into my spirit...

And so I spent Saturday morning re-arranging this...



and that...



and this too...

At the end of every season, I can't help but think on how the wheels of time keep turning and how important it is to live each day to the fullest.

I roamed about the house and felt the power of the sunlight filtering through...



In between changing and arranging I paused for a while and said good-bye to the pretty Summer blooms...



I also said good-bye to this little fairy that sleeps on the foot of my bed from Spring to Summer...

It got a little crazy as boxes were moved about and little witches started to appear...



There was a lot to be done but golden trees were calling...and so was Abby...

My dear friends, I wish you Diamond Days, full of magic sparkles, crunchy leaves, cool, brisk air and above all, a peaceful heart. Happy October! XO

Thoughts on a rainy afternoon

(Image Source: Bing)

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting--

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things...

(Poem by Mary Oliver)

Subtle changes


After so many days lived without the ruling of the clock, days when the wish to go for a walk would arise and be followed, days when there was time to sit and enjoy the magical transition between light and darkness...

(Image Source: Bing)

 days when wearing “any old thing” was enough...

(Image Source: Bing)

days full of silence, deep thoughts and light laughter...

(Image Source: Magnolia Pearl)

After such holiday, I find it quite hard to get back to normal. I’ve been wandering about the house and everything feels heavy and complicated.

Having Abby in our lives has brought along many changes. The kitchen has been transformed from a quiet, orderly place into a mayhem of toys, a frenzy of activities and a constant source of wonder. As a new dog owner I am riding an emotional roller coaster. One minute I am stern, trying to teach her what is and what’s not okay to do, the next I am laughing, melting away with love and glee.

We spent the weekend at the Purple Caravan. In spite of the warm weather there was a subtle change in the sunlight.

The time to close down for the winter is approaching fast and I hold on to the last vestiges of this Summer which has been so special for me.

I watch Abby as she stands by the door waiting for "Daddy" (she loves him to pieces :0) and feel her wonderful energy touch and transform everything. I think of life in general, and I see "Joy" come in to silently hang her shawl on our coat rack... 



And they call it puppy love...



"You made me love you... I didn't want to do it... I didn't want to do it..."

My dear, dear friends, before I thank you all for your lovely comments, before I even put down my bags, before I catch my breath and visit each and everyone of you, let me introduce you to ABBY!

It's Sunday night, we've just returned from the Purple Caravan with something more special than just great memories. We have brought back this good, sweet friend. Abby is 9 weeks old, she is a Jack Russell Terrier and I have to say, I absolutely love her! This love is totally new since I never had a dog before, in fact, up till now, I had considered myself a "cat woman" and while my love for felines has not died, I must admit, this puppy love has totally swept me off my feet.  My world has been turned upside down, caring for and training this sweet (but willful) little girl has taken me through so many wonderful and fun venues I have not had a chance to get a grip. These past two weeks are a blur. A mixture of feedings, walks, laughter, kisses, baths (Abby loves to dig :0) long naps, and this new sense of joy that makes my heart sing everytime I look at those sweet brown eyes...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Summer. I will be sure to visit you and catch up on what I've missed but now I must go and join Abby. All this excitement has left us very tired. Good night, it's great to be back! 



Embers

(Image Source: Pixdaus)

"Poor summer, it doesn't know it's dying.

A few days are all it has. Still, the lake

is with me, its strokes of blue-violet

and the fiery sun replacing loneliness.

I feel like an animal that has found a place.

This is my burrow, my nest, my attempt

to say, I exist..."

(Embers by Henri Cole)

Yes, Summer is coming to an end. Long, carefree days will soon be replaced by shorter, busier ones. I scurry about like a squirrel, I don't want to miss a thing! There has been no need for an alarm clock, a rooster from a neighboring farm made sure I'd rise and shine quite early...and it's  crowing made me happy. 

These past few days have been full of new adventures. I learnt to build and start a fire, got used to not having a computer or a dishwasher...and these newness made me happy.   

I have met new friends, learned how does Poison Ivy look like, visited an old fashioned ice cream parlor with a selection so large, they actually have a menu, and just yesterday, I realized I no longer scream or jump when I see a Daddy Longleg spider...and this new found courage made me happy.

I hope you too enjoyed a special Summer full of magic and new lessons. May the memories last, and may the sun's dying embers keep you warm on the coming cool nights.

Tomorrow I shall go back to the Purple Caravan for a few more days, till my return, thank you SO MUCH for your lovely comments, I wish you all a beautiful weekend.  

Hugs!