Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween

Rotting red cabbage in the garden looks eerily like a skull! Spooky and it freaked my kids out too :)

Friday, October 28, 2011

If only...

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

'If' by Rudyard Kipling

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Loving me some Autumn

Dreams and Hope


My father passed away several years ago but I pray for his soul often. He had a rough life and although he made my growing up years a living hell at times, he mellowed as he aged and I forgave him for all of those times when he hurt me and others in my family. We had a good relationship at the end.

Last night, I dreamt that I was at a large venue to see, of all people, the Pope.
Dinner was served buffet style and there was a long line so I decided to head back to my table and avoid the throngs of people. As I was walking past the line I met my mother who could hardly contain herself. When I asked what was the matter she exclaimed 'Your father is alive!'

At that moment, the crowd parted and there was my father with white hair in a white suit smiling at me saying 'Yes, I am alive!'. I gave him the biggest hug and felt so much joy to see him.

When I could finally contain myself, I asked him 'Where have you been all of this time?!'

His reply: "I was in Chicago"

Dreams are strange but I do remember at some point that I realized that it was only a dream and that I would have to wake up and he'd be gone again. I remember moaning in my sleep at this moment and eventually waking up.

My father visited me in my dream last night and he appeared to be doing quite well.

and so hope remains

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wordless Wednesday...





Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Test iPhone Post

My cat, Bernadette

Monday, October 24, 2011

10/24/2011 Fall

Backyard garden in early morning sun

Thyme, Sweet Potato, and Raspberry are among the plants here

The Morning Glories have been my hardiest plant this year.
The blooms just keep on coming

The trees in my woods are starting their stunning display of color

It wouldn't be Fall without Pumpkins :)

My Morning Glory 'Dragon' in the back.
Vegetable garden in the front

The Morning Glory Pergola up close