The Third Act

Happy Halloween!

I can't tell you how good it feels to have the weather turn cool for Halloween.  Yesterday was still in the 80's.  Today, at nearly noon, it's not even 50!  The rain fell lightly during the night, following the wind that blew in the cold front.  I even made a fire in the wood stove this morning.

Halloween is one of my favorite celebrations.  Over the years the focus has changed for me, turning a little more inward, initiating the introspective time.  This year, I wasn't really into my usual decorating.  I can't tell you why.  At some level there are stressors bubbling that have to do with, well, a lot of life stuff.  Things are changing and I'm working to change with them.  So, yes, maybe there are a few less pumpkin lights up (in fact, there are no pumpkin lights, although the white fairy lights stay up all year), but some of the old standbys did come out.  Three ceramic light pieces, depicting ghosts and witches and goblins light up my entry table.  The encaustic dipped fall leaves adorn the book shelves (and will be up until Thanksgiving).  Good old Skeley and Jadwiga the witch sit out on my porch.  

I probably won't even be taking many photos because I have a lot of negatives I still want to work on.  But here are a couple Instax pics, as well as groupings of all the Halloween pictures I've taken over the years that are on my Flickr.

Happy Halloween, all...stay safe and comfy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday morning thoughts...

It's a "wrestling the parts within" sort of morning.  Even Baba Yaga's guidance is having a hard time coming through.  The full moon has passed and it's time to look towards what's coming next (while remaining in the present, of course.  uh huh...of course...no, it's not easy).  I'm still letting go...opening hands and all that.

I think about tenderness.  How hard it is to be tender to myself.  That judging part is very strong, but what's behind that?  I need to show tenderness to that part as well instead of wanting to set up for battle.

And the world?  The state of the world?  The pain and suffering...the wounding and wounded.  What do I have to feel threatened by?

It's hard to balance everything, no?  The inner struggles, the practicalities and necessities of life, the concern for global injustices and those who are far less fortunate than myself.

So here we are at All Hallow's Eve eve.  It's my sister's birthday and I'll get in touch.  There's a roll of film in the tank to process.  Firewood needs to be brought inside.  At least I got the bills paid and out waiting for the mail carrier.  Deep breath.  We can do this, right?

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday

It was warm again today.  Tomorrow should be a bit cooler.  Tuesday, Halloween, it should be drastically cooler.  I think I'll be bringing in some firewood.  Thankfully we've had dry days to help start to season the new cord.  Still, I'll be mixing it with my precious little bit of seasoned wood until that's all gone.

The colors in the trees just keep ramping up.  On our walk today there were lots of leaves coming down in drifts.  It felt slightly weird because it was about 80F.  But it made me happy nonetheless.

 

 

 

 

ocean side pinholes

Last weekend in Delaware.  It always feels good to use the Zero, and especially next to the ocean.

 

 

 

 

 

home

October light.  The dining table is finally cleared...vintage items stored away.  I'll be gradually pulling pieces out to photograph and list on Etsy.  At least now I have a clear stage for said photography!

(those are turkey tail mushrooms in the bowl, btw...it was missing a lid so I'm keeping that piece)

 

 

 

A crone's life

I had an idea for a quarterly zine-ish kinda publication.  "Witchy Living" is what I came up with...after remembering the subscription I had to "Country Living" eons ago.  When I thought about it further, "Crone's Life" seemed a better fit for my intentions.  Of course, it's not just about my life but those of all my marvelous peers.  It's such an interesting, exciting, exasperating, creative phase (it's worthy of far more adjectives, but I'll leave it there).  The women I know experiencing this part of their lives all seem to be coming more and more into themselves.  It can be a challenge, but also so satisfying.

Hanging out with my crone friends this weekend was inspiring.  I've brought home thoughts and ideas...perhaps even a renewed vigor to move forward.  I don't deny I can be slow, especially when it comes to processing emotions and attachments.  Remembering the Crone, the she that is in me, helps to keep me engaged...to tap into my creative energy.

I'll be processing film over the next few days, looking forward to the monochrome film images.  In addition, there's a long list of other work to get on with.  For now, however, here are a few images from my trip.  The sand shapes and textures at Indian River Inlet in Delaware, and the colors at Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna, Virginia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did ya miss me?

I'm back home after a short road trip to see a couple friends.  There are a few rolls of film to process, plus a handful of these Instax mini pics to scan.  Looks like I'll get in a few days of Polaroid Week on Flickr (it started Sunday).

My visits were great.  In addition to being with friends I finally got next to the Atlantic ocean again (and told myself and need to do that more often).  I also saw a new garden up in northern Virginia.  The fall colors everywhere definitely feed my spirit.

Decompressing now with a bit of cleaning and some laundry.  I brought back lots to think about which will start to fill a new notebook.  

 

 

 

down by the river

It was a spectacular afternoon for a walk by the James.  I have to say, it's quite special to live so close this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

what to say?

I've got so much going on in my brain now.  I think after I post this I'll crack open one of the new, small notebooks I purchased.  Need to get things out of my head and on paper!

Yes, there's still film to process from Wyoming.  Yes, there are numerous auction items sitting on my dining room table (waiting to be wrapped and stored...maybe even photographed).  Yes, there's the garden to keep tending to, autumnal style.  The list goes on.  It can be...unsettling for my nervous system.

So, I go a step at a time.  Checks have been written and put in the mailbox for bill paying (I do still do that with some things).  There is a pot of cut up pears on the stove (pears that got a bit overripe and are being turned into sauce...good with plain yogurt).  Aforementioned notebook shall then be put to use and some kind of plan of action shall commence.

In the mean time, here are a few more photos from Williamsburg yesterday...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Williamsburg

Had a lovely, autumnal afternoon wandering around Colonial Williamsburg with a friend.  Here are a few photos of the trees...