The Last Day of September

I can't believe it's the last day of September....seems like only yesterday that I was saying goodbye to August. Now, here comes October- and the final three months of the year...

I took my husband to work again this morning- cutting through the back roads in the last hour of darkness...I couldn't help but notice houses along the way...their kitchen lights glowing yellow...I imagined my Grandma Carr's kitchen- the smell of cinnamon cake donuts and fresh coffee ...the cool linoleum floor beneath slippered feet...a clean tablecloth, cold milk, and the belly of her chef-shaped clock ticking away the minutes of life...

I watched as the sun came up. The fields here are dusty gold...scattered with stalks of unclaimed corn..dotted with remnants of soybeans and sunflowers. And the treeline is just beginning to show signs of orange, red, and deep violet leaves. Today a cool breeze blows...rippling the pond in circles with its invisible hands- tossing the cattails into a dance beneath the sky. The sky....such an indescribable blue....

I love my life. I love this day. I love the blessings that I have been given.

********

My son Jake and his bride Cindy were married September 10th. I just wanted to share a link to their photographer's website...great photos of the two of them...
Made me cry....

http://untamedheartphotography.com/blog/?p=1476

And, hey- thanks for stopping by today.

Today is Hermit Day

When I was a little girl, often a traveling stranger would pass though our neighborhood. A stowaway from the local railway cars, or just a drifter looking for work, we all knew to lock ourselves inside the house until he drifted through.

Mom called them "bums", and I suppose that sounds cruel, but we knew no other name for these poor, dirty, (and probably hungry) men that had no home. And although we were afraid of them, we also felt sorry for them.

Today I wonder if they were simply hermits- choosing to live a solitary life of peace and simplicity. Perhaps they refused to accept the ways of society in order to focus on nature, religion, or their true identity. Their responsibilities were only to themselves- and consisted of two basic things- shelter and food.

How many of us nowadays wish we could pare down our possessions and needs into a more comfortable and less stressful lifestyle? Wouldn't it benefit our health as well as our purse to do away with credit cards, car loans, mortgage payments and frivolous spending?

That proves to be a difficult task in today's society. Our environment was built for constant communication with others- through cell phones, email, social networking, television, co-workers, education and sports. Not one of us could walk away from all of that today and really expect to survive.

One reason is- that we are spoiled. We depend on the electric company, the water company, the grocery store, our internet and cell phone provider, our boss, our vehicles, our bank accounts and our retail outlets.
What if those were to suddenly disappear? Would you have enough food, an alternate heat source, fresh water and a way to communicate? Would you know where to go, what to do, how to live?

Besides the obvious reasons to become more self-sufficient, there can be a bonus to becoming a "hermit". The days would be open and full of peace. The songs of birds, the rustle of wildlife, the feel of the sunlight, the color of the sunset...There would be less stress, more time, and a better appreciation for all that we have.

Thoreau is an example of a man who attempted to become a "hermit" from society. And his words are to be studied by those of us who rely too much on "things".

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. 
I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. 
I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms..." 

I'm not suggesting that we all run to the woods and live off nature. What I am trying to say is that we should all learn to "unplug" once in awhile. That we should weigh our choices and get a grasp of our finances. That we should take the time to study an alternate lifestyle in case our society was suddenly uprooted. That we should turn off the cell and the TV and the obligations to others- and learn to be a hermit- if just for one day....


"Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin current slides away, but eternity remains. I would drink deeper; fish in the sky, whose bottom is pebbly with stars."  ~ Thoreau

Blogging Game: 7x7 Link

Delores from the featherednest has graciously selected my blog as one of seven to participate in the 7x7 Links. Thanks, Delores! 

I hope it's not to late to be a part of the fun! It's a great way to highlight certain posts that may otherwise be buried somewhere in the bloggy graveyard and forgotten forever. Although this blog is rather young- I am pulling up some stuff from my older blogs. 

Sound fair?

Well, here's how it works: I must link my readers to seven of my posts that meet the following criteria: (Just click on the link to read the featured post)

Most Beautiful:

The Smilebox post with Before and After pictures of our cabin.

http://frazierfauxpaus.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-i-spent-my-summer-vacation.html

Most Popular:

The post about having a mammogram and being thankful for every day
http://raefrazier.blogspot.com/2010/12/last-ordinary-day.html

Most Controversial:

About learning to forgive even when it's hard.

http://rae-tenin2010.blogspot.com/2010/03/forgiveness-is-gift-you-give-yourself.html

Most Helpful :
The facts about holiday hangovers.
http://frazierfauxpaus.blogspot.com/2008/12/hangover-101.html

Surprisingly Successful:

How I decorated my yard flamingos for parties. 

http://raefrazier.blogspot.com/2011/04/f-fun-with-flamingos.html

Most Underrated:

Letter from a prospective Thanksgiving turkey to the "warden".

http://frazierfauxpaus.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-turkey-warden.html

Most Pride Worthy :

This was one of my personal favorites that reminded me of my childhood.

 http://frazierfauxpaus.blogspot.com/2010/08/encouraging-imagination.html

And then I must tag 7 other lucky bloggers to join the process!

I'm passing the torch to these seven bloggers: 

(who may or may not even know me)...but, hey-Go for it!

http://10minutes2breathe.blogspot.com/
http://bagladythoughts.blogspot.com/
http://seasonsadventures.blogspot.com/
http://reflectionsonamiddle-agedfatwoman.blogspot.com/
http://southofinsanity.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/here/
http://www.bethszimmerman.com/
http://boxowhine.blogspot.com/

My Weekend

Spent the weekend at the cabin...

"Braveheart" flowers everywhere...

Persimmons ripening in the morning sun...

A great place to meditate...

Leaves falling in the breeze...

I made a romantic anniversary dinner...wine... candlelight....

Autumn is coming...

Morning Rant

I am not a "shopper" anymore.
Sometime in the past few years I have lost the urge to plunder the local mall and to spend hours touching everything in Target.  I used to enjoy drawing out an entire afternoon into retail therapy. But now my shopping motto has dwindled down to, "Get it- and get the hell out!"

However, this morning I found myself in WalMart at 5:45. I had to drop my husband off at work, so I got an early start on my self-induced grocery torture.

It's really not so bad at that early hour. There are no groups of gabbers blocking the aisles, no rude cashiers having a bad day (yet), and no one else to grab the clearance items that are marked down to amazing dollar store prices.

Plus, at that hour, who's really going to see me? I doubt I'll bump into anyone I know. So fashion can be traded for comfort- (which is my other motto).

Anyway- so there I was- actually enjoying the bit of elbow room. I mean, I could have done jumping jacks without hitting some snotty nose brat, or performed cartwheels down aisle thirteen and not even hit a customer service rep.

It was that good.

I wandered across the store and looked longingly at the autumn displays- the burst of orange leaves and wreaths- fat pumpkins- and caramel apples sprinkled with colorful confetti . There were sweet little containers shaped like candy corn, miniature scarecrows bidding a "happy fall", and all sorts of home goods that reeked of a total home makeover...
But, all of a sudden- BAM!!
Right smack dab in front of me were- can you believe it? Christmas trees!!
Listen, people- the wicked witch hasn't flown over the harvest moon yet- or the Butterball been basted to finger-licking perfection! Why is Santa getting top billing?

I almost expected to hear holiday carols being played over the PA system. but apparently someone at WalMart realizes IT IS JUST SEPTEMBER!!! Please, give us a break!

And while I am venting my unsolicited opinions so eloquently, I must add another pet peeve of mine that I experienced on the entire drive home.

First of all, let me say this- the fog this morning was as thick as pea soup with ham hocks- and no one in their right mind would even venture out of their comfy little homes until the crazy stuff dissipated. (Except me, of course).

And, do you know what? There were people driving WITHOUT THEIR HEADLIGHTS!
Oh, yes, I think it's absolutely magnificent that you can see through the fog- BUT I CAN'T SEE YOU! When you pull that shiny new Camry out in front of me in this fog- YOU ARE INVISIBLE! And it just made me want to ram your sorry invisible ass!

Sorry folks...But, I suppose there are people out there who just don't have much sense. I try not to think about it.
It's scary.

Anyway- I made it home safe where I actually enjoy being a hermit.
I can make autumn last as long as I want here.
And save Christmas for December...

In closing, I just want to say, dear readers, that I hope you have a great first day of autumn!

(And, if it's foggy out there- turn on your headlights, please!)

Oh- and while I'm at it- let me add my internet service provider to those people on my poo-poo list today. Okay? Thanks.

1975

If you asked me what I was doing thirty-six years ago, I couldn't really tell you.  You would think that day would be burned into my heart.
But, be it age and time, or just a lack of maturity, I can't remember the day. All I know is, life was about to change for me forever.
I was getting married.

I don't remember packing my clothes, sorting through keepsakes, picking out a nightgown for the honeymoon...
I don't remember thinking about how far the future went, how I would feel living in an unfamiliar house, what I would fix for dinners or what side of the bed I'd sleep on.

I just remember feeling that this man was "the one".
That nothing else in the whole, wide world mattered except him.
And me.
Together.

No one could ever accuse me of marrying for money, because there was none.
I didn't tie the knot because I was desperate-( I was only nineteen and not quite an old maid yet.) Plus, life at my parent's house was both peaceful and comfortable.

It was his eyes. The way they looked at me as though I was the only person in a crowd...

It was his smile- that drove electricity through my veins like a warm drug...

It was his arms- that held me in a tender embrace that felt like none I had ever known...

It was his kiss- those lips that made me forget everything around me, and just surrender...

It was his long hair and Earth Shoes and button fly jeans...
It was his old Datsun, his stack of record albums, his German Shepherd, his calloused hands...
It was his laughter, his goatee, his smell, his voice, his shoulders, the patches on his jeans...

It was the way that being with him felt... right. 

That sitting in bean bag chairs listening to Gordon Lightfoot and Jackson Brown on the old turn table, drinking beer, smiling at one another- and not even talking- said more than words ever could.
It was the way he held my hand- curled it around his like he was going to protect me the rest of my life.
It was the way he stroked my hair, touched my cheek, shared his past- and planned his future.
It was re-fried beans, fish sandwiches, blue jean jackets and waterbeds.
It was staying up after midnight, eating out for breakfast, changing the oil in the car, and parking under the stars at the lake .

Maybe I don't really remember it all so clearly because we didn't have a big wedding. I wasn't frantic trying to organize pictures and flowers and friends and food.

We just drove to the preacher's house on 23rd Street and was married for a twenty dollar bill.

His eyes are now framed with wrinkles, his hands have become more calloused, his hair is short and peppered with gray...
He drives a new truck, we have a little dog, and we rarely listen to music from the '70's anymore.
He's traded his waterbed for Memory Foam, his Earth Shoes for work boots, and his bell bottoms for overalls.

But his smile and laughter still fills my heart with such goodness-
and when he holds my hand I know for certain that I have found "the one".

And today nothing else in the whole,wide world matters, except him.

And me.

Together.

I love you, Eldon...

This September Morning

There is a misty fog this morning. A soft ghostly light that dances on the pond and obscures the trees in shadows. I can't help but feel autumn sneaking up on me- fragrant with the smell of sassafras and straw- blowing a cool wind that catches in my hair and makes me shiver.

I may mow the yard for the last time today. It's gone to seed. The wisps of tall stems bending after yesterday's rain- spots of Black-eyed Susan's popping up in the fence rows- maple leaves already turning  rusty on the horizon.

Wasn't it just yesterday that daffodils dotted the flower bed and grass grew as thick and green as a jungle? Wasn't I loving the heat from the sun, the song of the birds, the freedom from winter? And now, I am sliding back down the wrong side of the see-saw. The ride is over. Summer is leaving.

I've already washed my favorite sweater- my faded sweat pants. I've stocked the cabinet with hot cocoa, flavored coffee and pumpkin bars. I'm visioning beef stew, thick dumplings, cheesy chili and vegetable soup. I'm wearing socks again, buying new slippers, breaking out the soft throws and warmer blankets. I'm preparing for what I cannot change...

Yet, I love autumn. Like a palette of vibrant colors, it is a delight to the senses- filling my eyes with purple sunsets and my nostrils with hints of cinnamon and cider. I relax. Let the air surround me- embrace me- fill me with gratitude. I dream. Pause. Think upon my life and all that is in it. I grasp these mornings- these slices of miracles- these days that fade away all too soon...

I drink my second cup of coffee- see the glow of a sunrise just forming beyond the pine trees- hear a song bird awakening in treetop. A streak of orange breaks through the fog, followed by a shade of lavender. The neighbor's white cows dance in the field- their silhouettes still shaded in darkness-

and I begin my day.