Reprieve

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I can't believe

we have been blessed

to live this way...

growing our own Food,

living close to the Land,

walking nearer

to the Rhythms

of this vast Creation,

finding our Place

in Transitional Times,

honoring Life

as a Sacred Gift.

I feel like a Prisoner

who has been granted

a Reprieve.

~~~~

Glinda Crawford, 2009

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We Did It!

We did it! After a dream of 4 years, we completed the Rock Wall in the Family Room of our New House today. While Richard headed up the process, Melanie and I joined in at various times. Today was that long anticipated day when the project was at last complete. I shall be writing more of this. This little act has surely made our House more our Home.

I called Deleta to let the 2 of them know and to thank them for helping us with Rocks yesterday. We plan to take pictures of the Rock Wall and to note where the Rocks came from. I feel like I should call everyone involved and give them a huge "Thanks!" I know I will say "Thanks" every time I look at the Rock Wall and am warmed by the Wood Stove in front of it. Those gifts of Rocks are a wonderful House Warming.We still need to "clean" the surface of the Stones and the Mortar. When that is complete, we will be ready for the Wood Stove to be put into place. That should happen this next week. We are really excited.

As per usual, we had some "sidebars" going on. We had Frost last night and a Hard Freeze is predicted for tonight. Melanie took the lead for Garden Tending which included protecting and gathering Plants and Herbs, and putting away some Garden Gifts for the Winter Season.

I made a huge pot of Chili on this Day from fresh Garden Produce (Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Herbs) plus Ground Beef from one of Rolf's Steers. I headed back and forth between the Kitchen and the Family Room gently tending projects in both places.

I called the Chili "Wood Stove Chili". I will be freezing it tomorrow. I may even try canning a Quart or 2; I haven't done this before. Our Freezer Space is at premium, so Canning looks like a good option. We just need to make sure we like the Chili canned. You could call it another little experiment right here on Butterfly Hill Farm. Regardless, we anticipate enjoying Chili on those Wintry days ahead when the Wood Stove is heating up our Little Home.

Max, the Cat, is pleased with the new developments too.

The Day the Garden Came Inside

October 9:

My title for this Entry is: "The Day the Garden Came Inside." The House looks like a Farmer's Market. One shouldn't consider going on an excursion in the dark because Produce fills many unexpected places. We decided we should be sure to turn on a light.

Scampy, the Cat, has his own title for this entry: "The Day the Catnip Came Inside". He sorta has that Catnip Look. I wonder how he would describe the look of the Humans after these busy hours ahead of the Frost.

I Love Cosmos

October 8:

I simply love Cosmos. The Cosmos dance on tall slender stems above fern like foliage. Apparently my Grandfather Fred Albert Brenz who was also a Gardener loved them too. He died in 1944, 4 years before I was born.

Cosmos seem to get a slow start through the Summer and then come on strong in late Summer and Fall. It is amazing to me that Cosmos is at its Peak just before the Frost. In fact, I would call the Cosmos peak a marker that the Growing Season is just about complete. Get ready. Frost is comin'.

I was telling Richard that it seems further amazing to me that the lovely Cosmos seem to have no clue that their bloom time will be very short. Or maybe they do. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned for their Human Companions. They seem to live each day as if it is their last. Richard said that reminded him of an age old Poem.

Parting

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As I harvest

among the Plants

on this Day,

I know that

after the Frost,

we will part.

My walk amid

and gathering of the Gifts

of my Plant Friends

are celebration

of what we have shared together.

I say:

"Thank you"

and

"I hope to see you

or your Kin

in the Spring."

How deeply blessed

and grateful

I am.

~~~~

Glinda Crawford, 2009

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Rules

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We are reminded

as we work, dance, play

amidst this Bounty

at high pitched fever

before Frost:
Nature Rules.

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Ancient Rhythm

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Shifting to high gear

for Harvest

prior to Frost

connects us

to all Gardeners and Farmers

in similar Walks

and to an Ancient Rhythm

of Humans

with Footsteps

beating in time

with the Heartbeat

of the Earth.

~~~~

Glinda Crawford, 2009

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