All Hallow's Eve

Aren't these great?!? It was posted on our local newspaper's online photogallery.

Are You Ready For Halloween?

Beautiful October Color

I took this on SisterA's street last Saturday, just before we left for the Pumpkin Patch. The neighborhood was ablaze with colorful trees. Seems each street had it's own type of tree, each one more beautiful than the last!

Today, I wish to say, "Happy Birthday, Georgia"!

Thirty-six years ago today, I received a gift from my parents. This gift was a baby, a baby sister. A sister that finally arrived! Fortunately, in time to ensure Trick or Treating still happened! (Yes, I remember worrying about that.)

Being nine, I was old enough to care for her, she became my real life baby doll to dress up and play with!
You came to school with Mom on picture day, I think you are 4 years old. I remember when the pictures came back from the photographer and they were all posted on the bulletin board in the hall. Everyone, from my friends to the parents and teachers were all talking about how darling you were!

First my sister and real-life dolly, now blessed to call you friend!

DaughterA points out that our NephewG has that same smile! Isn’t it wonderful to see other family members in pictures of each other!

Have a Happy Birthday! I love you, Georgia!

October 7th 1961 - 2007

I wish to give this post as a gift to my parents, celebrating their 46th wedding anniversay today.

When I think of wedding anniversaries, I think of the love that started it all and where that love has taken the people who gave their vow to each other to love 'till death us do part'.

I wanted to come up with something profound...but how do I put into a short blog all that I have been given, from the intertwining of their two individual lives into one, from their love? I went searching for some quotes, something to capture what I know and feel to be true.

The difference between the love of a valentine's day and the love that is lasting a lifetime?

"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."- Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Yes, that quote is a great one illustrating the growth of love from the first blush of new love into the love upon which a life is built.

From the love of a man and a woman, a foundation is built, upon which a family is given it's rock. From the security of the love they have for each other, their children grow, learn to reach out in the world around them and find their own way.

It is from their love, that I know the following quotes to be true. These quotes speak of a few of the gifts I received from their love.

“Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” -Robert A Heinlein

“The best security blanket a child can have is parents who respect each other.”- Jan Blaustone

“The most important thing a father can do for his children to love their mother.”- Unknown

Thank you, Mama and Daddy. Thank you for loving each other and for all that your love has given me. Today, may you celebrate your romantic love and also celebrate what your love for each other had meant to others around you, through out the years!

A Change of the Seasons is upon us...Autumn

I know our summer has come to an end as the days dawn shrouded in fog, and if not fog, then a heavy covering of dew. I love looking off into the fields, driving towards the freeway as the sun comes up over the mountains and seeing dew-laden spiderwebs decorating the tall grass. I enjoy all the colors as the trees begin to turn, especially in the small pass just south of town where all the shades of evergreen are now patchworked with yellow, orange, red and brown .

Now as late afternoon approaches and darkness falls, the rising ground mist swirls around us as we drive through them. I read once those spooky patches of low fog are called 'haints' or 'haunts' and you are supposed to hold your breath while traveling through them to prevent your soul from being snatched away. Seems appropriate as we ease closer to All Hallow's Eve.

This is the best time of year for apples, so many choices. My hands down favorite is Jonagold, they don't store well, so I have to feast while they are fresh picked. Loving Husband has taken a liking to the new Honey Crisp. Of course, Granny Smiths dipped in caramel is always a favorite dessert!

Autumn is the time to hunt for the perfect giant pumpkin to decorate the front porch, time to plant frilly edged purple cabbage and fall pansies. Time to put the garden to bed and turn indoors for weekend activities. I had hoped for a long Indian Summer, time to enjoy the lingering late flowers , time to enjoy warm afternoons and crisp evenings. However after the storms we had all week, I don't think that wish will be granted.