Halloween

Robot

Snow Queen

Ninja

Dragon

Lady

During cuddle time tonight Tullaia asked, "How did you trick or treat in the country?"
I only remember going into town near my Grandma's house. Eric and I dressed up like old people a lot.

Silent Retreat 3

I had such beautiful weather and the fading chlorophyll was stunning. I ventured back to Mary the Font Solitude (Sisters of Mercy).
One of the hardest parts of this is falling asleep alone, in a strange place without adequate locks.

It takes Faith
for me to lie here like this.
In quiet.
In darkness.

I know when i wake
in the shining
light of day

I will be
relieved
that i made it
through
the dark night.

Grotto Leaves

Spicebush Berries on an Old Fungi Log

My Doorway

Giant Walking Stick Strikes a Pose

Fern (Christmas?)

Except for the noisy crows, i noticed all life after several hours of watchful quiet. No one alerted me of their presence. They moved under leaves. Even a wasp's near-death experience with a quick spider didn't warrant screams or threats. Instead he shuffled along. Probably to make babies and die.
In my daily reading today, Oswald Chambers says this:
"All God's men are ordinary made extraordinary by the matter He has given them."
Sometimes the most extraordinary (and obedient) thing we can do is wait.
Be patient
not hasty
quiet
still
wait....not a natural skill of mine.
But one i think nature teaches beautifully.

Forest Park Fall Walk

I love this park so much! I cannot imagine living in a city without a great expanse of green space nearby. While we wandered through the wetlands, it seemed as though the migratory birds already left for warmer destinations. Maybe they were hiding from us...
Do they all leave at different times? I will check wikipedia right now.

Lady's Thumb

This weed is rampant in the vacant lot next-door. It is also very beautiful. It hues the whole yard pink.

Greenhaus Cabinets

Justin hasn't gotten a "job" yet. But has a very good opportunity and potential with a former customer at Mwanzi Green Building in Benton Park West.
Justin is the account rep for eastern MO at Greenhaus Cabinets.
The cabinets are beautiful and good for the earth. They are affordable and locally made. If you want new cabinets you cannot get much better than this.

http://www.greenhauscabinets.com/enter.htm

I'm on a Boat

Justin's company recently laid off 30 employees. Justin was one of them.
Of course it came at a terrible time. I can't imagine many scenarios when it came at just the perfect time. (Melissa?)
Last week was unusual...flat tires,throwing up/diarrhea kids, interventions, emotional arguments, death, job loss.

I am not afraid of storms,

for I am learning how
to sail my ship.
-Louisa May Alcott

Although it is a stretch to claim I am unafraid, God has brought us through many difficulties. Faith continues to grow.

Watch this is you want to laugh about sailing on boats.
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/digital-short-im-on-a-boat/1037221/

Some Fall

Pampas Grass

Butterfly on Zinnia

New Grass

Unfurling Mum Reaching For the Sun

Weeds Can Be Beautiful

Morning glories are unwanted enemies all year long except in the morning(and any cool fall day when many others flowers have passed on). They are delicate and their color is so pretty.

Fall Cabin Adventures

Justin took the kids for a last-minute trip to the cabin. Our friends, Eric and Shirley,
had a jam session with other musicians and family on their property. They had a wonderful time. I did too. I had a prior commitment and was unable to go.
The unexpected solitude was a gift

Eric, Eric, Darryl and Front Porch Banter

Illuminated Outhouse

Erin, Darryl, Justin

Red leaf Green leaf

Cabin

Beer, Wine, Liquor, 1,900 Guns in Stock

Pistol Pose

All pictures courtesy of JP.

When i rise up
let me rise up joyful
like a bird

When i fall
let me fall without regret
like a leaf

-Wendell Berry

Afternoon Lesson

Surprise Canna

I never did dig up the tropical cannas and for years they just came back. But then they didn't. After years of living a canna-free life, this one just popped up and started to bloom today!
Yay!

Judith Maybelle Panda Powell

46.8 lbs

18 weeks
Large
Cute
Naughty