CELEBRATING THE HARVEST

I pulled out my mittens to walk Lulu this morning. The air is brisk and chilly. The early morning sky fading from deep royal blue into a lighter rich amaranth. This means my hands and feet will be everlastingly cold for at least the next 6 months! On the plus side, it is Harvest time and despite the drought we endured, our downtown market is rich in produce. 

So It's time to celebrate it! That and the fact that our Market is turning 200 years old. Sheldon and I went down to check out the party so be ye prepared for a bevy of pictures. In fact, as it is Autumn, I'm likely to be snap happy for the next couple of months. 

We are blessed to have such an abundance!

This cake, celebrating our Market, was longer than I could get in the frame 

Sheldon enjoying a pear and curry pizza

These tarts were beyond beautiful, but I resisted.

I got to pet a skunk AND a python. The python's name is Fluffy as appointed by a 4-year-old. Some people are REALLY good at naming pets!

There were lots of activities for the kids. This little train would have sent my son into a lather back in the day. Actually, it still might...I will have to ask him.

And of course there are pumpkins to carve!

Inspired by the market goodies, I made a meal of Turkey breast with roasted root vegetables: sweet potato, brussel sprouts and peppers and mushrooms. 

Today they are having a community meal down at the Market and that big ole cake will be devoured. We have so much in Canada and it's time to celebrate the Harvest.

STORMY WEATHER

Let me tell you about last Saturday night. I was home alone as Sheldon was out and my Ballerina away for a modelling gig. Nothing better than puttering in the kitchen so I made a couple of soups (squash/pear and a sweet potato/red pepper) to store for those cold winter nights. I was listening to a great blues program on CBC when it began to be interrupted by an irritating high frequency sound. Then a man's voice came on warning us of dangerous weather and a possible tornado. He meant business! And indeed there was a storm brewing outside. 

I continued to putter but now the irritating high frequency sound was coming about every 10 minutes, interrupting my great blues program! This time it was a woman's voice warning of impending danger but she sounded more like your mom does when she says something like "now if you don't go to bed Santa won't come!". She was warning us alright, but her tone was cautious and warm, all at the same time. 

I took stock of my surroundings - where's the cats  (they are wisely in the basement where I plan to head should nature call). Lulu is none too worried but I will drag her down there with me. Water nearby, grab some soup I just made, flashlight, cell phone - CHECK.

I sat in the dark and watched an amazing light show outside, listened to the rain tap dancing on the cars, thunderous booms, and the wind whipping around. Nothing to disconcerting. 

But it was another story down in Prince Edward County- a mere 25 minute drive from me! A tornado did indeed make it's presence known. Fortunately no one was hurt. We went and checked out the damage the next day:

A deck skewered through by a tree branch

Trees snapped and splintered

Ironically, kayaks and boats were right where they had been left, but the tree was twisted and trashed. It would seem the tornado was not quite touching the ground!

This one was shaken, lifted and stirred!

We have had so little rain this summer and I think only about 3 thunderstorms. I was actually enjoying it in my little corner of the world. But still, stormy weather is not to be trifled with. Just ask the County folk!

TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY

You know, if I was smart, I would save this blog for closer to Christmas! But I've had a hectic week and "comfort" and "joy" are what I'm seeking out right now.

My calendar, much like yours, has gone September-psycho with events filling up all the spaces and overlapping. There are music lessons, group meetings, church meetings smushed in with work, housework and a wee bit of me time.

When I was little, I had a beige blanket with a silky edge that I would snuggle and rub as I sucked on my finger. It was a great comfort to me. I don't suck my finger anymore and blankey is tucked away, but I have Lulu's silky soft ears to caress and nuzzle

These fall under the "COMFORT" category

But, then, there are her eyelashes which she bats at me and gives me what I call "the soft look" when there is food nearby.

JOY

Food is always a comforting thing and we all have our favourites. My Mom gave me what she considered as the "perfect peach". She waited and watched until it was just right. Then she gave it to her daughter. 

I barely touched this photo - it truly was the perfect peach.

Inside and out! - COMFORT

My pets often bring me comfort and joy together. Sasha, my minuscule Russian Blue, curls herself up perfectly when she sits, like a little statue. I Love the way she tucks in her tail and anchors it with her little feet!

JOY!

Hey! How about some Popcorn?!

It's amazing how well this stuff goes with Red wine - COMFORT

My days for morning coffee outside in the garden will soon come to an end and I will move inside to the big comfy chair beside the fireplace. Yet, I have received much joy in my times of prayer and mediation as I gaze at what I call "the Golden Tree" in the next door neighbour's yard. It reminds me of warmth, solidness and time spent camping. 

It brings me JOY

There is a quote attributed to a number of people, including Plato that goes along this line:

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a 

battle you know nothing about"

I may know of some of your battles, or I may not, but I know they are real, tangible and some are incredibly hard. 

I bring you tidings of Comfort and Joy - I hope you can search out some for yourself.

SEPTEMBER YOU'RE A REAL PAGE TURNER

Driving home from the cottage I can't help but notice that the reigning queen in the fields is Goldenrod. Long tapering fringy yellow fingers giving us the royal wave as the car zips by. 

I have some in my garden by the fountain. I realize it is a weed but hey, it's yellow and I like it! And so do the bees, a win-win situation. 

It reminds me that we are at the end of summer and fall is on the way. September is a time for change, a time to turn the page. 

For children, it's the excitement of heading back to school, some for the first time, some for the last. Their routines will be guided by clanging school bells and opening or closing classroom doors. The roads will now be infused with big yellow buses and I will soon be interacting with the Crossing Guards I see along my bike route to work. 

The inherent sense of change is in all of us, probably because we grew up in that September back-to-school routine. But we also sense it around us with cooler temps and the sun nodding off to bed sooner. I'm getting to know the constellations again as I'm now back to walking Lulu in the dark more often than not!

My Mom's birthday is tomorrow. She will be 77; another year has past, another page turned. We spent the afternoon walking a local trail and hanging out at McDonald's, which is what she wanted to do!

We took a selfie together, me with my muppet face and Mom looking fab at 77. In every chapter of my life, she has been there and I'm grateful for that. 

Wherever you are, your book is also being written. Pages are forming into chapters with moments of joy and laughter, pain and sadness, the human experience. But for most of us, September is a real page turner. Let's read on and see what the next chapter holds.