You Are Beautiful

From 4:30 in the morning until 8:30, One Woman went nonstop. Computer, 2 loads of wash, went over all the floors with soft broom, vacuum and swifter, cleaned leaves off terrace, and then breakfast.

She knew if a trip away from home did not happen soon she would be outside working in the leaves and picking up branches.

A call was placed and a friend who does not drive said she would enjoy a ride into the country.

A special place about 20 minutes from the woods is an old school house. The school house has been turned into part museum and part consignment shops. The cafeteria has been turned into a restaurant. Friday is catfish day. The deserts are excellent - butter milk pie and coconut cream pie with mile high meringue.

So it turned out to be a delightful afternoon. My friend laughed when a quick trip up an unfamiliar driveway came about. An unusual and beautiful flower that was not familiar was spotted. One Woman is never bashful about inquiring about a plant :)

The image on this post is a tree that was in front of the old school house. Comments on the fall colors keep being made - but when you return to your home place and see all this beauty that catches your eye and your breath - it is difficult not to keep talking about it.

Simple Pleasures

Last night as the sun was going down a friend called and said " something in the sky looks like a cross can you capture it with your camera"? Forgot about it until a minute ago when I was taking a picture of my simple apple cake. When I downloaded my pictures - there it was.

The cross in the sky and an awesome sunset ended the day yesterday.

A busy day filled with errands, thought I lost my credit card and found it on the floor board of my truck. Thankful heart !!

Calling for frost tonight - so 6 green tomatoes picked and put in the window. 7 green peppers to be chopped and go in freezer. A bowl full of the best turnip greens I have ever tasted were picked. This may be because I grew them. Half a dozen of small turnips were an addition to the greens for my simple evening meal plus a few small almost November roses.

A last minute thought - I have not baked in a week and I there has to be something homemade in the cottage. A simple apple cake that called for applesauce and I used some of the apples I had on hand - topped with cream cheese frosting - Pretty good....

Young school boy that helps me at times came after school. We put up the hose, shut vents under the house and raked leaves. I went to pay him and he would not take the money - said it was the last 2 hours of his community service for the boy scouts. I told him I did not feel right about not paying him. He looked me in the eye and said "there is no charge". So next week will have him return and finish on the leaves and this time I will pay him.

After The Rain

The stack of books by my old leather chair is growing !!

Rain - most of the day - but I felt like doing nothing. Not my normal routine. I blame it on the rain, tooth surgery and time change that is rapidly approaching.

I am trying to prepare myself for the time change. At this time I am up very early - like 4:30 to 5:00 AM and go to bed and read and pray and meditate at about 7:30 to 8:00. I need to start making some changes so I am not getting up and retiring earlier.

Once I settle into cooler weather and being inside - I love it. A time to rest, read and just be.

I have felt very restless today - does the time change affect anyone else besides this One Woman?

Each Has A Story

Blessed rain arrived in the night. Daylight has not arrived and cannot view how many more leaves fell during the night.

These images were viewed yesterday evening. The thought came to mind "they each have a story".

Our lives each have stories - many stories....

One Woman on her present journey is sharing one of her stories. Some stories from the past that arise unexpectedly in her mind "she wonder's who is that woman"?

If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live a life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours............ Henry David Thoreau

Early Morning

This is part of the view as I sweep off the front porch. A beautiful, still - early morning.

Another day unfolding and the thought never leaves this One Woman's mind of how thankful she is that fate allowed her to return home.

All is well in the country.

Healing

A busy week with my youngest granddaughter's visiting. Then the little one that punctured her eardrum "playing with a Q Tip - had outpatient surgery to repair her eardrum. A short time of a lot of pain and not being able to hold anything on her stomach (think it was the morphine used for pain) yesterday seemed almost back to normal at play time. Now little ear - heal completely.

Yesterday was the appointment in the big city for my dreaded tooth extraction. Only one tooth pulled in the past and it was a whiz. Now this was different. The tooth crumbled and broke off - so - what seemed like forever - tooth was out. A little sore this morning. I didn't plan on gum being cut and stitches. Might add that through my healthy younger years I never heard of Sjogrens - something that seems to have attached itself to One Woman - which seems to not be to good for her mouthful of teeth.

Wherever you are - enjoy the day!!

A beautiful and sunny day is expected and all is well in the woods.

Friday Morning Thoughts

I must remember to practice mindfulness, to breath slowly, laugh, let go of expectations, hug, sing, listen with my heart, to be open to unexpected miracles, to pray and to be Thankful For Another Year that is unfolding.

So if we love someone, we should train in being able to listen. By listening with calm and understanding, we can ease the suffering of another person
Thich Nhat Hanh

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
the Dalai Lama

Some thoughts from One Woman on another beautiful fall day.