thanksgiving

You might be wondering what is this photo? Well it is an elaborate cat toy constructed to lure an unsuspecting cat into the box. A new cat toy was suspended inside. The project was executed by my niece Katie. She did get cat heads into the box. But the cat below was not poking her head into the box.

The cat above is Minerva. She's spending a few days here in the neighborhood. She's a welcome guest.
An interesting Thanksgiving here, an interesting energy in the air, perhaps, witch-like. But good witch.

marigolds

A small altar this year, but marigolds everywhere. I even managed to fashion a ristra from the the marigolds I harvested from the garage roof.

New Mexico report 2019

On the first day I learned you can make ristras from marigolds.

We heard a knock on the door of our Airbnb and there was Susanna looking for Nancy, the previous occupant. Nancy was spending a month in Dixon and vacated our wonderful abode for the two nights we were staying there to return when we left. A lesson, make your reservations early. I was quite happy to accept the gift.

On day two we decided to document the many volunteer fire departments (there may be more on that subject in a later blog).

Day three, the bighorn sheep at Pilar on the Rio Grande, probably a herd of twenty.

By day four and five it was time to get serious about yoga, which we all did. Perhaps deeper and more intense than ever before. Something which can not be put into words but felt by all of us. There is an energy practicing in the shadow of Taos Mountain. After lunch I made my pilgrimage to walk Penitente.

Day six I took a morning break from yoga to spend time down on the Rio Grande with Mike.

Day seven, how soon it came. After lunch we visited the Fechin House.

And then a drive north where New Mexico treated us to the wide open skies I love.

After an evening of music, and laughter, day eight arrived and time to leave Taos for Santa Fe. A combination of time to catch our breath and take in the week before not to mention a botanic garden, a photo gallery, the Geogia O'keeffe Museum, Garcia Books and more.
We made our way to Albuquerque on day ten, looking forward to being home but taking a last stop to take in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

'In most Pueblo Languages, there is no word for goodbye. Because we believe in the cyclical nature of our existence, we know we will meet again, whether in the near future or at a time far off. As we part with you today, we prefer to say "See you next time" or "See you later" or "Until we meet again".'

made it to a monarch

I've been watching my chrysalis closely since returning home from Agness (Oregon). I noticed darkening inside and the pattern of tiny Monarch wings.

With some warmer weather the butterfly decided it was time to come out.

About two hours later with wings fully grown and dried it flew off. Spawned two yesterday and three more getting ready.
I learned about Grandmother Agnes and the Salmon Blessing while at the Rogue River. I'm hoping for the Monarch Blessing. The Rogue was beautiful, especially with rain.

raising a monarch

Or at least hoping to get one to adulthood. I've managed caterpillars but this is the first chrysalis. The caterpillar fed itself on milkweed but then managed to move a few feet into the ground cherry. Keeping our fingers crossed and checking it often. Come springtime I'm going into a major milkweed planting.
And an Aero update. With the rain on Monday morning in came a wet cat, who had breakfast and settled himself in upstairs on Mike's desk. He hasn't done that in months, but somewhere in his brain he has programmed if it rains go inside. He knows we will welcome him. Sun came out and he left, but he's sticking a little closer and hanging around more. Aerojet my Farmer's Almanac, I'm happy to have him.

september

Or where did August go?

It disappeared into the Chinese fifth season spanning summer and autumn, falling between the sun and the fog.
The light and air are changing and usually I feel the sense to nest. But this summer has been so enjoyable I'm finding an urge to hold onto it. But even Aero feels the change, suddenly he is appearing every evening hanging out on the front walk, making sure we know he will be coming in soon.

craft day

Sometimes you buy things and then wonder what you were thinking when you made the purchase. And these items float around in closets and on shelves reminding you as you come across them that you are not always of sound, clear mind. Sometimes I can just give things away, chalking it up to mercury in retrograde or some such other excuse. But this morning I took to crafting, something I think I am just genetically predisposed. So that off white cotton sweater became grey with a bottle of Rit dye and a YouTube video watched.

Really, the color is quite nice and as long as it doesn't rub off on me every time I wear it, I'll be happy.
So then I moved on to that pink cashmere yarn I bought. Well it was on sale, but the pink,  it was pink. So another YouTube video on tea dyeing watched.

Eight teabags later, I may have some yarn I can actually knit into something that might be wearable.

No, I did not make the wind chime the yarn is hanging from, that came from a neighbor who was cleaning out a house of someone who must have seriously been into crafts.