Late Autumn

The secret of life is to "die before you die" -- and find that there is no death. Eckhart Tolle

I am always amazed at the blaze of color in autumn, especially in New England. The garden is now put to rest. Malia has been busy raking leaves to define the pathways between beds and to gently cover the carrots as we await our first snow.

I have turned to baking and spinning wool near the pellet stove. We're cutting down trees. A group from our UU church helped stack wood for the farmhouse wood stoves so there will be warmth this winter.

And even as we prepare for winter, we talk about the next season, the next crop, spring's promise of tulips and crocuses.

Each autumn teaches us Tolle's lesson. As autumn passes and plants die, we have time for the quiet, reflective season of winter, and know that nature will again bring us spring.

I love winter. I spin, knit, read, and enjoy watching the snow fall.

And for today my heart is full with all of the blessings this life offers.

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Johnny

On dogs: "I am joy in a wooly coat, come to dance in your life, to make you laugh." Julie Church

Johnny is our joy, our little mascot in the garden, almost always happy, and he often dances for a treat. Johnny is a rescue cream-colored toy poodle from Indianapolis Poodle Rescue. He is named after Johnny Cash because he was a stray in Tennessee, a little guy who had received a few hard knocks. He is eleven pounds of love and sheer delight, inviting us to be in the moment with him and enjoying all that life offers.

And as far as laughter goes, I dare anyone to try not to laugh when Johnny attempts to herd the shetlands, all eleven pounds trying to make those five sheep go where he wants them to go. First they run, but after a while they realize this little pup is not a border collie and quit taking him seriously. One would think that would be a blow to his little ego, but I've watched him immediately give up the chase and plop himself in the meadow, with a wide open smile.

For Johnny the whole world is his playground.

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