If berries or nuts are plentiful-it will be a hard winter

Today's November sky is pewter gray with leaves falling like coffers slipping through your fingers. After a week end with friends in Indianapolis, I drove home through the damp, windy dawn with one single leaf stuck to my windshield wiper the entire trip. I arrived home to find all the leaves that I had raked Friday night into the street back into my yard. It actually was breathtaking as I drove into the driveway. I am not upset over the lost raking...for indeed it wasn't lost. I brought the boys over and piled them into drifts of gemstones. They laughed and giggled.

They left at twilight and I continued to rake and haul to the street my autumnal offering. I like gardening at night. It is a magical time and the warm butterscotch lights of home welcome me back inside when the tasks are over.

A warm November is a sign of a bad winter

As a homeowner I have been contemplating the arrival of winter. My neighbors work nonstop on their lovely old homes. Sometimes I walk around the house at White Picket Gardens taking inventory of projects that need to be done.
Projects that I have no idea how to do...or even how to afford. I do talk as if I know about home ownership as the neighbors gather to discuss my siding (in need of repair)..my front steps...in definite need of repair...my white picket fence (beginning to shows shades of lovely green)...Last Spring I said I would get to these in the Fall...hmmmm....now I say, for sure next Spring. Oh, my gardening skills are sharp...and my home is warm and cozy and neat and tidy with books and writings and blazing candles. Is siding really that important in the scheme of life? Will my soul be tarnished if my steps crumble?

When squirrels bury their nuts early, it will be a hard winter

I do have another list that I think I can handle...taking in the garden hose, the hummingbird feeder, the chairs from the garden, replacing my furnace filter (I'm just not sure what size to get...) My neighbor was over the other day asking about my storm windows...I nodded in definite knowledge...in reality, I don't think I have any??????? But, I am a good knitter, does that count??
Winter will roar in anyway, I'll just add a layer of socks and another lovely Irish sweater and keep the kettle simmering on the stove.

It will be a bad winter if trees keep their leaves until late in the fall

No matter what, November is here. The ninth month of the year (in the Pagan calendar, novum meaning nine)...It is the month of the Snow Moon...it is my Dad's birthday, my sister, Leslie's birthday...and Thanksgiving. Adam and Tonya will arrive this week...I will fill their room with fragrant mums and freshly ironed pillowcases...it has been so long since we have been together. I have a frozen turkey in the freezer just in case Aaron doesn't get one. He is planning on taking Philip turkey hunting when he arrives next week. I think it is definitely a good idea to have one in the freezer!

Three black crows mean three white snows

This week is full of activities....school and theatre...and storytelling..and writer's workshop...and an arts program...getting ready for the visit from the kid's...and did I mention cleaning out the gutters?????

This weeks special pieces were old folklore from the Farmer's Almanac...a wonderful wealth of information.

As darkness closes in on the evening...I am wishing you frost on the garden gate and a warm fire inside....

Love to all,
Lou Ann