Autumn's Bounty

What a glorious day! I can't believe how beautiful this autumn has been. Perhaps it is such, to make up for the harsh winter last year. Sunny mornings break into our slumber and roll easily along to warm mid day. The evenings have been warm and exquisite. Maybe its my age and perhaps I am in the Autumn of my life but I dearly love these wonderful Indian Summer days.

In our area the colors are in full radiance. I took my daily deposit to the bank today as I do every day, but today I took the time to review my walk of 3 blocks. How many of us walk along a bridge over the Snake River among scarlet vines, the sun glistening off the deep rich greens of the water. I just love my life. I love where I live, I love what I do. ( What's not to love about flowers and coffee?) I love having so many of my children close. Daily there is something to share with them. I live in a beautiful home with two charming fur companions and the original Idaho cowboy.I am able to plant and harvest a vegetable garden. I live in an area where you can glean much from neighbors. Chelle has an older neighbor, who yard is overflowing with plum and apple trees. Much of it just falls to the ground, attracting wasps and worms. We certainly could live just fine without it but I love to see it utilized. Earths resources should be prudently used and appreciated. The local football field is surrounded with chokecherry bushes.. and the public is invited to pick. Those dark rich berries with the unique tartness make the very best syrups. The plums we picked last night made up into the darkest purple concentrate, that we canned to make into jelly later. It seems those tones of autumn are repeated everywhere. The pumpkins in the field, the apples on the trees, the berries and plums overwhelming branches.

Even the scents of autumn are sensational (lol). I love burning leaves, simmering stews, fragrant bread, and the fruity richness in the orchard as we harvest. It is potato harvest here in Idaho, and as you walk by the field you smell the upturned soil and the musky potato. There are some just finishing grain harvest and a few swathing the last late cutting of hay. There was a foretelling white dusting of snow last night on the Teton peaks . While I was out this morning pulling the last of the carrots and beets, a huge flock of Canadian geese flew over honking their

navigation instructions to each other. The air quieted and then I heard the distinctive warble of a pair of sand creek cranes flying overhead. I love the waterfowl here, even the silly pelicans.

We relish in our trumpeter swan population, duck, geese, cranes and more. Such a blessing of beauty..I appreciate the crisp mornings..and a booming coffee business. No wonder a holiday was created in the fall to celebrate harvest and bounty. Life is sooo Good.

My Soul is Bald.

I got word early this morning that one of my cancer sisters as hospitalized and in a lot of pain. I stopped by to take her flowers and was astonished at her suffering. That intense suffering is always overwhelming even for us that have traveled in that dark valley. But what was so difficult for me to understand...was amidst that agony she was trying diligently to wear her wig....Of course it was too far forward and in her eyes. I remember that discomfort. I tried the wig thing until...one day I realized I was enduring the constant discomfort...along with chemo pain...so others could be comfortable. What a silly thing! I realized I was who I was with or without hair. I took it off and never wore one again. Others got accustomed to seeing me bald.
We, as women spend too much time worrying about our appearance. We are schooled young.. I'm not saying it is pure vanity... It is important to look good to feel good about yourself. it is just such a small thing compared to the appearance of your heart and soul. I have looked closely at my soul...It is bald..and I'm proud of it...its a kind soul.. bald but kind.

Just ask...

This beautiful Sunday morning I am reflecting over the past week...The flower shop really needed a new display cooler. An opportunity presented and I needed to raise $1500. Not much really...but that would have to be in excess of the daily expenses. I asked the universe for help, siting the exact amount I needed. My faith was not strong...One of my most trusted wholesalers told me this week and next is traditionally the slowest weeks of the year in the floral industry. She looked in my cooler, seeing how full and well stocked it was exclaimed "OH my!"..She shook her head..as if I would be eating all those flowers. I enjoyed the Labor Day Weekend with family and did not even go in to the shop until early Tuesday AM. I allowed Shelly to work that day to make up for the Monday off with caution. I did not even put on make up, just stuck a cap on my head and went in to just open and come home.. The phone was ringing as I opened the door and it did not stop until closing... A prominent citizen had passed away over the weekend and his viewing was scheduled for Tuesday evening....Shelly and I created nearly thirty beautiful pieces including the casket spray... The total was 30 cents off my sited need. My son-in-law asked if next time I might include a little extra for spending money..... I think the terms of grace is "sufficient for your needs."..not wants....Expenses were made...and the cooler purchased. Trusting in grace is difficult. (trusting for me in any form is difficult.) But my children...it will work..

Family Ties

Yesterday I published half of the wrong message. I am still working out the mechanics of the site….here is the message…
This weekend I am reminded about the family ties that bind us..
How we are intrinsically bound by blood and bone. Friendship ebb and flow in and out of our lives.. As employment, activities, interests change so do the associations we make with friends. We move on…and sometimes friendship no matter how genuine. slip away. Some friendship are taxing…they require much of us. There are those rare friendships that evolve and change as we do to enrich our lives remaining close in heart if not by association. As I battled with a house full of sisters, growing up, my mother cautioned me that I would move and friends would change but my sisters would always know where I was and care for me… It is so true…
Yesterday many of us planned a day at the state fair. As we were preparing to leave…word came that my son-in-law had been involved in a serious head on crash. .In moments we were mobilized.. Communications between us kept us moving in the right direction and allowed us to be there. We supported Chelle, and rushed aid to Justin in every way we could think of. At times Chelle has seen this family involvement…as ties that bound her….not a security blanket of caring but somewhat intrusive and smothering. I understand that genuine feeling as the youngest; she can be overwhelmed by the intensity of the circle. The girls bicker and quarrel at times and it is difficult for me to observe…often seeing the bigger picture. But in milliseconds all grievances disappear. The situation is another miracle in our lives as he is safe and well, stiff and sore, bruised and broken, stitched and bandaged, but alive and well. The only “real” tragedy to him is his hunting bow was smashed in the seat next to him and he is mourning, this first week of hunting season.

Not only does the emergency bind us together but we enjoy each others company in recreation and fun. We have many of the same interests…We genuinely enjoy being together… That is the legacy of family…Mother was right…Mothers are always right…

Just One Thing I learned post Cancer & Chemo

One year ago tomorrow one of my dearest friends Jackie, left this earthly plain and lost her battle with cancer. She asked me to write a book.. Every Wednesday I spent with her as she slept, I journaled.... She was convinced I could fashion a book with my wanderings... Each day since I faced my personal challenge with breast cancer, I learn something new through the eyes of a fresh perspective..My goal is to pass some of these life lessons to my children and grandchildren...maybe a daily blog post will encourage me to organze my thoughts...