On seasons and weather and harvest, but nothing too deep
The one reason I'm glad to work in the sports department of the local newspaper is that following the cycle of sports through the year, even moreso than gardening, keeps me aware of the seasons changing. I see football camps beginning and golf heading into playoffs and I know I need to prepare for some serious harvesting very soon, head to the lake one last time, make myself aware of the region's farm festivals and savor every moment of outdoor warmth.
I love going outside after work at 2 a.m. and being warmer than I was in the building.
The wheel turned to autumn last week. I know, I know -- the days are still longer than the nights and the temperature high is still hitting mid-eighties; it's not even Labor Day yet. But the sky and the wind and the moon foretold of ice-laced nights, and there are leaves on the ground.
We are still working out celebrations and small rituals for our octannual festivals. The Christian-adopted ones are easy; we just celebrate them on their proper dates, usually with less Stuff involved. The Quarters are larger, with small gift-giving and special dinners. Beltane and Samhain are for dressing up and stepping Elsewhere. The other two -- Feb. 1 and Aug. 1 -- we haven't really established yet. Though we burned sage over a campfire, picked strawberries and blew things up for Lughnasadh, and that's probably good enough.
We'd like to have a game or surprise associated with the first days of summer, autumn and winter like we do with hiding eggs in the spring. Fuzzy hid a new bicycle in the yard at summer; Connor had to follow a string around the yard and through the garden to discover it. What surprise could we plan for this fall?
Holidays are always a little better when we can celebrate with someone.
Need to get into a habit of harvesting and processing something every day. Too much in our garden goes to waste! Still, we should have a good two months of food coming in.
Treats for visitors! Just remind me. I forgot to overload our most recent visitors with tomatoes and strawberries.
I love going outside after work at 2 a.m. and being warmer than I was in the building.
The wheel turned to autumn last week. I know, I know -- the days are still longer than the nights and the temperature high is still hitting mid-eighties; it's not even Labor Day yet. But the sky and the wind and the moon foretold of ice-laced nights, and there are leaves on the ground.
We are still working out celebrations and small rituals for our octannual festivals. The Christian-adopted ones are easy; we just celebrate them on their proper dates, usually with less Stuff involved. The Quarters are larger, with small gift-giving and special dinners. Beltane and Samhain are for dressing up and stepping Elsewhere. The other two -- Feb. 1 and Aug. 1 -- we haven't really established yet. Though we burned sage over a campfire, picked strawberries and blew things up for Lughnasadh, and that's probably good enough.
We'd like to have a game or surprise associated with the first days of summer, autumn and winter like we do with hiding eggs in the spring. Fuzzy hid a new bicycle in the yard at summer; Connor had to follow a string around the yard and through the garden to discover it. What surprise could we plan for this fall?
Holidays are always a little better when we can celebrate with someone.
Need to get into a habit of harvesting and processing something every day. Too much in our garden goes to waste! Still, we should have a good two months of food coming in.
Treats for visitors! Just remind me. I forgot to overload our most recent visitors with tomatoes and strawberries.