Big Month

Some green, some gold, some reflection. It's a good time of life.

November is a big month all around for me, this one especially.

Reason No. 4: As of the end of the month I'll have lived in Rocky Mountain House for 20 years. That's the longest I've stayed in one place. Ever.
Reporters move around a great deal. It's good for life experiences.
I found the love of my life here and thus found legitimate cause to stay.

Reason No.3: Within about two weeks I'll have been blogging for two years, and this marks my 444th post.

Reason No. 2: I'm unofficially Nanoing. I lacked the personal courage, and the plot, to sign up for NaNoWriMo, the national novel writing month. But then one fine night last week I got a brilliant idea in the bathtub. I realized I could combine an old, bad story that I never finished with a not-quite -as awful story that I'd barely started. Both had been around for years.
My fantasy novel opens somewhat like the bad story and I was able to use the bare bones of a few scenes. Somewhere along the line a plot fell into place. Who knows if it'll stay there.
The writing is fun. I haven't been this tickled about writing since my first manuscript.

Reason No. 1 for November being a big month: I turn 50 in just over two weeks.
I'm looking forward to it.

Now, how about you? What are your big months? Do you have any? Or is life one big, juicy celebration?

A Beautiful Day

Thank you, thank you, thank you US voters.
Maybe later I'll have something of substance to say, but for now I am overcome.
President-elect Barack Obama.
I am filled with hope.

To The Light

Today is the US election. I have great faith in American voters. They will usher in change in some manner no matter who their ballot goes to.
It is said there are only two emotions, love and fear.
The world is changing and our old ways are crashing, or at least restructuring, around us. Sen. John McCain represents the old, fear-based ways while Sen. Barack Obama has campaigned on hope and positive change.
McCain uses fear in an obvious manner. Obama has taken the position of love though it takes a while to see it.
Fear is cold and dark and keeps us at bay while love is warm and light and encourages our growth.
As the US goes, so goes much of our reticulated world.
Please, US voters, go to the light.

Gratitude Monday - US Election Edition

I am very grateful that the US is a free and democratic society in which regular elections are held. I am grateful that the regular election is tomorrow and the current reign of error will come to a close.
I am darned grateful for the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution which prevents anyone from being president for more than two terms. Ever.
And I really like it that the Constitution prevents an ex-president from sneaking in the back door by taking a turn as vice-president.
I don't have much else to say about it as a foreigner although my grandmother was from Nebraska and I have American relatives on both sides of the family. This allows me, in my mind, to take a few liberties.
Enjoy your election.
#
Meanwhile, I love this picture. You might have to be of a certain age to think it's funny, but I am and I do.

see Sarah Palin pictures

Happy New Year

It's Samhain tonight. The veil between the worlds is at its thinnest.
How you observe it, if you do at all, is entirely your business. I'll be setting an extra spot at the table and probably digging out my ouija board. I don't use it that often anymore, but I like to fire it up now and again.
We've also had the sense to stock up on fun-size chocolate bars and we've got some suckers to hand out, too. May as well cover both sides of the evening.
Whatever you do, I wish you well and hope you have fun at it. Happy New Year.
**
I took the photo a few weeks ago. I swear I see a tree couple in it and it looks for all the world like they're giving their kids a stern talking to, complete with branch - waving for emphasis.

Mom and Pop Poplar warn the saplings to be careful out in the woods tonight.

Gates Night

WatchPuss is on the job.

Tonight is "Gates Night." It's a local tradition in which the trick portion of trick or treating is the focus.
It got its name in the years gone by when farm gates were opened so the livestock could get out.
On one such night in the early 1990s car windshields were egged. I was lucky enough to benefit from these antics. It snowed afterward so I didn't know it until I got in my car. It was very difficult to clean.
We've been lucky. Most years we've been left alone.
Anything can happen, of course, but with the neighbor's kitty visiting at random times and taking such a good security perch I think we'll be fine.

NightShade Express- The Movie

Last year I posted my recipe for Nightshade Casserole and I've had two requests about it again this Samhain season.
I consider it quite a compliment and I'm happy to link to it for your creating and eating pleasure.
But first, here's my movie about it. I didn't do a great job, but it's my first time playing with the program and I thought I'd have a bit of fun.




Because you've all been so kind and patient, here's the linky to the recipe
http://thegoatslunchpail.blogspot.com/2007/10/nightshade-casserole-anyone.html

Enjoy.