The Wheel Turns......

"Slowly the energy of summer has shifted, and we begin to see signs of the wheel's turning. The earth ripens and grows mellow~we can smell the warm and heavy difference in the air. All around us, plants once stiff with juice are softening and drying, going to seed. Everywhere are signs of the early harvest, with roadside stands and farmer's markets overflowing with produce. The light at sunset grows hazy and golden, and the nighttime insect's lullabye outside our windows are softer and less strident, weaving through our dreams. Summer has passed its prime." Celebrating the Great Mother.

Sassafras leaf turned orange-gold

Dogwood berries call to the birds

Eastern Tent Caterpillars getting ready to come out of their home
Bee Balm gone to seed.

Witchwood~My Home

There are so many things that I love about my home. In the past four years since we moved into this lovely house, we have been through an inordinate amount of stress and upheaval. There were times when we were unsure if we would be able to hold onto our home here. Times even, when I thought it would be easier just to give it up and move on. But we persevered and I am happy that we did. This home is loving, warm, open to friends and family, and sometimes, community. We share and learn and grow together here. This house, Witchwood, has always been the one that the children in the neighborhood congregate to. A former resident of the neighborhood, who grew up here, told us that when she was a child, this house, with it's former resident, held an open door policy for the neighborhood children. There was always something to do and something to eat here. The same is true now, we have a number of children, along with our own three, at any given time of day. There is laughter and fun, and the house seems to smile and open itself to them all. We feel blessed that we are fortunate enough to have this home and that we can make it loving and warm, and inviting to our friends and neighbors. Hestia is alive and well at Witchwood. I leave you with these shots of some of my favorite things about my home. Witchwood.

The witch ball in the window

My porch~where so much fun and sharing takes place

The stonework that is such a big part of Witchwood,adds character

The beading from India that circles the lamp

The tire swing in the Sycamore, that has brought so much joy

The fire pit for rituals, bonfires, and s'mores!

The guitar wall hanging David made of carpet remnants in the family room

The warm red brick of the old chimney

My kitchen witch of straw David brought me from the flea market

"Old Peter" the concrete rabbit found in the woods

These are just some of the things that I love about my home. Hope you enjoyed the tour.

A Letter to My Grandmother

In the Death and Dying class that I am taking this summer, we are required to construct a 'goodbye' letter. It could be from ourselves, as if we are dying. Or it could be to someone who has died or gone away for any reason. I chose to write to my grandmother Marie Bean, who died this past December. Here is the letter that I wrote to her, along with the questions we had to answer after writing.


Dear Mamaw,

It's been nearly six months since you left us all. The day after Christmas, two days after having your home filled with your own decendents. Your beloved family. I knew in my heart when I said goodbye to you on Christmas Eve and kissed your soft cheek, that it was our last goodbye. I am thankful, so thankful, that I had that opportunity, to tell you that I loved you. But there are a few things that I never told you; you were an inspiration to me as a mother. You raised twelve children in relative poverty, most important, they are all good, honest, caring people today. That is a testament to your mothering.
I remember as a little girl coming to your house, playing in the yard, under the blue hydrangea hush. I remember the hollyhocks and Iris's which I have some of growing in my own garden today. I remember your quiet, unassuming presence, you were always there, ready to help and talk. I remember the biscuits you always had left over on the back of the stove. How I loved your cold biscuits. I got my love of search-a-word puzzles from you. I admire the no nonsense woman that you were. There was no complaining, at least not in front of us. You just did what you had to do. You were a strong woman. I have been told that I am like you in that way. I consider it a great compliment. I love you, Mamaw. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you.


Your granddaughter,
Jennifer

A. What were your feelings? I felt somewhat sad, but also I felt like I was able to tell her the things that I never had. It was satisfying.
B. How do you think those who read your letter, if it had been real, might have reacted? I think if she could have read it, she would have been touched and hugged me, told me of her love for me. But she was never a great demonstrative person.
C. Did you reveal anything unique about yourself? No, I don't think so.
D. Were you able to choose your words carefully enough in order to stay within a 3-page limit?
Yes.
E. What other observations did you note while completing this activity? I have healed well at this point.

Sensuality and the Every Day~Part 2

In the summer I find many different things can be sensual, and more sensual in summer than at any other time of the year. Again, not necessarily in a sexual way, although that is always an option. I have been known to find the sexual in almost anything. lol

Swinging on a swing can be sensual. The wind blowing through my hair, drowning out other sound. if the swing is high enough, the breeze causing my blouse or skirt to wrap and slap around me.
Cool showers after being out in the hot sun. The way the heat of my skin warms the cool water as it first hits and cascades down my body is very sensual.

Eating summer fruits such as strawberries, melons, mango,and peaches can be sensual. Especially when I can leave the care of sticky face and hands and arms behind, letting the juices trickle down where they may. That is what those showers are for after all.

Walking barefoot on the breast of the Mother Earth. Whether I walk on cool green grass, rich brown earth, hot sand or stone, the heartbeat of the Mother can be felt through my feet.

Sensuality is everywhere.

The smells of summer; fresh herbs like basil, mint and lavender. Flowers such as rose, honeysuckle, and jasmine. Foods being cooked over an open fire. The rich earthy scent of a bonfire. The sweet sweat of my lover in the heat of a summer night. My daughter's hair after she's been sitting in the sun and fresh from the bath. The soft scent of clover when I lie in a carpet of it.

The sounds of summer; birdsong, from early morn til the late evening; cicadas all along the roadsides; the peep and croak of frogs on a summer night; the hum of a hummingbird's wings as it sips from feeder on the porch; the buzz of the honeybee nuzzling into the flowers in the garden; The laughter of children playing in the sprinkler. The noisy lapping of water by my dog after coming in from the heat. The soft slopping of the water against the side of the canoe, the slush of the paddle gliding through the water.

In all of these I find sensuality. What do you find sensual?

Sensuality and the Every Day~Part 1

So, I have always been a very sensual person. Everyone who knows me intimately has said as much and I really enjoy that fact. Lately, though I have been putting forth a concerted effort to bring more sensuality into my life. By sensuality I don't necessarily mean sexual things, although I do love those! Sensuality is defined as: The quality or state of being sensual; devotedness to the gratification of the bodily appetites; free indulgence in carnal or sensual pleasures; luxuriousness; voluptuousness; lewdness. While this may be true to some extent, I believe sensuality encompasses much more than this.

Some of the things I have done recently to bring more sensuality into my life begins with sleeping in the nude. I not only get to feel the cool (or warm as the case may be) sheets, but I can feel the skin of my lover and his caress as we sleep. I can feel my body and that helps me to know it and love it as the Temple of the Goddess that I believe it to be.

Recently too, David has begun brushing my hair with the wooden hairbrush, in the evenings while we watch movies. This is very sensual to he and I both. Other things that I am exploring now are: fabrics~in clothing and furnishings, sounds, nature, of course. Water~ including baths, showers, fountains, lakes, the ocean. Food~ something that I never thought could be sensual, but have found can be since I began eating vegan.

Sensuality is an important part of my life, and though it certainly can be of a sexual nature, it doesn't have to be. There are many experiences and even feelings that are sensual to me. Touch is probably the most sensual of the senses. Sensual touch is not only sexual, or even only between lovers. Touching my newborn babies was one of the most sensual things I have ever experienced. The skin of a newborn just from the womb is warm, moist and creamy with protective vernix. I enjoyed massaging this into my babies' skin after birth. Infant massage was a big part of all of their childhoods. Finger-caressing the soft fontanel on the top of their little heads was always sensual too. I have always been touchy-feely with my children. From baby wearing them in a sling carrier to breast feeding, it doesn't get much more sensual. Now with my five year old, it is brushing her long brown hair, taking the extra time to braid it and help her learn to care for it. Also bathing her, though she now does most of it herself, I enjoy putting lotion on her, post bath, as well as sunblock every morning before she heads out for another day of play in the sunshine. All very sensual to me, and I hope to her.

Thoughts on Belly Dancing

Belly dancing has been a passion of mine since 1999 when I took lessons with a Nigerian student at UT. She was a very good teacher an taught me the traditional artistic folk dance along with the modern American version. I really enjoyed dancing and practiced it studiously for some time. When I divorced in 2002, I let some of my dance time go, as a new love interest and new job took up a lot of my time. When I became pregnant with Sophie I began dancing again, though not regularly, it helped with the aches and pains of being pregnant at 35! After she was born, I continued dancing and included my little poppet by dancing with her in my arms. She took to belly dancing as soon as she could walk and still loves to dance to this day.

However, I have not danced an actual dance in ages. The last time I did was a ritual dance in honor of the Goddess. Belly dancing is a wonderful way to honor and celebrate the joy of living the Goddess path. I always think of the way that a woman's body is used belly dance and how that is so akin to the way it is used during sex, and during childbirth. "All acts of love and pleasure are My rituals", that is from the Charge of the Goddess, and I believe it is the truth. There is no better way to honor and serve the Goddess than by using your Goddess given body in rituals and fun. So with that in mind, I have decided to dust off my coin belt and give the Goddess the honor She deserves. Join me!

Here is a beautiful and informative link to get you started; Visionary Dance. Enjoy!

Flashes of the future

I snapped this one of Sophie and her cousin, Becca, the other day. When I looked at it, I had a flash forward to the future...to two young teen girls sharing laughter and tears over all of life's issues. They look so much older than four and six....there is a wisdom in Sophie's eyes that is beautiful to see. These two had spent the entire day lost in make believe and having fun in the sprinkler. They came in a dressed a like in Hello Kitty shirts and denim skirts, it was just too cute. My little poppet is growing up so fast. She is going to preschool this fall and I am more nervous than she is. LOL