In the Storm so Long

No doubt, I fell off a cliff in late July. Can't even say what all the triggers were, but several were pulled, and I fell. And so I once again find myself on the long slope, coming up from the abyss. As I've climbed, I've turned to my camera for solace, exploring old and new subjects. And, as always, I've held fast to living, breathing nature as sustenance for the journey. So I thought I would share a few glimpses of light from the long night that was the Dog Days:

 This little girl came to visit SO often in August and September!

 This happened! Quite a surprise to see Mom and the brood out back

 Of course this happened, too! Bug learning to walk again

 Beautiful mums from our dear cousins

 Lots of flutterbys this summer

 Heather and the Impatiens were a big hit!

 I am obsessed with her...

 Hey girl! She LOVED our morning glory vine.

 Flutterby

 Verbena Lantana is still blooming

 This pic has been a big hit on social media.

 Ms. Pinky getting loved up!

 Obsessed...

Convalescing Bug...

 Increasingly I have turned to the sky, seeking solace...

 My old flame Cassiopeia

 Pinky!

 Our hanging baskets have done very well: petunias

 Bougainvillea

 There...out in the darkness...

 Moon and oak leaves

 Baritone Moon

 Billions and billions...

The Northern Sky, filled with familiar constellations

 From right to left, Cassiopeia (modern form in blue, old form in red); Cephus, King of Aethiopia, husband to Cassiopeia, father to Andromeda; the Little Dipper, dipping toward the horizon.

 I think it might be time to mow again (we had a three-week dry spell)

 Our little Vinca has thrived!

 Blousy petunias...

 Ms Rita and her pet weed

And of course, Ms Pinky Two-tone Geranium...

We are moving toward my birth sign, Scorpio. I have described myself as forever autumn (a brilliant song from War of the Worlds, btw). Like autumn, I am filled with equal parts beauty and sadness and doubt and hope. Yes, I am a spendid season, but brace yourselves, winter is coming. With shortened days comes doubt and sadness, with the cold comes pain. But the winter sky, with my old friend Orion presiding, and the promise of rebirth in the spring, give me sustaining hope. May these images from my new home give you solace, wherever they may find you, in these troublesome times.

I leave you with a soulful video of autumns past, up in Ohio:
Autumn in Ohio, 2013

Monday Miscellany: Of Sheep and Men

You will recall from The Bug's post that our pre-Thanksgiving holiday included a visit here:

Beautiful Lake Cumberland, Kentucky

Where we stayed in the Lure Lodge at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park

 And saw signs (Sun Dog!)

And Wonders! (late Autumn color!)

After our long ramble from the lodge to Hickory, NC, we visited with family over Thanksgiving, which in my case involved spending time with my father and brother, as well as spending time with The Bug's clan. We were a bit tense going in...The Bug and I stood at odds with many of our relatives this election. We could not comprehend how they could vote for that man, and they could not comprehend how we could vote for that woman. I must say that I felt all parties made an heroic effort to put aside the late unpleasantness and celebrate our love, one for another. For that and many other blessings, we give thanks!

In the season when being one of the "deplorables" became a badge of honor, when much venom has been spewed and many of us look to the future with fear and loathing, this meme made me laugh out loud.

From left to right, Pop, my bro, and me...from a few years ago on Thanksgiving at my brother's house.

This Thanksgiving I had dinner with The Bug's clan in the fellowship hall of a local church. We posed for our annual picture in their sanctuary, and I of course LOVED this window!

And a fine clan it is! (Seriously, a Scottish surname, Tartan and all...)

I spent much of Wednesday and Friday here at my father's house with Pop and bro. In the days of his youth, my Pop helped his cousin build this house for my grandparents (I wasn't even a twinkle in his eye at that time). Now it is his nest, as long as he can manage to live on his own. Thankfully, when he turned 80 he figured he had best stop burning wood for heat, so he had gas heat installed. Up until then, he carried in all his own firewood. We were much relieved to get him to make that call!

 I love to drive past this Lincoln County farm on my way to and from my father's house!

 These Belted Galloway cattle are wonderful!

 I've been taking pics of this Great Pyr for a number of years now.

 More belted cattle.

 And little donkeys!

SO cute!

 And sheep!

 I have a thing for sheep, you know...

The Bug's sister-in-law customized this wonderful travel mug for me!

I do confess the red clay of Lincoln County calls to me...beckoning me to return to the county my ancestors founded, to the place we have called home for nigh unto 250 years. Someday, red clay, you and I will again commune, if only to grow geraniums and such...