A Month Most Magikal

The last six weeks have been busy! Between work and dance I spent more time on the road than anything else. I have been subbing for Melanie at Kahraman as well as taking lead for unda. Having to teach has made me a much more focused dancer and I hope that I don't lose that now that I am back in the ranks so to speak.

October has always been one of my favorite months. The cold damp air, the fall colors the bounty from other people's gardens… seriously who doesn't love it? This year October was especially full. We started with a wiccaning for Bailey. This was the first group ritual that Juniper has been in charge of and it went well. She used a blessing that I had written for Wyn as a focus and I admit I was flattered.
Next came Samhain, Lisa hosted the party this year (and it was a smashing success) and I led the ritual. The plan was to write a new one but as I was preparing I found the one from '05 and remembered how much I had liked it. I expected the ritual to only be three or four people but instead we had eight. I am always nervous leading new people and I am glad I kept it simple. We used a pomegranate and an apple and then threw into the fire slips with what we wanted to be rid of in the coming year. It ended with cider and corn bread.

Juniper and I had planted broomcorn and used it to make a besom for our friend Elisabeth. She had just moved into her first place, and her birthday was this month, so we took her bread and salt to bless the house.

We spent All Soul's Day celebrating the full moon with our fledgling coven. The children all joined in as well, we howled at the moon, gave her an offering of milk and each of us received a blessing. It finished with cashew moon cookies and mulled cider.

I think it was by far the best ending to a year I've had yet. We still have to smash our pumpkin to find out how many months of good luck will be coming to us but all in all it was a beautiful month.

Catching up

It has been an interesting year. I can't believe it is mid-August already! July marked two pretty important anniversaries for me. I was officially divorced for a year, and I have spent one full year as GM at my hotel. Both things have proven to be more life altering than I had imagined. While I am still not the person I wish I was, the growth that I have had in the last twelve months has put me closer to where I would like to be.
Dancing with unda has given me more confidence and the support of my troupe keeps me going when things look bleak.
I just got home from nine fantastic days at Sacred Harvest Fest . I got very little sleep, danced a ton, drummed for the first time and had an all around stellar time. The people are always warm and friendly and you can't beat camping under such a magnificent stand of oaks.

Happy Christmas to all!

Knitter's Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished knitting not under the tree,
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care
'Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep---he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6" too small.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.
The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.

When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.
And although I was tired--my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.

Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.
"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite!
Move over!

Lopi, don't circle around, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you'll work out just fine!
I know this is hard as it's just your first year
But I'd hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."

I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!
And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa's big boots stomping on the porch floor.

I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his heat to his toe
And his clothes were hand knit from above to below.

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.
His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosey red face.

The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:

"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff.
So I asked, "Hey, Nick, did YOU knit all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to knit when I was just a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I had laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
He began then to knit, first one cap then 2--
For the first time I thought I might really get through.

He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.
Quickly like magic his needles they flew,
Good Grief! He was finished by two!

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your knitting sometime around JUNE!"

Let it Snow....

Or really I would rather it not. It has started to come down hard here and it's not supposed to stop until tomorrow. I am leaving work early I don't want to be stranded for Wyn's birthday!

Package Sent!!!!

I have sent my All Hollow's Eve swap package out! I had to mail it from the hotel I am staying at but it's all good. Here's a teaser pic....
I was happy with the way everythig came together so I hope my swapee is too.

Week 5's topic

If you could go anywhere at all to enjoy a wonderful fall vacation - where would you go and why? Somewhere you've been? Somewhere you've heard has amazing fall colors? Somewhere that's LESS fall-like than where you are?

I have heard that Vermont is beautiful in the fall and I would love to see it. As hard as it is to believe, I like IL in the fall. I live along a river and there is nothing prettier than driving along it with the trees changing. Not to mention being in the corn belt you really get a sense of what the season is all about, Harvest time.

Week 4 a questionaire

Q1: Where did the idea of Jack-O-Lanterns originate?
A) Scotland


Q2: Halloween is the 2nd most successful commercial Holiday - what's the first?
B) Valentine's Day

Q3: What is the intense fear of Halloween called?
B) Samhainophobia

Q4: The mask worn by Michael Meyers in Halloween (the Movie) was actually a mask of who?
D) No one - it was an old hockey mask

Q5: In 2004, what was the most popular Halloween Candy?
B) Snickers


And finally - tell us what YOUR favorite Halloween Candy is! I love that I have a kid who trick or treats! I try not to buy a lot of candy but she is great about sharing her loot. My favorite Halloween treat is popcorn balls. Especially homemade ones. Chocolates come in a close second with those Reeses pumpkins topping that list.