Short, but Meaningful Days

It's that time of year when we feel like we just wake up, get tired and it's time to go to bed again. Do you find this to be true for you too? We were inspired by an online acquaintance to get up with the sun and go to bed when our bodies tell us it's time, even if it's 9 p.m. or 8 p.m. Ha! I didn't think we would be able to get up early because I've always hated it and found it almost impossible to do, but I also cannot stay up at night when it's this dark. My body is hollerin' for rest and relaxation (music, knitting and reading), which almost always then makes me want to go to sleep. Steve and I try for one tv show together, often pulling the plug early. TV shows are soooooooooo one storied now and we just aren't that big of fans. Getting up with the sun and going to bed not that long after the sun sets seems to be working. I am sure we will adjust somewhat as the darkness descends 45 more minutes earlier at the Winter Solstice, but if not, that's ok. We are doing our best and that's what matters in this moment and always, really.

We are in the latter half of American Persimmon season and we are still delighting in their delicious fruits. This plant is magic, I tell you. I know you've heard me say it before, but seriously. We just found perfectly ripe, perfectly delicious fruits after hard frosts and freezes here in Ohio. Some of our bestest friends also find these fruits to be a marvel and they made this gorgeous and fun bumper sticker to help spread the persimmon love. If you want one, just message me your name and address and I will mail you one for free. 

We postponed selling our bareroot American Persimmons until early spring 2022 and made a very short video to tell you why and give you a look at these strong seedlings. 

What is Steve pointing at so happily? You guessed it! Some of the best tasting persimmon fruit we've had yet and just look at how pretty they are hanging there dangling in the warm autumn breeze. 

This summer and fall we hiked and hiked and hiked and found bits of ourselves again amongst such community members as Mother Beech:

If you've not read Suzanne Simard's Finding the Mother Tree, please do so now. It will change everything for you when you see trees and mushrooms and contemplate sentience. Yes, even sentience. Please don't wait. We need connection in the world just as much as we need kindness and love. Let the trees and the long twisted strands of mycelia offer enlightenment. It's time to listen again. They've all been whispering to us for so very long...

Photo by Michelle Stitzlein:

The forest web holds us in her embrace and offers such gifts of beauty. Look at these colors and textures and behaviors and feel their existence in this world. We get to behold these lives! We hold so much in our power and one of our most important acts seems to make sure everyone in this world has something to eat. That's within our power and is power in the offering.

Pawpaw Sphinx:

Oakworm:

Datana Caterpillars:

Imperial Moth Caterpillar:

Time passes and we seek more and more refuge away from the human trappings that so easily become and define our lives if we let them. Steve listened to some program the other day where the speaker posited that there is "no box." Isn't that right? We don't have to stay in the box, we don't have to break out of the box. No. None of that is necessary, because there is no box if we don't decide there is a box. Hmm. I don't know much, but I know sunshine offers me warmth, water offers me renewal, trees offer me breath.

I am grateful.

I am in love.

I am ALIVE!

We offer your seeds of gratitude and hope you hold them in your heart and in your spirit and that once you are full up, you share and spread your own. 

Life is love or it's not, but we choose love, always. No matter what finds us, what scares us, what is more than we ever dreamed of baring. We choose love and gratitude for this one life that is ours!

 

Soundtrack: Cloudbusting by Kate Bush. "I just know that something good is going to happen. I don't know when, but just saying it could even make it happen."