I think we're going to experience a serious fall day today in Washington DC. I'm kind of excited to think that, for the first time since early spring, I will need to wear a jacket when I go out. I might even wrap my neck with a scarf. Very cool (using that word on several levels).
A nice cold snap brings to an end the autumn allergy season - oh yeah - and also signals the beginning of the end of the mosquitoes. I am never sad to see the end of insect season, oh no.
Meanwhile the days grow shorter and the Dead are wandering, wandering, as they do at this time of year. Life, despite its dramas and inevitable suffering, is such a precious existence. Even those who are free of it still long, in some way, for the festival of the five senses, for flesh and blood, and all carnal delights.
Today I will build my ancestor altar, light candles and gaze into the photographs of all those people who lived their lives, wrapped things up and moved back behind the veil. Then I'm going to spend some time offering prayers of thanks for my lucky life, prayers of appreciation for being right here, right now. Life is good and I am grateful!
How sweet to honor the passing of the dodo.
22 comments:
Hello again, you did better than me, I was too wiped out to do a post for today. Quite a profound think piece for today. I realized I have got to get back to the real world. I got so wrapped up in being Miss Margaret I got to get back to QMM. But you know the next two months are like an enchanted time. This blogging is like playing make believe. I love it. Talk to you again.
QMM
My dead have been astir for a good week. Waiting for November 1st.
fall in the midwest....cold and wet...oh well, maybe an Indian summer is lurking around the corner. Giving thanks before Thanksgiving? What a concept!
"Today I will build my ancestor altar, light candles and gaze into the photographs of all those people who lived their lives, wrapped things up and moved back behind the veil."
Since July, 3 family members and 3 friends have stepped off the planet.
Thank you for these words; they feel so true to me.
I loved this post. We are who we were, thanks to our ancestors.
Bring on the scarf weather!!
(there's still a line of peeps in the library waiting for your crystal ball reading)
I've never understood the desire to meditate your life away, the whole finding nirvana. I incarnated for the physical experience, why would I want to spend the time trying to rise above it when I will return 'nirvana' at the end of my life here?
I've often thought about building an altar for specific purposes, like for Dia de los Muertos. Perhaps this year.
So glad someone remembered the dodo bird!
Thoughts of change and renewal and the restless dead aside, one of the best things about fall is The Wearing of Scarves. gauzy, wooly, furry, sheer, sparkly, subdued, flashy, tasselled, plain, long, very long, very very long... I'm getting my collection out. Let the season commence!
Life is good. Beautiful post, I share your gratitude for each blessing and every day and may I always remember to share life's abundance.
Aaah, so that's what it is. Reya, I have come to rely on your for these little treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The Dead are wandering you say? Now I understand why everything feels topsy turvey. I must go and talk to them to clear the air, methinks?
Life is indeed good! And look! I'm still dancing....
We all must count our blessings, and thinking of those who have passed on is a good idea. Thank you, Reya.
I've been thinking the same thoughts lately.
Such a wonderful post Ms. Reya. Thank you...I love the "lived lives, wrapped things up and moved behind the veil" phrase best of all. Lovely. Most conciderate to remember the DOdo and Pluto and to give some empathy to poor Dracula...not his fault, really, that he is so thirsty.
Autumn, like spring up here in the north, is confusing for flowers and berries- they don't know if they are coming or going...seems to hold true for me as well...
I love to put my jacket back on for the first time. Welcome autumn!
ah Reya, you make me breath deep and patiently wait for stars. Thank you always for your comfort and care. xo
Awww, poor dodo -- and poor Pluto, which didn't really die, but merely got demoted!
Fab post, Reya. Live each day, as my parents used to tell me!
Tessa, so the Dead are wandering on your side of the planet, too? Wow. I associate what's happening here with the season of fall.
Yes, Tom. I love the feeling of gratitude and try to access it whenever I can. Why wait? Anything could happen.
All things must pass away - but - what is remembered, lives.
Thankful for all of you!
Ohhh how great to get to wear a jacket & a scarf! I love scarves & am looking forward to a cool day here...this weekend I think we're getting a cool down!
Love the RIP photos... yep I like the idea of paying homage to the Dodo bird... we should do so for the Ivory-billed woodpecker also.
Enjoy the day!
I'm jet-lagged, feel under- the spell-tired. Glad the young ones are back at work, making the world go round.
Altar for the dead? We visit their tombs on All Saints' Day on Nov.1st.
Perhaps, but not as grateful as we are to have you here.
Life really is good, isn't it!
I second your scarf appreciation, as well as your thanks for a good life! Perfect sentiment for this autumn in New England.
A very sobering thought.. and one that makes you feel thankful for life as it is. Remember Shakespeare's 'All the World's a Stage'... somehow got reminded of it when I read your post.. your post goes a step beyond those stanzas though.. Shakespeare just narrated the end, reading your post, I visualize the quite fading away of life, and a deep gratitude that life is what it is.
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