The last nine/ten months have been incredibly challenging in all parts of the world as we confront an insidious danger, a new virus. Here at home, we can heap on top of the pandemic an 
election the likes of which we have never seen, and wish we had not. On a personal level, I have lived for one year now with my house for sale, never sure if I will be able to stay in my home, and top it with the cherry of a very intense, seasonal workload. This is just my variation of the theme; so many of you and those you know, and so many more we’ll never meet are struggling with your own form of stress. It’s been an increasingly easy time to feel adrift from our moorings and to be lost in the most immediate problem in front of us.
While shopping on a website for other than books, of course I decided to dip into that section. You know, just looking. What I found was the book I needed, which you see here. Because that is what has happened to me … in the stress, distraction, and exhaustion, one of the things to go was the time put aside for my spiritual self. This book was published in August 2020 and references the onset of the pandemic and the ramping up of the presidential election, so it’s very current. Even having read a small way into the book, I am feeling calmer and reassured of moving into a better direction. So there is that.
On other fronts, because it’s been a while since I’ve posted, I thought to share a few photos, and what’s been happening in this small part of the world.
Produce from the local farm in October – the last of the gorgeous Jersey tomatoes, new potatoes, and a mix of Gala and my very favorite Macoun apples.
It was Halloween. Trees were beginning to shed their leaves, just enough to scuff through for trick or treaters or whoever wanted to enjoy a walk through the neighborhood. This little vignette of fall brought a smile to see the little pumpkins on the fence posts, the mums, and in a time we need to believe in our country, our flag.
While searching for something else, I came across this photo of Claude. Although he is no longer with us, this just reminded me of how calm and Buddah-like he could be at times, in contrast to his being a total goofball the next. He is still very much missed.
Another photo I stumbled upon … a clearing sky after a winter rain from a second story window, raindrops sparkling the screen. How lucky are we to have so many beautiful skies and sunsets in this part of my state.
In November I attended an online children’s book conference held by Rutgers University. Normally, the conference is several hundred dollars and limited in attendance due to space and the personal nature of the event, but with COVID, it was presented online with Zoom to hundreds of attendees for a pittance. Our keynote speaker, Sayantani Das Gupta writes a New York Times bestselling series of a brave girl named Kiranmala. Sayantani was quite inspiring. One of the quotes she offered in her talk was the above by Toni Morrison, both relevant and a reminder of the heroic writer in all of us.
I also took a screen shot of this quote by Ursula LeGuin because it just hit home. Made me remember that I am no small talent, nor are you. Sometimes we need to be reminded and luckily, someone comes along to tap us on the shoulder from time to time. This was a good tap for me … consider yourself tapped now, too.
As the days get shorter, the nights longer, we look more to light. I frequently have a candle burning, but this gathering of wolves is one of my very favorite pieces, the light so beautifully illuminating their faces. It’s only made of stone, but for me, it brings some deep-stirred memory of woods and the quiet footfalls of our lupine brothers and sisters.
And here we are today. I cleared my porch of fall decor in preparation of other lights of the season. I carried the two small pumpkins that sat at my door to the end of the block, over the grass and tracks, and tossed them onto the plateau of dried grasses below. It won’t take long for some of the local wildlife to discover them and enjoy a small feast.
Perhaps this meandering through photos has reminded me that even when we’re in tough times, there is still always much to be thankful for. For every obstacle or challenge, there is another way to look at it, a way to learn something we need to know. These, indeed, are gifts and my heart is lightened.
Still A Dreamer 
Amid the gloom of world events and shorter days there is indeed much to be thankful for. We all have to find the light where we can. Keep the faith for a better year ahead, for all.
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My lantern is held high, Lavinia. Thank you.
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My first email of the morning and exactly the one I needed to read. It has been a stressful year on global and personal levels, but I agree: there is always much to be thankful for. I’m so glad you found a writing workshop that inspired you. I’ve done quite a few this past year (yay zoom! Is a phrase I didn’t think I’d ever say, but…) and a couple really jumpstarted my writing. I’m contemplating another one now, but it’s a bit out of my price range, so I haven’t committed.
What a handsome kitty! And the photo through the screen is so beautiful. I’ll check out the book; the author is familiar. So good to hear from you this morning, Jeanne. Take care. x
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I’m so glad I could be the first one in your mailbox with some inspiring thoughts, Cheryl. It sure is a challenging time, but we all also have each other beyond our immediate circle of family and friends, which I find very comforting and rewarding. We are all doing the best we can, circumstances permitting, and that’s all we can ask. One step in front of the other, and we’ll get there, wherever “there” is today, or just this hour. My Claude – I rescued him at 5 weeks old from the middle of a railroad bridge. He was raised under the chin of my pit bull terriers, Chloe, who became his loving Mom. Glad you’re keeping up with writing, too. It’s good to be inspired. Take care, too! ❤️ Jeanne
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This wonderful post reminds me of something that gives me strength. A good friend (wink, wink) blesses me with an inspirational calendar every year. It provides simple yet powerful daily quotes that almost always starts my day in a positive way. Today’s quote is one of them: When you banish all doubt in favor of faith, there’s nothing more powerful on this planet.”
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And I am so happy to offer that inspiration to my friend with whom I walk in faith and hope. ❤️
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I love your gathering of wolves Jeanne. Zoom has been great in getting people together when we might normally not have been able to travel or pay a lot of money to attend things. This was a lovely, peaceful meander that reminded me of the positive things of this year.
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If I have reminded you of positive things, Andrea, then my job here is done! 😊 Yes, Zoom is serving so many helpful purposes and keeping many of us in touch and inspired. Enjoy the upcoming full moon, here called the “beaver moon.” By you, too?
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I don’t really hear many people naming the moons – Beavers are scarce in the UK now after they became extinct, but they’re being reintroduced in some places now so maybe that name is appropriate 🙂
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I found that the term cones from Algonquin tribes and early colonists here in the states. In addition to the full moon today, we also have a partial lunar eclipse. Here’s the info on the “Beaver Moon” if interested (just ignore the ads.) https://www.nj.com/news/2020/11/full-november-beaver-moon-and-lunar-eclipse-to-put-on-a-sky-show-this-week.html
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Very interesting – and strangely enough, on our news all day today there’s been a story to say that for the first time in 400 years beavers – who have been reintroduced – have built a dam on Exmoor – so very appropriate!
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I imagine them sitting on their dam giving their thanks and adoration to the moon. How exciting!
Exmoor is also where that wild, ancient breed of ponies live and are being protected against extinction by a rare breed organization. I did an article on them just last year in the ZoonooZ that I write. Exmoor must be a wonderful and very safe place for animals.
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Wonderful reminder about being thankful! I also have photos of a much-loved and missed handsome black-and-white cat:)
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Thanks, Becky. Once these little creatures make a home in our hearts, they never really leave, do they?
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That’s for sure!
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