Maurauding Cows

Mancos, where the Wild West still lives. Ah, yup, that would be right. Maurauding cows for almost a week now are holding us hostage. Called the brand inspector, he called back a nine at night. Kind of dark to go looking for cows. The Sherriff was really a bit aggravated with me for bothering them. They would send someone but I would need to be there...miss a day of work. My neighbor couldn't see them at all. Cows? Nope. Well hello! There have been about a dozen roaming through the area for a week now. There are huge prints in the mud for all to see and some other identifiable droppings that will work well in the garden next year. Ahhh, me. At least they are relatively peaceful and have not found my hay barn...yet. I may have to put a pannel up tonight. I would rather not relinquish what the deer have left of my hay to the cows. Life in the west. I love it!

Attitude of Gratitude

Today, once again, I am overwhelmed with a deep sense of gatitude. At work a gentleman said as we parted..."and don't ask Santa for everything you want." I smiled as I wished him Happy Holidays, and thought to myself, there is really nothing I want! I am so joyful in my life and so blessed with loving children, a great bunch of pets, a warm, beautifu home, my health, good work at jobs I love...what more is there? I have what I need and more - and am surrounded in beauty!

Vanilla Frosted Morning!

What an amazing morning! It snowed most of the night and my world is frosted when I wake up...gobs and gobs of vanilla frosting. Oh, but you don't have to shovel frosting do you?

The views from all directions were amazing as the sun came up and broke through low clouds...everything sparkled! Then of course, after shoveling my way to the barn we played. The dogs raced and burrowed and just had a blast! The snow was light and fluffy so they ended up covered. Cute.

It was such a fantastic day I had to keep pinching myself to believe it was real. Sweet Mary brought the best, the absolutely very best, creamy turkey soup and some stuffing to the libary. She also brought *what she called a sliver* gorgeous piece of pumpkin cheese cake. The were all homemade, and more to the point, made by Sweet Mary! I had lunch, dinner and will have lunch tomorrow on these equisite, gourmet, foods. I am as full as a tick tonight! She is such a dear friend and so very talented...and has a heart as big as the world.

'Tis the Season!

Santa Baby! I found this guy that I made last year when I began my rummaging for Christmas decorations. I like him! It is easy to be in a festive mood today as it is Sunday...I have the day off...have been for great walks with my dogs and those I am caring for...it is snowing! Has been since early morning. FESTIVE!

Fire in the fireplace, puttering around with some crafts, some art...and looking over a storage box of dolls in various stages of completion. Trying to find the box of vintage photographs for a collage...no luck yet. Still have created a couple of collages that I really like...Wise/Emerging Woman is the theme. I have been working on this for over a year and it is finally taking shape. Fun to do the art and not just think about it or be fearful that it won't be "perfect". Oh, that fear thing. Gotta get rid of that. Beautiful, snowy, creative day! More on Emerging Woman later.

Thanksgiving

It is a beautiful, cold Thanksgiving Day. I am feeling quite content and most grateful. That theme has beeen growing over the past months. Spent a lovely morning caring for critters; mine and those of L and K...they are away. It was most rewarding and peaceful. The birds are feasting out in their aviary and the Ubu and Max are watching. The birds are happy munching the the cat and dog are happy to watch!

I sent Blue Mountain cards to friends and family and the quote in one of them was: "The things that matter most in our lives are not the things we acquire along the way but within a treasure chest of memories and experiences with the people we love." How very true. I have such lovely memories both of Thanksgivings past, and life in general. I am and have been truly blessed.

As I nest around the house this morning I arrange the flowers that Petra gave me yesterday. It was part of a lovely birthday celebration. Again, I am so blessed not only to have three of the most fantastic chiropractors in the world...but to have them as friends. I set the flowers, bright and cheery on my table.

I read a prayer from one of the books written by Don Miguel Ruiz this morning - it is one I often read and try to hold with me for the entire day. "Let us be aware of our power to create a dream of heaven where everything is possible. Help us to use our imagination to guide the dream of our life, the magic of our creation, so we can live without fear, without anger without jealousy, without envy. Give us a light to follow, and let today be the day that our search for loe and happiness is over. Today let something extraordinary happen that will change our life forever; Let everything we do and say be an expression of the beauty in our hearts, always based on love."

Words to live by and act upon today...and every day!

This gem was a birthday gift from Meslissa, my wonderful daughter in law. She knows me so well and I treasure this faux stone with a quote by Cicero...

I have a full heart and deep gratitude for my many gifts, family, critters, friends, my garden and library!

Happy Thanksgiving, peace, love and joy to all today and every day.

Inspiration

I was just going back over some notes I took after reading Phil Borges Book, Women Empowered Inspiring Change in the Emerging World. A dear friend gave it to me as a birthday gift a few years ago. We have since ordered it for our local library as well. It is an important work; an amazing book. It astounded me with not only breathtaking photos, but facts.

"Women produce half of the world's food but own just one percent of its farmland. Of the 867 million illiterate adults in the world, two thirds of those are women. On average women represent a mere ten percent of all elected legislators worldwide. Eighty percent of the world's refugees and displaced people are women and girls. An increase of one year in the average education of a nation's women corresponds to a five to ten percent decrease in that country's child mortality rates. Worldwide, at least one in three women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or abused in some way, most often by someone she knows. Between 100 and 140 MILLION girls and women have been subject to female genital mutilation - and yes, that still goes on. About one in seven girls in the developing world gets married before her fifteen th birthday."

Now that gives shock and awe a whole new meaning to me. Phil Borges is not only a talented artist but he is insightful and very inspiring.

Winter is here, Thanksgiving approaches

What a beautiful, clear, cold and very crisp morning. The wind stung my cheeks as I did chores yet the sun warmed my back. Such a wonderous day! This time of year is alwasy one of introspection for me, and it is a great favorite of mine. This morning I see the mountains anew and marvel at their wonder. I notice leaves, skittering in the wind and see them with new and appriciative eyes. The snow snags the reamins of plant live and paints a fascinating landscape. There is so much beauty in my world and I am so very grateful! Thanksgiving is every day, yet this special week, with a day singled out for thanks...makes me realize just how much I am thankful for! The love and deep caring of family; the devotion of dear friends; the companionship and joy the critters give me...and my home, my sanctuary, my yard, my JOY! The full of the moon and the fullness of my life nurture me and in it all there is great gratitude and joy.