Take A Breath

With everything that's been going on here recently, I haven't even mentioned the weather which has shifted into pure glory. The highs have been in the low to mid 80's, the lows at night are in the low 60's and even high 50's. If it meant never having to experience another hurricane or hurricane scare again in my life I would skip fall altogether but since that's not possible, I will graciously take the lower temperatures, the blue skies, the vibrant light of fall. There's a difference to the light these days. It's like the sun is not trying to kill us unlike what it does all summer. When I say (too frequently, I am sure) that the heat on a walk did not kill me, it's not much of a joke. It always seems like a possibility. 

However, one day last week, and I don't remember which one it was, it got noticeably cooler as evening came on and when I checked the weather and saw that it was going to get down into the sixties, I opened the windows and doors and as always, I could feel the house breathe it's great sigh of relief as the air washed the walls and floors again. They've been open ever since and the silence which has replaced the sound of the air conditioner's constant chugging is so pleasant, so...peaceful, so full of bird song. Another indicator of fall. 

I have not gotten out the duck yet. It is not cold, of course, although I will say that both Mr. Moon and I have been chilly enough to pull on garments with sleeves. But instead of the duck, I got out the mostly-down-and-a-tiny-bit-of-feathers-lighter-weight comforter which I got at Wag the Dog a few months ago and had washed and dried and stored away and it has been such a luxury to sleep under it. A perfect weight for these nights. Jack appreciates it too, sleeping next to me as he does. Last night I went to sleep scratching his chin. Every time I tried to pull my hand away he would tap-tap it, and I would resume the scratching but it got fainter and slower as I drifted into sleep and by then I think he was asleep too. 

I have not been exactly slothful today but I have taken it very easy. I washed the sheets and hung them on the line with the rest of the laundry. 

Maurice came to join me. She rolled on the sunny ground, eyes shut in bliss, and then scratched her back on the clothesline's wooden support beam. 
I watered plants and played musical pots with a few of them, transplanting one here, and then putting another in the now-empty pot. I sometimes remind myself of hermit crab swap meets where the crabs meet in large groups to trade shells that fit them better. 
I got out the garden cart and picked up a few branches that had fallen in the few meager wind gusts we had the last few days. My god, we were lucky! 

And then I moved the ironing board to the Glen Den and leisurely ironed a few things while watching Call the Midwife and there are few things I enjoy more than that, especially with the windows open, a breeze coming through the room. 

Mr. Moon has texted me that he made it to Tennessee where he is staying with his cousin and her husband. I am so glad to know that he is safe. He called me earlier in the day when he was on the road and I told him to be safe and take care of himself and know that I love him. He said he planned on doing all of those things. 

And I've just now been tagged on a Facebook post about the place in Roseland where we stay which I love so much. Here's a picture from the article which you can find HERE. 

That's my river, y'all! The dock we sit on to watch that glorious sunset is in the bottom right hand portion of the shot. The main gist of the article is about the island you can see there which is a bird sanctuary which I did not know. I do know that I have spent so many evenings, watching the birds fly to the island to roost, the herons, the egrets, their graceful wings against the changing colors of the sky as the sun dips beneath the water. Fish break the surface of the river and the water slaps against the posts of the dock. 
It is one of my most sacred and happy places. 

I learned a lot from the article about the people who built the original house on the property as well as the pool house where we stay and there is a picture of the two men who bought the place twenty years ago and have done such an amazing job of restoration while at the same time keeping the funky Florida charm of it all, honoring the environment, the natural eco-system, the history of Roseland. 

Sigh. I miss that place so much. I know- I need to go visit again. I have been struggling so with anxiety but it's time for me to get over it, to just go. To sit on that dock at sunset, to swim in that beautiful, deep pool with the four lions spitting water. For those of you are new here, if you do a search of the blog for "Roseland" you can see what I'm talking about. 

It has been a very peaceful day and I am most grateful for it. 

Happy Friday, y'all. 

Love...Ms. Moon