Garden Planning and Simon Moon Shadow Settles In.

Imbolc is just around the bend with Spring not too far behind, here in Florida the weather has been up and down and temps are expected to be n the 40's again this weekend, which isn't too bad considering we had temps in the mid 20's Christmas and New Years weekend.  Today it was 82, a typical Florida winter. I have been thinking about my garden this year and I would love to actual have something more substantial then a few containers.

Over the next two weeks I will be clearing out the dead plants and debris around the yard to prepare the area for my Spring garden. This year will be a turning point for me as far as gardening since I first moved into this house in 2019 I actually feel well enough to get into the garden and not just plant a few pots. Over the weekend I plan to look over my seeds and seed catalogs to get an idea of what I would like to plant in my garden this spring.

I will most likely use some kind of raised beds and for my herb garden I would like to do something like this again, I have a few new ideas for plant markers.

Before moving here my garden did quite well, I used cinder blocks to make a raised bed and planted quite a variety of vegetables which did very well. It was the first time I grew corn in Florida I was so thrilled to see the cobs forming and couldn’t wait to harvest them, unfortunately we were hit by a week of rain which wiped out the entire bed except the weeds.

My sweet Simon Moonshadow has settled into life as a contented house cat, in early December he was neutered and had a microchip inserted. 

He loves just about any paper that crinkles and is delighted when I lay down a few pieces for him to play with.

Peeking about when he thinks no one is looking, he also has a habit of coming up behind me without a sound.

He loves to sleep touching a part of my body, though in the morning when he is swiping my face at 5 it not much appreciated. 

Yule morning looking into his stocking, and a few hours later as after rigorous play with his favorite toy Purple Kitty.

We lost it a few hours later and it didn't show up again until new year's eve.  I now have 3 as backups.

He even helps me choose fabric for my newest project and he hasn't found a box he doesn't like, yet.

Well he thought he was helping mainly he just wanted to play with the fabric and the scissors. One of the bins I have for his toys gets the Simon seal of sleep,

I never thought after 30 plus years that I would have a pet again, now I can't imagine my life without him.  Life is Good. 

Happy New Year

 

May the Goddess bless you with love & laughter to lighten your days,
and warm your heart & home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.

May the Goddess bless you with peace and plenty and bless your world
with joy that long endures.

May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Songs of Solstice: Goddess Carols

 My copy of arrived yesterday, the cover art by Kat Shaw is beautiful the pages are filled with some wonderful songs sung to old familiar Carols, prose and poetry to warm the spirit’s soul on the winter solstice and beyond. Among the pages are more art pieces by Kat Shaw and other wonderful artist. This book of goddess carols will make an great addition to your Yule and Winter Celebrations. Personally this Girl God book will grace my goddess bookshelf for many years to come.

This may be the book you didn’t know you needed until you open the pages, there are page after page of beautiful Goddess Carols to make your winter celebrations extra special. I can imagine a circle of women gathered at the solstice voices raised in song, and I can hear myself singing these carols aloud during my own winter celebrations and beyond.

With my Walking the Wheel of the Year journey I plan to pick out a few of the carols I can sing at sunrise or sunset along with my drumming.

I have posted this to my other blog here:https://deborahsasthecroneflies.wordpress.com/

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Winter Solstice

May this Winter Solstice and the Turn of the Wheel bring you Love, Peace and Good Fortune in the coming Year. Let us Welcome the returning Sun with Hope and Joy.

 Brightly burns the Yule log tonight,

Magic dances in firelight.

Hold my hand and join the song,

Raise the Sun King bright and strong.

Dark is giving way to light,

As brightly burns the Yule log tonight.

Blessing for a Happy Thanksgiving

 

A new month and a new member in my family.

November began with me starting my Walking the Wheel of the Year journey, besides the obvious walk in nature I plan to observe more closely what goes on around me as I walk for the entire year, I plan to take photos, make journal entries and collect bits and pieces from my walks, so finally I bought the book I have been wanting to read and perhaps it will make my walking the wheel of the year more eventful.

Yesterday Tropical Storm Nicole blew through the state of Florida, we has quite a bit f rain and heavy winds luckily all the trees have remained upright, so far.  We just had the tree debris removed from the tree that fell onto my neighbors fence last month.  After the workers finished a little visitor ran after the truck, I had a feeling he was living under those tree branches in my yard.  After he followed me to the back where I inspected the clean up and he kept getting under my feet.  He followed back up the driveway to the mailbox and to my door. We have so many stray cats in the area and many of them find their way into my yard.  This one was different, I believe he was one of the kittens that were around in May hiding in the stones of the fountain wall where other trees fell.

It was Wednesday the day of the Full Moon and Eclipse, which wasn't visible because of the clouds and rain prior to the Tropical storm heading our way.

Meet Moon Shadow, I went around the cul de sac and asking the neighbors behind me if he was one of theirs, he wasn't, he didn't belong to any of my surrounding neighbors. I ran some errands and he was waiting for me by my door when I returned. I scooped him up fed him with the food I just bought, I searched the few shelter sites and neighborhood sites, he wasn't posted on any. On Wednesday he had his first visit to the Vet, first to see if he was chipped, since he wasn't he had his first vaccines, he is scheduled to be neutered in a few weeks. He is the most affectionate cat, he has 6 toes on both front feet which makes him extra special. He showed up on the full moon with an eclipse and his coloring looks like he has moon phases. The night of the 8th I kept dreaming cats and the Cat Stevens song Moonshadow kept playing in my dream. It's been more than 20 years since I've had the desire for another pet, I believe the Goddess sent him and he chose me.

He is happy and warm and well fed getting to know his new home.  He is playful and would rather have cuddles then play time.  He has the most beautiful face, and he has my heart.

On November 1st I gave myself the first dose of Repatha, it was relatively easy to do and the injection site looks like a target. I am glad I only do this twice a month. I performed a short ritual asking for no terrible side effects as I’ve had with pills. Going from a very low fat diet to a nearly no fat diet went surprisingly easy, now my body and those cholesterol levels need cooperate.

As of today the only side effects that I noticed is intense hot flashes which come and go which isn't too bad since I have had hot flashes for quite a few years, though most of them subsided from menopause, I can put up with them.  I take the second dose on the 15th.  I had blood work recently and my total cholesterol dropped from 250 on July of 2021 to 216 on November 2nd, my goal is to have it under 200 by the New Year.

The Wheel of the Year Turns to Samhain

 

Tonight as the barrier

Between the two realms grows thin,

Spirits walk amongst us, once again.

They be family, friends, and foes,

Pets and wildlife, fishes and crows.

But be we still mindful of the Wee Folke at play,

Elves, Fey, Brownies, and Sidhe.

Some to trick, some to treat,

Some to purposely misguide our feet.

Stay we on the paths we know

As planting apples we go.

This Feast I shall leave on my doorstep all night.

In my window, one candle shall burn bright

To help my loved ones find their way

As they travel this eve, and this night, until day.

Bless my offering, both Lady and Lord,

Of breads and fruits, greens and gourds.