as the season darkens

into winter,
 there is still light
 a flash of white in sunlit grasses
 and tess appears!
 not far from the place where i spotted a kingfisher 
several times, but
didn't see this day, probably gone south.
 we see ducks here, too.
 which tess ignores. 
i mean, there could be grouse close by so--off she goes.
 in the corner closest to my little garden between the granite ledges
 paper wasps were practicing their craft.
this is BIG.
 raccoon activity along the road
 and i've taken to talking back to these ravens
who gather nearby and quark loudly, 
as teenagers do.
there were seven yesterday.
i'd rather embarrass myself by quarking,
 trying out conversation
than take photos, 
so i didn't get all seven.
 popple/aspen and a trace.
 and it's gotten very very cold. 
in the single digits yesterday morning.

 neighborhood barn
 in front of which 
a plenty of high bush cranberries.
quite a crop.
but they're my neighbor's, 
not mine.
before the snow
it was clear and very cold.
and then it came
freezing everyone right up into little balls or broken pieces
but i love the cold
love how it makes me attend to its demands.
even though i do whine about it from time to time.
snow is expected again.
and the last of the sumac leaves here are gone. 
one branch broke completely
showing sumac's fragile heart.
stay warm and well and creative.
and the sumac?
it was in the pot today and the prints are drying.

double living

i drive from one home to another
quite often now.
there is so much to see 
and to love 
about this landscape
landskeins and rainstorms and fawns.
 a doe and fawn 
at first surprised that i was disturbing them
this morning in one big haymeadow.
 a short time ago i found a road-killed oriole,
 mourned the short beautiful life,
hoped there were no alone babies
in a hanging basket of a nest closeby.
i buried the body in my garden
after taking a few feathers
placing them in this strangely beautiful bowl.
 i continue making shifu squares
 and spinning kami-ito
 the tiny squares have filled up their basket
and then some.
 so this weaving continues until it's done
 needle has curved
for my hand's pleasure
hours and hours of plain weave. 
aimee sent me a duck
celebrating
retirement
just the other day i surprised
a duck family scurrying off the dirt road 
 in front of the new place.
there was no room
but they all disappeared quickly
make way for ducklings!
echoed the past.
~~~
i had to cancel my class at the morgan, but
here are two events to consider, 
this first is close to home
and 
highly recommended
downeast maine in august is stunning
and cobscook is one of those magical and earthy places
and, though i am teaching this time, i'd go again.
this group of bookish sorts is very cool:

New England Chapter Mini-Conference in Northern Maine 

August 26th - 28th. Delighted and inspired by the local plants and vegetation of Maine, we invite you to join in a weekend retreat at the Cobscook Community Learning Center that will include two 1-day workshops with Andrea Peterson and Velma Bolyard, evening lectures with Katie MacGregor and Nancy Leavitt, a mix and mingle event and material swap. 

Schedule of Events:
FRIDAY, August 26th:
7:00 - 8:30 Evening Reception - Dining Hall
8:45 - 9:30 Mix & Mingle plus Material Swap - Lodge

SATURDAY, August 27th:
Workshop Day One - Andrea Peterson or Velma Bolyard
9:00 - 12:00 Morning Session
12:15 - 1:15 Lunch - Dining Hall
1:30 - 4:30 Afternoon Session
7:00 - 8:30 Evening Dinner - Dining Hall
8:45 - 9:30 Vendor Room

SUNDAY, August 28th:
Workshop Day Two - Andrea Peterson or Velma Bolyard
9:00 - 12:00 Morning Session
12:15 - 1:15 Lunch - Dining Hall
1:30 - 4:30 Afternoon Session
7:00 - 8:30 Evening Dinner - Dining Hall

Registration is open to both members and non-members of the Guild of Book Workers and covers both workshops and all meals. We also invite you to bring your spouse and/or friend along to join in the evening festivities and enjoy the beauty of rural Maine. Dormitory-style lodging is available and conveniently located on the grounds. 

To register and find more information about the conference see descriptions below or please go to: https://gbw.formstack.com/forms/negbwconference

If you have any additional questions, feel free to email Erin Fletcher at negbwprograms@gmail.com. We hope to see you there! 
~~~
and 
in australia in march 2017
a 6 day master class
paper and books!