Yesterday around noon I strolled out of Wal-Mart and headed for the gas pump. WOW! gas is $1.61 a gallon. I filled my car for half of what I did this time last year. I was at the pump and humming a tune.  A big black Crow hopped by in perfect rhythm with my tune. I like it when that happens. It is one of those simple and ordinary things about nature that makes me feel connected to the universe.

Then I noticed that the Crow’s leg was wounded and her rhythm was in response to the pain in her leg. My humming stopped and I felt sad that I had been so self-centered to think that the Creator had that particular Crow cross my path for a moment of pleasure.

The experience with that dear Crow gave me pause to ponder those situations in life in which folks find humor in others suffering. The example came to mind of people who are over weight and how they are the topic of either ridicule or the butt of a joke. But here I go again taking life way beyond serious and into the topic of pain. Perhaps it is that my own pain is fading and my focus is less on my own wounds but instead is directed toward other creatures. SWEET!

The leaves are off of the trees for the most part and I can see how the creek curves around to the north and east. There is also a pond to the east of the creek that I didn’t even know was there. I love fall leaves but our season of  color change was brief.

Thanksgiving is coming soon and I am looking forward to time with my family. My sister and I cook a turkey with all the extra stuff of a family tradition. We are already preparing or should I say she is already preparing ahead. She is putting up Christmas decorations today.  She absolutely loves all that there is to Christmas Season.

I on the other hand do not decorate. I take that back I did have live trees outside for many years with my partner. It was lovely, we fed the birds and the lights warmed them in the bitter cold of Minnesota. This is a cherished memory.

Well, I started with leaves off the tree to snow on a celebration tree. Memories come and go in random fashion since I lost my partner. Adjusting to the different climate is difficult. I love my sweat shirts and I want to wear one today. No such luck it is too warm. Oh well the journey down memory lane with each of you has is fun.

Peace, Annie

Fall is definitely here and the weather is making radical changes each day. The cool weather inspires me to write. I may have mentioned that since I live alone I could only afford living in a small trailer. It is comfortable in many ways but has its disadvantages. Night before last we had tornado warnings, strong winds and hail the size of a quarter. It covered the ground until it was white. The noise on the tin roof was deafening and then the wind shifted direction and the hail began hitting the back door and side of the house. It was like being inside a popcorn popper. The storm lasted for over 2 hours. It would intermittently slow down and the hail would stop. It would come back again just as loud as before.

 I began getting sleepy, got my dog and slept in the closet for an hour or so.  I woke up and the storm had passed. We got back to the bed and crashed fast asleep. I have been in many storms in Oklahoma. The fear never goes away especially when there is hail. Hail is commonly associated with tornadoes. Fear of storms is a kind of fear that needs to be harnessed. The noise of the hail, winds and rain can work you into frenzy. If you panic during a storm you are in for a nightmare. At its best you think about a safety plan, take deep breathes and wonder if you should take cover or ride it out.

 The next morning I took a look at the damages. There were none to my trailer however the stockade fence around the park was leveled by straight winds and branches were all over the place. It is not faith that helps you withstand a storm. The storm will either be destructive or it won’t be. It is a close call when ever you get hail. It is an angry sound that makes one think the creator is expressing displeasure with our actions. I suppose there is reason for him to be angry. I am thankful I have harnessed my fears of storms.