In the world of fashion, there was a rule that was followed very faithfully by the girls in my family when I was growing up; do not wear white- shoesjackethandbag- etc. past Labor Day.
Similarly, in the world of floral imagery you are not supposed to see fall leaves past Thanksgiving. So this is my last chance to share these photos from a commemorative celebration without offending any subconscious sense of what feels right in the world. This rule makes more sense to me than the white shoes tradition since it acknowledges the seasons. Though in our neck of the woods the fall leaves are still around until spring starts it's regrowth. It took this east coaster a long time before I could wrap my mind around that one.
This arrangement feels a little like the inside of my head and heart today; mixed up, but trying to find the mark. There is so much at stake these days. I ponder the hopscotching of big storms from Katrina to Sandy and worry about our fate here on the west coast.
Contrast that with a bucolic warm weekend surrounded by music, good food, and good fellowship at a friends ranch in the Sierra foothills this weekend.
These days I take some comfort in Buddhist philosophy that teaches that the nature of this is world has always been chaotic. That chaos is the nature of life here from birth to death. We have to find the island within ourselves and to work outwardly, sharing what we have to offer. I'm searching very hard today.
The grapevines and pine needles came from Tom and Gayle's ranch. Thanks you two!
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