mumma yaga

Yesterday, on my walk I came by the table that sits at the top of the meadow. Someone had placed a rock on it. I was shocked: angry and, I think, afraid. I assumed that it was reckless, trouble-making youths. I was angry because it is a very large rock, not easily removed, because the table belongs to the property and who, then, is invading the space? I was afraid of vandals and their cruelty. I treasure our safe privacy. This morning, as I walked up the camp road towards the top of the meadow, I began to think that it was, perhaps, an artistic, or a philosophical expression. I found, on reaching the table, that the stone had been placed in the middle of the table lengthwise and towards the "back", closer to the woods side. It was a considered position. Walkers on the property; there are many visitors; might not be aware that anyone else ever visits the table. We leave no sign that we have been there. They, I assume that it was more than one because the rock is very heavy, le...

 Aug. 27 The world disappears and the sci-fi reader in me imagines it is true that it is gone. One could almost believe it. The sense of being all alone seems to touch a deep place in our minds. We slip into that Alice space where the laws of logic and reason abandon us and we are a small child (believing in fairy tales) and the possibilities of magic are open to us. We stand suspended between terror and intrigue, and reach for a parent's hand.  ***** I continue to be interested in the red-backed salamander. My record is fourteen in one walk. I wonder how many fallen branches and rocks I look under? Maybe ten or twelve without for each one found. But I have developed an eye for the right sort of log and environment.  This is why they look like they do: to resemble the detritus they live amongst.  And a little yellow spotted salamander! For these, one looks under rocks and logs in a slightly different environment, at the edge of the meadow, on the ridge. Rain finds th...

Seems to be a time of death and dying. Pandemic and fire, hurricanes, bible rains.  We are the old generation now.  Sunsets are good, something to do with the air, the time of year. I heard a shooting star last night. I watched its tail fade.  ***** Found another red-backed salamander! How many thousands must there be on this hill. It is a good thing they are small! AND I found one of these! Rain sent me a picture of one she found in the garden only a couple of days ago! So jazzed! A yellow spotted salamander! * ***** I participated in an artisan sale at the Potton festival, so I actually finished several projects in preparation. Well, I do need a deadline! Hummingbird mirror. This happened fast! Went from a collection of pieces and a wooden frame to a complete work in about four weeks, while I finished Blue Jay and the stump. Blue jay. This was on my table so long because I didn't know how I would finish the spaces between the ceramic pieces. It took a long time to get t...