On a clear day

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There is mass clearing here on our land, that will ultimately end in a re-planting of Loblolly Pine.

I wonder about the violet color in this first photo.
If we were talking about the color of aura's in humans, 'violet is aligned with the psychic, emotional, and spiritual balance in operation on the planet at this time. Violets are the ones who can see the plants of tomorrow in the seeds of today.' 'The single most difficult thing for a Violet to do is to learn to live without guilt.'
The secret is to focus on the vision of the future. I am trying. I feel guilty about the turtles and the rabbits and the coons, etc., etc.

The path leading from the back of our house, is getting shorter. We will be able to see clear through to the mountains beyond the neighbors land. Which also means we will see our neighbors land.

Our little pond is so exposed. This knoll was a pine forest, very thick. It was Virginia pine.

This is just above our house at the base of the hay field in front of the wood barn.

They had to put in a crushed rock drive so the trucks wouldn't get stuck.

I can't tell you how many rocks we have taken OUT of the fields.

Now they are putting rock IN.

So, why do this?

Several reasons. 53 acres. taxes are huge, but we will receive a break for being a tree farm.

So money, the root of all evil?

We had a forester come in before we decided, and he did a complete workup, a whole portfolio on our land, and what the benefits of cutting the Virginia pine off and replanting Loblolly was. It was impressive, and made alot of sense, financially, and for the animals such as turkey and deer and bear, etc. The virginia pine is susceptible to a type of insect that Loblolly is not, and the time it takes before re-harvest, if we choose, is only 15 years. We are leaving some stands around our house, and down by the creek, that are mostly hardwoods, and also areas around the 'seasonal creeks' that run through to the main creek. We don't want to disturb anything that is near the waters.

So I know that we are doing the right thing for all reasons, but I HATE cutting trees.

I am really into natural areas, but I am told that is not always the best thing for the critters and the land.

Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees.

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Ok, I'm back from my mental health week in Florida.
This was my favorite pool. I look alot like an aquarium in this fishy cover-up!

This is my friend Kim, she's almost as crazy as me. Ok, she might be a tad bit more crazy..

One should never let a friend have access to your camera...

In Celebration, a town built by Disney, this little gator sunbathed on the banks of a lake.

One more view of the pool, and the great artwork painted on the bath house done by the art club. This is a nice safe place for a vacation home for my single friend. It's a gated community, and you can walk around at all hours. Theres a clubhouse and tennis courts, a lake, 2 pools, a golf course and shuffle board and a playground and all the other usual amenities that Florida community's have.

It was a nice break from routine, but I am glad to be home with my guy, and all my furry critters!

Thanks Kim !

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Florida

Florida
I am here.
I can tell by the palm trees and the bougainvilla, and the golfcarts zipping by my friends place.
The people are grey haired and all dressed in shorts and sandals.
It's 82 and sunny with a light wind.
Yesterday I watched a chamelion skitter past me on the pool deck. The birds make Florida noises. I had forgotten all the little things about here that I loved. Went to Celebration for sushi last night.
Sat and watched kids playing in a water fountain that explodes from the flat concrete disk in synchopated time. I laughed til I cried.
Florida. I missed this.
......
Off to the pool !
Hugs, Claudia

Hallowe'en

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"Folks think a witch who has familiar spirits

She could call up to pass a winter evening,

But won't, should be burned at the stake or something..."

from THE WITCH OF COOS, by Robert Frost

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Damn, I am a ham...gotta give the folks what they expect a witch to look like!

Happy Hallowe'en, and no that's not a mistake.

"This is the old Celtic feast of Samhain.

It is the feast of the dead and was Christianized as All Hallows' Eve, the eve of All Saints' Day.

It is a fire festival in recognition of the end of the summer and the beginning of winter.

In ancient Manx and Irish Tradition, Hallowmas was regarded as the beginning of a new year."

Boo....!

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