.....Fire. The smoke and ash drift down upon us covering the car with fine dust. We don't notice it to much on the ground, but we have been outside and it seems to be snowing ever so lightly. The "Day" fire in the Los Padres Forest about 30 miles from us has been burning for more than two weeks. The Santa Ana's were blowing over the weekend and our soccer game was called on account. Standing around (trying not to be blown around, actually) for the team photos was eerie with the view from the field virtually the same as the view to the left here. We have had cooler weather, but we still have the A/C running to clean out the air in the house. The kids are remembering vividly last year's fire and wondering if we will be in danger. I assured them that we are not.
There was a solar eclipse a few days ago, coincinding with the Autumn Equinox and though we weren't able to "view" it over here, the afternoons feel rather eclipse-like with the smoke and ash from the fire. And the sunsets, a lovely brilliant red, remind us that beauty can indeed be deceiving.
Our new homeschool park day seems to be lifting off the ground a bit. It's been rather lonely these past few weeks and I have been painfully reminded that who you associate with is as important as who you become as a person. The lesson of all of this going hand-in-hand and about trusting and boundaries have been front and center, too.
When I first moved out to California, I painted and glazed a ceramic napkin holder (that is still in use today) with the phrase "Keep company with those who make you better". Today, Nicolas read the whole thing with no help. Then he asked be about the phrase and we discussed why it's important to surround yourself with people of quality.
Why are people petty and manipulative? Is it the way of humanity to have to "one better" each other? There are no easy answers to these not-so easy questions.
Last evening, we had an excellent harvest feast with two other wonderful families. The turkey was excellent and the celebration grand. I made up a new green-bean recipe and it was a huge hit. None left (of course, the adults ate them all). And of course, great wine and homemade apple pie......
I spent some wonderful quality time with my sisters and ended the day in gratitude for the circle and cycles of life. Some joy, some pain and balance continuing to be fluid.
Here's a great photo of Girl hanging out at a friend's s soccer game. She had just done her new eye-crossing trick. She can make Boy choke at mealtime when she does it out of the "blue"...(eyes. She has blue eyes. Get it???) She's so sweet and cute, even with that feisty spirit.
Gods help us...........
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