after the storm

after the storm
Welcome autumn!

Thursday, October 29, 2015

'something wicked this way comes"...












Our host would like to welcome you to a Halloween celebration.  You can see by that grin that he is happy to see you.







The table is set outside for this spooky night. The almost full moon illuminates our dinner.  Only the best china and silver will do.

















Will there be eight brave enough to accept his kind invitation?














At twilight, the wind began to blow as the first guest arrived.  The light began to fade which meant the photographer needed to leave and let the party begin.


















A good time was had by all.  Happy Halloween!


Joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, Christine at Rustic and Refined

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

nevermore...

The Raven

                                      b Edgar Allan Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
    While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—
            Only this and nothing more.” 
 
(yes, I know he isn't a raven, perhaps a thrasher?)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
When I was in middle school, we were required to memorize and recite a stanza from a favorite poem.  I really don't remember this as a favorite poem.  Maybe it was October?  Of course, if you read this whole poem, you will know that it took place in December.  We do love Edgar Allan Poe in October. 
 
I haven't decorated for Halloween yet.  I have been enjoying fall too much but there is always a nod to Edgar in my decorating and I will share it soon.  Meanwhile, the reason for all of this, is a visitor who doesn't want to leave.  He is continually "rapping, rapping, tapping" on my window.  He isn't a raven but I am guessing they would be very good friends.  I also think he is some sort of thrasher who loves himself very much.  I do love all the nature that surrounds our home but this guy seems to know just when to start to make sure that he startles me.
 

Then he started to seem to get really mad when there was no response to his pecking.  It got louder, stronger and I worried about my windows surviving.  I would shoo him away. I had to get right to the window and tap on it myself before he would move.  He had no problem with me taking these pictures through the windows. 
I closed the blinds, I opened the blinds, I raised the blinds, nothing seemed to work.  I guess I channeled my inner Sheldon (Big Bang Theory) and decided that maybe putting a framed photograph of my son (no offense, M, it was handy because I am moving things around) facing out through the window might startle him.  Just like Sheldon and his blue jay, it didn't work.  When I heard him tapping, he couldn't see me so I just rocked the picture back and forth, hoping it would be more intimidating.  

So far, no tapping. 


    Hope you are enjoying October!  It has been beautiful here today.

Added 2 hours later:  He's back.  Maybe I should frame a picture of Poe instead?  Any ideas how to discourage him?