PORCH PONDERINGS

It's been too long

It's been a while. A long time, I guess. But when you're occupied, busy, stressed, and just generally trying to stay out of trouble, well sometimes writing takes a back seat.

I had a discussion today with a new friend. She and I have attended writing classes together recently. She is very organized in her record keeping and goal setting. So I got motivated.

It's sort of like when you watch those shows about people and their hoarding habits in houses. Then you feel motivated to deep clean your own space. But soon the impulse passes and you're back where you were, stuck in bad habits and spinning your gears.

Anywhoo,
I've had a few exciting things in the past months. My first political rally, EVER. Done. And the other night, my first glimpse of the Northern Lights EVER. Done.

Both of these events were epic. The rally - exciting. I attended with this new friend, so I wasn't on my own. It was good to be with a friend.

The Northern Lights happened on a night when I was on the phone with a friend that lives near Billings, south of me. He mentioned how strong they were right then. So I marched out to my back porch, and ZOWEE! Red, pink, green. And this is in town with street lights. So I mention it to my husband. He comes out and claims it's cloudy, those aren't the Northern Lights. Well, excuse me, yes, no clouds! See the stars just behind the red and green? I don't know if he ever believed me. So I go out to the front yard, and up and down the street people are out and about, kids out and all to see the aurora borealis! So wonderful.

Ribbons of red, pink and green
streaming down from heaven.
Stars blinking behind the veil
hands unseen folding the fabric

It has been wonderful here, warm during the day, but frosty at night. Perfect fall weather. But no rain or snow for weeks. Perhaps we are overdue for some moisture. And cold weather is coming, guaranteed.

Thanksgiving is coming. A cooling trend is now forecast, with single digits and snow by next week. Just in time to muck up travel. Be safe everyone.