Days of Grandsons

Our days are defined right now by our grandsons; we plan all else around them, and they make us who we are.

They are with us on most days of the week, rain or shine and in sickness and health. Our house is filled with toys and kid-friendly furniture. We schedule around them and for them. We are exhausted by them and miss them terribly when they are gone.

On Grandson Days we prepare for field trips, library visits, collection walks, and art projects. I think about how I will include them in my garden work and in my cooking. And I remember to be flexible, because I never know when they will be interested and when they will not. 

1. Read "The Creativity Book"

2. Teaching art

3. Collection walks

4. Acorn and pinecone rolly-polly painting

5. Seed medallion

Unity with Autumn Leaves

Last year I designed a Unity Art practice that opens the doors of creative healing, to heal our connection to the earth and Creation. 

We are all a part of nature, but some of us have built walls to keep nature separate; we've been taught that we are more important than other parts of nature, and that's a hard lesson to unlearn. And when we begin to care more about nature it's easy to become overwhelmed, and then we need more walls to protect ourselves from feelings of anger and guilt.

My practice includes the intentional steps of collecting, observing, preparing, creating, sharing and giving thanks. What I'm finding is that it's easy to find ways to connect to the earth, and  - with intention - any simple task becomes a path to healing.

Agenda:

1. Set leafy intentions

2. Collect leaves as a sacred activity

3. Observe leaves

4. Create leaf mold to cultivate abundance

5. Leaf mold thanksgiving

Fall Equinox and September First Quarter Moon

The autumn equinox occurs tonight at 11:50 p.m. in the Pacific Northwest. Summer is over and darkness will again catch up to the light.

The rains will begin soon (hallelujah!), Canadian geese are on the move south, the leaves are turning and beginning to drop, and night temperatures are cooler. Everything in nature is paring down, and moving energy to the roots and into the earth.

Tonight is also the first quarter moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. I use this August quarter moon's energy to help me to discern my path, and then act on it; this requires clarity.

Mark the Start of Autumn:

1. Journal queries

2. Fall possibilities list

3. Make a full effort plan

4. Write a mission haiku

5. Sustainable straw collecting

6. Make a straw doll