Yay!!!

I'm very happy and excited that Obama won the election. I just wanted to say it was a rare and historic election and I'm glad that I was part of it.

Corn Dollie!!!

My good friend Sarah Lee, for a late birthday gift, sent me a hand-made corn dollie! Don't think American sweet corn, folks, think European grain (wheat, straw, etc.) These are relics of pagan days, and were made at harvest time. At the end of the harvest there was one corn dollie made in the shape of a woman. This would be kept, sometimes above the barn door, to protect against evil spirits. This woman corn dollie would be ploughed into next years earth as they were sowing.

Halloween Decorations!

I've had a few requests for pictures of our Halloween decorations (a lot of which are mine). In the 4th photo are alot of old decorations I grew up with. Note also my mini Dia de los Muertos shrine, and my Dia de los Muertos devil skeleton (the latter of which I found in a gift shop in Canada). I just can't resist those skeletons!

Niagara Falls!

On our way home we stopped by Niagara Falls. A first time for me. I didn't know what to expect, as one hears about Niagara Falls all one's life (I thought of how it used to be a favorite honeymoon place in the 1920's ala THE CROWD). But it really was a breathtaking scene. Powerful and beautiful.

Canada!

Late again!!! For Canadian Thanksgiving we all drove up to visit Matthew & Colin in Hamilton, where they recently moved. It was a really lovely visit. The weather was perfect, and the area where they live is really nice. Most of these pictures were taken in a park where you can feed chickadees, black squirrels, and chipmunks. It was a peaceful, picturesque place. I really enjoyed having a few days off. A wonderful trip.