{this moment}

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Wordless Wednesday -- Going to the Vet (aka, No Breakfast)

for more images go to Wordless Wednesday

Diary of 5

I am seeing... trees swaying against the gray sky

I am hearing... strong wind and my windchimes

I am smelling... Farmer's Market candle

I tasted... pumpkin bread

I am feeling... better

link up at Diary of 5

Simple Woman's Daybook -- November 2nd

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it is STILL pitch black! I am ready for the time change.

I am thinking...about how busy the last week has been. I haven't felt as if I've had the time to do any of the usual stuff. Home from vacation, dd is home, a sick doggie who had to have surgery and is still requiring extra trips to the vet -- Calgon take me away! (But I still don't have a bathtub!)

I am thankful for...that dd is home and apparently doing so well! She has a job interview later today.

From the learning rooms...we met with ds' history teacher last week. I had him for history when I was in high school, so it was lovely to see him. He admitted he doesn't teach like he used to, mores the pity! He really should have moved on to university teaching, so it looks like it's going to be a really long year for ds and history!

From the kitchen...freezer bread just came out of the oven for breakfast.

I am wearing...my winter gown and my summer robe! It might be time to start swapping out the clothes officially!

I am creating...a rosary to complete an order for my Etsy store, and then I'm making fleece ponchos for dd and me to wear on our autumn trip to Pickett Park.

I am going...to the doctor today. Blech! Going to talk about "female" troubles and see if she has any plausible suggestions.

I am reading...The Feast by Josh Graves. It is wonderful!

I am hoping...to be able to slow down a bit and clarify what I really want to be doing with my time. I feel as if I am a leaf being pushed along by a strong autumn wind!

I am hearing...silence -- which would normally be lovely, except ds is supposed to be getting ready for school.

Around the house...the laundry (and ironing) are calling my name.

One of my favorite things...is the smell of autumn leaves! Dd and I have been walking the dogs together and we both enjoy the smell of sugar maple leaves and pine needles mingling in the cool autumn air.

A few plans for the rest of the week...slowing down! I need more time to think than I have been getting lately, so I am making a deliberate effort to allow more quiet in my life.

Hosted by The Simple Woman's Daybook

Saturday Poetry -- The Revenant by Billy Collins

I am the dog you put to sleep,
as you like to call the needle of oblivion,
come back to tell you this simple thing:
I never liked you--not one bit.

When I licked your face,
I thought of biting off your nose.
When I watched you toweling yourself dry,
I wanted to leap and unman you with a snap.

I resented the way you moved,
your lack of animal grace,
the way you would sit in a chair to eat,
a napkin on your lap, knife in your hand.

I would have run away,
but I was too weak, a trick you taught me
while I was learning to sit and heel,
and--greatest of insults--shake hands without a hand.

I admit the sight of the leash
would excite me
but only because it meant I was about
to smell things you had never touched.

You do not want to believe this,
but I have no reason to lie.
I hated the car, the rubber toys,
disliked your friends and, worse, your relatives.

The jingling of my tags drove me mad.
You always scratched me in the wrong place.
All I ever wanted from you
was food and fresh water in my metal bowls.

While you slept, I watched you breathe
as the moon rose in the sky.
It took all of my strength
not to raise my head and howl.

Now I am free of the collar,
the yellow raincoat, monogrammed sweater,
the absurdity of your lawn,
and that is all you need to know about this place

except what you already supposed
and are glad it did not happen sooner--

that everyone here can read and write,
the dogs in poetry, the cats and the others in prose.