1 The neighborhood flock of parrots is growing, there are several dozen now and they're so squawky loud.
2. Puttering with North Pole village ideas.
3. Orange clove soap
4. Cozy quiet evening reading in my comfy chair

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1. The morning moon keeping me company
2. Our 'non pets': the black cat and the gray cat that have adopted our yard as home
3. My excellent bandanna collection
4. A flock of crows flapping home to roost across the twilight sky

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1. Orion glittering above the pavilion
2. Coco cookbook, a fun gift from Jess
3. Our very quiet neighborhood
4. Everyone especially enjoyed the chicken enchiladas for supper
5. Settled into Thanksgiving dinner plans

6. I'm keeping myself pulled together better than last week

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1.  Cranberry scones
2.  Changed to dark towels and rugs in bathrooms
3.  Chilly windy Novemberish weather
4.  Setting my own pace

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1. A row of cormorants at the pond
2. Approval for 2025 pharmaceutical assistance finalized (!!!)
3. Late autumn in the garden: all the Christmas cactus plants are in bud, and the nasturtiums are coming up
4. Just before sleep, an owl hooting in the pine tree near the driveway, a sign of protection and guidance

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1. My well stocked spice racks
2. The kind ladies at the lab
3. High-five from Lucci
4. I'm beginning to find some quietness of heart

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1. I could just see Orion this early morning -- usually too foggy and/or too much light pollution
2. Cranberry hootycakes
3. Organizing and tidying in the studio
4. After school, all three of my sweet boys today

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AT THE ROAD'S TURNING, A SIGN

Stranger, you have reached a fabulous land --

in winter, the abode of swans,

magnolia buds and black leaves

secretly feeding the earth --

memory snaked into tree roots.

In spring, you will feel life changes

bubble up in your blood like early wine,

and your heart will be lighter than

the flight of gossamer pollen.

Stranger, in summer, you will drink deeply

of a curious local wine,

fortified with herbs cut with a silver knife

when the moon was new.

Who knows what freedoms

will dazzle your path like fireflies?

And I promise you, in the fall

you will give up the search and know peace

in the fragrance of apple wood burning.

You will learn how to accept love

in all its masks, and the universe

will sing here more sweetly than any other place.

~ Dolores Stewart ~

I am grateful that I live in California.

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