Brrr!

 It's a chilly October morning and there is no heat in the Aerie yet. I had better get used to this, because I am going to be staying in a rustic cabin (ie. no running water) later this month. I am no stranger to camping. I used to go tent camping in the summer, so this little cabin will be quite luxurious by comparison.

What a change from last year's retreat, where I stayed in the white cottage with the green door (and I promised to write about it. Shame on me. I never did). I was anxious and still filled with grief, and created a hauntingly sad mask woven from white wool.  If I make a mask this year, it will be bright.  I have returned to color. If you don't believe me, just look at my sox:
              



I have also found the stillness, within and without, so that I can spin and knit my meditations. Mantra and mudra. Treadle and spin. Knit 2, purl 2, repeat until at peace. As I spiral into the heart, on my autumn's journey into darkness, I will carry  my own light, and bring my own warmth.

Heat!

 The heat just came on in the Aerie, and it feels good. The past few days were damp and chilled me more than I was wiling to admit.

And in a related bit of synchronicity, a hotel room came available so I don't have to chance the rustic cabin. The dreamer in me regrets this a tiny bit. The practical self is breathing a deep sigh of relief at the thought of indoor plumbing.  I can book the cabin for a week in late spring. This is not the time.

Amber is curled up in her fleecy nest atop the radiator. She is a sensible cat.  I would do well to follow her good example.