Composition in Curves and Coils

This handsome black snake (rat snake) was  atop the rock wall behind our house, enjoying the sun.

The bulge in the middle is probably the result of lunching on a chipmunk or two.

 

Shy Sunrise...with Crows

Hoping for a good sunrise to mark the equinox, 

I stood in my nightgown, clicking away . . .

A heavy cloudbank was just over the mountains due east . . .

But I thought at least I could catch the sun when it rose over the clouds . . .

  

A beautiful fiery edging and some beams . . . 

Alas, the clouds keep rising . . .

A crow appears . . .

 

And another . . . 

And they dance in the light . . .

 

Seasonal Shift

It's almost Autumn and time to put away the summery blue and white and bring out the things that say Fall to me.

 I have the beautiful Glass Gem corn from this year's garden (I'm still loving those pastels) and I have a fine cat to help me. 

 

Odds and ends -- shells, fossils, gourds, more corn . . .

At this season, some of my friends make ancestor altars and lots of folks use harvest decorations. This is a bit of both, in my mind.

Different pictures and different pillow covers make the living room and kitchen seem more in tune with the season.  It's a kind of silly ritual but by putting away some things and bringing out others, it allows us to see our possessions anew. 

Of course, were I immensely wealthy, I could just call in an interior designer and go for a complete makeover. But I probably wouldn't. 

 

A Lovely Surprise

Yesterday was a lot better. The sling came off; my phone seems to be working despite its plunge into the dishwater; and I received these lovely flowers from a friend I did a favor for. . . the scent of the Stargazer lilies is heavenly!

I love the way the florist worked in wild goldenrod and ironweed.

Are these purple beauties delphiniums or larkspurs? I've had no luck growing either, drat it!

Such a beautiful bouquet!

And those unopened buds tell me I'll be enjoying the lilies for some time!

 

The Tenth Witness

I was surprised to receive an advance reading copy of Rosen's second book in the mail -- but the accompanying letter mentioned that as I had reviewed his first book (which I'd received by mistake,) I might enjoy his second. And, of course, they hoped I might review this new one as well.

Well, it wasn't a very in depth review. But I did enjoy All Cry Chaos, the first  book, and was more than ready to plunge into the 'prequel,'  The Tenth Witness.

It doesn't disappoint. Great descriptions of  the Dutch coast which made me think of Reader Wil and  a fascinating tale of the varied legacies of World War II and the survivors if the Nazi death camps.  It raises legitimate questions about the morality of the Allied nations who recruited ex-Nazi scientists, quietly overlooking the complicity of those same scientists in the Nazi agenda. his is a mystery for a thinking person -- and a terrific read as well. But don't take my word for it -- here are some of the stellar reviews Rosen has received.

"This is a complex, dark, and disturbing story, beautifully told and based in part on history. Poincaré s character is deeply developed, as Rosen combines a probing Holocaust story with elements of an action thriller. A fine novel and further indication that Rosen is a writer of immense talent."--Booklist, starred review

"In Rosen's strong prequel to his 2011 debut, All Cry Chaos, Henri Poincaré, not yet an Interpol agent, uncovers a startling secret that brings back the ghosts of WWII...Rosen writes with polish and confidence."--Publishers Weekly

"This is a prequel to Rosen's acclaimed mystery debut, All Cry Chaos, which was set 30 years later when Henri was working as an Interpol investigator. Rosen relies on literary background and considerable research skillfully to portray Henri's confrontation with the nature of evil and his developing detective talents in investigating both dead Nazis and living ones. Another winner." --Library Journal

"If it's hard to wring new headlines from Nazi industrialists, Rosen uses this familiar background to tell a story as heartfelt as it is ambitious."--Kirkus Reviews

"The Tenth Witness offers a thoughtful treatise on what it is to forget, to forgive, and to take responsibility for the past. In Henri Poincaré, readers of all ages can appreciate the terrible beauty of a life lived with love for others.--ForeWord Reviews

 

Not Much to Say...

As I struggle to maintain a positive attitude, 

 
 I'll simply state

that having my arm in this blasted sling. . .

 is getting on my one last nerve . . .

and I'm getting a tad cranky. 

(Having the pictures not post didn't help but I think I've fixed it now -- thanks, Ms. A, for the suggestion!)

Making Ready

 

 

 

 

Jimson Weed

Jimson weed ( datura stramonium) grows wild around here. I was told by Louise Freeman, who grew up on this farm, that back when she was young, some kids would put the seeds in their eyes and it would make them see things.

Ay, law -- I'll bet. All parts of the plant are toxic to a degree, containing"dangerous levels of the tropane alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine which are classified as deliriants, or anticholinergics. There is a high risk of fatal overdose amongst uninformed users, and many hospitalizations occur amongst recreational users who ingest the plant for its psychoactive effects. " 

My book of Cherokee herbal medicine states that the dried leaves  were smoked to alleviate asthma and warm, wilted leaves were applied as a poultice for boils.  But one needs to know what one's doing.  

According to Wikipedia, in the United States the plant is called jimson weed, or more rarely Jamestown weed; it got this name from the town of Jamestown, Virginia, where British soldiers consumed it while attempting to suppress Bacon's Rebellion. They spent eleven days in altered mental states:

  

I quote:

"The James-Town Weed (which resembles the Thorny Apple of Peru, and I take to be the plant so call'd) is supposed to be one of the greatest coolers in the world. This being an early plant, was gather'd very young for a boil'd salad, by some of the soldiers sent thither to quell the rebellion of Bacon (1676); and some of them ate plentifully of it, the effect of which was a very pleasant comedy, for they turned natural fools upon it for several days: one would blow up a feather in the air; another would dart straws at it with much fury; and another, stark naked, was sitting up in a corner like a monkey, grinning and making mows [grimaces] at them; a fourth would fondly kiss and paw his companions, and sneer in their faces with a countenance more antic than any in a Dutch droll.
In this frantic condition they were confined, lest they should, in their folly, destroy themselves — though it was observed that all their actions were full of innocence and good nature. Indeed, they were not very cleanly; for they would have wallowed in their own excrements, if they had not been prevented. A thousand such simple tricks they played, and after eleven days returned themselves again, not remembering anything that had passed. " The History and Present State of Virginia, 1705

Thanks, Wikipedia! I'll not mess with it.

 

Everything's Slow

Firstly, our internet connection has been mired in molasses until just now -- thus the late posting . . .

Secondly, back on Thursday I tripped and fell on our front porch and, attempting to break my fall, came down hard on my left hand. Nothing broken but something very wrong with my left shoulder. 

Torn ligaments, said the doctor, when I went to the clinic. Immobilize arm for seven days and it will probably heal.

Thus I find myself with left arm in a sling, typing one-handed.

It's amazing how useful it is to have two hands . . . I can still dress myself-- socks are tricky and putting on a bra involves the creative use of a door knob and a little help from my T-Rex left hand held high on my chest.But getting a scrunchie to hold back my hair -- that I have to ask John to do.

Doing dishes, fixing dinner -- all possible, though everything takes about twice as long.  Sweeping one-handed can be done -- using the dust pan efficiently cannot.

Now I'm going to see if I can put clean sheets on the bed . . . the fitted bottom sheet may be difficult . .. or not.  

Of course, John would help if I asked. But I really like to see what I can do on my own.