Festive

The pale-orange sky is layered with drifting, blue clouds floating lazily over the colorful tree-scape. I hear walnuts cracking on branches as they fall into cushions of leaves while squirrels spring from tree top to tree top; they aren't chattering this morning and I wonder if they are like me, too busy "surviving" to frolic in the crisp, autumn air. Oh, how wonderful is the scent of distant chimney smoke! It brings to mind happy memories with family and friends. It makes me wish I could throw off every outside responsibility and meet family and friends in a giant house in the mountains somewhere and have a throw-down good time together. The ladies would bake and paint and sew and snuggle babies while the men folk did something manly (whatever that may be) and after the kids were tucked in their beds, we would all come together and play games by the fire, eat cookies and laugh and laugh. We would do nothing all week except be festive, enjoy family and eat.

While Cinderella may have gotten her dream, as far-fetched as it was, I think my chances of getting all my favorite people into one giant house are slim, so for now I am going to have to learn to be festive in the midst of the many responsibilities I have and enjoy this season any chance I get. Don't mind me, I'll just be over here playing in the leaves.