I enjoy a wide variety of music, and still buy CDs. I like seeing how the artists create the whole work.

From Pandora, I learned of Helen Jane Long, Karen Marie Garrett, Brian Crain and others.

From the News Hour on PBS, I learned about Patty Griffin’s latest CD, Patty Griffin. There was an interview with Jeffrey Brown earlier this year.

After watching a WoodSongs program on PBS, we bought Silver Skies Blue by Judy Collins & Ari Hest.

And I just began listening to Threads, by Sheryl Crow, which includes many artists.

When I was young, we bought albums. One of Joni Mitchell’s covers would be part of my decoration.

Life now is a combination of blogs and also books and music. Everyday work. Fall chores outside when flowers have completely faded, though I leave some plants to look beautiful in the winter snow. It is a blessing to simply wash dishes and look through the window to the yard.

And I continue to read Luci Shaw’s poetry often. She writes in such a healing and honest way about her long life – she was born in 1928.

I took the photo yesterday. As you can see, the pumpkin is on the ash tree stump with October hosta plants. The ash tree fell in a storm, and we created a new image of beauty in the yard. Of hope. I love the hosta weathered now too – all part of the cycle of the seasons.

Blessings,
Ellen Grace Olinger