Thursday 5 November 2020

Mindful, Meaningful, Tiny Happy Thursday Things

 Autumn is deepening here in Canada but all is well and my sincere hope is that all countries are as peaceful and calm, if not right now, then very very soon. 

 I'm rereading this book, 10% Happier by Dan Harris and enjoying it very much.

 The author got to sit down with all the greats in terms of life coaches, gurus, spiritualists, etc. including Ekhart Tolle. He is very frank in his estimations of these people. You might remember Dan was the guy who suffered a panic attack on the air during a live ABC news broadcast. His quest, to quiet that voice in his head, appealed to me and his conclusions were also interesting. I especially like the Instruction section in the Appendix. 

I did get to have my own little trick or treater, namely, grandson Robbie, drop over for a visit. They were driving their side by side machine decked out for Halloween. A whole lot of fun.

And he was a zombie, my favourite. 

 The neighbours in the area had all agreed to put treats out at the end of their driveways and a lot of folks were sitting outside and also had treats for the adults.  Ironically, the result was a lot more greeting of each other than normally happens in these subdivisions, though socially distanced. In fact, it was declared the best Halloween ever. 

I think about the barred owl every time I walk through a section of the wood with large deciduous trees. I've seen the owl there four or five times now matching the number of years I've lived here. The very first time I saw a barred owl in my life  was when we were moving in and the moving truck I was sitting in rounded a turn in our driveway and there was one sitting right in the middle of the road. I was so happy and took it as a sign I was meant to be here.  In the woods he shows up as a curious dark blob and I recognized him right away.

 This time I had to race Murphy back to the house and get my camera. He was far away and keeping himself hidden in the trees. Lucky I spotted him.

 I managed to take a few photos before a blue jay suddenly appeared and started harassing him.  So off he flew. But I am ever so pleased to have seen him again. He watches me every time too with that way they have of turning their heads and that feeling with those large eyes on you is so different from other birds.

I treated myself to a new fountain pen (yes, it's the little things). It is a Cross, a much cheaper edition, but still writes beautifully. I've mentioned before I'm rather particular about what I write with...always black ink and not fine line. I'm a Virgo, can't help it! That's a beautiful book my sister gave me...she always picks the perfect book as a Christmas gift. She's a retired librarian and it has been true all her days that books are her life.

I like this. I took Daughter's mum pots from last fall and put them in my garage for the winter. I wanted to use the soil as these containers usually have lots of fertilizer, etc. in them and mixed with my composted dirt would make a good blend this summer.  When I went to get them in early May, I was surprised to see a little green growth on them both...this after the whole winter with no water or sun. So I put them outside to see what would happen. And here they are in October.

 Both grew back a lot of the mums though not to the number they had in the beginning. So I guess the point is to save these pots you buy because the flowers just might regrow the next year.  These are now back in the same area of the garage and we'll see if it happens again next spring. 

In the sewing room 

I didn't show the actual final finish of my tabletopper, Flower Garden quilt. It is rather large and I love the vintage style look of it. Definitely a design my grandmother would have made. Here it is front and back


I'm still laying stitching lines on the Halloween Sampler but I must admit, I've kind of lost interest for just now but I'm keeping it around for those odd moments.  I tested the blue marker and it will wash out. 

Now hexies once again are on my mind. More about that later.  I'll share a few stitch alongs gearing up for Christmas stitching next time...those are always fun to check out. 

 









34 comments :

grammajudyb said...

It’s a lovely post today! A visiting owl would be so special! I’ve only come across a few in my life.
I like notebooks and pens also. I’m not real picky, but I have my favorites. Have a good week!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I think that's one of the cutest zombies I've ever seen - must nicer than the scary ones! Lucky you to even see the owl much less have him/her wait while you got the camera. I remember fountain pens from when I was in school - all we were allowed to use. They always, without fail, leaked all over everything. I think they're much better quality now. Do you remember the little tubes of ink that got inserted into the pens? Are they still that way?

Out To Pasture said...

What a great luminated pumpkin display! Robbie certainly looked proud of his zombie costume! Don't quite know why owls enchant us so much, Jocelyn. Maybe it's because they keep mostly hidden in daytime and are seldom glimpsed. Your Flower Garden tabletopper is a real beauty! As usual, lots of pretty eye treats on your post.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love those owls- the plants, the quilt. such a neat Halloween costume and the brightly lite pumpkin. That was a good way to do Halloween

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Congrats on the owl sighting, they are beautiful. Love the lovely quilts. I am glad your grandson had a Happy Halloween! Your notebook looks wonderful. Do you add your birding sighting into the book. I love those mums, very pretty. Take care, enjoy your day!

Libby in TN said...

When I was in high school, we had to hand write our term papers with a fountain pen in blue-black ink. I don't think I've used one since!

Brian's Home Blog said...

That's a very cool trick or treater dude and that owl is amazing!

Meditations in Motion said...

Thank you for the wonderful book recommendation. It sounds like one I would really enjoy. I am going to put it on my TBR list. That barred owl is so cool! I have only ever seen one in the wild.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I think people have been amazingly creative with alternate ways to celebrate this year, and they have turned out to be fun! Love seeing your barred owl - those blue jays do the same thing when we have a great-horned owl in our yard. Your Flower Garden table topper turned out beautifully! I really like the way you left all the edges pointy!

Roseanne said...

Hi Jocelyn! Your photos of the owl are just fabulous. WOW! How cool. And your mum is just so delicate and gorgeous. Great job on your table topper. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

QuiltGranma said...

I always like to see what my friend from the north country, you, are up to and seeing. Your landscape is different there as we are in a rather arid area of Oregon, USA. I got 12 mixed daffodil bulbs planted yesterday, and today they are getting watered by rain! That is a rarity here. Love your owl friend.

piecefulwendy said...

I agree, such a nice post to read. Fun that your grandson could stop over for Halloween and that your neighborhood worked out a great plan for celebrating. Owls are so amazing; yours is a beauty!

PaintedThread said...

That zombie is impressive. Are your brains safe? lol. Owl is cool. Flower Garden is pretty.

MissPat said...

How lucky you are to have repeated sightings of the barred owl and to actually get photos. I saw a snowy owl at a distance several winters ago, but don't have a camera that would capture it. And also watched an owl (unknown type) swoop down right outside my window and scoop up a squirrel. It was amazing how fast he was. Your Flower Garden quilt is charming. Such a lot of work. We chose to keep the porch light off on Halloween, just too risky to greet the hobgoblins at the door this year.
We're having an unseasonably warm spell, which is allowing me to work outside doing end of season garden clean up (and avoid the news). Have a relaxing weekend.
Pat

Nana said...

How lucky you were to be able to take a pic from this beautiful owl.
The zombie looks really great, spooky.

Nana

Michelle Ridgway said...

As we don't celebrate Halloween here, I always find it interesting! My English son in law always does some pumpkin carving. That book sounds interesting! Lovely to regenerate those plants too. I love your quilt xx

Jenn Jilks said...

How sweet to see the owl!
You needle work is amazing.

Linda said...

Looks like a happy zombie to me! How wonderful about your owl. I know that feeling of being in the right place - for me it was white crape myrtles in the yard - and to me that is a nice gift from God. As are the mums! Wonderful table topper, and I love the backing also. My Mom was also very particular about what kind of pen she used; bless her heart I'm not sure she ever found one that completely suited her. :)

LA Paylor said...

beautiful. I don't know why I'm crying reading this... it's so... normal. Nothing feels normal for me at the moment. I LOVE the second owl shot, and surprised at the blue jay attacking an owl.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Halloween sounds like it was fun. Love the owl. Your table topper turned out gorgeous. I can understand losing interest in a halloween project after halloween.

Rosemary Dickinson said...

I missed having trick or treaters this year. Our town cancelled it. I remember Dan Harris. I didn't realize he had a panic attack on air. You got a great picture of the owl. Love your Flower Garden table topper. Beautiful work!

Carol Andrews said...

What a lovely post full of enjoyable photos. Definitely a ray of sunshine. Here in B.C. our weather was lovely on Halloween. 😉

Veronica Lee said...

How cool to have a visiting owl!

Love the cute zombie!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Barred Owls are not especially uncommon, but they are often difficult to find, so when they are as cooperative as this one seems to be that's a real bonus. We saw one locally a couple of weeks ago, but have not been able to relocate it since.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The Barred owl sighting is awesome. Seeing any owl in the wild is great. Your photos are wonderful. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your weekend! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment!

Turid said...

What a lovely star quilt.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Look at that OWL! WOWZA! What a great sighting! It's so exciting to see one and I think he saw you too! I loved that book by Dan Harris and the Nature book is on my wish list! I might have to splurge and get it! Love your quilting. Happy weekend!

Jean said...

What amazing owl photos! Lucky to have the mums return as well. I knew they were supposed to come back each year but I've never had it happen. Maybe I'll try putting a pot in the garage and see if that is the key. Hope you are having a great weekend!

betty-NZ said...

How interesting that there was more 'contact' than anticipated! Love the grandson's costume and huge pumpkin!
I love owls, too, and enjoy your photos as well as your handiwork :)

It's great to see your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

Anu said...

Hello. Great sighting of an owl!

Anni said...

Of course me being me, and my love of Halloween, I had fun viewing your special photos & the zombie! And I must admit, that owl is my favorite of all owls!

This week, I want to send my thanks to you for sharing your post with us birders!!

Yvonne said...

How fun this special Halloween edition, with the cutest Zombie to visit.
An owl visiting seems very special to me too. Never encounterd one in a tree here.
Your star quilt turned out beautiful. Looks like you had a good week!

Rain said...

Oh I love your Halloween quilt and lol at the big pumpkin in the quad!!! What a great shot of the owl too! I love self-help books, videos, ideas....life is always worth improving! :)

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

Oh goodness the owl pics are the best! We hear them occasionally but it's so rare that I ever see them anymore!