The Gathering Basket: September Edition
The end of summer
For Your Soul
Wildness was the theme of summer days
Feet free from the confines of boots and socks
Hours of sunlight not accountable, in which
to collect memories and berries and rocks.
Sunlight and sleep nourished all in sight
The garden plants and the children, both
Stretching the limbs and the stems,
The fruit and brains in miraculous growth.
Now the sun sets sooner, rises later.
Independent creeks merging into the river,
Children join the teams and classes,
Fruit is gathered and stored for winter.
The wildness becomes contained
Locked within the seeds for next season
Absorbing new knowledge, preparing
to spread life in bounteous legion.
For Your Eyes
This evolution of dance video might be one of the best I have ever seen.
I read all three books in the The Lady Janie series this summer. My Lady Jane is a fantasy retelling of Lady Jane Grey; My Plain Jane reimagines the story of Jane Eyre as a friend of Charlotte Bronte; My Calamity Jane features the Wild West and werewolves. All of them were interesting in their own way, and the miniseries based on the first book were also fun to watch.
For Your Ears
My listening tastes lean toward folksy, specifically songs from different church settings. Having grown u with a variety of contemporary Christian hymns, I am learning about what other denominations have to offer and seeing what I like or dislike about them. Table Settings is an album I like.
For Your Taste Buds
I planted one zucchini plant in the garden this year and have still found myself dealing with abundant zucchini. My new favorite way to cook it is with pesto sauce (also made with basil from my garden). The rest of the squash plants have several more weeks of ripening. What kind of squash do you enjoy?
For Your Nose
Having children who bake is one of the best ways to combat the smells of puberty, mud, and wet coats. If you don’t bake, several candle lines focus on baked goods smells. So, if you are not into the glut of pumpkin and apple candles, there are other options.
Sugar Cookie
Cinnamon Rolls
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Brownies
For Your Body
When I was a teen, I would ride my bike up and down the length of our driveway, talking to myself and the clusters of Scotch pine that covered my family’s 5-acre plot of land. I have noticed that my 13-year-old son is doing the same thing. He rides his bike up and down the short country lane, muttering as he flies by the thistles and meadowgrass. There is something about moving your body in a steady rhythm that allows your brain to process other things.
