The Birches

A mysterious box
arrives at our house.

It is huge!

What could it be?

Tom opens it with care...

...unwraps the tissue...

...and finds...

The Birches!

Three panels
of lightweight tung wood
hand carved
into graceful birches.

Is this box for me?

We have wanted
something special
above our fireplace
since we bought this house
two years ago.

We had to cover
the large gaping hole
where the television
had been
embedded.

The next trick
is how do I put them up?

What is he doing in there?

Do we put them over
the old brown cloth?

I can help!

This is a delicate operation.

I don't need kitty help.

Fine!

I'll go play in the box.

Finally...

The Birches are raised...







....and everyone
is content.

Halloween Candy

TJ has a decision to make...

Does he want to hand out
Halloween candy?

or not?

They are so adorable!

How can I hand them chocolates
knowing children have been beaten
and enslaved to produce them?

He is so danged cute!

How can I feed him chocolate
that has been grown
by destroying rainforest?

Not gonna happen.

Mom is going shopping!

You want chocolate?

Let's go organic and fair trade!

Gummies?

I have options!

I even found lollipops!

Now TJ has the tough job
of choosing
our Halloween treats!

No, TJ.

Stubby can't help you.

And Dusty is way too busy!

Luckily Sister Alex
is here for the weekend.

She's more than happy
to help you
try out these
organic sweets.

Finally choices are made...

The treat basket is filled.

And anyone who wants
treats that care for the world...






...can come to the Steussy-Williams home
Saturday night.

Searching for Color

Is this the last leaf?

Is the glorious color of fall
now gone?

I bike out 

to search for color.

Bare limbs hang on
to a few bright leaves.

Hanging together
before winter winds
blow them
to the ground.












Leaves who have already fallen
bring color to the grass.

Give my steps
that wonderful crunch of fall.

Which do I love more?

The bright sunshine yellow?

Buttery.

Warm.

Lighting up the shadows?

Or the brilliant reds?

Intense.

Fiery.

Almost angry.

I find a tree here...

a tree there...

...that has held on
to it's color....

...long after the other trees
have settled for sleep.

Tonight is my Mom's
Celebration of Life.

One year ago
we thought we'd lost her.

I flew home from Italy...
thinking it was for her funeral.

But she held on...

she bounced back...

Her life is different now...

...on dialysis

...living at Zionsville Meadows.

..without Dad.

But her life is still
full of its own color.

Surrounded
by loving family...

Football games

Her computer

and IPad.

The last bright color of fall
can be so sweet.