The Zen Alarm

Tuesday, 28th September

Once upon a time we owned a Zen alarm clock, but it broke. And because it was quite expensive, was never replaced. We now own a C.D. playing one, to which my husband frequently changes the music. I do not know whether it was waking to an unfamiliar loud torrent of noise, instead of the usual peaceful one which caused me to half rise and execute a perfect elbow punch onto the bridge of my husband's nose, just as he was leaning over to kiss me, but I don't think it helped.

As a work colleague of his commented: It was less Zen and more Jackie Chan!

Dodd

Monday, 27th September

A late decision to go a walk, led me, at 3pm to the car park at Dodd Wood. I have fond feelings for Dodd Fell as it was always the first thing I saw when I opened my living-room curtains at our previous home. And yet I have never before climbed it.

It is a pretty walk through steep woodland paths and easy, some of it being on a forest road. I had no idea just how close I was to Skiddaw until I emerged from trees near the summit and looked up at the friendly giant, appearing and disappearing through rolling cloud.

Materialism

Saturday, 25th September

Today I went shopping and returned with quite an expensive jumper. What surprized me was how much pleasure such a facile venture afforded.

Hare

Thursday, 23rd September

Today I met a hare, very close. It ran down a path and stood, nostrils flaring in fear just a few feet away from me. I could see it ribs breathing fast, feel its terror. I stood aside to let it pass but my movement was too sudden and it turned, disappearing up the path as quickly as it had appeared.

Altar

Autumn Equinox

Tuesday, 21st September

Have we come this far already. I expect so; I saw the first leaves begin to turn a few week’s ago. Now, the almost tropical rain forest outside my windows are turning various shades of amber, russet and the Birch, closest to the study window is speckled with sunshine yellow.

So tonight we will light the candles on our house-shrine, which is decorated for autumn and Marcus will make incense for Pan.

Flea!

Fleas

Monday, 20th September

My cat has fleas we have discovered. This is the first time in the ten years or so we have had her that she has had fleas so we were not expecting them. :-(

I have found a spray however. :-) Now, every time I turn my head it is to find one in its death throes, wriggling its legs helplessly in the air on every available surface the cat has decided to sit.

Marcus has told me not to swat them because they are living creatures. I protest – they are dying parasites - and think, this is taking vegetarianism far too far.

Lords Seat

Sunday, 19th September

Dragged my husband up Lord’s Seat from Whinlatter Forest Centre; basically, because, having found a pretty way up the previous week, I wanted to see if I could remember it. This would be a good walk to do if it were raining, which it does often around here. There is a lot of cover under trees for most of the way and good paths underfoot.

Marcus did not get to fully enjoy the view from the summit however, because of the wind. It was so strong I thought I might be blown over. So I huddled against some rocks and watched Marcus lie against the wind. The icy fingers creeping through my light clothing gave me my first taste of winter – and reminded me to sort out gloves ‘n stuff.

Later, on the way back, we picked some bilberries for his incense-making.

Lord's Seat