The Big Sleep.

I look around outside and see the earth slipping into its good sleep. The evenings chill the bones and soon a blanket of snow will tuck all of nature in until spring. Remembering to go with the flow on this one is quite difficult. But here are a few of my reminders.

As the sun is long on these newly winter days, I am beginning to see the sleep creeping in. The trees have been working so hard all summer long and now they finally get to rest. Even the sun heads south for some R & R.

The Marigolds have achieved their seedpods. There sent remains and every time I smell them I am reminded of the "perfume" the brothers and I tried to make, as preschoolers, for our mother out of all her marigold petals.

Big, gray clouds are rolling in overhead. Mom and dad have net over the black water of their fish pond. It looks so mysterious and calm.

The moss has begun to feel the frosts as well. It is not quite as green and vibrant as it was a few weeks ago.

The flowers are drying and taking on new richer color, as comes with age.

One big, black dog can no longer resist the big, fat squirrels she has taken more notice of as the trees have revealed them. With mud packed between her toes, she tracks them - tail straight and leg bent.