Remembering Ancestors

  Morning once a week I take the trash out. We only have pick-up once a week, and with bears loving our garbage, this system means I keep most of my trash in the apartment till Thurs. early. I also can only send out recyclables every other week. It sure makes me think of how much trash I bring home!

At the bottom of the hill, someone put lots of interesting things to be hauled away. With a phone appointment the trash people will take "household" trash like furniture. Not sure what the red and gold fabric was, but I got a kick out of this selection.

So this morning I bundled up for 40 degrees, and took my one bag out. I'm taking out some of the "wet garbage" during the week for the bear-proof bins. And as I came back down the walk, the sun was just hitting the tree tops above me. Their brilliant orange, yellow and even browns and dark reds just made me so  grateful to be alive at this day, on this wonderful turning earth of ours.

My thoughts immediately went to thinking of the original indigenous settlers to this region. I thought how a woman clothed in skins of animals would be bringing a fire to light in order to fix something to feed her family, or at least to warm her hands. And then I thought of how  that car which drove by showed that I'm totally dependent on fossil fuels. And I'm so grateful for the electricity which the ancient plants and animals have brought to my life...my coffee pot was perking as I came in my door. I took off my coat and hat because my home was heated by electricity also.

But I won't forget that glimpse of sunshine on those wonderful leaves of fall, which linked me to an ancestor who I imagined was looking at the same view while blowing on her wood fire.

Oct 27, Midland Ave yard Black Mountain, NC. Lots of acorns this year! Mast.

But seriously, this time of year has been known as one of the times the veil between the worlds is thin, so spirits of loved ones may visit us, especially in our dreams.

I'm a smart pagan (not really a wiccan) by knowing I can set wards against those who might wish me harm. No way I want to have nightmares more than I already do.

But in the last week, I've certainly had lots of visits from family members...mostly humorous, some just strange. In one I could find no other bed in the house to sleep in, just the one my father was in. I barely touched it on the far side. I really don't think I ever had any incestuous leanings toward my father. Other relations maybe not so much.

Lots of can't find my way out of some dilemma, or needing to work on something without the right materials. Ha, those do get pretty weird! Try weaving spaghetti noodles (cooked of course.)

OK, I know it is all in fun, and fortunately I had pretty good relationships with all my family (there wasn't really much of it.) A sister, mother and father, 2 grandmothers, and 1 grandfather, all of whom are gone. A few cousins and aunts who I saw very rarely. Come to think of it, they might visit out of their feeling bypassed.

I don't do an ancestor's altar...I've got pics all over the place and live among them. And our apartments have a fire regulation against candles...so I never light the ones I have.

But I'll take a photo or two to church on Sunday, when there will be an altar in honor of the ancestors. I hope that pleases them.

Incidentally I did have an ancestor who was a Spiritualist as his religion. William Lewis Booth lived a long life, and had many relations who died before him. Fortunately a few had children first. I don't know if he ever was contacted by any of them...the dearly departed, I mean.