Dear Reader:

Now this is what I get for cleaning out old suitcases a couple of weeks ago…emptying out chewing gum wrappers and tissue paper. I must have opened the suitcase I took to Ireland two summers ago….and presto...magic! The leprechaun fairy greeted me at the fence yesterday while I was watering some plants. He did scare me initially but he seems like a happy little chap and and to paraphrase Humphrey Bogart (Casablanca) “Conor…I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Hilda showed back up while cleaning out the garage from Matthew and she was ready to be put back up on the deck in time for Halloween. Now I see why she picked that corner…she has a broom and there is a toadie frog right above her…don’t think it will be there long. A toadie frog for her magical bog. Frankly, Hilda scares me….this witch is missing a screw…literally… that holds in the battery…she is supposed to turn on when motion is felt near her…but with her hanging battery you never know when you walk by if she is going to start cackling at you with her lit-up eyes or not. A heart stopper.

And then there is the “Old Man in the Tree”.…I don’t know if he has come ‘a-courtin” or what? Can’t ever figure out which way he is looking…he is a little creepy but then again at a certain age…I reckon we can’t be too picky. I figure I will let him hang around as long as he stays on the tree and not in the house with me. Mystery, Magic…nah…just really really strange!

Even my calendar “rabbit” (in the mums barrel out front) has gotten into the “spirit.” We know “Halloween’s Coming” ( like Rutledge says many many times a day now) because magic and mystery are paramount.

And now…the mosquitoes! For years they have left me alone (think they are smarter than we give them credit for….not gonna bite someone with cancer) but they obviously are not as picky any more about their victims.

The past few days I can’t get farther than the deck, much less inside the garden, before they are buzzing me. Thought the cooler air over the weekend would do it…but no, no no…I got buzzed last evening running from the car to the house. Think this little poem runs true:

A SOUTH CAROLINA BLESSING

Note: If you are not a resident of SOUTH CAROLINA or never have lived in the hot, humid South, you may not understand the weight of this blessing!

Bless this house, oh Lord, we cry.
Please keep it cool in mid-July.

Bless the walls where termites dine,
While ants and roaches march in time.

Bless our yard where spiders pass
Fire ant castles in the grass.

Bless the garage, a home to please
Carpenter bees, ticks and fleas.

Bless the love bugs, two by two,
The gnats and mosquitoes that feed on you.

Millions of creatures that fly or crawl,
In Carolina, Lord, you’ve put them all!

But this is home, and here we’ll stay,
So thank you Lord, for insect spray.

…………………………………………………………….

But oh how I love home and the low country…wouldn’t trade it for the world! Stopped by to see Bruce and Marcia (while they are in the low country watching Rutledge and Lachlan  until Walsh and Mollie get back this evening from their trip)…and they are “Being Brave” as reminded by Rutledge. It was so good to see them…I am sure when they get home they will sleep for a week….grandparents always do. SHHH!!!!!

Those two little boys are so fortunate to have Nana (Marcia) and Papa (Bruce) in their lives…they went to the pumpkin patch, played games, made crafts….and are loved loved loved!

After I left visiting with the Temples/Dingles I headed over to see part two of the family-the Turner/Dingles….Eva Cate and Jakie….we played and made something special for mommy….mothers always deserve a little surprise along the way….just for mommy.

I love to observe quiet moments when Jakie and Eva Cate are mesmerized together at something going on in nature and they quietly watch it together for moments of pure silence and then shared laughter.

So until tomorrow…Thank you for family and fun and shared moments of mystery and magic….let imagination live forever.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh