golden oak, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I went down to the woods today, as I'd planned to do when I took this day off to observe Samhain. It was a much different walk than I'd anticipated. So many wonderful, big old trees damaged. I had to climb over many limbs, branches, and even whole trees in the path. My heart breaks for them.

There was beauty though, too. I freed a couple of small trees from the snow, and they bounced back up, bent but not broken. Patches of gold broke through the bareness. Crows called to each other, laughing at the puny problems of humans. Who needs a path when you can fly?

It's going to be a long recovery. I am grateful that I have electricity and internet, when so many still do not. No word on when power will be restored at work; my boss called and told me to come in tomorrow afternoon, to do what can be done by generator. It'll be a lean paper next week. I'm pretty sure I know what the front page story will be. *g*

For today, I count my blessings, and remember those loved ones who have passed.

Blessed be.

remark, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Today was just about the complete opposite of yesterday, with sunshine, puffy clouds, and blue sky. Perfect for tromping around in the woods!

I spent about two hours wandering around, taking pictures, and communing with the trees. Twice, I saw mist disappearing just as I turned a corner; once on the boardwalk, and once on a bridge.

As I walked deeper into the woods, I saw a crow sitting in a tree. I clacked at it, and it flew off into a higher tree where I couldn't see it. But it clacked back at me. Then, it meowed. I swear, it sounded just like a meow! We meowed back and forth for a few minutes, and then it was gone. I wonder if the catbirds were giving it lessons?

I didn't find any secret pathways this time, but the regular paths were still full of magick. I was passed twice by a girl in blue, and a guy in white.

When I got to the little creek crossing, the water was a bit too high and the usual stepping stones were submerged, so I took off my sandals, rolled up my pantlegs, and splashed across. The water was cool and refreshing. I sat under an apple tree to put my sandals back on, and the grass felt good under my feet.

When I emerged from the woods, the parking lot was full and the soccer fields were rowdy. It was a good time to leave.

( here is the rest )

Crows and their relatives — among them ravens, magpies and jays — are renowned for their intelligence and for their ability to flourish in human-dominated landscapes. That ability may have to do with cross-species social skills. In the Seattle area, where rapid suburban growth has attracted a thriving crow population, researchers have found that the birds can recognize individual human faces.