Poetry Thursday - Give the world to the children

"Let us give the world to the children at least for one day

Let them play with it as if it's a spangled balloon
Let them sing and dance among the stars

Let us give the world to the children

Like a huge apple or a warm loaf of bread

at least for one day

so that they'll have enough to eat

Let us give the world to the children

so that even if it's for one day

it will learn what friendship is

The children will take world

out of our hands

and they will plant immortal trees."

Nazim Hikmet (1901 to 1963)

The words of this Turkish poet, translated here into English, remind me of why we conduct youth foreign exchange. You can find out more about this poet here.

Wordless Wednesday - Reflections of Autumn

all photos by my daughter Haiku, October 27, 2009 in the late afternoon

An Unexpected Visitor

This neighborhood resident came to visit me today. I wonder if he was planning to nibble on my butterfly bush? He arrived on the country lane, walking at a leisurely pace, however when our dog Maude told him in no uncertain terms to "take off Buddy!" the llama high-tailed it cross country, heading through the field behind the play house. I saw him back on the lane a couple of minutes later, heading up the long steep hill for his home on a nearby farm. What about you? Do you like unexpected visitors, or do you prefer that they call first? I'm fine with either as long as they don't eat all of my autumn blossoms!

photos by Aisling, 10/27/2009

Late Arrivals!

I just added two "late arrivals" to the stroll from Sunday. Scroll down to find links to their strolls, and to visit any others you may have missed! :)

Monday Muse - Acoustic Inspiration

A little acoustic music for you this Monday morning, which is gray and rainy in my northern hills. I love this young Florida band, Boyce Avenue. They have acoustic covers of alot of popular music on Youtube, but also some original music too which I really enjoy. This makes me want to get my dusty guitar out of the case and polish up my rusty skills!

Sunday Stroll - To the Birch Wood

On my walk to the birch wood, I passed these pumpkins culled from the vegetable garden by my husband, after frost had killed the vines. To the east edge of our property, a stand of large white pines makes a patch of dark green, and the birches glow orange and gold.


In the low-lying marsh, I walked beneath this little nest... empty now and quiet.

The woods were quiet too, the late afternoon hush within the woods as mellow as the rich color of the leaves overhead. Brown leaves were falling as the wind ran through, while golden leaves clung to their branches making pretty artwork against the birch-paper walls of the little wood.

As if peering through a window, I could see the lake from inside the wood.

I could see the sky changing, as wind stirred the clouds above the treetops.

I left the woods, as I always do, feeling a little more at peace. I stood between the white pines and the birches and appreciated the view of the little lake to the southwest before returning to the cozy house where a fire in the woodstove offset the late October chill.

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you peace and comfort.

all photos by Aisling, October 25, 2009

Scroll down to the previous post to find the links to other strollers for this week.

Sunday Stroll Invitation

"The leaves fall patiently
Nothing remembers or grieves
The river takes to the sea
The yellow drift of leaves."
- Sara Teasdale

Our creek is flowing again, hurrying past the flower garden on the creek bank. The water fills the empty spaces between the reeds and stalks and wild flowers that have grown thick in the dry months of summer. The rushing water stirs the shallows as it flows, until the edges of the marsh are fragrant with the mellow aroma of autumn decay and the sharp sweet scent of wild mint rising up into the chilly October air.

If you have time this week for a Sunday Stroll, and if your weather allows, please post about about it on your blog and then come back here with a comment and a link to your post. You may use the Sunday Stroll button at the top of this post on your post or side bar if you would like. I will add participant names to this post so other strollers can walk through your garden too. I'll check back as often as I can and try to keep the list updated.

Look who's strolling today:

Heather at Heather's Homemaking

Margaret at Periodic Pearls

Cloudhands at Uncarved Block

Me here at the Quiet Country House

Abbie at Farmer's Daugher

Two late arrivals, too nice to miss!

Jessica at Foursquare Schoolhouse

Linda at Vulture Peak Muse