Speaking of Spirit

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."  - Vincent Van Gogh Inspiration comes from some of the most unusual places. Little did I know that watching an old 1940's, black and white film would inspire today's post, but Passport to Pimlico did just that.   This quaint comedy tells the story of a neighborhood in London that suddenly finds itself in an international dispute that leads to the isolation of the neighborhood as a foreign domain.  The good people of the neighborhood must band together to keep their  sovereignty. The intrepid community quickly realizes that while they can survive many of the ills that befall them, they cannot survive alone.   This lesson, I believe, speaks loudly to all of us in the US, now. We are part of the world community. We cannot isolate ourselves from that community, nor our responsibilities to that community.  For better or worse, we are all in this together - each person, famil...

At this time of year, our ancestors would gather the harvest into root cellars, barns, smoke houses and larders.  They fought against time and the seasons, hoping to get everything put up before the killing frost and the first snow storm.  This was a great time of community.  Neighbor helping neighbor. Those who had been blessed with plenty, sharing with those who where not able to do as well. There were circles of women knitting, sewing, weaving and creating clothes, blankets and items to keep the family warm during these months.  When all was done, families gathered together in celebration, but also to offer thanksgiving. Our ancestors saw the autumn as a time when the veil between this world and the next was thin. They knew how quickly Death could come at this time of year, snatching away a field of ripe squash, whisking away a loved one too frail to battle illness.  Gatherings reflected this dichotomy of joy and heartache and fear. Today, we have com...