Late October

Along the Blue Ridge Pkwy - The Gated Path

Late October

Blackgum and sourwood blaze glorious 

along with sumac & mountain's virginia creeper.

Always planned vacations 'round 

this early showcase of razzle dazzle

but living here now, I'm quietly charmed

with the finale of oranges and yellows of every shade;

hoard these smoldering days of birch, sassafras, and oak -

breath deeply knowing soon all will be equal beneath my feet.

Brown and brittle will be blown away 

or cease to crunch long before first freeze and flurry,

but for now the sun's upon my face 

and the milkweed pods gently lift from my palm 

into late October's violet blue sky and pearly white clouds.

by Margaret Bednar, October 30, 2016

"Abundance"

Pumpkin Patch

Abundance

Leaf strewn mountain trails bow to valley streams
trickling 'longside fields of stippled corn stalks
and sprawling, yellowed pumpkin vines.

My eye is drawn to tractor's path
meandering 'tween mounds and hills of Autumn bounty;
to a boy restless as wild geese flocking our way,

caught up in a bountiful cornucopia, nurturing not gods,
but promises of a tummy warm with molasses,
ginger, dashes of cinnamon -

and upon the porch wicked smiles, alight at night,
coal bright, warding off Jack of the Lantern
and other wandering wayward spirits.

by Margaret Bednar, October 28, 2016

If you'd like to hear me read my poem:  https://soundcloud.com/margaretbednar/audio-recording-on-saturday-1

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads " Dreaming with Stacie -Celebrating the Season"

*  The cornucopia, literally "horn of plenty", comes to the Thanksgiving table thanks to Greek mythology.  The horn may have originally been that of a goat which the infant Zeus used to drink from.

*  Soon after, Jack died, as the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven.  The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell.  He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way.  Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with it ever since.  The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern" and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern.  

October

Blue Ridge Parkway, NC - field of Golden Rod, Asters, & Milkweed

October

She embraces her inner vogue,

dons Dolce & Gabbana's little red,

languidly covers familiar paths
with past season's finery.

For slumber Wooly Bear prepares,
milkweed balloons into night's sky,
and Hunter Moon softly illuminates 

meadows of golden rod & asters.

With straps slipping
from canopied shoulders
she offers vulnerability -
and a celebration

to frock in our own party dress;
dance with her to the symphony 

of rustling cornstalks, wild geese,
and chattering squirrels.

by Margaret Bednar, October 16, 2016

woolly bear - caterpillar that hibernates for the winter

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads  - Sunday Mini Challenge - October in a Chair"

Chicken Nuggets

Prep for Cabbage Fried Rice
Recipe Click HERE

Chicken Nuggets

I painted my kitchen Leprechaun Green,
tried collecting a wish dinner wouldn't burn -
laughed when we placed an order out.

Remember dipping my finger in honey mustard -
placing it upon your tongue.  Define the kiss that followed
more akin to hot sauce.

by Margaret Bednar, October 14, 2017

My cooking attempts have greatly improved (I served the above with Glazed Chicken Tenders with Ginger - Recipe HERE)  and lettuce fresh from the garden (the cabbage, garlic, and ginger root were fresh from the farmer's market as well).

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Transforming with Nature's Wonders - Brainy Quote".  I chose a quote from Audrey Hebburn - she had SO MANY great ones - I linked them below.  The one I used is:

"I belive in pink.  I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.  I believe in kissing, kissing a lot..."  Audrey Hepburn

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/audrey_hepburn.html

Grandfather Mountain

I updated this poem today from this past weekends "IGWRT's Sunday Challenge" and am posting the new ending here today.

From on top of Grandfather Mountain

"Ibadan, running splash of rust and gold - flung and scattered among seven hills like broken china in the sun."  J. P. Clark 

Grandfather Mountain

Beneath necklaced peaks of yellow gold
& sunset clouds of Touraine blue,
'long old black bear's trail

resides gossamer lit havens & veiled hollows;
glimpses of time begun -
viewed upon swaying bridge.

Remnants, delicately interwoven
amidst folds & cracks layered ancient -
triumphs, tragedies, truthful tales

of character & struggle
along hidden trails or well worn paths
beneath blood red sourwoods & pumpkin hued beech.

by Margaret Bednar, October 9, 2016

From Moses Cone estate-near Grandfather Mtn (untouched photo)

Linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Sunday Mini Challenge - A Splash of Rust & Gold - Micro Poetry"

Note:

*  Geologists came here to study the "Grandfather Mountain Window," a hole in time that allows them to discover what the core of the earth was like when time began. The oldest rock exposures on the surface are the "Wilson Creek Gneiss" (granite type) found along Wilson Creek on the eastern slope of Grandfather near US221.

Gold was mined from three shafts on Grandfather prior to the 1849 California gold rush, but the high grade ore was played out long ago and even at today's prices, mining is no longer cost effecive.

*  Touraine Flow Blue is a vintage china pattern by Stanely Pottery (British)

"Acquiesce"

Acquiesce

A little boy's wonder 

of jumping rock to rock,

playfully racing 

gently rushing mountain stream

fill's my heart; 

both transparent, both refreshing.

I want to warn 

of slippery surface, hard rocks

but his need to explore 

silences me.

Watch him focus 

on silvery fish,

succeed 

in rock's two skip bounce,

laugh 

as he splashes me.

by Margaret Bednar, October 1, 2016

Linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Flash 55 Plus"