Wet Dark Skies

A Grey Day But Happy

   When I started work this morning at dawn I could see we were in for a wet day, one of those days that never seem to get light, grey dark skies with carpets of rain falling when they please and that autumn smell filling the air reminding us that summer as passed.
   As the morning light started to filter through I filled all the bird feeders and started the kiln with the thoughts of a great day ahead playing with seaglass, focals and ring beads. There is something about this time of year that excites me, I never can pin point what it is but every year it's the same. Maybe the thought of winter, those few months that I love so much or the memories of my childhood when the dark evenings meant bonfires and fireworks or cutting sticks in my grandads wash house ready for those roaring log fires, but what ever it is I hope it stays with me until I'm no longer here.
   I must admit I long for those long walks in fallen autumn leaves wrapped in warm coat and kicking those golden layers of tree jewellery like a small kid, hoping nobody will see. There are so many reasons for loving this time of year with kids collecting conkers and old gardeners standing watching their fires burn through garden waste while a redundant roll up sticks to their lip and dew drop hangs on nose tip. Their tired old eyes have seen a thousand seasons and their weather beaten faces tell a thousand tales, they know whats ahead as each bird leaves for winter sun to return in spring.
   Last night I sat in the garden watching the bats feed over the pond, I think it must be hard for them now with the insect life starting to slow down, yet still they spend a few minutes flying like small dragon shadows over head.
   As I'm writing with my hot cuppa the rain falls gently over the fens producing the most wonderful mist rolling across fields of stubble waiting for the plough, just another wonder of autumn and one so many of us just pass by.
   So back to my torch and the seaglass that waits, seaglass that makes this bead maker a very happy one !