Fire & Rain

SONG - Fire & Rain by James Taylor   https://youtu.be/EbD7lfrsY2s?si=VZqXXUOTNGk9vGUk

 Day 27 - May 26

Good Morning!

We discovered a great, casual breakfast place this morning just across the bridge from our hotel - “Brews & Brownies” perfect for coffee & pastries or breakfast sandwiches.  

Once we were energized, we walked around York and admired the Roman/Viking walls, Minster Cathedral and then headed towards “The Shambles”.  

The Shambles is a historic street in York with cobblestones, medieval buildings (some going back to the 1400’s), timber framing and overhanging shops. 

We even ran into a fire tosser…..

An absolute zoo  but a fun, fascinating place. After getting totally turned around, we found the Cathedral and stood in line for tickets. After about 10 minutes we decided to come back on Tuesday as it would be open all day instead of the 2 hours it’s opened on Sundays. 

A sweet nibble, cold drink & a rest for our legs we were invigorated to walking back to the hotel to relax.  Checking out restaurants for dinner tonight with the concierge who suggested we try Guy Falks pub just a few blocks up from our hotel. It was fully booked for tonight but they always leave a few openings for walk-ins. Well we got in but not in the pub proper. We were outside with heat lamps & an overhead covering. But it was Sunday Roast day!  I had delicious roast chicken with Yorkshire pudding and Mr. B enjoyed a Steak pie with mash.  We walked home in the company of many others outside enjoying the night air. 

Just wait until you see where we go tomorrow!

Living Alone

Song - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry by James Taylor & Keb' Mo'

There are times during this SIP when it can be pretty lonely especially if you live alone.  Think about connecting with a neighbor, friend or loved one during this time.  Write a note, send a card, bring by some flowers in a Mason jar, call them or better yet FaceTime with them as it is great fun to see and hear the other person.  Hopefully share a laugh!

Devonshire

Song - Carolina in My Mind by James Taylor cover by Chase & Sierra Eagleson

Bishops Nympton is a village in North Devon, England where my grandmother Violet was born.  It was so lush and beautiful when Mr. B and I spent time there in the spring of 2017.

Closing Down

Song - October Road by James Taylor

The intense heat that we endured in California this summer has faded and we are now officially into Autumn. The days are comfortable and the nights are crisp.

Everything seems to have received the earth's message that it's time to close down for another year. I listen to the acorns "thud" on the roof of our house or on our little lane.  Cars drive by and you can hear the tires crunch the acorns into dust.

 The leaves on our maple trees are beginning to change color.  

The last of the Dahlia's and roses are blooming.

Unfortunately they were not happy campers this year as they were trying to survive the blazing heat spells, lower water consumption and not having Moi take care of them. 
It was just too dang hot to go out there!  

My friend, the Flicker sings to me every morning and in the late afternoon.

The days are decidedly shorter and our shadows are much longer.

I am harvesting apples in hopes of future cobblers, applesauce or my mama's famous apple pie!

The birds are filling up on nuts and seed for the approaching cold weather.

 As I plant my spring bulbs......the squirrels are planting and hiding their acorns.

 All day long I am replanting my flowers that the squirrels have dug up to make room for acorns.

YES.....I am talking about you Mister!

Meanwhile, there are so many wildfires in Northern California right now.

It's difficult to complain about the smoky air around here when so many have lost everything.

I am reminded of my Great-Aunt Theresa who at the age of 82 lost her home 

and belongs in the 1991 Oakland firestorm - she told me that everyone was so generous 

buying her new mixing bowls and beautiful fluffy towels.  

But it was her old chipped dishes and comfortably worn bedspread that made her feel at home.

"Mostly it is loss which teaches

 us about the worth of things." 

--Arthur Schopenhauer