Candy-Colored Carnival

As per local tradition, on the heels of the harvest moon comes the carnival. Aliens seemed to be a theme this year. You know times are tough when people are volunteering to be abducted.

 Glittering neon gears competed with the brilliant sky.

And while we weren't quite lost in the funhouse...

 ...we were quite lost in the mirror maze.

We had corn dogs and funnel cake, and bought a space hopper for the youngin. And then at last we walked back, through the dark streets, past the silent school and the glowing lamps and the dry leaves skidding along the pavement.

And with that we mark another ritual of the turning of the year.

Sunday

Last night, my youngest son and I made made his Easter nest for the bunny to fill with eggs in the morning. Because of all the hard freezes this Winter, there were not so many colorful wildflowers this year. We did have these nice irises, though.

The bunny provides. (The bunny was hard at work before sunrise, by the way)

The results of our family-wide cascarón war. Much like last year's chalk war, we all won.  It's said that having a cascaron broken over one's head brings good luck. If this is the case, we are all set for the year. Now If I can just convince the others that cleaning up is just as lucky...

I confess that this Easter I have felt a bit solemn. My youngest is 7 and it's suddenly clear that after all these many years, the clock is ticking on these old Easter traditions, for my own children, at least. Then I will have to wait until they have children of their own before I can play Easter bunny again. 

In the meantime, I will make the most of it. 

Candy, Hearts and Gloom

Another cold and overcast Valentine's Day, though this one had the distinction of starting with a crashing thunderstorm at 5 A.M. 

Yesterday, the weather was excellent. Cloudy, yes, but warm and breezy. Wind chimes ringing. Fallen leaves swirling. Mountain laurel blooms making the air smell like grape pixie sticks.  Perfection!

Not today, alas. As ever on February 14, Jack Frost, or at least Jack Crappy Weather, makes his return.

No matter, at least we have candy and hearts to break up the gloom.

Happy Valentine's Day, y'all.