The "New Series" has been blooming like crazy! 6 bags, plus 2 gift bags in 8 days. I am really enjoying the color play, using whatever yarn I have at hand.
Another neighborhood walk, in a different direction...lots of thoughts.
The day after Halloween, there were still decorations up. We talked about how we used to see smashed pumpkins in the street in years past. We did not see one smashed this year. In fact, right after we said that folks haven't really been decorating by putting out pumpkins, we came upon the house below! haha Their expressions are like an emoji filled front yard!!
Most of the houses were very skeleton focused. Those bony bones were up to all kinds of antics...hanging upside down from the trees, working together to climb on the roof...you name it! The decorations were mostly funny and friendly...except maybe these two below.
Prompted by a friends inquiry, I came to the conclusion that I have never really delved deeper into the specific meaning of a Medicine Bag. For me, going all of the way back to when I took the workshop, learning how to weave a little bag & bought my little loom...my intuition took over and they became not just woven bags, but Medicine Bags - Spirit Bags. Small woven bags infused with intention, love and an open invitation to use it to invoke healing, wishes for good health, and an openness to spirit...to hold it close or however one likes. So I called them Medicine Bags and sent them out into the world (216 strong!). Now, that is some good medicine for ones heart and soul.
Nature took center stage again. The sky, the crows, the trees...all worth a slow walk with lots of pauses.
I have a love affair with 'lion's head' door/drawer pulls and door knockers, so I was happy to notice this one. We also noticed another Little Free Library, filled with children's books. How wonderful.
The season spoke through the leaves and had me thinking of Deb G. I love how the color travels through the veins.
The long view down the road provided the treat of seeing the far off mountains lit up in the dramatic light of the afternoon.
As previously mentioned, the new series of Medicine (Spirit) Bags hold a written phrase (seen above) and a "red thread". This led to more research on the meaning of the phrase: a red thread runs through it. I was surprised to read how many cultures, religions or philosophies have a theory about the red thread. Again, as with Medicine Bag, I use the general idea in my own way. In adding a red thread to each bag in the New Series, I'm sending out the message that we are all connected, all in it together...there for one another...that no one is alone.
This plant seemed to be saying, "Go on now, you are on a good path" - for it had its own 'red threads' blowing in the crisp Fall air.
There is so much beauty to see everywhere you look, so much in nature...it helps during challenging times.
I found the ruts in this bark fascinating. They look carved out, like the awful, but majestic floods in the canyons of UT - CO - AZ - NM. The way time takes a toll can amplify life in ways like no other. I've remained focused on bark, ever since Grace brought up Oak Bark to me.
In my reading about the Native culture regarding Medicine Bags, the first thing I came upon was the short story "The Medicine Bag", by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. You can listen to it HERE or read it HERE. I hope my haphazard, from the gut, way of doing things has not offended the culture anyone. I intend only respect.
I know I've written in the past about cultural appropriation in the past. Sometimes in my feelings of inclusivity, I just throw my arms out and around all. In some way, this must be understood, as I recently received an email from our beloved Marti. She sent me a photo of herself, asking if I could put it on my blog - so Maria could get a visual sense of who she is, to weave into the many story-comments Marti has shared here and elsewhere. By adding her photo here, we all can work together to keep this "caring blog, a little community in and of itself" strong..."alive", as Marti says.
May we all travel well, together on the trail.
May all of our reflections hold hope and grace, for ourselves and others.
May we all VOTE for a better tomorrow (if it applies and we have not yet done so).
*A neighbor's "Fall" door decoration!
May you have dreams
May you have wishes
May you have ways to make them come to life
xo
#goodenough
Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026
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