I found Hilda nodding off in one of the lounge chairs outside. She was still holding her coffee mug in her hand so apparently the caffeine wasn’t doing her much good. Even though it was getting colder she was still dressed only in her bikini bottom and seemed to be living in defiance of what the weather was. I also felt she might be drawing off Naphtha’s magical strength and so she was more oblivious to the weather changes like Naphtha herself. That might prove interesting when the snow got on the ground.
Naphtha herself was pretty sleepy mostly because the winter was getting closer and closer. I asked her how long it would be before she would go asleep in the Oak tree in the center of the courtyard. Her response was simply – ‘soon’. I was getting anxious for her because I could tell she was forcing herself to stay up for some reason so I questioned her about it.
“Harvest is not completed. Dryads may be spirits of trees but the whole of plant kind is connected and until the last things of harvest are brought in and the first snow falls, I am needed to be awake until then.”
With that she stretched out her beautiful naked body against the trunk of the oak tree and closed her eyes but her breathing was still like a person awake. Women look awesome when they sleep like that – content and restful. You really hate to wake them up.
The hot tub and greenhouse were going up on schedule so things were coming to an end for fall. I was kind of glad too because the leaves were pretty much off the trees and so everything was just various shades of black and brown. A little snow would at least cover over the ugly of all that brown.
The sleepy nature of the courtyard was giving way to the more active nature of the pub itself. Writers were still typing and scrawling away at their novels for NaNoWriMo. There was actually a lot of buzz in the pub proper. In a sense winter had already begun here as everyone was hunkering down to winter like activities. I was already burning a fire in the fireplace so those exercising the ‘clothing optional’ option were still comfortable.
I myself don’t really mind the changing of the seasons anymore. It reminds me that I am still alive and all things change but in a sense remain the same. Winter was coming to be sure but so was spring, summer and next fall. It is part of the passage of time and I try to find the enjoyment of each day that I live and not worry about what the next holds. A lot of that is simply the acceptance I can’t do anything about the weather but enjoy what it is and adapt to its changes.
Besides, winter activities are still some of my favorites and not the ones involving snow. Writing, reading, brewing theology and philosophy and keeping my wife warm were definitely high on my list. Being with friends and family and enjoying their company is also right up there. Nursing hot apple cider or hot chocolate on the coldest days while thinking deep thoughts or taking a nap had a pretty good appeal to me as well. Joy is found and created where you’re at and not in the worries or promises of the future.
Things may get sleepy at times but that does not mean there is nothing going on. It simply means the activity has entered the realm of dreams and visions which can be fun in its own way.
Welcome to All Things Rabyd, your friendly neighborhood ‘clothing optional’ theology pub. I, the Rabyd Theologian and your bartender, thank you for stopping by. Please drink your theology responsibly or have a designated driver to get you home. Please tip your waitress and they might give you a kiss on the cheek. Just remember life is short so enjoy it. Blessings and Cheers!