Autumn Hammock & Give Away Winners

"I see that old hammock out back,

Swaying lightly in the wind
That Autumn oft expels in October,
Waiting for me to come and dream."
~ B.R. Jording, Fall Planting

I took this photo last October in Vermont while driving around the back roads, soaking in all the magnificent glory that is Autumn in New England. When I saw this empty hammock strung between two brilliantly colored trees....I was momentarily breathless. Then when I found this quote, I thought it to be the perfect accompaniment to this image. This scene, this photo I took....well it epitomizes all that I feel about my favorite season of Autumn. THIS is my zen spot, the place I visualize myself in when I imagine what my life after death might be like if I had it my way. Perpetual Autumn!

I would lay in this hammock, wrapped up in a cozy blanket, feeling the nip of the cool air against my cheeks. I would fill with contentment at the sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze. I would listen closely and feel a bit melancholy as I hear the lonely 'caws' of the the black crows overhead. I would feel the warmth and smell the delicious smoke of the wood burning in the bonfire nearby. I would smile at the scarecrow standing guard in the pumpkin patch and he would smile back at me. I would stare at the many colored leaves and I'd feel reverence and peace as I bore witness to Mother Nature's final Swan Song, before she exits the stage and leaves Jack Frost to again take top billing to close out the year.

Okay....enough with the Autumn sentiments, I will now, as promised, announce the winners of the 'Dark Arts Give Away'. This 'Give Away' had not just 1....but 4 winners. Each of the winners will receive one of the 4 items listed in the give away. And those winners were chosen by throwing all the names into the Goblet of Fire and the 4 names that were spit back out of the flames were the ordained winners. Ooops....strike that, that was from Harry Potter wasn't it? Well it would have a been a very cool method of selection had I just been in possession of a magic Goblet of Fire dang it. But since I was not, the selection process was left up to my 2 children who were each instructed to close their eyes and draw 2 names out of the witch's hat.
And the winners in no certain order are:
1. Jeanne
2. Gill-Man
3. The Traveler
4. Magikal Seasons

Congratulations on having the 'force be with you' during the draw. If you will email me (artfulgypsy@cfl.rr.com) with the mailing address of where you'd like to have your items sent, I will get them out in the mail pronto. In the event, a winner fails to provide me with a mailing address, I will have my rugrats select another name from the hat to replace the winner who didn't want their winnings. I am very grateful to all of you who entered and provided me with feedback on my Halloween Art, thank you and I will be doing more artsy give aways in the future.