The Leefening.

One of the trees on my daily walk who's getting an early start for winter's sleep.  If there's anything I will miss about living in the area that I do, it's the canopy of old trees, like friends that grew with you.  

Right now there's a Cinders in my head running in circles making 'eeee' sounds as leaves quietly fall around her from this tree.

I imagine that Cinders actually celebrates the 'first leaf/leaves' of fall in her lands later on in her life.  Literally knowing which will be the first one to turn and fall, and transporting to the area with teas, snacks, and a will to wait beneath the tree until the first autumnal leaf drifts its way down to her.

She's willing to hold the little leaf, and tell the whole forest through it how proud she is of them, for being the leafiest.  She sees nature as a living entity that is a close friend.  A hum of lifeblood like a mother's heartbeat while in the womb.  She loves her lands and her family so much that it's like an ache at the back of her soul, but one she hopes will always be there.

Often her family will come with her.  Setting up a little camp to wait, sometimes hours, sometimes days, but the leef will come, and the little chime in Cinders' head rings it's alarm and she's there to say hello.  Ushering the trees to rest, and sleep when the snows come.

I'd mentioned that this was going to be the first autumn in a while where I wouldn't be stress-running constantly, and.. well, it still could be.  Tomorrow I'll be starting the process of selling Dad's place, and finding the next place that I'll be living and exploring.  I have a fair idea, or at least several ideas about the general area, and while it might not have the old canopy of trees like this, it is close enough to woods and parks that I'll still have access to sit, take pictures, and enjoy the turning of the seasons.

But for now, I have another sketch to try and finish.  It will likely be the next personal pic I'll be doing colours for.

It will have leefening.

And hopefully a tiny clydesdillic-dragonmom there to say hello to them.

-T.J.