Our usually vivid autumn colors have been a little muted this year, thanks to a a summer drought.

I know, trees, I know. It’s been a rough year and I have felt muted too.

I went out in search of something that fit my muted mood and found this uprooted tree. It reminded me of a witch’s shamble. If you don’t know what that is and you are intrigued, please go read Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching stories, starting with The Wee Free Men.

“A shamble: A handmade device for the focusing of magic. Like a lens, its primary uses include detecting, magnifying and projecting – in this instance – of magic.” ~ Terry Pratchett

I hadn’t realized I was in need of a shamble, but I was, and it worked. I found some magic.

Photos taken with a combination of camera and phone (slow shutter app).

~Deirdre, feeling a wee bit less muted