Jessica Haight's Blog

2025 has come to a close, and I am thrilled to be actually wrapping up the Views from the Pond from the final two months of the year. I hope to stay on track in 2026 with two months per post. Fingers crossed!

In November, we got some more much needed rain, and the pond got back to a better level. The colors of fall were still mesmerizing, but the temperature was going down. We were able to get out and weed the brook, after it became overgrown during the drought. It was a lot of work- but worth it, as we got lots of rain right after we finished, and the water had somewhere to go. Fall went out with brilliance!

December was cold! There was some snow, which always looks beautiful. I do love the atmosphere of the pond and trees in the wintertime- there's a magical feeling for sure! We ended the month with super cold temperatures and lots of wind. I am ready for some warmer temps for sure. 

Sit back, relax, and enjoy some pond views of the end of 2025. 

November 2025

Still lots of colors to be seen!

Love the clouds in this one!

The sky and the trees look so beautiful together. 

Just look at that orange! Love it!

So vibrant!

The brook- overgrown with weeds from the drought.

The bottom of the brook still had a lot of weeds- just a different kind.


The colors and the reflection were so stunning. 

After the weeding!

So much better!

Finally, a place for the water to flow again. It started raining as we were finishing up. We didn't quite finish- but it is MUCH better!

Reflections in the rain.

So many stars out that night!

The leaves are mostly gone. Goodbye November. 


December 2025
The month began cold, damp, and some wet snow.

There's a nip in the air for sure!

The snow is calm and peaceful. 



Some water is back in the brook! Yay!

Chilly morning before work.


The snow gave a festive feel!

Brrrrrrrr



The last night of the year and the moon was out early. 

Goodbye 2025 and Hello 2026!

I have loved sharing pictures of my views from the last year. Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Cheers to a wonderful 2026!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

 

Wishing our readers a happy new year and a vibrant 2026! Thank you for stopping by our corner of the book block.We look forward to spinning story magic and sharing our creativity with you. 📖✨ 

Jess & Stephanie

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

 

Snow was predicted for this weekend, and we are blanketed in a couple inches of the white stuff.  While there isn't a ton of snow- there is enough to have some fun.  My little sister, Margo, has been waiting for the world to turn white and she has been obsessed with all books involving winter and all it entails. A new favorite story is The Snowball Fight by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld (authors of Stick and Stone). Honestly- it's the perfect book for a snowy day. 


The story has a nice flow, and the shorter texts and style of illustrations go perfectly together. Two children are waiting for a snow day, and it comes. I could relate to their excitement and so could Margo. But what will they do with themselves to pass the time? A snowball fight, of course! Margo loved watching them prepare and seeing their forts was inspiring. We don't have quite enough snow for snow forts, but there is enough for other exciting activities. 

I love the way the illustrations are done because they really help tell the story with the text. The kids in the story have a blast pelting each other with their snowballs, and just reading this book makes you want to get out and play!



After we play in the snow our parents always make us some hot chocolate. It's one of my favorite parts of a snowy day. I love how looking at this illustration gives readers other ideas for what to do out in the snow. Margo and I spent a lot of the day outside. We made snow angels, threw snowballs, and even made a tiny snow person. It was chilly, but we have been waiting for this, and we soaked it all in. 


It looks like the snow will stay around for a few days. Margo is already telling me, "Let's throw more snow", and I know what we will be doing tomorrow when I get home from school. I am sure we will also be reading this new favorite another few times before we return it to the library!
Has anyone else read The Snowball Fight? Or have you read another book written by Beth Ferry or illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
~F


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Well, I was on a great streak in 2025 of doing two months per Pond Post- but I somehow fell behind! So, I am doing three months today so that I can end the year with two. 

August felt like it went by fast, as I was spending time getting ready to go back to school. I tried to soak up the pond and all its critters before I had to go back. It was a hot August, and we didn't get as much rain as we needed. September was busy, and there was some rain. Then came October which had stunning colors. I was away midmonth for a conference but managed to be home for most of the peak fall foliage. Yay! 

Lots of pictures today, so sit back and enjoy the views!

August 2025

                                                    August 1st in the early evening.



A deer visiting by the pond, while I waited for a friend. 

One of the heron's many visits. Always makes me smile.

A beaver staying out of the sun. 

A snapping turtle by the shore.


He's moving pretty fast!

Morning on the first day of school. Pretty light- but sad to have vacation come to an end.

I am not sure- maybe a baby heron in the junipers.

The last afternoon in August. 


September 2025
The heron hanging out. 

Colors of fall are beginning! 

The heron bathes in light!

Another day and the heron is soaking in the rays!

Leaves are turning!

So pretty, but the pond is definitely getting low around the edges. Rain is needed!

Love the blue in the reflection. 

Too low! But still love the reflection!

Wow! I feel so lucky to have seen all these beautiful colors in the sky and water. 


October 2025
Water is getting lower!

And lower!

And even lower!

Absolutely love the colors!
The heron taking flight when I startled him (I didn't see him at first).





Lots of pine needles!

Love the way the clouds look here!

Such fun shadows!

The red bush in the back is one of my favorites. I love the hue!

Fall in all its glory!





The brook is dry and overgrown with weeds. We have plans to weed it before winter! 

Such fun shadows!



The colors kept changing by the second!


The heron huddled looking for snacks!
Halloween morning! 



A Halloween visitor as I arrived home from work!


I told you- lots of photos! Thanks for stopping by the pond for a visit. 

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

"Sorceress Purpura's Spell" acrylic painting by Jess Haight

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Of course, the craft of alchemy is to insight change. Faster or slower the spin, transformative powers set in. Symbolic lines become this or that, take them or leave them, that's when it's at. Change is inevitable, knowing this is eternal. ~F

I am a catalyst for change; rotate, splice, rearrange; boil, freeze, snuff it out; churn, burn, satisfy doubt. This is that, now that is this; sometimes hit, sometimes miss. Ions bond, gaseous vapors, metals melt, you'll formulate papers. Transformation is the key; matters not what it be. Inner outer particle waves gain or lose elementary raves. 

What am I? Alchemy 

"Gold" Microscopic Modern Art

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Hello, Riddlers! The Philosopher's Stone comes in handy for this craft. Can you guess the answer?

I am a catalyst for change; rotate, splice, rearrange; boil, freeze, snuff it out; churn, burn, satisfy doubt. This is that, now that is this; sometimes hit, sometimes miss. Ions bond, gaseous vapors, metals melt, you'll formulate papers. Transformation is the key; matters not what it be. Inner outer particle waves gain or lose elementary raves. 

What am I? Stop by Friday for the answer!

I gave you a clue!

Microscopic Modern Art 

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

 Conjuring Lines

Conjuring lines casting colors in the prism of our mind. Stories here, stories there, but none that you shall find. To break the spell that binds you, open up your eyes. Patterns found in nature show truth behind all lies. 





Wind and rain, sun and fog;waves slip over shoreBlood and bone, fire burns;eyes desire more















In your heart, you'll feel it push;a knowing kind of pull Back and forth, up and down;guts will feel full

Time tick-tocks in circles;spiraling within  Night and day rise and fall; feeling flesh begin 
Hello, Readers! Welcome to another Halloween Spooktacular. Eleanor Skeleton here to rattle your bones and scare up a fright. Hold your tongue and keep your wits in hand. If you dare read on, monsters join our twisted band. Great Pumpkin shows you Halloween Town, Ferry Blackwell bakes his bread. Loves fall, the un-telling begins, Mystrella steps into the woods. Eldrich reveals secrets, maybe bad or good. All of this merriment in the monster's hood. Beware these lines conjured in space, they feast upon the look on your face. "Nice te see ya, If you're inta chillin' with monsters, then follow me to Halloween town. There's plenty chillin' over there. Ha! La ti da!" Follow Great Pumpkin to Halloween Town (If you haven't already, be sure to read the comments)

"Hungry? Come and try my toe-finger bread!" Break bread with Ferry Blackwell

Listen to yourself and catch love falling in The Flower Monster

Step into the woods with Mystrella 

Buy Eldrich's Secret Goods

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Jess Haight & Stephanie Robinson

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

 

Twelve-year-old Garnet and her mother, Emerald, run a small shop far away from family. Garnet wishes she could meet her relatives and see the family house where her mom grew up, but her mom won't allow it. Then one day, they get summoned to the family home. Even then, her mother tries to resist the magic, using every counterspell, alas they had no choice but to go once Garnet started spitting up frogs. When they entered the Carrefour family house, they learned that Garnet's great-grandfather would soon be passing. He's been the connection from the family magic to the house's magic for years. There are all kinds of magical rules that surround the house, and the house won't let Garnet and Emerald leave until the magic has switched hands. It’s a lot for Garnet to take in! She is learning about the house that she’s always heard so much about but has never been allowed to visit. Then there are the relatives whose names she doesn’t know and relationships she doesn't understand. She feels lucky to have cousins her age, and it helps her to have people who can fill her in on some of the family dynamics. Her knowledge about stones and magic didn't prepare her for the strange visit she has with her great-grandfather in the middle of the night. Although Garnet is told she must stay away from a dangerous section of the house where a visitor died years ago, the house seems to want her to go there. Strange occurrences keep happening, but Garnet doesn’t get the chance to talk to her mother about them due to the family drama. Is the house going to do something bad to Garnet? Will her magic be able to ward off any evil? What happened to the girl who disappeared at the house in 1998? You'll have to read this page turner to find out!

I read the Eighth Day series by Dianne Salerni years ago and loved it. I was only disappointed
that there weren’t more books in the series! So, when I saw that she had a new book, I knew I had to pick it up. I absolutely loved The Carrefour Curse. It was so interesting to learn about the different gems and earth materials at the top of each chapter, along with how to recharge them, and what they’re used for. I liked the way Garnet and her cousin Ash became friends, and I liked getting to see all the different personalities in Garnet's family. I could really picture the things that were happening to Garnet and loved that there were surprises along the way. I’d love to be friends with her- we both have experiences with houses that have a mind of their own! I recommend this book to anyone in 4th grade and up who enjoys spooky books, ghosts, and other supernatural stories. This was scary, without being too scary. Although there was danger, nothing was gory. It is perfect for the spooky season! 
Has anyone else read The Carrefour Curse? Or have you read another book by Dianne Salerni? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!
~L


For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

"Providence"

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Feeling the force? Wind is a force of nature, just like you. Wise words to remember; nothing can force nature to do anything.  

I am that which moves it all. Invisible whether I rise or fall. I'll tug and twist, push things around; only to nature am I eternally bound.

What am I? Force 

Brink of Fall Falling leaf, never lands, dangling by invisible strands. Breath of wind, you’ll dance around.Will you ever touch the ground?Falling leaf, in mid-air, wondering if you care?Pushed and pulled by unknown force.Stuck in webs with no recourse.Falling leaf, do I dare, pluck you from this spider’s snare?Or will I leave you free to flow?Only I shall ever know.
Stone Dream #5: Color Cornucopia Ambient art media mix capturing the essence of whirring frequencies in the field.

Featured in this video: Nature photography: ConnecticutMicroscopic Modern Art: Morning Glory, Sunflower, Echinacea Original artwork: "Twilight" acrylic painting Soundscape compilation mix: "Wake"*The poem was inspired by a dangling leaf spinning in the wind, caught mid-air by invisible threads cast from an unseen force.
Original artwork, words, photos, and vibes by Jess Haight CottageFive.com FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Hello, Riddlers! Time for another puzzle to ponder. Can you guess the answer? I can't make you of course, that's up to you. ;) ~F

I am that which moves it all. Invisible whether I rise or fall. I'll tug and twist, push things around; only to nature am I eternally bound.

What am I? Stop by Friday for the answer!

I gave you a clue!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED