Friday, August 29, 2008

Up A Tree

I'm feeling a little like climbing up a tree and not coming down today. My morning was started by dreaming about Tim chasing me around and old place in Tacoma trying his hardest to touch me with his finger that incidentally contains some type of wretched cold virus and because I knew this I was running like hell and winning until a rogue moose came out of a house across the street and butted me so hard I woke up. Now at this point you'd think this was the bad part, but it wasn't. I rolled over to look at the clock that read 6:34 (and though it is 15 minutes fast I am supposed to leave for work at 6:00!!!!) and my heart stopped. I was supposed to be to work early today, and Joel is supposed to sit in the front at 6:30 sharp. Doug is going to kill me and I hate confrontation!!! So I freaked and leaped out of the bed like some kind of overweight ninja in a nightie (I got some serious air I tell ya). I flew into the bathroom, skidded on the rug and almost took myself out on the sink, brushed my teeth and happened to glimpse in the mirror. And what did I see, you ask...A ghost-white Don King with a crazed look in her eyes looking back at me. I had gone to bed last night after I showered with wet hair (Oh the horror) and did not have time to repeat the process (sh%t). I ran back into my room throwing on unmentionables, my shirt (which I didn't bother to button), and realized I didn't see my pants!! I ran downstairs, took a quick survey of the room and didn't see them (sh*t). I ran back upstairs yelling at the top of my lungs, "Where's my pants, where's my pants, WHERE'S MY PANTS!!!!" Now at this point I started to wonder what it is that I am trying to accomplish here? Did I think that gremlin that most obviously stole them would come out head lowered in shame and give them back with a heartfelt apology. I think not. I stopped at the top of the stairs took a deep breath and thought, "Did I look in the closet?" (Son of a Witch!!) Pants in place I slipped on my shoes (sockless) (I didn't realize this little fact until after I got to work) and headed at top speed for the car. Now picture this I am running down my sidewalk unbuttoned shirt flying behind me, purple bra ablazing (sorry gentlemen) when I realize I left the cats out and didn't lock the door. I turn around to glance at the house (still running) and what do I see? A sky that is dusty pink and a brilliantly vivid double rainbow framing the top and my last thought as I get into the car to break speed records is that I just ran away from one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen and I could not even stop to take a picture! The moral of this story is I am almost positive that this rushing breakneck pace of life that I am living is no longer where I want to be. I want to be able to enjoy the wonders of this world and to raise my babies to do the same. It is time to reevaluate my direction and begin the process of slowing things down again and securing for myself and child a way to live this way for good...

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Orientation

Today was Raine's orientation day at school. We went in for an hour to meet fellow classmates/parents, get fitted for a desk, meet the teacher, see the classroom, and drop off supplies. She is so excited to be going into 1st grade, "It's all day school mom, she says." I love the independent spirit she has developed over the last year and what a little lady she is turning into, but I can't help but feel a little sad the first 5 years went so fast. I am afraid that if I blink she'll be in high school. Good luck my love, please don't grow up to fast...

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Freezing Blueberries

I just recently figured out how to use my food saver and since my local farm stand had blueberries on sale I decided to try it out. It was fun and I gotta tell you I love pushing the vacuum button. It's like magick...

Monday, August 25, 2008

Holy Concrete & Cow Dung

Here's how the story goes...There once was a cattle rancher who's passion was concrete. He raised lots of cows and and built walkways beneath their feet. There were bridges and there were sidewalks and bowls he marked with dates. To show all future owners that his concrete was 1st rate. He'd run out of spots so in the barn's courtyard did he build, a few slabs for the cows because he knew that they'd be thrilled. This new yard was for mooing and eating and dropping poo, for the cattle could not think of another thing to do. Many years did pass and the cows had to go, when the farm was bought by an architect named Joe. Here he raised his family and planted many things, among them two peach trees in the courtyard one spring. Now due to concrete and poo the conditions were fertile and hot, "Well we must be in Georgia," or so these peach trees thought. They grew and they flourished as five years did go by, their fruit was so beautiful that it almost made you cry. Now right about this time did a mother and daughter move next door, and wondered why two peach trees lived among a concrete floor. And as they watched the bounty ripen and the summer season set, they hoped and wished that there might be a little basket left. And on a Wednesday one late august eve, Joe said, "There are so many, won't you take some, please?" Excitedly did they fill the biggest basket that they could find, thinking all the while that there landlords are so kind. And that is the story of concrete and cow dung, and above is a picture of the great things it done...

Changing the Way We Do Things

This weekend Raine and I spent a lot of our time getting ready for the coming of autumn and winter this year. We got new clothes, jackets, shoes, and backpacks, but this time with the idea of buying quality so that they may last through the coming years either on cousins or in our own home. We bought fresh blueberries and strawberries from a local farm stand to freeze for the winter, built our compost and picked a basketful of peaches out of our own backyard. All the while doing our best to be ever mindful of the imprint that we leave on this earth. The biggest investment made was at LL Bean where we got a monogrammed backpack and matching lunchbox as well as sneakers the total came close to 100.00, however the backpack / lunchbox is one that she will use for the next couple years and the shoes will be passed down to two more little girls in our family. I have begun to go through our house organizing and downsizing the things that we do not use or need. I try to donate or find new uses for old items rather than throw anything into the landfills and hope to achieve a much more simple existence still filled with the things we love and create, but not defined by the things we own or consume. Every day as I look at how we live with new eyes I try to impart to my child the importance of all the little things we do to make a difference. I show her by example and explain anytime she has a question but the most important way I teach is by involving her in each process. I make it her job to separate the recycling and take her with me when we bring it to the center, it is she that takes the compost out after dinner and turns off the water as we brush our teeth. I try to make her a part of process even if its something as simple as handing me the new energy efficient light bulbs as we change out all the ones in our basement. That way she feels as though it is her responsibility and is proud of herself for doing it. We are far from being light upon this earth but our footsteps are starting to get softer...

Friday, August 22, 2008

Weekend Activities

Shop for School Clothes / Supplies
Buy Shoes / Jacket
Make Jam
Put Together Bookshelf
Hear New Nephews Cry!!!!!!
Put Up Fence Around Compost
Rake Grass
Secret Craft Project
Go Thrifting
Clean House
Install Energy Efficient Light Bulbs in Basement
Organize Basement
Put In A Few Fall Flowers / Plants
Bust Out The Autumn Decorations
Read Raine's 2 New Books
Take Pictures as Evidence
Roll Down Hill In Yard
Laugh Often

May all my loved ones out there have a weekend full of enjoyment in the last of summers glory...

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Some Kinda Ducks


Chip Thief

This Bold Bird kept circling low over our heads anytime we would take the chips out so I made him work for his treats...











Beeautiful Butterfly

Taken this weekend on the shores of the great sacandaga lake, two species coexisting in harmony enjoying the flora of our beautiful mother earth...

Monday, August 11, 2008

Oh Deer

What a lovely surprise you were, so beautiful and brave. You stood so still and let me get close enough to take your picture. Due to bad lighting and no photoshop your eyes are a little scary, but I decided to post you anyway...

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Chocolate & Strawberries

This weekend Raine and I where invited to a Lughnasadh celebration at Lis's house and since this holiday represents the first harvest everyone brings something for the feast. Usually you bake bread or bring something harvested from your garden or a local farm but as I have yet to attempt the whole bread making process I decided to go with two rather decidant desserts. I went and picked up strawberries from a local farm stand and let my imagination run wild. The results were beautiful if I do say so myself...