Wicked Rural Homestead
Live Simply
Tag: beauty
Shit Sandwich Part 3-The Spicy Pepper Anger Sauce
Shit Sandwich Part 3-The Spicy Pepper Anger Sauce
Some people skip this ingredient on their sandwich. Many folks only have a couple angry spaces they have to pass through in their grieving, and some of us get extra.
The Little Girl and the Flag
Squinting into the sun, I could not see what was right in front of me. The boys bounding over rocks, leaping casums and laughing at the day. Their little sister, trying to keep up, but trailing far away.
My Hands
Have never known a manicure or file. They are bitten rather than clipped. They have been painted less times than there are fingers to paint. In many places they are more scar than skin. The fingers on the right appear to have been badly… Continue Reading “My Hands”
Work in Progress
Many of my paintings or attempts at art, never reach final draft status as the stacks of unfinished watercolors on my bookshelves can attest to. Awhile ago I painted The Eye of Horus on canvas with acrylics. It was a rough draft as so many… Continue Reading “Work in Progress”
Photo Challenge 2016- Autumn
Autumn in New England is a grand thing. The cold nights drive the bugs back to the depths of the hienus hell bogs from whence they came. That in itself, would be reason to celebrate but as an added bonus (or just nature’s apology for… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge 2016- Autumn”
Photo Challenge 2016- Rich
Drained and tired, I started the car and pointed it south. Clocked out and homeward bound. The day’s events rolled around my head, a tango of worry and stress. My music played with no-one listening to it. I had no room for the lovely sounds, only… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge 2016- Rich”
Photo Challenge 2016- Summer
When you are a student, the word summer is synonyms with freedom.  At least it was for me.  My last day of Kindergarten I thought, “Ok, cool.  That was fun.  Thank god it’s over!  Back to real life.” Then came the next fall’s rude awakening; this whole ‘school… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge 2016- Summer”
Getting All Our Ducks in a Row
I mean literally. My figurative ducks are all over the place!  However, I have found that actual ducks are easy to get in a row.  Step 1: Put down a line of food… that pretty much does the trick. Fun fact: it works for chickens too. It is… Continue Reading “Getting All Our Ducks in a Row”
Photo Challenge 2016- Water
This summer has been a whirlwind.  Work fills my days + the homestead and boys fill the days off.  It has been difficult to find time to breath, never mind write anything coherent or take any pictures. With a few dozen employs and a hefty commute, it seems like I am… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge 2016- Water”
Best Present EVER!
This week is my birthday and yesterday I got the most amazing gift I have ever received. We have a tradition of handmade gifts here on the homestead.  Money is always tight and gifts are usually better when thought and effort create them, rather than a factory somewhere… Continue Reading “Best Present EVER!”
A Father’s Day Flower For My Daddy
I have managed to maintain my cherub like demeanor pretty well these past couple weeks.  I felt accomplished to be so at peace with beginning the LONG process of placing my dad’s ashes.   His birthday was last Monday and until today I was holding up REALLY well. Two days… Continue Reading “A Father’s Day Flower For My Daddy”
The Scattering Part 2- Dennis Takes a Hike
I grew up hiking EVERYWHERE. Â If there were no waves, there were always trails. Through fields, down cliff to the ocean or up endless mountains covered by giant Redwoods. Â Often past signs that read “No Trespassing,” all in search of the places where you… Continue Reading “The Scattering Part 2- Dennis Takes a Hike”
Photo Challenge 2016- Path
Growing up the martial arts community it is almost impossible for me to think of “a path” without the concept of the Tao or Dao.  Contrary to the notion of a well defined boulevard or road The Way or The Path has always been explained to… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge 2016- Path”
Death and Snowflakes
The snow falling lightly on my window reveled itself to me one day. All the little flakes waited patiently to melt. Momentarily displaying their breathtaking detail, individual beauty and uniqueness. I was there to see it. But had there been no audience-the show would… Continue Reading “Death and Snowflakes”
Eastward Ho! Part V. New Beginnings At The End Of The Road
This April will mark five (six, oh my god!) years since we packed up the truck and headed the wrong way across the country.  After half a decade of winters I can promise you that people headed west for more than the chance to strike it… Continue Reading “Eastward Ho! Part V. New Beginnings At The End Of The Road”
Eastward Ho Part III. Our Little Mine.
When we drove across the country four years ago– one of the only things we DID plan was to stop in Montana and mine for sapphires.  Both of us totally dig (no pun I swear!) rocks and minerals.  There are few better ways to spend… Continue Reading “Eastward Ho Part III. Our Little Mine.”
Eastward Ho! Part III (Actually Part II.) Confused Yet? Good, so am I. Onward!
Six years ago… The first day journey was relatively uneventful (except for my love shipping ALL our shoes to upstate NY.) Most aspects of the move were completely unplanned.  One of the few things we DID plan (besides mine sapphires in MT) was to visit as… Continue Reading “Eastward Ho! Part III (Actually Part II.) Confused Yet? Good, so am I. Onward!”
Perfect little Imperfections and Unintentionally Complete Projects
Like so many of the things we see everyday I have rediscovered two of the items in my living room. Â They have been hanging on my walls for almost half my life- and there are long periods of time when I cease to… Continue Reading “Perfect little Imperfections and Unintentionally Complete Projects”
TBT- Ode To Honey
Honey is somewhere around 15 years old. (Now 16!) This is a ball park estimate since her age at the time my husband adopted her was uncertain. Â She has been such a blessing in our lives and rather than singing her praises after she… Continue Reading “TBT- Ode To Honey”
Transitions
The thaw is on! This is not like last year, when I declared winter to be over out of exasperation.  Instead, I think the ground might be here to stay. This winter was very different from the last. There is still more time for it to get gnarly… Continue Reading “Transitions”
The Swell (how life works from the perspective of a surfer’s daughter.)
My upbringing in the west taught me so much that I depend on when life gets complicated.  I am grateful for the lessons learned by bearing witness to the awesome power of the Pacific.  Its boundless power could give and take life with equal ease.… Continue Reading “The Swell (how life works from the perspective of a surfer’s daughter.)”
2016 Photo Challenge- Home.
I have never participated in any of the online challenges that circulate the web.  This is not for any particular reason other than laziness.  Until now… The Aran Artisan is one of my favorite blogs.  Melissa is a native Mainer (basically from the next town… Continue Reading “2016 Photo Challenge- Home.”
Time May Heal All Wounds- But It Makes Homesickness Worse
My little town has always been the core of who I am. Even now as I sit thousands of miles away-it feels close enough for me to touch. Â It still stings my heart that I am too far away to do so. Boulder Creek… Continue Reading “Time May Heal All Wounds- But It Makes Homesickness Worse”
Survival Sundays
I think it is safe to say that most male persons have a secret (or as in the case of my cousin, not so secret) crush on Bear Grylls.  I mean the guys gets to run around the world, climbing trees, starting fires and drinking/wearing his… Continue Reading “Survival Sundays”
Coolest. Person. Ever.
My sister is the most incredible, amazing, inspirational, kick-ass person you will ever meet. Yes, I am bias but I assure you- the statement is true none the less.  Allow me to justify my position. I have written about the ‘Little One’ a few times… Continue Reading “Coolest. Person. Ever.”
TBT: My Surrender to a Lack of Expectations
“The more things change…” This journey is far from over and the things I have learned are immeasurable and priceless.  Every once in a while I am privileged to have some positive reinforcement that my thoughts and I are on the right path. Surrender… Continue Reading “TBT: My Surrender to a Lack of Expectations”
TBW: Wisdom From The Lakota.
My sister and I were raised by a pack of rabid surfers and hippies.  When we were very young our Godfather, Todd discovered the world of Ishi-The Last Yahi.  Todd was already one of the most accomplished outdoorsman you will every meet.  For instance; look… Continue Reading “TBW: Wisdom From The Lakota.”
TBT-Ode to my sister or an elaborate excuse to tell a funny puke story. You decide.
The Little One One of my earliest memory from childhood is of playing on the floor by an old wooden lamp stand we had in the living room. My parents came into the room and towered over me, backlit by the bank of windows… Continue Reading “TBT-Ode to my sister or an elaborate excuse to tell a funny puke story. You decide.”
My Hands
Have never known a manicure or file. And they are bitten rather than clipped. They have been painted less times than there are fingers to paint. In many places they are more scar than skin. The fingers on the right appear to have been… Continue Reading “My Hands”
How Can I Tell?
Am I beautiful? How can I tell? I could look for the answer in the mirror to see what I need to cover up. I could give myself a number either off a scale or tag. I could look at the beautiful people that… Continue Reading “How Can I Tell?”
Because It Is Still True
On our third wedding anniversary I was looking over some older writing and found a poem that still says it perfectly.  Happy anniversary to us 🙂
The Prettiest Fungi Of All.
I am astounded by the constant change of the forest here, in Maine.  There is a time for everything and everything has its time.  We have an incredible amount of fungi in the woods that surround us.  Most start fruit in the middle of summer and continue… Continue Reading “The Prettiest Fungi Of All.”
TBT #2
I wrote this almost 10 years ago now.  Sitting on my mountain top back home, looking over Big Basin to the Pacific. Alone. Watching hummingbirds fight like jets, smelling manzanita, reveling in the blooming Indian Paint Brush. It was a good day.
TBT
The Swell Again and again I tread the same water passing it over my body and going nowhere, suspended between what is and what is to be. Then change comes as a wave out of the abyss consuming everything. Shifting your entire bodily universe… Continue Reading “TBT”
Meanwhile- Back At The Ranch
This spring was interesting to say the least.  We leaned a lot about ourselves, each other, and people in general. – and (most importantly) managed to come out on the other side just as happy as before.  Adaptability always has been one of our greatest… Continue Reading “Meanwhile- Back At The Ranch”
Wisdom From The Lakota.
My sister and I were raised by a pack of rabid surfers and hippies.  When we were very young our Godfather, Todd discovered the world of Ishi-The Last Yahi.  Todd was already one of the most accomplished outdoorsman you will every meet.  For instance;… Continue Reading “Wisdom From The Lakota.”
Creepy Lobster Trap Valentine Tree Anyone?
I wanted to check out what the storm systems had done to the coast so I drove down to Cape Neddick near where we used to live in Kennebunk.  As I headed out to the lighthouse I was greeted by this cool lobster trap Christmas… Continue Reading “Creepy Lobster Trap Valentine Tree Anyone?”
Petroglyphs and Pyramids and Aliens?! Oh My!
Last winter we got really into Antiques Roadshow. We have been doing better this winter at not driving ourselves crazy with marathons of random Netflix shows, until now. After four hours of the show Ancient Aliens; I lost it and started yelling at the idiot… Continue Reading “Petroglyphs and Pyramids and Aliens?! Oh My!”
Our Blog -anniversary!
Next week will mark one year since I started this little blog.  I’m not entirely sure what I was doing when I did.  Truthfully, I still don’t have much of a clue but I have come to realize that’s ok. I have never been one… Continue Reading “Our Blog -anniversary!”
“I Only Know Enough To Know I Don’t Know Much.”
Because the beginning of next year starts with the end of this one I thought the end of last year was a good place to start the next. Confused yet? Don’t be. The changes this year held for us have been immense.  We have done… Continue Reading ““I Only Know Enough To Know I Don’t Know Much.””
Glazed Maine
Some people start their morning with glazed donuts.  Here in Maine, some mornings everything wakes up glazed.  The only difference is how you drive.
The Eye, The Mountain and The Tree.
Sometimes (well ok- most of the time) I wish I could just go around life’s hard patches.  Alas, I find again and again these phases are not only inevitable, but vital if I am to come out the other side any wiser. Many times I go through adversity only to vow… Continue Reading “The Eye, The Mountain and The Tree.”
“Looks Cold…”
We had our first real snow of this year.  It’s really amazing that silently over night the yard can go from- to- I think the lettuce is finally done. The back garden is also out of commission till next year, season over. The chickens stayed… Continue Reading ““Looks Cold…””
What IS Homesteading Anyway?
When we tell people that we live on a homestead we get a verity of reactions.  They range from “oh, you live on a farm” to “so, you are like one of those doomsday preppers.” While both reactions are not wrong they do miss the mark- for… Continue Reading “What IS Homesteading Anyway?”
Pictures From Acton In Autumn
I have not really been taking too many pictures of the fall foliage here, mostly because I am too busy gawking at it. Â My commute takes me along the back roads and past some of the most amazing views from my car window. Everyday… Continue Reading “Pictures From Acton In Autumn”
And Now, A Word From My Husband- “Giving In To Realizing Your Abilities.” (Written By Ryan)
I am not a person who needs attention. Â IÂ actually enjoy anonymity. IÂ don’t like to toot my own horn or say “IÂ am the best!” Â But IÂ feel like IÂ have achieved something and am proud to have done so. IÂ also don’t like putting myself out there- especially… Continue Reading “And Now, A Word From My Husband- “Giving In To Realizing Your Abilities.” (Written By Ryan)”
September’s flower: Morning Glory
Even though I didn’t plant any this year, they are blooming all over the yard from last- with some scarlet runner beans for good measure. Along with more of our confused ‘bean’ pumpkin. Have a great day!
“Ch-Ch-Ch- Changes.”
Here in Maine the feeling of change is tangible, like someone flipped a switch overnight and summer on its way out.   There is a new crispness to the air at the beginning and end of the day. You can see it clearly in the trees,… Continue Reading ““Ch-Ch-Ch- Changes.””
Have You Ever Seen A Lobster Roll/Taxidermy Stall? I Have!
Look Closely At All The Ways Acton Town Fair ROCKED! Each picture is worth at least 1,000 words!
Wicked Rural Homestead 