Wicked Rural Homestead
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Tag: family
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 Best Dad In The World.
I have spent the last two years processing my own dad’s death. Publicly and privately. Fatherhood has been constantly on my mind. His birthday was always around (and even some years ON) Father’s Day and so the day has always seemed custom made for him. But for… Continue Reading “The Best Dad In The World.”
The Scattering Part 3-Making Mud Pie With Daddy. Literally
My sister and I were raised by a rabid surfing gang referred to by its members as Team Squeam. Our parents were the only ones in this group of free spirited hippy surfers, to have children. Since there were only the two of us; it… Continue Reading “The Scattering Part 3-Making Mud Pie With Daddy. Literally”
The Scattering Part 2- Dennis Takes a Hike
I grew up hiking EVERYWHERE. If there were no waves, there were always trails. Through fields, down cliff to the ocean or up endless mountains covered by giant Redwoods. 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”
The Scattering Part 1- The Divvy
We set key to lock, and entered the underworld domaine of my father. A place of endless possibilities and combinations. Here, we would find the tools to begin my dad’s final trip. My mom got to work covering the table and preparing our workspace… Continue Reading “The Scattering Part 1- The Divvy”
When I was a kid, I swore…
That I would eat candy all day, even the kind that would stain my tongue bright “colors not found in nature.” That I would watch daytime TV to my heart’s content. I would never do the dishes. Well ok , maybe once a week.… Continue Reading “When I was a kid, I swore…”
Ent Tears
On top of the mountain behind our house; is an amazing view of Great East Lake. We have spent a lot of time hiking to this lookout over the past few years. It has been a part of our routine, it was even the first… Continue Reading “Ent Tears”
Photo Challenge 2016- Work
The photo prompt for this week is ‘work.’ Oddly enough, I find myself with time off from work. It has been amazing. Of course, I made a bunch of lofty promises to myself about how productive I was going to be with my vacation. There… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge 2016- Work”
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”
Photo Challenge 2016- Friends
I have been blessed throughout my life with great friends. In my early adulthood; I was elated to find that my family and I all had/have, true and close friendships filled with love and silliness. When I widen my focus I see many life long connections with amazing… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge 2016- Friends”
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 IV-Yellowstone
The day after our mining adventure in Helena Montana, we headed for the North entrance of Yellowstone. We had planned our route cross country based mostly on national parks, geology and a vow to wander as much as possible. Having set out at the very brink of spring; the West entrance… Continue Reading “Eastward Ho Part IV-Yellowstone”
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!”
TBT-Eastward Ho! Part I
Almost six years ago… Almost four years ago now, my partner (now husband) and I found ourselves in the unenviable position of moving to the East Coast. For us, the timing of the move was not something we had expected. In fact it… Continue Reading “TBT-Eastward Ho! Part I”
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. 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”
Photo Challenge- Extra
Extra. Currently, the word evokes strong- conflicting emotions. There is a constant battle inside my head over how I perceive my reality and judge my efforts. It seems like there is never enough. Not time, money, energy or anything for that matter. Any effort that’s exerted,… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge- Extra”
That Time I Brought a Hawk Home
I’m not kidding. I don’t know if it was a good thing my husband was unsurprised and (to my dismay) rather unimpressed :/ He was actually said “that sound about right” Seriously?! What do I have to do to get a reaction around here?!… Continue Reading “That Time I Brought a Hawk Home”
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. She has been such a blessing in our lives and rather than singing her praises after she… Continue Reading “TBT- Ode To Honey”
A Daisy Story
That last photo prompt; tension, got me thinking of a story I have been meaning to put down for more than a year. I have written quite a bit about Lulu’s early life and drama but I have not said much about our other sheep,… Continue Reading “A Daisy Story”
Photo Challenge- Tension
As the land thaws and spring approaches- there are many interesting moments on the homestead. I picked the picture below for the word of the week “tension.” Thus far the two roosters have shown little aggression towards each other, but then again I have been keeping them apart.… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge- Tension”
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.”
It’s all fun and games till someone calls “NIYDEK!”
I wrote this well over a year ago and I am glad (?) to say it is just as true to day as it was then… I have often heard people talking about activities and situations that they “could never do with a spouse… Continue Reading “It’s all fun and games till someone calls “NIYDEK!””
Snow Person Challenge…
This last storm gave us the perfect type of snow to build snow people but we may have gotten a little carried away. It stands about ten feet tall! Now its your turn!
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. 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.”
On The Road Again
Since my dad passed two years ago a great many things have changed. Most of these differences have nothing to do with my dad or his death. In some ways that makes his absence that much more surreal. In the uncharted country of time yet to come,… Continue Reading “On The Road Again”
Woolly Stalkers Precede Woolly Stockings.
For a few days last week, the changing trees made us feel like we were living in a lemon. Most of the maples on our property don’t go crimson. Instead they yellow and then rust. It makes the lighting at dawn and sunset pretty epic. This… Continue Reading “Woolly Stalkers Precede Woolly Stockings.”
A Day Of Rest
Fall is here! Mornings on the homestead now necessitate a hat and sweatshirt. The first tree in the yard has turned. Most fall days are spent preparing for the coming cold but since Sunday is a day of rest; I will. It is good to reflect… Continue Reading “A Day Of Rest”
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 🙂
A Question For My Dead Father…
Over the past two years, I have come to fully appreciate why people call it “the grieving process.” After the initial shock and adjustment, a long and winding road unfurled into the future. I have started to adapt to my new fatherless state. Now: I remember that I can’t call him-… Continue Reading “A Question For My Dead Father…”
Memorial Pillows
This summer has been one of the most tumultuous seasons in recent years and that’s saying something! I thought it right to spend some time on simple things. Like our couch. No, wait. I know how that sounds and it’s not like that.
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”
The Dream & The Wait Part 2
Well, most of you are already aware of the result from the Dream & The Wait. The long and the short is; we have more waiting to do. We both learned a ton of valuable lessons. Trust is a hard thing to come by. It… Continue Reading “The Dream & The Wait Part 2”
The Back Burner
It is probably pretty obvious at this point that this blog has been pushed to the back burner. Opening a restaurant turns out to be quite time consuming. I have found myself with a few seconds and so I will give a quick synopsis of the… Continue Reading “The Back Burner”
I Spoke Too Soon…
Some days are not as fun as others and some downright F*cking suck. This Tuesday was one of the latter. We were so excited about our new family members but the excitement was short lived. Tuesday morning, I went out to tend the lambs and my… Continue Reading “I Spoke Too Soon…”
The Dream & The Wait
We will start with the dream, because that came first (5 years ago and a lifetime before that.) During that time of trial that followed, Em and I put it out to the universe- we want our own place. An opportunity to showcase all… Continue Reading “The Dream & The Wait”
I Can’t Say They Didn’t Warn Me.
One might think that someone who cooks for a living would be a kitchen gadget nut but I am not. In my humble opinion there are only a few things you NEED in a kitchen. Most of them are sharp knifes 🙂 While shopping… Continue Reading “I Can’t Say They Didn’t Warn Me.”
Death and Facebook
Unlike Myspace; I think it is safe to say that Facebook isn’t going anywhere. The advent of this previously unprecedented way to stay in touch has made a huge impact on many parts of our society, for better or worse. When I started my… Continue Reading “Death and Facebook”
The Amazing Adventure Of The Underwear Wizard.
On our drive home, the boys and I started talking about a character the Little One invented during the week we were snowed in, the Underwear Wizard. Things got out of hand (as all good stories do) and the next thing I knew; we… Continue Reading “The Amazing Adventure Of The Underwear Wizard.”