Wicked Rural Homestead
Live Simply
Tag: fun
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”
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!”
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.”
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”
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.”
Are Phoenix Ashes Impatient?
An oldie but a goodie… Almost two years later. The more things change the more that stay the same. When a Phoenix dies, do its remains know they will be reborn? This past few months I have managed to; loose my dad, quit my job, flounder… Continue Reading “Are Phoenix Ashes Impatient?”
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”
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”
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”
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 box. Forgetting Mark Twain’s sage… Continue Reading “Petroglyphs and Pyramids and Aliens?! Oh My!”
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
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”
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.”
Snow Anyone?
This should give you some clue about the amount of snow we have. The husky can almost climb the drift to the roof…
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?”
The Mysterious Case Of The Squirrel Bunny
Fresh snow is a wonderful opportunity to see what is going on in the woods that surround us. We all love to go walking around the woods; following animal trails and trying to figure out where they were going and what they were doing.… Continue Reading “The Mysterious Case Of The Squirrel Bunny”
“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.””
Snow, Rain, Sleet, Repeat.
The weather here the past week has been a bit indecisive. It seems as soon as we get some decent powder we get ice on top of it. The lakes and ponds have frozen, thawed. and frozen again. Most mornings we have woken up… Continue Reading “Snow, Rain, Sleet, Repeat.”
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.
Pyramids- The Snowman’s Angular Cousins.
Last week’s pre-Thansgiving snow storm left us with over a foot of frozen clouds in our yard. I thought to myself- “self, I bet we could make a snow pyramid. WAIT!!! I bet I could get the boys to help me make the whole… Continue Reading “Pyramids- The Snowman’s Angular Cousins.”
A Chickie story
When I was young, my dad used to tuck me in at night and tell me a “Chickie Story.” He would make these stories up on the spot with me as “Chickie.” Most of the time these stories consisted of him rehashing what I had… Continue Reading “A Chickie story”
Why? Because I Felt Like It.
Sorry, I can’t keep all of them in, all the time. After a late night binge of The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings I woke up and REALLY REALY wanted a felt hat. A wizard hat! I found some wool roving online and ordered… Continue Reading “Why? Because I Felt Like It.”
Now And Then.
Now.. And then. The pumpkin/melon patch started in the green house. But it could not contain the awesomeness!
Foul! Guinea Fowl That Is…
When we left for my sister’s wedding we had 11 eggs going in the incubator. For the first time this summer they were not chicken eggs. I declared my desire for guiena fowl one night this past winter. Thanks to the magic of the internet I was… Continue Reading “Foul! Guinea Fowl That Is…”
“Know When To Hold ‘Em. Know When To Fold ‘Em.” Know When To Rip Them All Out And Start Over.
Once uopn a time my husband and I went to the store. When we left our corn was tall and happy: While we were gone there was a pocket thunderstorm and when we returned to the homestead, we found this had happened: My husband had… Continue Reading ““Know When To Hold ‘Em. Know When To Fold ‘Em.” Know When To Rip Them All Out And Start Over.”
Our Little Slice Of Mushroom Covered Heaven.
I was preparing a post on how much I hate money but I scrapped it. Writing it did not make me happy. Life is too short for that, so I stopped. We went for a walk instead. There is so much life in… Continue Reading “Our Little Slice Of Mushroom Covered Heaven.”
A Week On the Fog-line.
This trip has left me with such an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness it is hard to articulate. Unfortunately, that is not going to stop me from trying. Here goes- I got to share the place I love, with those I love most. It that was one of… Continue Reading “A Week On the Fog-line.”
A Marmot’s Tale.
My sister requested I make her a rice crispy treat mountain for her wedding. Preferable, this confectionary mountain would have marmots fighting dragons on it. Fine. My little sister wants a breakfast cereal mountain adorned with rodents fighting mythical beings- whatever. This request resulted in… Continue Reading “A Marmot’s Tale.”
Wait, I Have to leave My Home to go House?! Ouch, My Head Hurts…
In the next few days we will head West for my sister’s wedding. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Where the theme will be fighting Marmots (weird runs all over this family.) It is the oddest feeling in the world to have to travel thousands of miles from home- to go home,… Continue Reading “Wait, I Have to leave My Home to go House?! Ouch, My Head Hurts…”
“Random Acts Of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty”
Growing up my parents only had one bumper sticker. It said: “Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” There are many things in our childhoods that we habituate to, never really noticing what a great an effect they have on our lives. In my… Continue Reading ““Random Acts Of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty””
The garden today.
When we moved in, we became the proud owners of a beautiful lawn. A lawn we had no interest in maintaing. It surrounded the house. Far from being a blank canvas- this was canvas with someone else’s painting on it. I have mentioned before that I don’t… Continue Reading “The garden today.”
Eggs Of A Different Type
We celebrated Easter this year with colored eggs that we filled with chocolate (but not dyed. They are colorful to start.) LOTS of seeds, gardening tools, a sunny day and frog eggs. After our egg hunt we took a walk. At the bottom of the property… Continue Reading “Eggs Of A Different Type”
Weekend Mommy
Life now only matters two days a week. The remainder pass with anticipation and preparation like a dream. Sleep is hard to come by so full of thoughts of you both. Waiting, wishing, hoping, missing. Then your here smiling and laughing. Both so open… Continue Reading “Weekend Mommy “
Soup! Made easy.
We have a few patches of wild asparagus that grow in our yard. Yesterday was so cold and dreary I decided it was time for some soup. I haven’t written much about cooking on this blog and for those who know me, this might seem a… Continue Reading “Soup! Made easy.”
Home Again, Home Again.
Five years ago, back in California- I would have said that a 50 degree day with rain was the worst possible weather for an outdoor market. Now I know better. There are things like sleet and snow that could make the day way worse. Yes,… Continue Reading “Home Again, Home Again.”
“I Got My Lunch All Packed, I Got My Shoes Tied Tight.”
The Greenland Farmers Market is happening in just a few hours. I am completely beside myself. I have been going to farmers markets as long as I can remember. I can’t tell you how much I miss the ones back home. I have never… Continue Reading ““I Got My Lunch All Packed, I Got My Shoes Tied Tight.””
Off With Her Head!
The dandelions and trees are in full bloom! As much as I dislike (and my husband down right HATES) the mock cherry tree in our front yard, its blooms are the first large source of nectar in our yard. So it gets a pass…for… Continue Reading “Off With Her Head!”
We Went To Mexico- No One Spoke Spanish And We Saw A Moose!
That is because we went to Mexico, Maine. We have been meaning to go gold panning since we moved. Yesterday we got our butts in-gear and headed north. We saw lots of nothingness; punctuated by small towns and tons of lakes and ponds. Some… Continue Reading “We Went To Mexico- No One Spoke Spanish And We Saw A Moose!”
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?! When… Continue Reading “That Time I Brought a Hawk Home.”
Eastward Ho! Part III (Actually Part II.) Confused Yet? Good, so am I. Onward!
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 many national parks… Continue Reading “Eastward Ho! Part III (Actually Part II.) Confused Yet? Good, so am I. Onward!”
Your Pets Are Not Your Children, They Are Your Grandparents.
Your animals should not be like your children. They should be your grandparents. I say this for one specific and important reason- it is unnatural to outlive your offspring. Barring some unforeseen tragic event, it will be your privilege to preside over the passing of your critters. I… Continue Reading “Your Pets Are Not Your Children, They Are Your Grandparents.”
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