Wicked Rural Homestead
Live Simply
Tag: nature
Everything is different now
Ever since Sara died, my mom and I have been overusing the phrase “it’s all working out so well!” This incantation is said with varying degrees of sarcasm and sincerity. Finding something in Sara’s belongings that we thought was lost, but that she had ‘appropriated’ – “it’s all working out so well.”
The Pivot and the Pirouette
As the years go on it is hard to articulate the way my grief has changed. When I compare my feelings to the words of others, nothing fits. It seems apt for this time of year that those words feel like tight pants after… Continue Reading “The Pivot and the Pirouette”
Everywhere I look, there she is.
Since she was born, it’s always been this way. During our childhood everywhere I looked in our small house there was a reminder of my sister. As we grew, the physical there-ness of her was inescapable. We shared a bed for many, many years and… Continue Reading “Everywhere I look, there she is.”
“Into the woods I go, to lose my mind and find my soul”- JM
Reflecting at the lake always gives pause to my bounty of existential distress. In order to be still and alone, I walked away from the cacophony of the lakegoers, along a path that is barely there, praying for perspective.
Sharp Knifes and Powerful Herbs
With our Christmas money I got us a present, a new set of Global knifes. After over 20 years of professional kitchen work, I have found there is no better kitchen tool than a very sharp knife. Globals are my favorite. All metal, light, perfectly… Continue Reading “Sharp Knifes and Powerful Herbs”
Well, That Stinks!
Three days ago, I decided I would get some writing done! I was going to pen (type) beautiful pros about motherhood, growth, life and other profound stuff. Things did not go as planned. I thought I could accomplish this feat because Ry is home… Continue Reading “Well, That Stinks!”
Wisdom of the Melt
I take my cues from nature. I always have. As I get older I find there is no greater source of knowledge and perspective than natural systems and their inhabitants. I don’t include humans as inhabitants of these systems. I believe that we have lived… Continue Reading “Wisdom of the Melt”
Reflections of Summer
This morning marked a rare day off, sans kids. I had a moment to reflect on a summer filled with work; most of my time spent away from our little homestead. Sitting with the birds in the sun, many thoughts passed through me. I… Continue Reading “Reflections of Summer”
Symptoms of an Insane World
I don’t know where to start, but the beginning seems a good place to try. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t believe humanity to be insane. From the time I was first aware of the world outside my own thoughts and opinions;… Continue Reading “Symptoms of an Insane World”
No Dogs Allowed!
At its worst; losing a family member can be seem like a bottomless pit of sorrow, at it best it is a empty hollow place- either way it is an unavoidable ‘adjustment.’ Our own recent transition has been… as smooth as a thing that… Continue Reading “No Dogs Allowed!”
Photo Challenge 2016- Creation
I have always had the unquenchable desire to create stuff. Pretty much anything will do for materials, I can sculpt, draw, paint, weave, sew, and when all else fails I will completely make things up but there is nothing that I have ever done that… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge 2016- Creation”
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”
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 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”
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- Reflection
Back to last fall with my photo, Reflection. I had gotten in kind of a reflection rut. I just couldn’t stop looking down to see the sky. It lasted through the winter. There are worse problems to have I guess. Like not knowing how… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge 2016- Reflection”
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- Secret
There have been others in this challenge who have already addressed the fact that if you show something to someone- it is no longer secret. Thus, I will not explain my entree. It is a secret!
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”
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?”
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”
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.)”
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”
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.”
“Lost” Is a State Of Mind, Not Location.
Due to a last-minute change in plans, I found myself the proud owner of a day off, to myself. I decided to take advantage of my proximity to the White Mountains and drive north. Back home, I spent days on end meandering the back roads… Continue Reading ““Lost” Is a State Of Mind, Not Location.”
Lessons From The Rain Today
I walk through the woods, joyous noise is all around. A symphony in the trees, here is found.
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 🙂
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”
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”
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.”
Snowed-in Cauliflower
Over the past few weeks our area has received over 70 inches of the white stuff, with more on the way next week. Consequently we have spent A LOT of time indoors, unable to leave the house. We have taken turns doing the shopping- depending… Continue Reading “Snowed-in Cauliflower”
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”
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!”
Candy Boards And Frostbite. Ah, January In Maine.
Since the bees had such a hard time storing honey this summer and given the collapse of last year’s supper strong hive in February I think it is safe to say that I am dubious about these new hives making it to spring. We had to… Continue Reading “Candy Boards And Frostbite. Ah, January In Maine.”
“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.
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.”
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?”
Definitely Not The Leader Of The Pack.
When I was in college, I would spend hours hiking the coast and mountains taking pictures of all the animals I found in my little haven. I used an actual film camera, you know the kind- where you have to focus by hand and then wait to… Continue Reading “Definitely Not The Leader Of The Pack.”
Arachnophilia- Love of Spiders.
I love spiders. In my opinion, their abilities and variations are wonderful to behold. I completely understand that not everyone shares my enthusiasm but I would like to make a small attempt to stand off some of the irrational fears out there about spiders. I’m not going to ask you… Continue Reading “Arachnophilia- Love of Spiders.”
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