Wicked Rural Homestead
Live Simply
Tag: peace
Shit Sandwich Part Two- The Meat.
Let’s talk about death, shall we?
Hey wait, where are you going?
Why does everyone do that?!
In this sandwich metaphor I’m embracing, it should be no surprise that the meat of this process is the grieving, and that meat is raw.
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.”
TBT- Self Indulgent Ramblings And Abstract Metaphors
I wrote this on the plane ride of the first visit back home, almost seven years ago. I found it recently and was please that my younger self had left such a good reminder of what to focus on as I pass farther along… Continue Reading “TBT- Self Indulgent Ramblings And Abstract Metaphors”
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 4- Stashing Dennis At The Lane
Steamer Lane is an epic break in Santa Cruz. Home to many a surfing contest and the highlight of surf films old and new. I leaned how to surf at the next beach down (Cowells) when I was a girl. The Lane has always… Continue Reading “The Scattering Part 4- Stashing Dennis At The Lane”
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. 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 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”
TBT: I’m A Fool
And that’s ok with me. In our modern age, “being a fool” carries a decidedly negative connotation. We place high value on planning, goals, specific culturally defined aspirations and conformity to the norms. In tarot, The Fool is the first card of the major arcana and represents… Continue Reading “TBT: I’m A Fool”
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.”
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”
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”
BAD DOG!!! “No Soup For YOU!”
Well, I went and jinxed it. After a few posts about how well behaved Isis has been and posting a survival skills article that included “knowing how to dress and butcher an animal.” I have to admit; I was kind of asking for it. Like… Continue Reading “BAD DOG!!! “No Soup For YOU!””
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…
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”
How To Tell If You Are ‘The Crazy Chicken Lady.’
When two of your FB friends (who don’t know each other and live thousands of miles apart) post pictures on your wall of chicken sweaters; you know you might be a ‘crazy chicken lady.’ Before, I could say that those are “very cool and… Continue Reading “How To Tell If You Are ‘The Crazy Chicken Lady.’”
“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.”
“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?”
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.”
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!
Letting Go of Giving Everything Up.
I feel now that so much of what I am looking for, the patience, the peace, the calm can only be found though my ability to let go. I have realized that when I try to change things I have no influence over, I find my greatest unhappiness. The concept… Continue Reading “Letting Go of Giving Everything Up.”
Is There Such A Thing As ‘Gardener’s Anonymous?’
What felt like the shortest week ever in California looks like it was the longest seven days back in Maine. We knew it would be fun to see how much our garden had grown while we were away but neither of us was ready… Continue Reading “Is There Such A Thing As ‘Gardener’s Anonymous?’”
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.”
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””
AMEN.
There is a clip of Jim Carrey making a commencement speech has been making the rounds and struck such a cord with me and our current state. I was inspired by my dad’s death to take a chance and try to make a living doing… Continue Reading “AMEN.”
Down By The River…
In our wandering around Maine we have seen some beautiful things. Peaceful rivers full of tumbled stones and some VERY cold water. Meanwhile down stream this lazy river joins with others and turned into a torrent. It even comes with multiple warnings. What siren?!… Continue Reading “Down By The River…”
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!”
Where is Dr. Doolittle When You Need Him?!
I have never subscribed to the notation that I am the “mother” of our many animals. As I have written before our animals are not our children. Though they are our familiars. (Try saying that sentence five times fast.) They know you by your intimate… Continue Reading “Where is Dr. Doolittle When You Need Him?!”
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…”
Once upon a time we lived on a boat.
A 27′ Hunter sail boat, I don’t count the bowsprit if you ask my love he will say it was a 30 footer- it. was. not. We lived in Santa Cruz harbor and life was…well, never boring (not that it is now) When he… Continue Reading “Once upon a time we lived on a boat.”
To Be Grown.
Like many (or all) I became a true grown up by accident, or should I say misstep. The perpetration of something that I never intended to do. Could truthfully never have anticipated doing. In all my time till this point, I could I assured you without… Continue Reading “To Be Grown. “
A Rant. My First. Probably Not My Last.
For almost three years now we have not had cable TV. This started because we could not afford the $160+ a month bill. In the end it has been AMAZING! The only thing we both had to give up is live sports and we… Continue Reading “A Rant. My First. Probably Not My Last.”
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.”
Spring time in Maine (Shut Up Ca! I Can Hear You From Here.)
To celebrate the fist day of spring, I went to the beach the other day… (Click for gallery.) I think I have said all I needed to.
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”
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