Wicked Rural Homestead
Live Simply
Tag: short people
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”
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.
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.”
Shit sandwich part one- the bread
I was folding towels, of all things, when my phone went off across the room. Expecting nothing pressing, I kept folding towels. It went off again, beeping that a voice message had been left. I kept folding. Then it buzzed some more, with another… Continue Reading “Shit sandwich part one- the bread”
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.
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”
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”
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!””
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”
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.”
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!”
Random Acts Of Kindness And Chinese Food
More than a decade ago, I was walking to my car in downtown Santa Cruz. Coming toward me from across the parking garage was a man, he was crying. His hair was matted to his head and his cloths hung off him awkwardly. He… Continue Reading “Random Acts Of Kindness And Chinese Food”
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.”
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 #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.
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”
Life’s A Trip, Enjoy The Fall.
This April will mark five (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… Continue Reading “Life’s A Trip, Enjoy The Fall.”
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!”
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.”
Parenting With Eggs and Snow Forts.
I don’t claim any kind of special parenting proficiency but every once in a while I make a point that sticks. Hey, even a blind squirl occasionally finds a nut. “Sorry” is a concept that we all try to teach our kids from a… Continue Reading “Parenting With Eggs and Snow Forts.”
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.”
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!
It’s All In The Cards.
I have been reading tarot cards since I was small. It was just one of the many skills my mom taught both her daughters at an early age. Though it is not something that any of us often openly talk about. I have no doubt… Continue Reading “It’s All In The Cards.”
The Loose Ends…
Devoid of purpose, I wandered. Making my way down the worn path to that old familiar place of fire and metal. The overgrown jungle of iron and found “treasures” from years of my dad’s ramblings. It was as he left it- when he left us. The spiders… Continue Reading “The Loose Ends…”
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.”
My Two Cents on Marriage. For My Favorite/Only Little Sister.
My little sister got married this past Saturday and it was EPIC! She was THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BRIDE EVER! The day was filled with new born goats, a rice crispy treat mountain covered in dragons fighting evil marmots, a trebuchet, family and love. “Who could ask… Continue Reading “My Two Cents on Marriage. For My Favorite/Only Little Sister.”
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…”
Spiders, and Luna, and Chairs Oh My!
The past decade and a half I spent most summer days inside. In the service industry when people are out at the beach, or enjoying vacations and taking day trips they will inevitable want you to cook them dinner. Hence, I have missed more glorious summer days… Continue Reading “Spiders, and Luna, and Chairs Oh My!”
“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””
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.”
“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.””
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…”
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?!”
Home
I have spent a lot of time writing about what we left behind in Ca: Family Friends My hometown The redwoods Our lives as we knew them I feel it is time to move on and give thanks today for where I woke up… Continue Reading “Home”
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. “
Self Indulgent Ramblings and Abstract Metaphors
I am constantly amazed with how the acceptance of my situation and a lack of expectations has lead me to the far East Coast and happiness. I get to see the boys (though it is not enough) and while I am always sad when they… Continue Reading “Self Indulgent Ramblings and Abstract Metaphors”
Oh the Bee-manity!
Well… The bees did not make it through the winter. I am not really surprised and neither are my bee mentors who have lost a few hive themselves this year. A bee can only preform cleansing flights when the outside temp is above 50 or… Continue Reading “Oh the Bee-manity!”
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.”
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.”
“Officially unemployed, homeless and in debt. Time to start all over again, here we go…”
I posted that Facebook status four years go yesterday. My how things change. Well- not the debt part. And right now I am unemployed, so I guess the “more things change the more they stay the same”? OWW my head hurts… All I know… Continue Reading ““Officially unemployed, homeless and in debt. Time to start all over again, here we go…””
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