Wednesday, October 27, 2010

jiggity jig

hello trees.

Trees, I missed you, but it was cool to be in a land without you for awhile. A lunar landscape here on earth, with volcanoes and glaciers and deep pools of boiling water and snow. Long open spaces of mossed-covered lava rock, then around the corner to majestic snow capped mountains, then a narrow road along the length of a fjord, then endless grassy fields full of beautiful Icelandic horses and sheep, then a jagged rock face, the edge of a tectonic plate. It can change a person, and apparently always does. M (lovely to have a sister now) was the loveliest tour guide, showing us the city (Reykjavik), the south, and the west. A summer house with a hot tub and northern lights, blue lagoon, air waves festival, fabulous restaurants and cafes and bars. Memorable weeks and great honeymoon.

I resisted buying a "Where's Bjork?" t-shirt at the tourist shop.

I'm now at home watching Luna fall asleep while chewing my birkenstocks, happily gnawing, eyes half closed. Mo's sitting above her, curious. Whisk is asleep across the room. Sometimes I think we have three too many pets, but usually not. They are sweet to come home to.

Trees, it's good to see you again. I like hearing leaves in the wind, sitting by a fireplace, and feeling protected in a forest. It's so nice.

Back to reality. The laundry needs doing, the garden pulled & garlic planted, the work of a 9 to 5 job again. But now with new and amazing memories to be inspired, energized, and soothed by. Definitely need to knit again.

Sunday, October 03, 2010

heat before the chill

Been programming all weekend... the work is endless. Store has quietened down with the tourists gone and we're considering our options for the off-season. Maybe close down a little more during the week and fill it with less engaging, more profitable work until spring come.

We're gonna get lots and lots of seeds. Organic, open-pollinated. Lovely seed displays from lovely places.

Till then...

My back won't move much this week, unless to pick up a puppy. She and Whisk have learned how to coexist, possibly even enjoy each other's company. Learning that adding a small animal to a mix of small animals increases the rambunctiousness of a household exponentially. Our mornings are frenzied happiness.

Got a dehumidifier for the basement. 70% and lowering.

I've started letting the chickens out of the coop in the late afternoons, while Whiskey sleeps. The sun is back there then and they enjoy the grass and bugs.

Did I mention I drove the tractor? It was scary. Also, got rid of 3 roosters and picked up 2 new hens... so we've a rooster and 4 hens. "Awesome chicken" is laying an egg a day. She's a Red Shaver.

Iceland in just over a week. Sweet sweet honeymoon, finally. I need a vacation like I've not needed a vacation before. Just feel like I'm always working and desperately need to unplug. Need to move my body, walk around, bend, see things. Maybe even dance. Swim. Experience the chilly, geothermal lifestyle.

Then home to hibernate... and plan. Projects will include debt management, bathroom reno, kitchen island, and hopefully more.