Sunday, February 27, 2011

A list of things

Solar panels, peak oil, a generator, car dependence
Self-sufficiency, homesteading, preserving, building
Sewing, knitting, repurposing, cloth diapering, hand-me-downs, mending
Natural beauty, natural cleaners, vinegar and baking soda
Clay ovens, solar cookers
Green manures, row covers, seed starting
Chicken food, dog food, cat food
Cedar, hardwood, pine firewood and kindling
Fertility, chemical environment, aging
Winter, summer, fall, years, decades
Organic, whole, healthy, raw
Exercise, stretching, coffee, wine
Electricity, money, dependence, independence
Entrepreneurship, creativity, confidence, abilities, planning
Laundry, dishes, dusting

Monday, February 14, 2011

hibernatey

It's a quiet month. Life is still busy busy but it doesn't require me to leave the farm that often, so it's literally quiet. I've been home a lot this winter, leaving the house only for bare necessities (office appearance in the city, groceries, gas). I feel like flannels, bathrobes, and hoodies have been my main wardrobe. Shuffling to the kitchen to put on the kettle, huddling around the fire, baking things doughy and sweet, going to bed early. So quiet and still. Extra quiet this weekend for me as my valentine's away till tomorrow.

The thing about quiet tho is it eventually gets old. As a musician, a relatively young woman, a traveller... I start to crave a little action. Not a lot, just a little. I think my love (above) would agree with me in saying we need to explore more. Go on road trips, hit cafes, see some art, check out local markets. Hard to fit in, but so good to. We had a real nice time doing that in Iceland in the fall. Low commitment cultural wonderfulness.

Perhaps in the spring. :)

Tonight I'm chillin' with the pets by the fire (how many times have I written a variation of this sentence? ha). D and I will do our nice valentiney day tomorrow. I love him so much and my days aren't as fun when he's away. And holy cow my parents have been married 35 years today! That sounds both long and short to me, but mostly just wonderful.

Speaking of fun, I started the "30 day shred" this month - a workout dvd. A 20 minute butt-kicking every day. It's perfect 'cause 20 min is pretty easy to fit in anywhere, and I need to move desperately. I'm on day 8. My goals are to get stronger, and wake up in the morning not in pain. So far I hurt more, but in a good way.

One more thing: I think Salty the hen started laying today. That means we're up to 3 eggs/day! Who wants quiche?

Sunday, February 06, 2011

the future is now

Time continues to zoom. It's weird when you realise it, it feels even faster, like a self aware merry-go-round that won't stop... if it does, its not itself. I find it hard to think in the present, obsessing about the future, and in doing so constantly pushing myself there faster. I almost feel anxious to finish a day, to get it over with so I can get up in the morning and get that one over with too. Although it might sound like the fault of unhappiness, it's more an excitement for the future... tho I do wonder if the two are distantly related. Thoughts of what I will have then distract me what I don't have now, but also from all that I do have.

I suspect it's being on the brink of of new things - our new store, wanting to start a family, home improvements. All investments in the future, preparations, beginnings. So looking forward to that good stuff. But my husband is great because he reminds me of all that we've done already, how far we've come with the house and store and everything. It's true, need to appreciate that more.

I think it's just February. I need to garden, and watch the store be busy, and sit on the porch in the sun with a book. Soon.