Passages

signs of Spring

We didn’t go to the ocean, we are not going to Maui, we are not in Florida or Sayulita, or New Zealand.  We stayed home this February.  Hunkered down.  We are getting things done.  This is the time of year to go to the dentist, get the car tuned up, watch the Academy Award nominated movies on Netflix, get the income tax information together.  In between wind storms, we look for signs of Spring.  Roger cut a lot of firewood.  I went through old photos.  And framed some of them for the family photo gallery in my stairwell.

Roger's side
 

Layer on to that all the regular stuff like book club meetings, grooming the dog, birthday parties, and long walks when the weather allows.  Roger rearranged his nursery and potted up hundreds of plants to sell at the upcoming Farmers Markets.

Aunt Donna, cousins David and Karen visit F.H. for the first time

 Visitors arrived from North Dakota.  We are having better weather than there, right?  Aunt Donna and cousins David and Karen showed up one weekend.  Last time we saw them was at the Noonan, North Dakota Centennial celebration in 2007. (click here to see picture of Travelers Hotel in Noonan.) Donna’s husband Robert died right before Christmas so her son David took Donna out west to visit family.  That same weekend, we received word that Donna’s brother (Roger's uncle Don) in Renton suffered a stroke and subsequently died so it is a good thing that she came out here when she did.

prayer flags in the trees at Thornbush

 

I’ve been reading a lot, between watching movies.  Read a book called Joy for Beginners set in Seattle, about a woman who survived cancer and celebrated by rafting down the Grand Canyon.  She challenges each of her friends to take on a new skill or task that, wouldn’t you know, changes her life.  This was a novel.  But I have a friend who recently rafted down the Grand Canyon.  Now she finds herself in a cancer ward in Seattle.  Family and friends are rallying around as can be expected but it is just another reminder to cherish these Very Rich Hours.  Even in the gloom of February.

Hay! It's July!

Here's my latest basket, it is made of cedar, ash, and copper wire.  I took a class from world-renowned basket maker Polly Sutton http://pollyclasses.blogspot.com/  And yes, it is supposed to be asymmetric.

Also since my last posting we've had several visitors including my in-laws for a week and then my father for ten days.  While my dad was here we visited Lopez Island to see "Native Plants, Textiles, Baskets:  Inspired by Traditions of the Salish Sea" at Chimera Gallery.  Here is a photo of a cedar bark doll made from a Tulalip weaver.  You will see my father talking with George Simpson in the background.

Of course, my dad was up visiting to help celebrate Independence Day.  The highlight of that day was the parade, this year the theme was all about local farmers--like this one. My sister Rosalie and her husband also marched.  Here is Rosalie celebrating the 150th birthday of her church along with fellow Presbyterians.

But now my father is back home and Roger is in Montana at a family reunion in Anaconda.  He drove his parents' r.v. for them and should be gone about a week.  So that leaves me and Suzie to hold down the farm.  This includes mowing, feed and care of chickens, watering plants in greenhouse and garden.

As I was mowing the nut orchard today, I had time to contemplate the large amount of work it takes to maintain 15 acres.  And even though we reduced our mowing to the areas around the driveway, garden, orchard, courtyard, and paths connecting all these areas, that still comes down to a lot of mowing.  And I'm using gasoline power for this chore.  What about my carbon footprint?

One thing I've realized from this exercise is that after a long afternoon of mowing, nothing feels as good as a long shower and a cold beer.

A Good Day

It starts off with Roger bringing me a couple mugs (sequentially) of yerbe mate.  I sip it, listen to NPR, and contemplate the day ahead.  I'm usually out of bed at 7:30 and greet Suzie who waits for me at the bottom of the stairs.  After a good belly rub she's ready for her breakfast and I for mine. 

I like to work a Sudoku at breakfast to sort of wake-up my brain.  So by 8:30 it's time to get dressed, make the bed, get the day goin'.  Check my e-mail and do the dishes I couldn't face the night before.  Housework takes me to 10 or 10:30.  Then I can't stand it anymore and I must get outside.  This is when Suzie and I go on a walk.  It it is raining, it might only be a twenty minute tour of the homestead.  If dry, we try to get an hour in--30 minutes out and back.  My sister Rosalie's place is about that far away unless you cut through Jonna's.  Walking gets me thinking about things, noticing the Indian plum is blooming and I see the first skunk cabbage emerging near the stream bed.  I should come back here with my camera and document this.

We get back in time for me to make lunch, soup out of leftovers and a sandwich on Bakery San Juan bread.  Should I check my e-mail once more or read that book I just started?  Hopefully, I can get something done this afternoon.  But I'm tired after my walk, perhaps just a short little nap?  And look, the kitchen is all messed up again and I need to take the laundry out of the drier.  If I'm not careful, it's after one before I can start on any "projects".  I know, I'll go downstairs and work in the craftsroom.

Can't start anything until after I tidy up this place.  Oh, look at those cute baby clothes patterns, I really must get started on them before Audrey outgrows that size.  And here's a box of photos, should I start sorting through them now?  (must concentrate--what do I want to do today)  I've got the yarn for that weaving project.  I'll do it--I'll warp the loom today.  Well, okay, I'll at least wind the warp.  Oh no! Suzie!  Leave that ball of yarn alone!  Bad Dog!  Should only take a minute here to rewind that ball.

Two hours later--so maybe I'll only wind half the warp today.  I think I'll have time to wind the rest tomorrow.  Right now I am going to get a massage.  Let's see,  its on Egg Lake Road, that should take me all of six minutes to get there.  Ahhhhh. 

Home by 5:06.  Must make dinner.  Roger tells me he's delivered the fresh lettuce from his greenhouse for tonight's salad.  I'll cook the ravioli and toss it with pine nuts and pesto.  Peach pie for desert.

Now I'm watching the Olympics on t.v.  Too tired to wind the rest of the warp after dinner.  Didn't accomplish much today, really.  Let's see, nope, just a couple hours worth of weaving prep.  Oh yes, and I finally posted something on the blog.