thoughts on a journey....

Yesterday Hubs and I decided to do something crazy, at least for us it was crazy.  We got up and headed down to Arkansas to celebrate the first birthday of our great nephew.  We didn't spend the night, we drove down and back.  With puppy walking breaks and the party itself we were gone for about fourteen hours. It was a long drive, but our hearts were full and we loved being able to celebrate such an incredible birthday.  That little guy has had a tough journey, and he just keeps amazing us at every turn.  

It was one of the craziest things we've done in years.  We aren't spring chickens, so we weren't sure of our ability to pull it off, but we did. 

I took the last part of the first leg, so Hubs and the pups could nap, it's a long stretch of basically nothingness.  As I was driving along in silence, I'd turned the music down a lot, I'd thought about putting on my podcasts, but didn't want to disturb Hubs, instead I found myself lost in observations. 

Heading south means that the beauty and colors of Fall linger a bit longer. There are long stretches that are lined with trees, separated by long fields and little man made structure.  The fields resting for the most part now, but are brimming with life the rest of the year.  The sky was an odd mixture of haze, sunshine and an almost red cast throughout the course of almost a hundred miles. 

I noticed the odd clouds filling the sky, not the clouds that we searched for shapes and characters as kids, but crisscrossed lines that didn't move at all, even though the winds were strong.  Knowing that chemtrails are definitely real and not a theory, I was deeply saddened as I looked out into fields and wondered what was drifting slowly down into the fields and streams.  I longed to see the clouds floating past and shifting shapes, where were snoopy or the dragon shapes of my childhood? 

Another thing I noticed that although they have had a significant amount of rain in the past few weeks, the rivers and lakes that drove past were significantly lower than in years past.  As we'd headed out my sister warned me that it'd been raining a lot and that we would likely encounter a lot of mud, we were prepared to let the Pups hang out in the car while we partied to avoid them being little mud babies for the drive home. Imagine our surprise to almost completely dry fields and almost no mud.  That alone speaks volumes to the dryness of the fields and ground.  

I spent a lot of time just lost in thought, staring down a familiar road and wondering about the changes that were so evident as it had been a bit since we'd last driven down.  I wondered if someone that is familiar, but not a recent visitor to our area could see the changes that are happening up here.  Our rivers are so very low, to the point that we often take the puppies walking on the dry riverbeds as a safe place to romp.  Every time we are on the one just 10 minutes from our house, I am reminded of filling countless sand bags in the rain racing to beat the rising flood waters from that very river. It did an immense amount of damage less than 6 years ago, and today it is bone dry with just a few shallow puddles to even speak to it being a conduit of water for the most part. 

I am wondering what is going on in nature.  Is it all man made?  I don't know.  I do know that it is definitely happening globally.  Just yesterday I heard of floods in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, there are volcano's erupting with a regularity that should be a bit concerning.  

Has man been trying to play God with the weather for too long now?  Are we going to have to deal with trauma caused by their tinkering?  Either a lack of rain or a deluge seems to be spreading everywhere. 

Time with family was a blessing, no matter how little the amount was.  The time driving gave us a chance to talk, to think to be... 

Today is a recovery day, it's cold and we're tired.  Seems the perfect way to simply rest. 

the view I love the most...

Today is not a hang out in the garden morning.  I don't think we got the raging storm they were predicting, but it definitely rained a good bit.  I checked on the garden about an hour ago and everything looks just fine. I was worried last night when I finally closed the door and headed to bed.  The high winds did a serious number last time and I was afraid that would happen again. 

Nope, it's hot, sticky, humid and wet.  Hard to believe it is even the same weekend that started so beautifully yesterday.  I'm definitely not a fan of heat or humidity.  So, I'll be staying happily inside today. 

Actually, I have a ton to do today, so the weather is simply being my guide.  If it was a beautiful day out there, I would be crazy tempted to wander out and play. I love to be outside. If the weather could stay mild 24/7, I would probably never come in the house.  Ya know, around 45° to about 80°, that is my favorite window.  I love the crisp fall days and the softness of the springtime.  Summer is a bit brutal for me.  I don't ever see me moving to say... south Texas.  I need it cooler.  And southern Florida is a definite no, the humidity is just not my thing.  

I often wonder if there was somewhere else I would have rather stopped.  And the truth is, there has never been anywhere that has pulled on my spirit enough to make me move.  So many of the places I have lived over my lifetime hold magic for me.  They are places that are filled with great memories and things that I cherish.  Hubs and I play a game when we are out and about and always say "oh I could live here".  And in most cases, I could.  They all have things that appeal to me.  

I miss the beauty of the Colorado sky, that color is burned forever in my memory as the color of a perfect sky.  I loved the richness of the soil in Washington state, so much grew on the farm that I was blessed to live on. I will forever miss Germany and the wonderful adventures I had all around Europe.  I cherished the beauty of a Charleston springtime, so brief, yet so fragrant and breathtaking in it's splendor. 

If I dig further back in my memories... there was so much to love about Crete and the experiences there.  And I vaguely remember my original home of Pennsylvania, although it's been so very long since I've been there that those memories are a bit fuzzy and vague.  I remember the beauty of so many places that I have been blessed to call home. I never figured the Midwest would be my final stopping point.  But somehow it happened. 

Honestly, if we ever moved it would probably be to somewhere in Kentucky.  I find it so peaceful.  I also very much enjoy Tennessee.  Or even closer to where we are now, down in the rolling hills of the eastern Ozarks would suit me just fine.  Somewhere I can garden, enjoy the seasons, live my life... Heck, I have that all right here. 

I don't plan to move anymore.  I'm tired of packing up my life and starting over.  I have a lifetime of experience doing just that.  And frankly, I'm over it.  I've enjoyed the world, I've met incredible folks that I wouldn't trade for anything.  Had experiences that have shaped who I am.  Good, bad and ugly.  And honestly I wouldn't change any of them.  There was a lesson in it all. 

Yesterday as we traveled around down near the Amish community I found myself once again lost in a lifetime long admiration of them.  Well, for the most part.  I deeply respect their way of life and many times longed for that kind of simplicity and peacefulness in my life.  

At one point two adorable little girls came past on a tiny little wagon pulled by a tiny horse, they looked like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting.  I wanted to take a picture, but my fingers and heart wouldn't let me.  I know that the Amish do not like their pictures taken, I didn't want to be disrespectful.  Their little matching dresses were a soft powder blue and their bonnets were white.  They looked to be all of 5 or 6, and here they were out in the field together, deeply engaged in conversation and going to wherever it was that they were heading.  

My little grand daughters are very much independent, so that part didn't surprise me at all.  They both have hopped in their little electric cars and driven to my house around that age.  My daughter is a free range mom, raising them to stand on their own two feet. I saw so many similarities in the little girls yesterday and my grands.  Except for the dress.  The independence, the self-confidence, the ability to be out and about on there own.  It was a powerful moment. 

Yes, I understand their culture is very different than ours, and that I would NEVER be okay with the way that they treat animals. I cherish mine, they aren't known for that.  But I could definitely find myself quite comfortable with the majority of their lifestyle and culture.  Who knows maybe I was in another lifetime. 

I am drawn to that simplicity, to the work ethic, to the sense of community, to the way they help one another.  All of those things deeply align with my feelings, thoughts and actions.  Now that being said... while I definitely could handle living that lifestyle, I very much appreciate the things I have.  If I had to do without electricity and modern conveniences I guess I could. Believe it or not I do know how to cook on a wood stove, sew by hand, etc... but... I definitely enjoy the ability to not do those things.  For now they are a change from the normal. I pray with all of the insanity going on right now that they do not become our new normal. 

As much as I want to sit here and reflect on the moments that made up yesterday.  I have tons of produce that needs processed.  I have my own work do do while Hubs is at work this morning.  They say idle hands are the devil's playground, I'm not a fan of giving him a chance.  

In just a short while the pressure canners will be running full steam and I will be working on some jellies and maybe another vinegar or two.  Last night I finished up the green beans and some beets.  Today will be another busy one.  My cantry is coming together quite nicely. 

Stay busy, don't give the devil the chance he's looking for... 

love and peace... 

my daily life is enough...

We are home.  Sitting here in my living room, listening to the sounds of the birds chirping, the puppies playing and Hubs' music drifting up from his home office, I feel content and at peace.  

It was a good weekend. We love to see the family, we are always loathe to make the trip.  It's long and basically boring.  If they would finish the highway it wouldn't be nearly as challenging, but that middle 60 to 80 miles of two lane through little towns along rough roads, well... 

 Everyone was together, there was laughter and smiles.  There were intense conversations, there were moments of lighthearted laughter.  We saw everyone except my niece and her family.  

In all honesty, they needed peace and to hibernate.  Their little warrior is fighting hard, the news they keep getting is anything but strong and inspiring right now, this is normal, they expect it, but they also need time to build up their emotional reserves, not expend them fielding off well meaning questions and concerns.  They needed time to balance their hearts and emotions. We all understood and sent them loving wishes and quiet thoughts and prayers.  They are strong, but even the strongest need a moment to breathe. 

This weekend was the babies first trip, their first encounter with the rest of the family and their first visit with other pups.  It was a raving success.  They played like crazy, went for long walks with mom and dad and ran around in Gramma's yard with the the other pups living their best lives. 

On the journey both to Arkansas and back we found lots of neat little parks to explore, walking paths full of new scents. We had pups manipulating mommy like crazy, when the traveling got too much they knew they were going to get extra cuddles and loves and took full advantage of it.  

Northeastern Arkansas was heavily flooded, so some of the parks were limited in the areas available to walking, on the way down it was bad, on the return trip it was even worse.  The Current river looked to come up over 5 feet in two days.  We'd noticed a jeep parked up a road on Friday, as we drove back Sunday my thought was... well someone screwed up, because it won't be getting out of there on it's own, and I know from years of driving that road, that the water there only get's higher, until late spring.  I felt for them, I've had a vehicle go under water, it is not fun to deal with. 

My babies are glad to be home.  They are romping and playing like crazy.  Acting like they haven't seen their toys in years.  It's sort of hysterical.  But watching them play, get scolded by the senior dogs and learn social cues from other pups was incredible.  I am feeling stronger about them spending some quality time in puppy day care after the next set of shots.  They need to learn social cues and how to respect them.  They even spent the evening with Gramma and her pups.  They did so well that I am incredibly proud of them!

It was nice to spend time together with my sisters and mom.  We even got the picture I wanted taken.  Is it always smooth?  Nope, we are all so very different that we don't flow, we love, we don't flow. 

I would have loved the opportunity to go hiking with my nephew and his family, I'm sure his mom and dad would have joined us. The weather was perfect for it, unfortunately there simply wasn't time to squeeze it in.  When you do a quick weekend trip that means you simply do the basics.  We'd also wanted to do the winery.  Mom didn't want to so we scrapped it this time.  Next trip will include a hike and the winery even if that is the only reason we travel south on that trip. 

Last night as I was soaking in a hot bath, relaxing from an incredibly fast weekend I decided to start reading up on some of my cheese making stuff.  HOLY MOSES!  I am not sure what I have gotten myself into with this idea.  I am not even sure I have enough space to do this, I mean I know she says you can make it in your kitchen, but I am questioning how HUGE her kitchen must be.  I mean presses sitting on the counter for days?  I am going to have to get super organized and not plan other activities in the kitchen for the same time frame.  I also learned that patience will definitely be taught during this course.  Some of these cheese have to age for 18 months?!  I mean will I even remember I am making them?  Additionally... it appears I need a cave?  Not sure what in the blazes that means, and I am a bit concerned about it. I guess I'd better start reading heavily and taking some serious notes, as I am fairly positive that I am completely confused and feeling like I have bitten off way more than I can chew!

Either that or I am going to fall deeply in love and Hubs and I are going to have move out in the country and buy a bunch of goats and a milking cow so I can become an artisan cheese maker... no... I don't see that happening. Evidently you can also make some interesting butters for cooking.  Oh my... what rabbit hole have I slid into?

Well, my little Belle has curled up beside me for her morning nap, her brother is stretched out in my chair.  I think I am going to do some more reading of my cheese class and planning out my week while I drink my coffee.  I will check in on family, plan today's walks and simply cherish this life I have been given. It's a beautiful day here in our castle and my life is definitely enough...

love and peace...