The Third Act

welcome spring

It's finally here.  That being said, it's been cold in these parts.  Thankfully the sun has been out, so I've been eking away at a very tedious task.

There's a gravel pathway across the front of my house that leads around to the patio.  Over the past few years a variety of weeds have been gradually filling in the edge of this.  For a couple years now I've been making halfhearted attempts to get the weeds out...and then getting really ambivalent and just weed whacking the area.  Well, for some unknown reason, the urge to go ahead and tackle this task has come upon me.  For three days now I've been sitting for one or two hours a day going at this project.  It's been lovely, actually.  Quite meditative.  And sunshine has been a blessing.  It's almost done.  

For Avery's part, she wanders around the yard, seeing what's up, visiting me, and then laying in the sun (or chomping on sweet grass).  I don't think she minds too much that we haven't gotten out for a walk yet.

Yesterday I had another self directed no screen day.  To be technically accurate, it was a no internet day.  I did check email and respond to texts.  I had intended to make this a regular thing starting a month ago and only did it once.  Since weird head space obstacles have been arising for me, it seemed that this practice would be useful.  It was really strange to notice how anxious the prospect seemed to me yesterday morning!  Which was a good indication that it was needed.  Once I'd made the decision and mapped out my day, it was pretty great.  I got a lot of reading done and more writing in my journal.  Now, to see if I'll keep it up!

 

 

 

 

the light

Standing at the kitchen sink, working on dinner, I mused on the fact that in another month or so, the light won't be coming in this window.  With angle of the earth tilted and the trees leafed out, there's no afternoon sun here.  Light, yes.  Sun, no.  Of course, in the summer time that's a blessing.  Afternoon shade is a protection.  But I do love some beams making their way inside.

 

 

 

yesterday, in the garden

I'm trying to figure out how to balance all my avocations (and how to turn something into a livelihood) and their presentation online.  Am I an artist?  A gardener?  A cook?  Which comes first?  My therapist asked me at my last session how these might be ranked and I said, "I guess gardening comes first."  It certainly seems true during the super active growing season.  

But art also means so much.  The more I make art, the more art I want to make.  Processing the pinholes yesterday, working with the film and seeing the results...it's such a great feeling.  

And of course, food has always been an interest to me.  Although that dovetails nicely with the gardening.  And certainly there's artistry in the practice as well.

So, my blog and other online venues are a hodgepodge.  (Which reminds me...when I was a child, maybe 10 or so, there was a program on PBS called "Hodge Podge Lodge"...it was definitely a fave.  Foreshadowing for my life?).  Or perhaps they're a tapestry.  I think I like that better.

Anyway, yesterday in the garden was just perfect.  Sunshine, not too warm not too cold not too windy.  Avery chomped on the sweetgrass, which she seems to love, while I schlepped compost.  Rain is forecast later today, so I may go out and plant seeds for root veggies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

where to start??

I took my Zero pinhole camera into Pony Pasture a few days ago.  I knew I had several frames on the roll of film left to use.  However, I didn't remember A) the speed of the film in the camera or B) (more importantly) where I'd placed to baffles for the frame size.  Consequently there are some overexposed areas and (more significantly) way overlapping frames.  The baffles were set at 6 x 9 and I was shooting 6 x 6.  Since I've had this happen before, well, you would think I would remember.  But being the last time I used this loaded camera was back in November, nope, nope, I remembered nothing (aside from the fact that the film was monochrome).

The good news is...even though it's been months since I processed film, I didn't do too badly.  The negatives are fairly clean and the developing seems properly timed.  So...that's something!  And I have to admit, I rather like the weirdness (of course I do) of what the overlapping frames produced.  Sure, I do this on purpose sometimes, but there's some sense to it.  This situation...no sense.  I'm okay with that (this time).

 

 

Great Falls back in November

 

hotel room...also back in November

 

at home...who know's when!

 

Pony Pasture, a few days ago

 

another from Pony Pasture

 

 

Who's a good dog??

Avery, of course!  (but you knew that, didn't you?)

In other news...I need to tackle my taxes today.  Is the Ides of March a bad day for that?  No matter...the decision is made.  Once that's out of the way, there are more interesting subjects to address.  There's a tank loaded with film, among other things!

It's a beautiful, chilly morning.  The sun is shining so no complaints here.

 

 

 

random things

I'll never stop loving the feeling of seeing a sunny morning after a couple days of clouds.

I'll never stop loving the sight of beautiful books lined up on my shelves.

I'll never stop being thrilled by seedlings pushing up through soil.

I'll never stop being delighted by the variety of birds outside my window.

And when it's time to open the windows again at night...I'll never tire of the sounds of insects in the darkness or the birdsong of early morning.

There's leftover fruit crisp for breakfast and turkey noodle soup for lunch.

So many possibilities on this new day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

on Sunday

I'm kinda sorta making Sundays an off day from posting online.  Sadly, I've backtracked on my idea for an entirely "no screen Sunday" and would like to give that a go again.  After my trip to Florida it's been difficult for me to settle down.  I have no idea really, why this is the case.  But the push me pull you of winter and spring probably hasn't helped.  We're back to more normal temps, which isn't a bad thing, but simply an adjustment.

So, anyway...yesterday.  It was drizzly, cold and generally dismal.  Of course there was that blasted time change again.  Why do we do this to ourselves?  Thankfully I got out early-ish with Avery for a decent walk.  After that though, it was a rather insular day.  No complaints, except a nagging feeling that I "should have been more productive" (poppycock, right?).

Today promises to be somewhat the same as Sunday, weather wise.  Perhaps we'll get sunshine tomorrow (and wind supposedly).  There are some inside chores and tasks to address.  It'll be okay.  I have to say, I am glad for the chill since I spread fresh poppy seed in a couple of the beds outside (they need stratification).  The blossoms on the apricot trees are another story, however.  The chill may curtail any chance of fruit.  Ah well.  The tomato seedlings indoors are growing.  Some flower seeds have sprouted as well as one of the eggplant varieties.  Obviously, life moves on.

 

 

the redbuds are coming on...

 

daffodils still opening...

 

a bison grass vodka and tonic, while I wait for leftovers to warm...

 

sharing some bison grass vodka with Baba Yaga...

 

the wooden pisanki are out (behind the candle)...

saturday

It's been a chilly day, but I managed to get some (unanticipated) weeding done and planted all the ostrich fern roots.

 

 

The shadows are still longish...

 

The hellebore just keeps on keeping on...

 

One little may apple pushing its way up...

 

A rather precocious strawberry...

 

Raspberries getting their leaves on...

 

Peonies and hostas pushing up...in front of where the ferns were planted...

 

Some mache that hung on through the winter...and a pansy...

 

The stump garden...

 

The one angelica that overwintered...

 

As a whole...

Friday

It's been a while since there was a dreary, chilly day.  I don't even remember the last time I lit a fire in the wood stove.  Filing old paperwork, clearing off my desk, and have a good online chat with a friend...that's what today consisted of.  And while it's not really raining in the true sense of the word, there has been a consistent mist which helps in the garden.

Tomorrow should bring sunshine again...and a more productive day.

 

 

 

the ocean

When I was in Florida, I realized just how much I miss being near the ocean.  I used to think it was specifically the Pacific that I missed.  But now I think it's any large body of water.  I love the James river, especially being so near that I can visit it any time.  However, I'm beginning to think I need to schedule regular time to be near the Atlantic.  Whether it's Virginia, or the Carolinas, Delaware or further up the east coast...I just need to get out and be by it.