The Most Terrible/Wonderful Day

Today has been a roller-coaster ride of emotions and I'm very ready to go to bed.

Last night there was a terrible hail storm that hit us pretty hard. Justin and I are fine, but our garden is mostly gone I'm afraid. Not sure what will bounce back and what will wither away, but we're praying some of it will be alright. I didn't handle this part of my day very well, throwing myself into a "why doesn't anything ever work out for me" fit.

In the midst of all that I had to deal with beurocrats for a good part of my morning and no one wanted to play nice... not a great way to begin the day. Especially when it has to do with money.

But... (this part is good, I promise) I started working again this evening. I am now working part time in the Children's section at the local Public Library. I'm very excited about this new position and think it will go very well. (I hope, I hope, I hope!) Why, just tonight there was an event and there were 100+ kids, Millipedes, South African Toads, and a 'possum. Yes, it was fun. No, I did NOT pet the 'possum.

It was a good day, it was a bad day. I'll be going to bed now.

A Few More Photos

The garden is starting to look all grown up, no longer giving the appearance that we dug up the side yard and planted weeds. We have some blossoms and lots of ladybugs (very happy to see those little carnivores). I thought I'd post a few pictures and have a little show and tell. (Funny aside: I was telling Justin that one day we should get a macro-lens so that we can take pictures of things close up and get good details. His reply "I've had one since High School... I was going to sell it". I've since commandeered said lens and have been taking up close shots of everything I can see. So, indulge me the classic up-close flower pictures. It's just so much fun!)

Photographers' Rights

Interesting post and discussion on BoingBoing about the rights of photographers.

While I do not condone being rude or uncivil to people working with the public, when propaganda and misinformation are all that guide these workers the result is upsetting and sometimes scary. This is a real dilemma for me considering my husbands profession and our take on "public" space, but the real issue is more about where baby steps like these take us. I appreciate the efforts made to thwart terrorism and the fact that (for now) our country is safe, but at what cost?

I'm interested to see some "real" development of these issues.

Also, I've had requests for pictures, but (if you can believe it) I don't have a camera in working order right now. As soon as this problem is remedied I will post more pictures than you can stand.

[edited to add - Pictures are up now... hurrah!]

For the love of Laundry

During our move to the Commonwealth, my dryer was pummeled to death by a coat rack, and the parts to fix my convenience machine were much too much to consider. So I did what I could to get my clothes dry hanging them all over the bathroom and kitchen on whatever I could find or (more often) taking my wet loads to Chad and Meredith's. I didn't feel opposed to line drying, but it was the dead of winter and having my clothes frozen instead of dried was a real possibility.

Then out came the sun. The first time I hung my clothes outside there was a fear: "What will the neighbors think?" and then a defiance: "Isn't this why we have modern appliances?" I felt poor and stupid. I wasn't getting the "air dried" smell that people talk about (I was using a heavily perfumed detergent that smelled like bubble-gum breath when not dried in the machine). My back was hurting from the bending over and I couldn't keep up with the 5 clothes pins that I owned. Was this really worth the effort? Did it matter?

After I noticed a difference in our Electricity bill, I found it did matter that we were broke and in no position to pay more than minimums on utilities. Maybe NOT running that go-juice guzzling, extra-large capacity machine was worth it. I decided to make the investment in more clothes pins and some line (I opted for Weed Eater line because it's easy to wipe down and keep clean) and for under $5 I was on my way.

I was able to hang the new line without hooks thanks to the supports on our covered porch. I felt rather self sufficient as I hung my clothes out for the first time with the real tools of the trade. I sat outside watching t-shirts blowing in the wind and they were done in 2 hours. Something switched on. It was perfect. Suddenly I knew there was no other way I'd be doing it.

I researched traditional laundry boosters, soaps, methods and helps. In one of my favorite books Martha mentions several alternatives to conventional laundering. There's a whole slew of resourses out there to make your laundry experience more simple.

To make things a little more convenient here, I made a clothes pin holder that hangs on the line. I'm also in the works with Justin on constructing a rolling hamper basket that eliminates some of the the bending over. I've since settled on a detergent: Simplicity . It has the cleanest smell and is "cleaner" than leading brands.

So, a daughter of convenience takes a step back and falls in love with a slower process. Sounds like my life every day. Discovering forgotten ways, incorporating the tranquility of simplicity.

"Buy fifty feet of clothesline and a $3 bag of clothespins and become a solar energy pioneer." - Bill McKibben, Prairie Writers Circle

In Sickness and The Garden

I've felt really bad for Justin as he has assisted me in my illnesses this past week, first a stomach virus that we both thought would kill me, and then these pesky allergies that will NOT clear up. This guy really is a trooper for putting up with me as I whine and watch cartoons.

In spite of the outdoor onslaught on my sinuses, I have managed to work in the garden. Everything is sprouting now and that has invigorated my interest and desire in the outdoors... I've even worn shorts. It's good to see new life springing out of the dirt. I'm always amazed at this process.

Our friends Alan and Sara and baby Lucy have been over this weekend helping the garden as well. We were able to till up one large bed in spite of much talking and goofing off (mostly my fault). We lost almost a whole afternoon due to the tiller not cooperating, but finally after a bit of prayer (and much cursing...) it started and we were off. So far we have 3 beds finished, 2 have been planted. I still can't tell if we're late or just on time.

One Bit of Different

Last night there was apparently an Earthquake that shook the Midwest. And while the ground shook in real life, I was having a dream about an Earthquake knocking down my "home" and most of downtown Rio de Janeiro... because that's where I lived in my dream. The worst part about the Dream earthquake was that no one believed me when I told them about it.

hmm...