Partridgeberry
Digging for the mailbox.
We are blessed with many wild srawberries.
Final adjustments.
Ruby approves.
Maples and serviceberry.Jul 10, 2009
some springtime views
Partridgeberry Digging for the mailbox. We are blessed with many wild srawberries.Final adjustments. Ruby approves. Maples and serviceberry.
on the Hill
A few cold weather snapshots of the homestead-to-be.
View down the hill toward Speedsville.
One of several seasonal springs.
The cleared yurt-spot with a stack of firewood from the largest ash tree we cut down.
Us.
final tracks
I love tracking. Some say an animal's skull is the last track it leaves behind. Maybe that is why I love skulls so much.
This is a skunk skull we found on the banks of the Conestoga river in PA. It was an old guy - teeth worn down, and evidence of severe infection above the canines. This one lived long, but its last years may have been difficult.
This skull I cleaned up from a roadkill beaver we found in Freeville, NY. It was a huge animal - probably over 40 pounds of rodent power.
The photos don't do it justice. This guy was huge.May 2, 2009
Lucky 77
In the flow of natural cycles, I remind myself that Spring is naturally the busiest time of crazy growth and endless motion. I wake early, and retire late, moving in between from project to project, all the while feeling my way toward whatever step should come next. Sometimes it feels like I am moving blindfolded along a trail, with the occasional tangle in brambles to indicate I've veered too far in one direction.
But, each step moves toward growth and dreams come true.
So, here, something nearly concrete: We are landowners. Which is only real in a certain form of reality.
What feels more real, is that now we have been given permission to steward and care for a little bit of earth, and to make our home there.
A brief description: We bought 11 acres in the town of Caroline, which is about 20 minutes from downtown Ithaca. The land is all wooded: near the road, it's a lot of old apple trees, hawthorn, and multiflora rose. That area is also pretty wet, and more recently disturbed, possibly old pasture. Farther back, the land slopes upward, and it's mostly sugar maples and ash trees, with a few serviceberries, black cherry, beech, and one big red oak. I'm sure there's more to discover, but that's initially what we've found.
Oh, and one of the best parts: the neighbors. Our dear friends Paul, Kathy, Ruby and their chickens live next door. We're excited to collaborate with them on projects and adventures. I can't wait to become a part of the community there.
We've cleared a spot for the yurt, and hope to move it there in the next month or so. I tried uploading pictures, but for some mysterious reason, the library computer won't let me. So you'll just have to come for a visit.
But, each step moves toward growth and dreams come true.
So, here, something nearly concrete: We are landowners. Which is only real in a certain form of reality.
What feels more real, is that now we have been given permission to steward and care for a little bit of earth, and to make our home there.
A brief description: We bought 11 acres in the town of Caroline, which is about 20 minutes from downtown Ithaca. The land is all wooded: near the road, it's a lot of old apple trees, hawthorn, and multiflora rose. That area is also pretty wet, and more recently disturbed, possibly old pasture. Farther back, the land slopes upward, and it's mostly sugar maples and ash trees, with a few serviceberries, black cherry, beech, and one big red oak. I'm sure there's more to discover, but that's initially what we've found.
Oh, and one of the best parts: the neighbors. Our dear friends Paul, Kathy, Ruby and their chickens live next door. We're excited to collaborate with them on projects and adventures. I can't wait to become a part of the community there.
We've cleared a spot for the yurt, and hope to move it there in the next month or so. I tried uploading pictures, but for some mysterious reason, the library computer won't let me. So you'll just have to come for a visit.
Mar 20, 2009
headed toward closing
Happy first day of spring!
Just a dose of quick news:
I've been through my first full week as an official Field Instructor for Primitive Pursuits. I love it, although I've been spending more time in the forests than in the fields. And probably more time playing than instructing, as well. Go fig.
Through many roller-coaster ups and downs (and not to say we're clear of those), we're headed on Wednesday to sign many papers to officially purchase and close on 11 acres of wooded land in the town of Caroline!
Stay tuned for further tales.
Just a dose of quick news:
I've been through my first full week as an official Field Instructor for Primitive Pursuits. I love it, although I've been spending more time in the forests than in the fields. And probably more time playing than instructing, as well. Go fig.
Through many roller-coaster ups and downs (and not to say we're clear of those), we're headed on Wednesday to sign many papers to officially purchase and close on 11 acres of wooded land in the town of Caroline!
Stay tuned for further tales.
Mar 10, 2009
to ether
http://www.nuvo.net/news/article/memoriam-ethan-runnels
I don't have any words to add to this.
My heart just aches.
I don't have any words to add to this.
My heart just aches.
Dec 22, 2008
Happy Solstice
We trolls would like to remind you that you've just passed through the darkest night. Dec 1, 2008
you want more pictures?
Well, okay.
A springtime yurt at the Plantsmen.
What?!? Who?!?
Yes, my beloved as the Maker of Mischief at Primitive Pursuits day back in May '08.
My furry yin-yang.
Treetop view of the yurt, photo by Squirrel.
A springtime yurt at the Plantsmen.
What?!? Who?!?
Yes, my beloved as the Maker of Mischief at Primitive Pursuits day back in May '08.
My furry yin-yang.
Treetop view of the yurt, photo by Squirrel.bits and pieces.
After a season of a little type, and few photos, I will keep my words short, and offer these below.
Enjoy.
When days were warmer.
A visit from some very special creatures. (We found about 7 around the yurt this fall.)
We offer evidence that Ithaca is gorges.
Our new old "Tiny" truck.
An old Sequoia gets a hug from a squirrel and me.
In Yosemite, CA.
Dieter and Jen's beautiful wedding.
Some beautiful people I know and love.
Us, gussied up.
Oct 6, 2008
Autumn
Sesonal postings, eh? Maybe I can do that.
Projects are underway, while others are thwarted. This weekend (in preparation for the visit of Kings), Phil made steps up to our deck (replacing the stack of two cinder blocks), a rainwater cachement barrel with spigot (to function as handwashing station), and a new compost bin with opening front (made of wooden pallets). Phil has also invested in his first ever motor vehicle (unless you count the old Vespa): an old Toyota truck. I can't wait to be able to post pictures again, and introduce you to "The Tiny Truck," named after the cool guy we bought it from. (His name is Tiny, not "Truck" or "The," you sillies.)
Our offer on the lovely plot of land in Caroline was rejected, hence the mention of thwarted plans and projects. It seemed perfect in so many ways, and so hopeful that we'd get it. But now we're prayerfully transitioning into looking for what is next. It is a great blessing that we have our spot at the Plantsmen, and no rush to leave its comfort and beauty.
I've been teaching a homeschool program with Primitive Pursuits. I love it. I love the kids, love my co-instructors, love the woods we explore and play in. We've played games, are working on a great water-tight shelter, made Sumac "lemonade," sweet goldenrod tea, fire-roasted day lilly tubers (yum.). We've scaled cliffs, crossed streams, slid back down other cliffs, found feathers and other treasures and mysteries, and we tell stories and work on fire skills. And it's only been a few weeks. Did I mention how fun it is?
My feather and skull collection grows, and my bird-sighting list gets longer.
The world is beautiful enough for a thousand lifetimes.
I'm also still working at the nursery, and Phil is usually doing landscaping. I'm getting better at identifying plant families, and learning my way a little more around the Latin names. I also dare to hope that I may be learning a little about caring for plants and trees, but I'm generally stumped by any quesion a customer asks.
Last night we stayed up listening to a fox barking for a long time. A pileated woodpecker has seemingly moved into the woods nearby, perhaps for the winter. I love hearing his laughter, then looking around for the slow flapping shape overhead.
I've been running (actually jogging, but I like to call it running). I see deer and vultures, squirrels and bluejays, and sometimes a Cooper's hawk or kestrel. We live in such a beautiful area. The sweet tangy autumn-olives came and went, and the ash- and maple-trees are showing their vibrance.
All our wood is stacked and ready for winter, and I feel myself turning inward, in that Autumn way.
Thank you for reading.
Blessings.
Projects are underway, while others are thwarted. This weekend (in preparation for the visit of Kings), Phil made steps up to our deck (replacing the stack of two cinder blocks), a rainwater cachement barrel with spigot (to function as handwashing station), and a new compost bin with opening front (made of wooden pallets). Phil has also invested in his first ever motor vehicle (unless you count the old Vespa): an old Toyota truck. I can't wait to be able to post pictures again, and introduce you to "The Tiny Truck," named after the cool guy we bought it from. (His name is Tiny, not "Truck" or "The," you sillies.)
Our offer on the lovely plot of land in Caroline was rejected, hence the mention of thwarted plans and projects. It seemed perfect in so many ways, and so hopeful that we'd get it. But now we're prayerfully transitioning into looking for what is next. It is a great blessing that we have our spot at the Plantsmen, and no rush to leave its comfort and beauty.
I've been teaching a homeschool program with Primitive Pursuits. I love it. I love the kids, love my co-instructors, love the woods we explore and play in. We've played games, are working on a great water-tight shelter, made Sumac "lemonade," sweet goldenrod tea, fire-roasted day lilly tubers (yum.). We've scaled cliffs, crossed streams, slid back down other cliffs, found feathers and other treasures and mysteries, and we tell stories and work on fire skills. And it's only been a few weeks. Did I mention how fun it is?
My feather and skull collection grows, and my bird-sighting list gets longer.
The world is beautiful enough for a thousand lifetimes.
I'm also still working at the nursery, and Phil is usually doing landscaping. I'm getting better at identifying plant families, and learning my way a little more around the Latin names. I also dare to hope that I may be learning a little about caring for plants and trees, but I'm generally stumped by any quesion a customer asks.
Last night we stayed up listening to a fox barking for a long time. A pileated woodpecker has seemingly moved into the woods nearby, perhaps for the winter. I love hearing his laughter, then looking around for the slow flapping shape overhead.
I've been running (actually jogging, but I like to call it running). I see deer and vultures, squirrels and bluejays, and sometimes a Cooper's hawk or kestrel. We live in such a beautiful area. The sweet tangy autumn-olives came and went, and the ash- and maple-trees are showing their vibrance.
All our wood is stacked and ready for winter, and I feel myself turning inward, in that Autumn way.
Thank you for reading.
Blessings.
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