The down side of free range

A little way down the street from us is a sprawling farm. The yard is lush with overgrown trees, peonies, and daylillies, depending on the season. There are usually two big fat white ducks waddling around, a few cats lounging about, and around 10 free-range turkey hens in the yard. The turkey hens are a continuing source of amusement for us. They line up along the edge of the yard, dash across the road, and then disolve into cackling laughter on the other side. Within a minute, they've lined back up and are ready for the mad dash again. And, I cackle with laughter every time I see it. So, if you wonder why the turkey crosses the road, it really is to get to the other side. And if you wonder if all teenagers are dumb enough to play chicken in traffic, I can tell you that the turkey teens do. But the other day was a sad one, because one of the "girls" didn't make it. Free-range reduced to road kill. So maybe full-access free range isn't the way to go after all, especially when there's a busy road nearby that's just too tempting not to cross.

Dog Walking Networking

I walk my dog nearly every day, and often a few times a day. As I've said, I love the outdoors, I love my dog, and I use the time to sort things out. A few days ago, I was really fretting over my two books. Both are in the final stages of production, and there are a few elements that are beyond my control but still a little worrisome. Well, I was lost in my thoughts and was passing two women who often walk at the same time I do. We've never exchanged more than a friendly wave and a hello. Well, on this day, one stops and says, "excuse me, are you the writer?" I was a little startled and then said, "well, yes, I am." I guess you all you need to do is to walk the walk, and the world will see you in the way you want to be seen!

Love your mother

(Photo by Meredith Buckingham)

Today's the day to take a walk, recycle a can, hug a tree, plant a seed ...

My Earth Day 2008 resolution is to improve my recycling system to include throw-aways generated on the second floor of my house. OK, before you raise your eyebrows in dismay that I'm not recycling shampoo bottles, laundry detergent containers, and the cardboard boxes from new toothpaste and rush to judgement and say, "oh, puhleeze, bring it to the bin like you do everything else," just give me a break. I do a great job on the first floor ... milk jugs, newspapers, magazines, OJ cartons -- you name it. But, I've never nailed a system for upstairs and those items just get tossed. I feel pangs of guilt when I do it, and pangs of guilt now. But enough! I'll get this under control. I believe that every little thing you do counts, and is better than doing nothing, but most of us can't do everything. So these are my baby steps.

Does this post have anything to do with artful crafting? Not really, except I am inspired daily by the great outdoors and what Mother Nature brings me. While I've been pining for spring this year, I really delight in all the seasons and all that comes with them. I'm out walking about 350 days a year (Ok, some days it's a really short walk!) but I look up, look down and stop to smell the roses. Walking helps me sort things out. Nature helps with colors, textures, and patterns. So, today's my day to say "thanks!"

Pleasure? or Guilty Pleasure??

I read an interview with an artist who was asked to name her guilty pleasures and her response was, "well, I watch TV at the end of a long day, but I enjoy it, so it's not a guilty pleasure."

That got me to thinking that I spend a lot of time doing things that don't really bring me pleasure (cleaning, commuting...) so, I really shouldn't feel guilty when I do the things I want to.

Here's my list of pleasures: reading in the afternoon, crafting until I'm finished (not breaking to make dinner), watching my favorite TV shows (Friday Night Lights, Grey's Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, Project Runway). And here are two truly guilty pleasures -- I feel guilty but I can't stop -- Bejeweled online and Taco Bell (once in a blue moon).

Hope Springs Eternal...

Or here in Wisconsin, we're eternally hoping for spring. Today is a bleak, blustery day but the bulbs are just beginning to send up shoots and the grass has gone from brown to green. Oh, for a daffodil!

Grace

I just finished reading Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott. Talk about someone who brings art to her craft! I don't agree with her politics, and I don't share her religion, but I found something meaningful on nearly every page of her book. So while I continue my own somewhat crooked path toward living with grace and with faith, I find reassurance in her words. This is one trip that is more about the journey.