All is Well in Autumn

 

My blog has been in summer hibernation. It doesn't like the humidity. But on beautiful first-days-of-autumn like today, it is kindled by a dry warmth and a new light.

This morning as I walked Skye along a route I hadn't walked in a surprisingly long while, I was washed with a rare joy inspired by the air on my skin, the wildflowers along a pasture, and the sun reaching through leafy limbs on a woodland lane. 

Some of those leaves are turning.

In June our daughter, Tashi, graduated from high school. How is it that I didn't blog about that? 

Summer included a camping weekend on Loft Mountain . . .

 

 

 

A mother-daughter trip to New York City . . .

And the slight overwhelm of elder-care, a day job, family logistics, doula care, college prep, young-boy care . . .

It was a busy summer, a summer that lacked gardening, swimming, and a steady connection to mother earth. It was very simply that kind of summer—fleeting, with very little down time. I made the most of my weekly visits to the dog park.

Summer wrapped up well, with a foray to Lockn' where I saw Ween tear it up and Phish for the first time and Phil with the Infamous Stringdusters. 

 

I got to have a romantic night with Dan in the oppressive heat, sleeping in a makeshift blanket-fort in Zoksang's awesome shop, our kids joining us the next day for more music and dancing and shop-keeping.

No sooner did Tristan start second grade than we headed off for a week in Wisconsin, where we enjoyed family and friends and a cottage by a lake . . .

 

AND we dropped Tashi off for her Freshmen year at Lawrence University . . .

How is it that I didn't blog about that?

It was beautiful really. Bittersweet, of course. But just so exciting. She is in a good place, in great classes, and is just so happy. What more could we ask for?

We returned to our humble abode without Tashi, but to family, to friends, and to music. These are great themes in my life. I am blessed.

At night now, after we put Tristan to bed, Dan and I look at each other and say, "now what?" Our teenager isn't here to play Boggle with, or to binge watch some series with, to impart our love of David Bowie and Pink Floyd to, or to help with homework and conundrums. We are not wondering when she will begin that winding drive home from her various jobs, or from a night out with friends. We are not quietly wishing she would come out of her room and talk to us. 

She just isn't here.

 

Sometimes I walk into her room and simply stand there. Dust motes. Sheet music. So many books. Beautiful multi cultural wall decor. Her room is like a tiny exhibit: Chamber of a Well-Read Girl on the Brink of Womanhood. The pets follow me in and take seats variously. We all just gaze about. Breathe her in. And think good thoughts.

a cabin in north carolina

i had heard what an awesome town asheville, north carolina, is, so dan, tristan, and i decided to take a spontaneous weekend trip while tashi was still on safari in africa. 

through a facebook post, a fellow blogger caught wind that we were going to be in the area, and offered us a place to stay in the cabin on her property. how cool is that? 

we arrived in asheville early in the evening on friday, and after taking a walk through town, checking out the friday drum circle, and eating an incredible dinner at salsas, we headed to the cabin. we walked into a lovely space and this warm greeting.

have you ever tasted ground cherries? they are pretty tasty! 

that is what the bowl of yellow fruit is (though they look a bit like tomatillos). 

the next morning we arose after a heavy rain and took a look around us.

maria and her family lived in this fine cabin for two years 

while they built their cordwood home.

we were fortunate to be given a tour of their home and grounds. here is the live roof. 

and here is their lovely cordwood kitchen. 

i adore the colored glass bottles in the walls.

most of the windows in their home are reclaimed.

the bathroom has a warm adobe feel. and look at that shelf of tinctures. 

maria is an herbalist

and a homesteader.

views from their bedroom in the upstairs octagon. the first one looks out at the cabin.

looking up at the ceiling

and down at the floor. the wood for the floor is also entirely reclaimed and is 

comprised of many different varieties. so pretty.

this is cookie dough. the other cat, isabella, was camera shy.

suki the 14 year old akita spent a long evening sitting on the cabin's front porch, protecting us from bears (apparently she chased one off the property once).

tristan and leif are just a month apart in age. they hit it off famously. 

here they are in leif's room.

maria's garden is extraordinary. look at this tomato!

and there are chickens!

this is an amazing treehouse that maria and her husband ,toby, 

built for their daughter, kaia.

looking from the back of the yard to the house.

looking from the front of the yard to the house. 

there are herb and berry gardens on the side. and bees!

cordwood and trellises.

a beautiful moment in time.

i brought some gifts from my workplace and the kids put them together in no time.

we had a nice saturday and sunday morning visiting with this sweet family, 

and are so grateful to them for sharing their space with us. 

how cool is that someone whom i know only through the internet invited us 

to stay on their property? it restores one's faith in humanity.

read more about their homebuilding adventures here. 

and see photos from the rest of our time in asheville here. it's a terrific town!