along the moormans

we had a little picnic along the full moormans river today. it was a good respite. 

tashi is leaving on friday to spend some time in the midwest with family, 

so this was our special june moment! 

when we pulled up an enormous blue heron flew off downstream.

there was much speculation about who might inhabit this cave.

everywhere we go, tristan brings a toy or three.  to the dinner table. on outings. 

to the toilet. in the yard.

  

there were a few quiet moments, mostly when we could get tristan to stop singing 
twisted versions of songs from les miserables, which he has been doing without stop 
since tashi was in the play.

do you see the spirits?

 do you see the smiles?

this wild yard

the days trot along at a quick clip. i'm slightly disoriented. summer is here. but it doesn't seem like summer. school is out! but tashi is soon leaving us for a few weeks with far off family. there is much to tend to, inside, outside, all around. we've been having a bit of a monsoon season. tristan's imagination has been spinning some wild yarns.  in a snap he goes from being fascinated, engaged, and occupied to a puddle of wailing fury and tension. yet still, the smallest, frailest treasures continue to evolve.

the day lilies are greeting us

the mystery tree has dropped its flowers and i still do not know what it is

just a few blueberries this year. why?

  

and a couple handfuls of strawberries. i think they need a sunnier spot.

my wee garden is doing well! the tomatoes plants are growing so fast. 

we dug up some potatoes, and there are more yet to dig. 

the zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkins, peppers, and few herbs are coming along. 

there is not much room for the gourds to grow, so i will have to trail the plants out of the bed i think.

there are a few flowers struggling along in my dappled light front garden area, 

the area where i dream of having a cottage garden, against nature's will!

i've been waiting for the mushrooms to appear after all this rain. 

this is the first mushroom spotting in our yard this season. it's tiny.

moss, moss, i love the moss. i want it to take over the areas closest to the house, 

and i want to protect the meadows along the forest, where yarrow and daisies are flourishing.

this wild yard, this gift, it makes me late for dinner. it lines my fingernails with dirt and forces me to shower twice a day. it leaves me with itchy bug bites and traces of poison ivy. it is unkempt, populated with stray cats, and the most exotic huge bugs. the deer ate the buds off of a volunteer patch of black eyed susans, much to my chagrin. and the great cicada die off has begun. at night there is a bird that is plaintive and loud. and the soil is dark and rich with rain. i don't feel like i have enough time,  or energy, for it. but it energizes me and forces me to take time. this wild yard. this gift.

local inspiration: the urban garden

we often entertain the idea of moving into town. we are about a 15 mile drive into the county, not bad really, but all those winding 30 minute drives to and from town do add up. dan and i both work in town. tashi and tristan both go to school in town. most of my doula clients live in town and birth at the hospitals there. and then there are all the conveniences of town: that you can walk & bike places, that there are parks and pools and farmer's markets and shops and music venues. 

but the flip side is that we have lots of space where we are. we have woods to explore and a creek to wade in. we have vast gardening potential. we have herds of deer, beautiful birds, and the occasional bear. if there is not complete silence, there is birdsong and the sound of trees dancing in the wind (and lately, thousands of cicadas). tristan can ride his bike up and down the driveway and tashi and i can hang out in our peaceful cedar grove where we do tarot readings, talk about herbs, and observe the seasonal changes. the starry nights are bright and healing. we have a very direct connection with the natural world, which is probably the most valued feature. the land we live on, wild and unkempt though it is,  remains a refuge and a creative work in progress.

visiting some friends in town recently, i was so inspired by their gorgeous urban garden. it was a great reminder of the natural connection you can nurture, no matter where you are. their yard features a large vegetable bed, a chicken coop, and beautiful flower patches throughout. there are blueberry bushes, peonies, roses,  fruit trees, and mounds of potato patches. every space is put to good use. there is whimsy and charm and the most amazing handmade playhouse. the fence is also handmade, and has hearts and moons carved in its gates. it is a truly magical natural space. i wish i had taken so many more photos, but here is a glimpse of what can happen in the heart of town, on a very busy street corner!

and the most beautiful flower of them all, their four year old daughter, 

on the gorgeous bench her papa made with his own hands. 

climbing out of the sinkhole into the cicada sun

a negative sinkhole was developing today with my four year old hurling a torrent of unsavory phrases at me. this is nothing new, and sometimes it can be quite a challenge to rise to the occasion and redirect things. but once i do manage to redirect things, his sweet heart usually opens, and there is no end to the hugs, enthusiasm, and terms of endearment.

snacks help, especially when served outside. there were a few of his favorite things: blueberries, mango, and goat cheese. and a few of my favorite things: goat cheese, garlic scape pesto, hummus, and olives. a loaf of french bread from the bread machine rounded it out. 

have you tried garlic scape pesto? some dear friends gave me a sack full of scapes from their garden recently, and i've been making batch after batch from the recipe at the bottom of this link. 

served with a refreshing glass of nettles infusion = wellness!

sometimes when there is a lot of negativity coming out of the small one, it is really difficult for me to want to play with him. i know that probably i just have to get over that, but some sort of craft or cooking project is often a good middle ground. 

today we made sun prints. we collected blossoms, leaves, cicada wings, stems, and toys! 

arrangements were made and sun prints were developed. and there was a much rejoicing. 

then dad came home and they set out for an adventure while i made dinner. phew!

all of our outdoor activity at home lately has unfolded before the cicada symphony. nothing like real life catches the height of volume these critters have reached the last few days. the buzz is amplified!