A Long Time Coming

 :: A Long Time Coming ::

    It has been a long time coming....the last time I wrote anything in this space was nearly two years ago. I have let social media take the place of meaning time spent writing, thinking, and tasting my words before sending them out into the world. It is funny how entrenched you can become in the world of likes, comments, and posts, as if that is supposed to fill the need for meaningful and thoughtful time spent sharing with others. I was looking back at the very first posts on here and I am hit with a wave of melancholic nostalgia for the past. I miss my children being young, spending time at home with them, and if I am honest, I miss the way the world was ten years ago. I know, I know. I am not wearing rose-colored glasses by any stretch of the imagination because it was not perfect and there was still a lot of heartache, violence, and sadness in the world. However, I find myself asking, what has happened? Why is it that when I listen to NPR, I hear one horrific thing after another. It all feels too overwhelming. I recently said goodbye to my Facebook page and I scaled back my Instagram account because something has begun to feel wrong. I would just feel a mounting anxiety over what I saw and read and in perfect disclosure I no longer felt that it was a space I wanted to share with others. My hope is that maybe just maybe this self removal from social media will allow me to spend more time here amongst friends. Rekindling a little magic from the past. 

So what's going on these days? 

 There is so much to say! I am currently stepping in for the local middle school librarian and taking care of the books. It is not always easy because anyone who has ever spent time around or been an adolescent knows that middle school may not be the best time for everyone. I have to say, I love it. I love connecting the kids, I love helping them out when needed, I love "playing library" and fielding a million computer problems but most of all, I love putting books into hands of young people. Knowledge is power and reading creates empathetic adults. I have become fiercely protective of this space and the power it holds. Today, I put together the Black History Month display and it is filled with some amazing books. I already had a student check one out! 

At home, the kids are nearly all pre-teens and teens.  We spend a lot of time running on the treadmill of activities. Sports, dance, music lessons and school. But, they are thriving and happy so I can't complain because these days of childhood are short. Instead, of bath times and books, we sit up chatting about the world, doing homework, and dreaming about the perfect college. It feels surreal and yet, right. 

Winter continues to hold on tight in this part of the world. I am dreaming about my 2025 garden and I think we are still thinking about getting some chickens! We are worried about the rise of Avian Flu in our region so it is still up for debate. We want to be good stewards of the animals and our surrounding area so research and preparations is a must. I think next week, I will place my order for seeds and then promptly become obsessed with cultivating our little plants.  On the left is my current situation and on the right is my plan. I feel like I need an arbor full of green beans. 

Lastly, my Etsy shop is going strong and filled all kinds of goodies. I am about four quilt tops deep and I really need to finish them before I start another. I just sent off my valentine's exchange gift and it was so lovely that I made a second one for myself. 

I had this brilliant idea to make a rainbow wall quilt and frankly, I am impressed with myself. 

A little valentine's cheer in the works 

That's all, and it certainly isn't anything exciting but it feels so nice to sit and share time with you in this space.  I am looking forward to renew this place. 

Peace and Love to you these days, and remember even if things seem upside down and not right, you are not alone.