Begin

So I have started this cause it seems the ability to keep up with and share all my random thoughts, has well, all but evaporated. Either from my lack of time or yours I invite you here to learn and share with me. I can’t promise how often I will write and that there will ever be obvious context…but, well, that’s me. Regrettably these days our best way of keeping connections is through our electronics.

I thought maybe Facebook was a good outlet for such sharing, until I realized how bombarded I was from “friend” requests. Oh sure haven’t seen you in 10 years, let me share my daily thoughts and emotions with you- not so much! But here its low key enough, why not? We’ll see…

Recap

So lately fall has reared its lovely colors. And, as per usual northwest style, the rain has come along for the duration. We had amazing summer where I gardened like a crazy person and then proceeded to freeze and can the fruits of our labor. We have been trying to be locavores, and living where we live this shouldn’t be trouble, but there are those days… we are pretty darn good about it though. We joined a CSA for the first time this summer and subsisted mainly on that and our garden. I am quite proud, but would not complain if I didn’t see kale or cabbage for quite some time, I mean WOW! There was a lot of it.

Activity

Along with these gloomy days I have been craving the usual sensations: snuggliness, good books, nutmeg and pumpkin. My lovely husband has provided me with an indoor bicycle training (okay I bothered his ass for 3 months, but then it showed up so…) I started bicycle riding a lot this summer. Since I don’t work I chose not to drive either, saving on money and wear and tear. It was great. There were a few days where I would bike 30 miles just go, get, and see everything I wanted to. But now that you cant bike without taking a shower (which I chose not to do) I am a bit more house bound, however said trainer keeps me biking. I listen to electronic music and do arms exercises with weights for like 30 minutes and them some yoga stretches, it feels so good. The sweat that happens on the trainer is sort of horrible. No wind to blow it away I guess… J

Thoughts

I have also been thinking a lot about imagination. How mine has been a little lacking lately. Not that I don’t day dream, I do, but it’s always quite close to home. So I am making it a point to allow my imaginary world take over a larger chunk of my consciousness. I like it. It goes all over the place. It helps to find inspiration. But I find it hard to feed.

Extras

I have also been reading A LOT.

I also reread A Farewell to Arms… the only book that I have ever cried after finishing, and once again, I cried. Don’t ask me why, I have no idea. Am currently in the middle of three other books; Obama’s second book, an Edible History of Humanity, Julia Childs life in France, and just started Al Gores The Assault on Reason.

I installed rain barrels this summer and am monitoring them and planning my rain gardens. Here in Portland, the stormwater drains are over burdened and under supervised. They water goes straight to the riverways, which means it does not recharge the source of our drinking water (which is an amazing feat called Bullrun) so the city actually gives people money to disconnect, lower the drain burden and, hopefully, it all causes less ick to enter the water systems (not that that will help considering what’s already there…). Anyhoo, with a quarter of an inch my two rain barrels on the house fill and with an inch the garage barrel filled. So I have already stopped using city water for the garden and chickens when the clouds do break. It’s so easy and amazing to me. I think everyone who can, should give it a shot.

Next

Am camping for the weekend of Halloween, hope to come back with some shots of Nic in the mud. We are headed to Astoria for cyclacross racing (Nics in some of the pics, and if you don’t know what this is: http://www.crosscrusade.com/)… should be good and muddy… and a bit drunken… till then.