Spring is coming!

I've been interested in homesteading for quite some time... it's something that really appeals to me, the self-sufficiency and being in tune with the seasons.  I have dreams of grapevines and honecombs, fresh eggs and warm growing things... but since I live on a city lot, I have always kept those dreams in the future.

Recently I visited a good friend in Grand Rapids who is quite the naturalist.  On a visit to Barnes and Noble I picked up Your Farm in the City: An Urban-Dweller's Guide to Growing Food and Raising Animals.  It's an amazing resource!  It has totally inspired me to rock out my garden and make the most of my space this year - in fact, in light of the (slightly) warmer weather, I went seed shopping and got some planting done...

I can't believe that the little sprouts are already poking out!  It's only been three days!  Hopefully the carrots, tomatoes, and peppers catch up with the broccoli and spinach!

Gentlemen -- We only live once!

A few shots from behind the scenes of The Full Monty...

Marci puts on the finishing touches... I love the cute dogtags of her kids!

Sonja discusses hair options with Ethan.

Cara rolling hair like a pro.  It's a shame I wasn't a teen in the 80's - my big hair skills would be much better.

Trena and her daughter.... She seems to be having a moment.

Pam's ready for her night out. 

Me and Josh!

Uncle Sam... Or Uncle Keno?

There's something wonderful about old friends - they remind you of who you were, and who a part of you still is.

It's a spring day, I am sitting at my computer listening to "The King is Dead" and cuddling with my dog.  I am catching up on blogs and thinking of several friends old and new.  I just got done with an exhausting week of dress rehearsals and shows for The Full Monty: The Broadway Musical... my hair is exhausted from teasing and my eyes are red from constant mascara.  I have another busy week ahead of me, with mask-making, costuming, work, photography, and more shows this weekend...

But for this moment, life is pretty perfect.

Reflections...

Does it seem like as you get older, your world gets smaller?

Perhaps I should explain.  I've been feeling a natural pull toward home recently - theater, cleaning, cooking, yardwork, decorating, photography, playing with kids, doggy parenting, wifey business, and casual visiting with friends and family have pretty much been my life for the past six months.  This is strange, because I feel like I have always been a very outwardly focused person - historically, I love meeting new people, visiting new places.  I was always the friend who would drop everything for an  impromptu trip downstate for a visit.  I would think nothing of driving 2+ hours for a day trip, just because.

I guess I have been feeling a definite pull recently, the sort of pull you get when you are moving into a new phase of your life.  I felt it upon graduation, I felt it after leaving OEE, and I felt it after the move to this small, quirky community.  The problem is, I have NEVER handled change well.  I cling to the familiar long after I should have let go.  I am definitely an earthen-type person - steady, calm (but full of life), slow to move but stubborn once I've reached where I should be.  I think maybe I have let others' opinions of what I should be affect me more than I would like to admit.  When I think of what I really want in life, it reflects a great deal more of craft, home, and hearth then it does glamour and nightlife.  If one of my friends were telling me this, I would be fully supportive... life is a series of stops on a road, not a highway after all.  But why is it that my heart is so resistant to the idea of that life for myself?

I am too focused on others.  I have always lived vicariously through my more dramatic acquaintances.  It's like I want to have it all - a lovely comfy home, wild and exciting travel, massive parties and small meals with friends.  It's this dichotomy that has ALWAYS been frustrating for me - if I had a goal, I could aim for it.  "My heart seeks the hearth.  My feet seek the road.  A soul so divided is a terrible load."  --Bruce Coville

The post-holidays winter has always felt like a bit of a chrysalis for me.  Our Michigan winters are famous for being long, dark, and bitterly cold.  They are the perfect time to pause, reflect, and curl up under a cozy blanket with a husband and some furry friends.  When the spring finally arrives, I guess we'll see what emerges.

"Wanderer Above The Sea of Fog" by Caspar David Friedrich

New Addition

We finally took the plunge.  Yesterday we went to Petsmart for their Adopt-a-Thon weekend, and we came home with a new member of the family: Sir Lancelot.  He is a Shepherd/Bull Terrier mix (although I think he looks a bit like a Basenji in the face, and his mannerisms/bark are sort of like one too...)  We adopted him from a lovely woman in Harrison, MI named Dawn, and her obvious compassion and love of animals actually brought tears to my eyes.  With some foster homes, I have kind of had the impression that they would rather keep the dogs themselves than give them up to a good home, especially if that good home wasn't EXACTLY what they had in mind.  Dawn was very up front and honest, but also flexible and understanding.  I could tell immediately that she wanted what was best for Lance.  When we went to take him home, she gave him a cuddle and a speech about "loving his new people" that actually made me cry.  There are so many wonderful people in the world who are doing great things - if you are looking for a new pet in your family, PLEASE adopt!

Not only did we get to support someone who is doing wonderful things and give a dog a home, we actually got an AMAZING dog.  He is already housebroken and knows basic obedience.  He comes when we call, he doesn't snap at other dogs, and he has a sweet and loving disposition - he cuddles right up next to you no matter where you're at in the room.  He has a clean bill of health (although he does have dermaditic mange, which flares up when he gets stressed - Dawn gave us his medication for it, and it was nice not to have that be a surprise!)

I am COMPLETELY at a loss as to how ANY human could be neglectful or abusive to such a beautiful and loving creature!  He is 8 months old, so he is still in  many ways a puppy (although we don't expect him to get any bigger).  He is playful, and VERY curious about our other furry child in the house: Miz Peanut.

We knew going into this that the divine Miz P is quite a diva - she has never handled other animals in the house very well, although she did manage to live with Rodney's old roommate's rottweiler when she had to.  Every time she catches a glimpse of him she puffs up and begins a horrid moaning sound - which of course, interests him.  When he gets even slightly close to her, she growls and swats at him - and his reaction is a peculiar indignant yodel/bark.  He doesn't seem to understand that she doesn't like him, and he's already been swatted four times.  Dawn told us to let her swat away - that he would eventually learn... so here's hoping that things calm down in the next few days!

Random Fact-a-Thon

Hoo boy.  I knew this would happen.  It's been two months.  But you know what?  I'm not going to let it get me down!  Onward and upwards!

Here's a list of random facts that has been making it's way around facebook.  It'll have to do until I come up with something more interesting to say...

1. I am 25.  COINCIDENCE???

2. I have never been out of this country, but I love to travel.

3. Sometimes I think really random and slightly poetic things that are not really appropriate to work into daily conversation, but if you catch me at the right time, I might say them anyway.

4. I adore reading, and if you're one of those "Proud to hate Reading" types,  I think a little bit less of you.  Sorry.

5. I am slowly attempting to fool my tastebuds into thinking I like vegetables.  Thus far I have succeeded with asparagus, broccoli, tomatoes (on sandwiches), and zucchini (which I now love.)

6. I wish I could work outdoor education every single day.

7. Star Trek!  The Original Series!

8. I am TERRIBLE at small talk, and usually hide if I see people I know in random places so as not to be forced into it.

9. I LOVE JESUS!

10. Contrary to most Michiganders, I actually like the winter quite a bit.

11. I play the digeridoo.  Pretty regularly.

12. Most of my best friends live far away from me.  This makes me a sad panda.

13. I prefer skirts to pants.  I also LOVE leggings, but do not believe that they are a pants substitute unless you are wearing a very long shirt, or are at home.

14. I would wear a scarf every single day.

15. Sometimes I overestimate my craftiness.  I am in awe of crafters, and wish my life was that full of whimsy and vintage lace.  Also I like to read blogs about more fascinating and colorful people than myself, because I find it very inspirational, even though it sometimes makes me feel bad.  I also find TV shows about hoarders to be motivational, and sometimes I like to watch Animal Cops and cry.

16. Photography makes me very very happy.  So does singing and acting.  And painting.  I love art!  Also coloring books.

17. Animals!  Let's go to the zoo!

18. I really appreciate diversity in all things.  I love meeting new people, especially different types of people.  And PARTICULARLY superheroes.  So if you know any superheroes...

19. I am pretty critical, but in a good way.  Gushing and false praise bug me, so if I compliment you, you better believe it!

20. I looooove Husband.  It is a thing of quiet beauty, our relationship.  (<---See, strange mood sayings.)

21. I am ALL about efficiency.

22. I am very interested in pop culture throughout the years.  I love nerdy slang and vintage kitsch.

23. I am extremely uncoordinated, and am a terrible dancer.  I usually only dance at weddings, and that is quite a sight, I can assure you.  Particularly when Husband and I improvise a routine to something like "Tik Tok" by Ke$ha.

24. <3 Local, <3 Indie, <3 Community.

25. I am super optimistic most of the time.  Other times I am a poop sandwich.  You can learn the signs pretty easily.  But I might go from 0 to Poop Sandwich pretty quickly, so watch out.