It’s been months, has it? I remember a time when blogging was a daily occurrence here on these “pages”. Lately I just haven’t felt the therapeutic urge to keep up with it. I don’t keep track of traffic on this blog, so I’m not even sure it’s read very much, but I do miss those of you who have been reading my blathering and the friendships we’ve formed online, and I’m glad some of you are on instagram and FB where we still get to share with each other.
Some updates in case anyone would like them – Politically, I have taken a step back and OH, how good that feels. Kinda horrified by what all went down in the past four years, and the obvious cracks (craters, canyons) in the system overall, the divide that I’m sure still exists and I had no idea was so HUGE to begin with. I haven’t seen as much of it lately though, perhaps the very real and very vital notion that we really do all need to come together if we are to survive as a nation and not tank like the Roman Empire. Never would I have believed what went down was even possible. So, I’m not overly confident about our ability to right the ship and move forward but I’m gonna try. And by trying I mean Hope, really hard .
The farm and cottage are beautiful this year – everything that grows has flourished in abundance due to I’m guessing the best weather conditions, and our efforts as well. We are currently haying the fields, first cut, a little late but better late than never, right? There are more pine cones on the pine trees, the pollen allergy season was insane, there are more blooms everywhere, it seems.
The farm animals are all doing well – the horses, the goats, the chickens, new batch and old, the dogs. Every now and then I curse all the work it takes to keep them all fat and happy and their living quarters clean. The husband curses the expense, to be blunt. But.. the rewards are great if this is your thing… and it’s always always been my thing – the animals, the land, nature. I made sure when I was a young person that I got myself to a place where it could eventually be a reality – and here we are.
We have adopted another dog, I’ve named him Kai. ( sounds like Rye) The meaning is the Ocean or Recovery depending on whether you’re in Hawaii or Japan. It’s fitting for this semi feral 2 year old dog who lived as a yard dog with his mother and sister down South. Rescued after they were dumped by owner at a kill shelter. He’s a love, but he doesn’t trust – was given no rules or structure or socialization. So, we will be patient and give him the time and attention he needs. He loves the water! As I do… we will be a good walking/hiking team and water enthusiasts together.
I’ve continued painting, and it’s been so good for my soul. This is my latest finished piece, and it will live at my sister’s house. The Edgartown Light on Martha’s Vineyard, a place my guy and I love and walk to on our early morning strolls when we visit the Vineyard. I’ve blogged about it – a place I could call home easily, has always felt like home when I’m there.
Have you cartooned yourself with the Voila AI Artist app? Really fun! I’m getting a kick out of all the ones I’ve seen friends post on FB and Instagram. Forget botox…. Cartoon yourself!
See what I mean? Adorable!
Some inspiration for you before I close this post. If you’re reading this, thank you for stopping by! Leave a comment, let me know how things are going in your neck of the woods –
Barn swallow nest over the kitchen window sill. Such an artist! Beautiful nest.
Till soon, friends –
It’s so nice to see a post from you! It looks like things are just thriving in your neck of the woods. Your lupins are exquisite! -Jenn
Thank you – this is the first year I’ve planted Lupins and I just love them!
So happy to see a post! I was getting a little worried about you! Congratulations on the new pup!
Well thank you for stopping in! Thank you – Kai is keeping me busy for sure, LOL.
Hello,
It is nice to see a new post from you. Your photos from around the farm are beautiful, I love the flowers, the dogs and your cute critters. Your Lighthouse painting is awesome, well done! Have a happy day and a great week!
HI Eileen! I plan to visit some of my favorite blogs too! – Hope all is well with you and yours –
Glad all is going well with you and that you’re having a peaceful, enjoyable summer! Love that photo of the barn swallow’s nest — yes, so beautiful!
Hi Deb! I need to come visit your place for a few laughs… 🙂
Oh, I’m so happy to hear from you. I’ve been wondering how the season at Stella was progressing. I’ve been away from my blog for months now too, although I do check in with a lot of other folks daily. Inspiration is needed. Hope you’re having a good summer.
Hi Sue! So I’m not the only one 🙂 Inspiration is always needed – and so many of you provide it. Thanks for stopping by!
So happy to read your post and know you are all well.
Thank you Mary Ann – and thanks for stopping by to say hello-
I love your painting and glad you are back at it. Edgartown is just the most heavenly place and you captured the lighthouse perfectly.
I’m trying to be cautiously optimistic politically. I do feel like I can breathe a bit; I suspect it is shortlived but I’ll take it for now.
It looks like all is well in your world and I’m glad to see it. It’s good to see you here again.
Hi Jeanie!! Thanks for stopping in – and thank you for the kind words.
I am so glad you are back! None of my favorite bloggers still write, you are my only one left, I was worried you were done too. Love Kai, what a handsome fella <3 I too have been feeling like paying less attention to the news, needed a break after the last 4. Glad you and yours are all well! Me and mine are too!!
Well thank you for stopping in! Yes, I’m going to blog a bit more, the journaling feels good. And so glad to hear all is well in your neck of the woods.
Yea!!!!!!!!!
What a Saturday morning coffee time treat, a new post!
If you are looking for a new read/listen, check out To the New Owners by Madeleine Blais. It’s a memoir/love letter to her husband’s family’s house on Martha’s Vineyard. It is so good and full of such many good thoughts to live by.
We are spending extended weekends at our cottage this summer.
I just read it!!! can you believe it? I absolutely love it. We are spending more time at cottage as well… and spending a week on the vineyard at end of July! YAY!!
I cannot listen to any of it- I read the front pages of Times and Guardian quickly getting the gist-very occasionally watch PBS news hour. The 24 hour regurgitation of the same news got to me and I already have sleep issues ! hehe
So here we are, semi holding our breath, and hoping, and many are praying, that our democracy survives this. You don’t want my forecast. So I stay home, still order almost everything for delivery as I’ve found I save money, few impulse buys. I did finally get to traders and that was fun, though I was uneasy and one of few wearing a mask. I will probably go there once a month from now on.
I no longer shop for other things and still purge almost daily. I just cannot bear burdening my kids with so much, so I spend my days making sure all my papers are in order, ( just finished all that) getting my clothes really down to bare minimum and trying to have every extra closet and drawers empty. A friend said to me why don’t I just enjoy it to the end and I reminded her that her kids live close by, and mine would be very inconvenienced because they do not live close.
Coming soon – the nearly complete purge of Christmas. THAT will be hard as I’m already down to about 75% of what I once had. I have two dressers on back porch. The plan is to fit it all in those drawers except for fake greens and pine cones which I have in abundance and will mostly decorate with those as I have been. You may see me sell on IG haven’t decided yet <3
We are a dying breed on blogs I fear but I hang on for the journaling aspect.
I hear you – and I think what you’re doing is very wise – the shopping (and not) the purging, (it feels good).. the organizing… (your kids will be grateful) and I fear you are correct about the future of Democracy. Ugh, it’s all so sad.
Hi, somehow I got here but who knows. I’m just a reader, not a blogger myself.
I see you’re not a steady poster so I’m just skipping around your old posts.
Enjoy the weekend.
Monica =)
Thank you for stopping in!
I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A handful of my blog audience have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?
I actually don’t know the answer! I don’t have as many readers of this blog as I used to, so I don’t know if there are some who are having trouble reading it, no one has said so.