Lately I've been spending my Wednesdays at Radiance. It's nice to work a day away from home each week. Gives me a reason to wear something other than t-shirts. We (Sarah Campbell and I) also are doing lunchhour workshops from noon to 1:30 each week, and that's fun too!
Yesterday was a tea blending workshop.
The table was set with an extraordinary array of ingredients, utensils and pots from which to sample. We had heat-sealable teabags and a handy iron to seal up the blends the participants blended. Afterwards we enjoyed our own lunches (along with co-owner Kara) at the table, sipping "Love Your Liver" tea made with yummy roots, into which we'd added a pinch of echinacea to combat some of the yuckies going around.
During the day the weather was just a messy, grumpy, gray mess. Snow, sleet, rain, and dark skies. Yuck. When it was time for me to head back up the hill, I could see the ice freezing on the road, and there was a cold fog moving in. Part way home, I turned around and chose a different route in order to avoid a steep and windy hill that I knew hadn't been treated (and sure enough, the cinder truck passed as soon as I got home). It was so good to get home, and I anticipated settling in for the night in some cushy sweats or even maybe pajamas.
But it was chilly. At first it seemed like maybe the bug going around bit me, but then upon picking up a ceramic mug, it became clear that the air was COLD. Looking at the thermostat, it quickly sunk in... the furnace wasn't working.
The first call is always to my sister's husband. All of the younger siblings consider him a big brother. We were just talking about it the other night, and once again that proved true last night.
While we were on the phone, there was a *beep* on the line.
Molly's truck wouldn't start, and she was in town.
All worked out ok - nephew Rob went to rescue Molly.
The furnace guy was here til 11 last night, and with any luck we'll have heat again this afternoon. Hmmmm.
During the day the weather was just a messy, grumpy, gray mess. Snow, sleet, rain, and dark skies. Yuck. When it was time for me to head back up the hill, I could see the ice freezing on the road, and there was a cold fog moving in. Part way home, I turned around and chose a different route in order to avoid a steep and windy hill that I knew hadn't been treated (and sure enough, the cinder truck passed as soon as I got home). It was so good to get home, and I anticipated settling in for the night in some cushy sweats or even maybe pajamas.
But it was chilly. At first it seemed like maybe the bug going around bit me, but then upon picking up a ceramic mug, it became clear that the air was COLD. Looking at the thermostat, it quickly sunk in... the furnace wasn't working.
The first call is always to my sister's husband. All of the younger siblings consider him a big brother. We were just talking about it the other night, and once again that proved true last night.
While we were on the phone, there was a *beep* on the line.
Molly's truck wouldn't start, and she was in town.
All worked out ok - nephew Rob went to rescue Molly.
The furnace guy was here til 11 last night, and with any luck we'll have heat again this afternoon. Hmmmm.
And we awoke to this vision this morning:
How many days does that seem like to you? I'm going to stick with three.
We tried a lot of things - both gentle and not so gentle... some downright diabolical... but still the groundhogs remained. Some of the shrubs in the area died (note: shrubs do not do well when doused with peppermint oil), but the groundhogs continued eating my perennials and digging away under the steps. Eventually someone told me that they don't like noisy surroundings. AHA! I stuck up some windchimes near the hole. They either began hibernation early OR they've moved on. I am quite certain that they are out there procreating as I write, as they are mutants and indestructable.
Until last night. I've gotten used to living on a windy hill. It took a couple of springs, but I'm ok with it now. The sound of wind trying to rip off siding and shingles is no biggie. The gusts that shake the house and rattle the windows are no longer frightening. However, last night the wind chimes sounded like perhaps Zeus was pounding out some armor. Every so often the wind would die down for 30 seconds or so - long enough for me to doze off - only to rise again with a resounding clanging and banging. It was an astoundingly loud night. I can hear the groundhogs laughing, off in the distance.
Brilliant blue skies, and fresh air were just impossible to resist. We had mountains of work to do, and most of it got done (or will in time). The magazine will be shipped tomorrow. We weighed 19 batches of soap, and the fats were darned near frozen! We need to find a way to store the pallets in a warm place. It is amazing how hard frozen fat can be.... We pulled and started wrapping a couple of wholesale orders, and I even put some work into the word puzzle book while unwinding during the evenings.
The path winds along beside the creek. There is a wee bit of ice clinging to the edges of the creekbed, and almost nothing is green save for the chickweed and garlic mustard. Occasionally there are some emerald ovals of honeysuckle or a random rosehip. There are many, many deer in the area, so they've picked the briars clean. We will be planting more food this spring in the form of native shrubs. 
This log (and ONLY this log) was covered with these little puffball/galls or something. I assume they were a fungus of some sort. This was across the creek from me and there wasn't a good access nearby to cross without getting soaked. 
At this time of the year, the textures of the trees are really striking. There is a good bit of diversity in the woods, and at least 10 varieties are represented. Probably more, but I haven't really thought to count them in the summer. Hmmm... there's a project. It isn't as noticeable in the spring and summer when we are busier looking at the lush greenery. Now, in the starkness of winter, the beauty of the barks is clearer.
I leaned up against a tree and looked up. The wind had all of the trees swaying and it was hypnotic. After a while, I realized that many of the trunks in the thinner trees were also swaying - and the ground is very soggy. That was a bit unnerving!
This prehistoric looking, shield-shaped creature is a stinkbug. They are one of the most prevalent (ok - aside from the flies!) bugs around, and they just want IN my house. A live one plopped onto my stove the other night from heaven knows where. I've never seen one in this color stage before. They are typically the color of the dry leaves surrounding this one. Grayish brown. They really look un-real to me when they are older... like transformers or armored tanks with legs. At least this one looks like a bug.
Upon my return, these chickens were somewhat indignant to be disturbed. They gave me a good talking to as I entered the shop to continue with the weighing of the fats. They like to dig shallow indentations right up against the foundation to stay warm, and the sun hits that side of the shop all day long.
Later, the moon rose as I was finishing up dinner on the grill. This shot is deceptively dark. It was still very light out, and directly behind me on a level with the moon, was the sun. It was a beautiful end to a spectacular day.
