- It was absolutely fabulous to meet and talk with like-minded folks last night at Every Light Wellness. We’ve been feeling a little lost, without a community to grow with, and it was very heartening to know we are not alone (and yet there are so many that feel this way…get in touch, we’ll connect you). It really re-energized us to seek out the components of community we’re trying to help build. What amazing folks showed up and shared their wealth and breadth of knowledge. We hope to continue building in these directions and with these (and these kinds) of beautiful people. We’re going to come up with some plans and strategies to make this happen.
- At the shop, we had a lovely late nite art last week with Meryl Troop’s fun textile art, she’s inspired a lot of folks to make their own fiber art (which I love, it feels like transgressive women’s work). I’m looking forward to seeking out more artists that hit home our newfound attention to our values and community directions.
- Practical bits for the week include scouring our house for guests (and deep Spring cleaning! I can’t wait, I love a clean house top to bottom — putting the coats/boots/hats/mittens/scarves away, shaking out rugs, dusting forgotten corners, finally organizing some books, purging things we thought would be useful but have not come to be).
- And then tending to more garden plans — raking and developing new spots for seedlings (my annual dahlias are so ready for the ground, the flamingo celosia are already blooming, and the early started cosmos and zinnia are getting tangly — I will succession seed both of those but I wanted to get some as early as possible, too), and cleaning out the herb bed to make room for new friends (ashwaganda, horehound, lemon balm, and feverfew). I need ground for big herbs, too (all the basils, dill, bronze fennel, chamomile, etc). And then figure out where I think I’m going to shape some sassy spots for perennial patches (I’m dreaming of teas and cocktails along garden paths, not the solid mass of garden we’ve had), I’ve got some blue false indigo, echinacea, and clarkia to put in, as well as more and more bee balms.
- I might have to convince the baker to go to the Yarmouth Farmer’s Market on Thursday to flesh out some of my perennial fantasies with goodies from Marpa Farm & Nursery and maybe Longfellow’s Greenhouses for some immediate flower satisfaction.
- The baker has decided we are officially a small press, as well. Committing to Rubble Books, he will develop a page on our website to inform and be seeking some goodies to publish. Right now he puts out little poetry booklets (of his own work, thank goodness, he’s got such a lovely voice in song and on paper), and lectures/essays of mine. In the past, he has had other small press projects — Indigent Books, Backbone Press, and now Rubble Books! We’re definitely working on some great new little pamphlets and books…
- In the studio, I am working on a new version of an old (and rather large) collage piece. It’s exciting to revisit and tell a similar story in a newish way. And I’ve been working on more watercolor work, developing technique and style. Sometimes the child joins me and we focus on similar themes. I like the comparisons. So, later this eve I hope to work on some layering.
- And most of all, when we return home today after the baker/child bread delivery to SOPO, my time at the shop, a visit to the Augusta Mill Park Farmer’s Market for more delivery and pick up of some delicious goods (last week I got the cleanest and nicest fiddleheads I think I’ve ever seen, and they were so good), we need to check on all the apple blossoms that I can see from the window in the morning! It is an off year for most of big producers but there are still many beautifully delicate petals to enjoy!
Rock Bottom Homestead 