Today, David Wheeler and I took pictures in a plant nursery…the lighting was incredible.
I believe his name is Thundercat.
The first carrot I have ever grown.
Knitting and a Pomo at the new location of the Willo House.
(Photos courtesy of Stephanie (first and last) and of David. Editing all mine.)
Currently Reading: How to Live Well Without a Car by Chris Balish
I have been considering selling my car in order to live car-free. This has been on my mind long before I gave my pre-warning notice at the chiropractor’s. It entered my mind the same time my interest in goat farming emerged. (Which isn’t so much of an interest as a running joke.)
Do I work to have a car? This was the driving question in my mind. I do enjoy driving. I love the ability to pick up and go whenever I need something. Or I want to visit a friend. But what if this car mentality is feeding my consumer mentality–this idea of having what I want when I want it?
I don’t want to live in a mentality of consumerism. And I know for sure that I want to live more radically than the way of suburban life. I want my life to be a light of a different way. A way that points to slowing down, meditation, eating from the earth, appreciating art.
I feel that having a car is pulling me away from the way I want to be.
I don’t think I am ready quite yet. I have fear about being unable to visit certain friends in Queen Creek and another particular friend that doesn’t have a car. I am afraid as to what my life would look like in the summer here in Phoenix. I am nervous about depending on other peoples’ schedules in order to share rides.
I am optimistic about meeting new people. I am excited to discover new places I have never noticed before. I look forward to being more physically active through riding a bike and walking. I am definitely looking forward to the reduction in costs and stress.
Any thoughts?
I am extremely excited for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law–they have decided to buy nothing new for one year. This is something I have been interested in exploring further myself, but I never expected to know anyone who would take this amazing plunge. You can read about the “rules” they are following, and I also recommend reading the Good magazine article.
I feel as though I’ve been working on the floors forever. Soon they will be done.
I am on phase two: the kitchen side. Meaning: the other half of the bottom floor of our house. Carpet and linoleum are both ripped up. (Thanks to Grant for finishing that part.) On to patching, priming, painting, glazing, sealing…Trim work–painting and caulking. Finishing the bathroom–ceiling: painting and glazing, hanging the light fixture, installing the cabinet…Moving all the furniture back, moving the studio downstairs, buying and installing an actual curtain for the arcadia door in the kitchen…
Monday is supposedly my last day at work…
Christmas is only two weeks away. I feel unprepared. I wanted to observe advent this year. So far, I haven’t. I don’t feel like my spirit is in a state of waiting; I feel like it is in a state of wishing everything would just slow down.
We are finding remnants of the old carpet…and it must’ve been shagadelic.
The neighborhood will have a dumpster this week, so David and I thought nothing would be more fun the week before I leave than to pull up all the downstairs carpet. Not only did we not even bother to move the furniture out of the room, but we really don’t have a plan to put down new flooring yet.
We do have dreams of cork flooring though…
Friends, September is the month to start planting your garden for the fall and winter. Wendi will host a garden workshop at her house on September 8 at 10 a.m. Mark your calendars because you know you want to grow your own broccoli.
