Cacophony of chainsaws

Right now as I write there are echoes of chainsaws from multiple households on the street. The Texas Snowpocalypse killed so many trees, shattering them with the weight of ice. The unprecedented weather here weighed on the wildlife and growing things just as much as it did on any of us humans. I’d sit atContinue reading “Cacophony of chainsaws”

Fingernails black with soil

Last weekend I spent half a day clearing out old growth and weeds and grass overtaking my little garden beds. It felt right that when the sun was shining and warm, after quite a bit of rain, that I pull and dig and carry countless armfuls of bracken from the beds. That I pull offContinue reading “Fingernails black with soil”

Loss of a family

I miss my parents tonight. Growing up a Jehovah’s Witness they were my entire world. Our little congregation was all I knew. My father, a pilot, a machinist, a pirate, a fascinating big-hearted man. My mother a hippie, nature-loving, passionate, creative artist. All of course within the confines of the expectations of the religion. MyContinue reading “Loss of a family”

Snow in Texas …And thoughts on needing to NOT be needed

We haven’t had so much snow in this area in forty years I think. It’s charming and reminds me of being in Idaho this time last year. I think it’s beautiful even as it reminds me of what I left behind. I need to be not needed. More than I need water, or air. IContinue reading “Snow in Texas …And thoughts on needing to NOT be needed”

Reflections

This time last year I was with the love of my life, in Idaho, with snow piled around our little home. Her dad lived in the house next door, we were five minutes from natural springs and wild places, and life was good. Except it wasn’t. I’d left my child, my family, my community behindContinue reading “Reflections”

‘Tis the Season

Holiday season doesn’t mean anything to me. Or, rather, it doesn’t mean anything sweet, fun, cozy. It doesn’t mean family and warm fires, it doesn’t mean big meals and naps in front of football games on the TV with your extended family coming and going through the house. It doesn’t mean trees and lights, smellsContinue reading “‘Tis the Season”

Because why not

I haven’t felt pretty in ever so long. Months and months. She knew how to make me feel pretty and loved, and voiced so many words of adoration almost every day that now I wonder if those too are a lie. I wonder if she was wrong and so am I and I’m a monsterContinue reading “Because why not”

I needed that

Took kiddo for a picnic by the creek on my parent’s property. We don’t get to visit much, and things are awkward what with the shunning requirement of their faith, but it was lovely. Mom had found a sewing machine for me, made in probably the 50s or 60s, a neat old Singer that willContinue reading “I needed that”

Didn’t have a chance in hell

Crumbling cliff’s edge before me, yet another precipice hard fought for another fright that makes my feet tingle so strongly I feel I’m tiptoeing through clouds and all I’m doing is standing here Alone Wolf Howling under my breath so as not to shake the boulders from the sides because if I do they’ll tumbleContinue reading “Didn’t have a chance in hell”