About Watching the Grass Grow.

Almost a week ago now, my partner Korpolfr and I had the extreme enjoyment of being able to see a real legend give a motivational talk: Henry Rollins.  Over the past few months, a lot of things have changed.  I never expected to be working a near full time job (and two jobs at that!), it seriously cuts into my art time.  We never made back plans for too many things, and too many of things have happened.  But, seeing Henry Rollins I think was very healthy for both of us.  He is a fantastic speaker, and I recommend anyone to see if they have the opportunity.  The main themes or ideas that I walked away from that with was to not sit by and watch the grass grow.  Get out of your house, connect to other people, take risks, see the world.  This is how we have been trying to arrange our lives since Korpolfr went into summer break from school.  We have been exploring London’s urban forests and parks, biking more often, walking by the river at night to see the stars better, and generally just getting out more.  We biked out to a great look out spot to watch the transit of Venus.  We have been gardening like crazy, with plants multiplying all over the place.  My herbs are growing really well, and I think I could even harvest some of the Thyme soon.  I can’t wait to make fresh pesto!  We have also been a lot more social lately, it really pushes me to cook more healthy foods and more foods from scratch in order to be a little thrifty.  I’ve made this cake two times now and it is delicious, it is a house-warming gift for our friend tonight!  Any way, so this is why I haven’t made a whole lot of time for blogging.. I’ve simply been really busy doing so much other stuff.  But I am going to try to make more consistent updates from now on.  I have an exciting new on-going narrative project that I will be posting about sometime this week.  Live life, because this is it.  Enjoy this gallery of photos, until next time!

Cake!

And let us hope for better things though we may not ever get them. We will rise again from ashes one day. Until then, just roll me away.

Settled in that still forest like another phantom or another shadow cast by choice. A noiseless chorus blows through the leaves and trees and brings a peace at last from a place where the song kept changing just when he was starting to get it.

Henry Rollins

Makes it look so sunny today.

This is what the weather really looked like today (grey).

I’ve been thinking hit the highway and head up North. I’ve been thinking cross the bridge and don’t turn back.

The people restless and the streetlights glowing like Many beacons in the sea or like a lantern lit For the ones still lost out in the dead of the night. Like lightning striking darkness once, no thunder, no pain.

Venus begins it’s transit across the sun.

(Song lyrics from La Dispute – Safer In The Forest/Love Song For Poor Michigan off of their album Wildlife)

xoxo

It’s Time to Live {Spring planting and nice weather}

This past weekend, it suddenly became Spring and we were both ready for it.  On Saturday we got the supplies we needed and on Sunday we spent the entire day planting and transplanting.  Our plants were far too crowded in their pots, having grown some over the winter.  We still need a large pot for our elephant ear plant, but for now it is scattered all over our house in smaller pots.  We quite literally have plants in every room of the house now (except the bathroom, but that will be changing soon too!).  It is so nice to wake up in the morning to bright green plants growing by your head.

Without further adieu:

Jerry working hard in the back yard.

The very welcoming entrance to our humble abode.

While Jerry was mostly working at transplanting and doing doctor with them, I got the joy of finding dog poo in our front garden.  I admit, we always neglect the front  sectioned off bit of dirt garden.  My first year here, my mom planted Hostas there, but since I never watered them they died rather quickly (unfortunately this is a less than ideal place for a garden, since it does not get a lot of sun or rain (under the roof over hang).  This year, I decided to try an assortment of wild flowers that were suited to less sun.  Hopefully they sprout up (although this morning I noticed a very light frost on things…. fuck).  I think I will throw some more seeds down in a week or so just in case.

These plants are in the front kitchen window.

This baby pot has some dwarf marigold seeds in it.

We found this cool glass planter at a thrift store, and knew it would be perfect for our ever lasting ever green plant. The photo really doesn’t do it justice.

More plants, at our back door.

Another thrifted planter I found. I know that the image has sun damage, but I like how muted the colours are. Plus I love robins!

I failed to take photos of the plants now residing in the bedroom… but when I have another plant update (and I will!) I will be sure to include them.  I also didn’t take photos of the back garden area.  Jerry spent a lot of time edging the concrete pad and sweeping the area.  He planted some peas in one part of the garden, and I planted sunflowers in the other.  I also planted some mystery flower seeds in a hanging basket and in the robin planter.. I hope something grows from them! We moved the plant stand out of the kitchen, which also freed up some more floor space and makes the room feel less cluttered.  One step closer to the kitchen being “decorated”!

After all the work we did, it felt great to relax outside.  We let the kitties out to enjoy the weather too and explore a bit.  They love being outside, but are generally too timid to go outside of our back patio area.

Spring was moving in the air above
And in the earth below and around him,
Penetrating even his small dark and lowly little house
With its spirit of divine discontent and longing.
It was small wonder, then,
That he suddenly flung down his brush on the floor
And said, “Bother!”
Something up above was calling him.

(Segment from La Dispute’s song Seven)

xoxo

Staying Positive {beating the winter blahs, and micromanagement}

Like most people, my moods are negatively affected by winter.. but did you know that there are ways to beat the winter blahs? Both my partner and I notice it every winter, and so, last year we decided to implement some changes in our home. We have added full spectrum light bulbs to certain rooms of the house, and although experts don’t agree whether or not they help with SAD, it *does* make me happier to have a bright house inside when outside is so gray. Also, having house plants has made a bit of a difference too (maybe it’s just having something so bright and alive). But, of course we will have to wait and see how the rest of the winter plays out.

reach for the sky sporophytes!

I have finally realized the *right* word to use for my new years resolution(s), and it is self micromanagement.  So far, I am happy with my progress and what changes I have been able to make so far.  In order to keep the house tidy with minimal effort I have made these three changes (and wow what a difference they make): making the bed while Jerry is in the bathroom in the morning, dealing with dishes before bed, and simply putting things that are lying around in the living away before bed.  All together, these three things take about 15 minutes (but probably less) and I have noticed a severe difference in how the house looks overall at any given moment.

By the way, I love my new job.  I am learning so many new skills, yesterday I learned how to cut glass (amongst many other things).

Stay positive, make the changes you need to be happy, and at the end of the day.. you will be happy.

xoxo