Living Slow

Every now and again I wonder what everyone is rushing all about life for. Usually I think of this while watching traffic, knowing that each multi-thousand steel encasement has at least one person in it with places to go and things to do. And because of the stainless bubble surrounding said person, there is opportunity to rule this mini world with radio or phone (hands free, of course) without any bother or sacrifice to anyone else. In fact, if there is a chance of interaction with another vehicle, it’s usually not the tip of the hat (whatever happened to those manly things?) and an acknowledgement of another human being. It’s usually, um…mean.

I want the slow life. I’ll readily admit I love to drive and yes, with loud music, but if I had my druthers, I’d rather saunter around on a horse from place to place, noticing seed pods coming before the flourish of fall leaves.

Other than twitter and email, I’ve been MIA in reading blogs and whatnot on the computer. It’s a love-hate thing. Love the information I can get. Hate how it pulls the life out of my marrow. Love writing and sharing photos. Hate how sedentary I am while doing it. If my computer finally died, would I cry? How many people are rushing through their lives to get back to the computer, to social media, to blog hopping, to texting? How, I wonder, did people ever fill their time before this blessed technology? I’m not altogether certain, but I am sure more lives involved more people and projects.

Here are some snippets of my life lately. And yes, it takes a while to upload photos, format them, post them, write a blog and then *ta da!* “publish post”. I think it’s worth doing on occasion. I think…

So…where was I….oh, pics to share with you! Consider these some of the “instead” things I’ve been doing while off the computer. I harvested a goodly bunch of hardneck garlic and after curing them all, I peeled and cut apart all of the cloves. It was a lot of work, but I find fresh powered garlic so yummy all year long, so the time is worth it to me.

Then there was the dehydrating and powdering to do. The whole house smelled like an Italian restaurant. Mmmmm….

I ended up with almost three quarts of powdered garlic, and began sharing some with friends. If you want to make your own, you can see my directions here.

I also made a good batch of fresh salve. I cold steeped herbs (comfrey, plantain, goldenseal, calendula, chickweed, echinacea, and chapparal) in olive oil for a couple of months. Then, I used up some beeswax from my own hive (with bits of honey still on it) and put in tea tree oil and lavender essential oils. I think it’s the best salve I’ve ever made!

We’ve been buying fruit by the case and canning them in jams. The fruit leather is real good, the cobblers are tasty too, and the pies….oh, the pies!

The cool thing about friends that have gardens is that they share! We gleaned green beans from their little farm and then snapped and blanched and froze them all up for the winter. And of course, there was plenty for eating for suppers!

My girls and I have been working on making baskets. We took a field trip and bought supplies, and then invited a lovely woman to come teach us how to do this. I’m so inspired! I think I’ll be able to say, “hmm, I want a basket for my (whatever)” and then be able to make one! My plan is to tea dye my basket when it’s finished. Notice the mug. It says, “Smile at the rain.” I needed to. Because it was raining. Because summer never really showed up.

My kids don’t have or play video games, unless you want to count their math program. So they have to find other things to do. My 12yo has been copying photographs with colored pencils. And my 10yo son has been picking up cans alongside the road and then using them for target practice. And so forth…

I’ve been enjoying watching my puppy (on the left) growing up. He’s larger than my yellow lab now. Raising a puppy is a challenge, but I’ve enjoyed it very, very much. It’s nice to sit outside and read a book while watching these dogs play with each other. What’s wrong with being a homebody?

So, that’s a little mish-mash. Fall is coming on. To me, the official start of fall is when I pick the last of my sweet peas, clean up the garden a bit, and plant for a winter harvest of greens. I’ve made peace with summer leaving without much of a visit. I’ve been eyeing my knitting and sewing projects, preparing for the homeschooling year, reading various books and trying to keep my mind and heart on the length of days I have left in this life and the wonderful God who lets me live them. You have a wonderful life, too. Don’t miss it.

Blessings,