To get along with God

To get along with God, 

Consider the consequences of your behavior.

—Earthseed: the Books of the Living 

Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler

An oasis of boredom in a desert of horror.

2023 was an oasis of boredom in a desert of horror.

As so often, I found comfort in Camus—the artist blooming in the desert, simply because they can—and also in Netflix, and mundane work, housekeeping, and the most Jane Austen of notions, that of “passing time.”

The Destiny of Earthseed

The Destiny of Earthseed

Is to take root among the stars.

—Earthseed: the Books of the Living 

Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler

Welcome to the Road

Geo And I took our first intentional road trip today, a not-long journey to the north to a funeral home. We met up with some not-so-distant relatives that we hadn’t seen in ages. Paperwork was completed and signed. Hugs and phone numbers exchanged. 

On the way home, Geo asked about family history and lore. Stories were told, songs were sung, and we barely noticed the heat. Stories continued along with dinner while we played cards, and into the dark hours, after watching Spirit yet again. 

Welcome to the Road, Beauty.

This is the Way.

Saturday Social

It’s been a long time since I’ve been quite this social, and been this social for so many days in a row. In the last fortnight, I found myself reaching into a bank of ways to be that I haven’t used in ages. The newness wasn’t surprising; the delightfulness was, though.

 Today’s foray into the world included a gorgeous conversation in Bibliopub, a place that I’m coming to think of as “my local,” as the Brits would say. Yes, there’s alcohol, but the sense of home is made by the stacks of books, the perfect cup of tea, the couch that feels like an old friend and stretches long, inviting conversation to stretch, too. 

Lori and I had passed more than two hours before I thought to look at the time, surprised at how comfortable we both were and how the conversation had taken a journey of its own.  The pounding rain arrived just as we did, and did its worst while we were inside discussing road trips, band camp, life moments, good books, and the secrets to life, the Universe, and everything.

Once home, the red sauce that I had set up earlier in the day greeted me with a welcome that smelled savory and inviting. I haven’t made red sauce from scratch in a handful of years, and didn’t realize that this was what that was missing, the last ingredient needed to have the Loft feel like home. 

Geo and I set up the pasta and tossed together a salad while the noodles boiled. I taught them how to play Hand & Foot last week, and they are now regularly running the table. Tonight was no exception: they wiped the floor with me on the third hand. Conversation turned to anything and everything, with laughter and stories and Tales From Back When as well as delights from right now, and things that might yet be. This is the magic of cards, of meals together, of life simply lived.

We put the rest of the spaghetti away, glad that we had made a double batch, and looking forward to a slow lazy Sunday. We gamed together and called it a night. Saturdays are becoming my favorite once again. 

Local Food Tastes Better

Picked up the Farm Share and the milk, after a wonderfully cool-by-comparison morning and a long-overdue Very Good Rest. This is the way.

July is truly the month of salads and peaches.

Compostable picnic ware made my life easier and my Druid heart happy while I’m dogsitting.

Happy July, Friends.

Downtowning, once again

It’s been a while since we poked around downtown, so we headed out and hit the shops, stopped at our favorite burger joint, and had a seasonally good time all around.