#tbt Player

#tbt circa 2009  Fitting as we had signing day today for his fourth year in club ball to look at his 2nd year playing as a six year old.  Future FIFA player?  I don't know, but in his graduation book he wrote about where he would be in 15 years....

"In 15 years I will hopefully be a soccer player.  I don't care if it's minor or major league or if I'm just a coach, I just want to be playing soccer.  I will probably have a good degree from college.  I hope I will be somewhere close to my family and friends.  If I can't get drafted into a team, I want to be a farmer like my parents."

Old and New

2013, what can I say, you were such a bittersweet year.  You were filled with accomplishment, joy and great upheaval.  I suppose that is just the yin and yang of life.  The natural balance that occurs to keep us on our toes and thankful.  

The year was filled with great food * better friends * I became a godmother * a long girls weekend away * a more abbreviated yet productive garden * lots handmade * our best canning year yet * winemaking * introducing the kids to the Alisal * expanding to four hives * becoming more active in our community * running the kids around * a tractor * crazy weather * decisions made * and dreams for the future envisioned, to name a few.

Years ago, I began to pick a word, something that would be the guiding mantra of the year.  This years word was pace.  As the year began I kept my pace, what was natural for me, keeping busy, getting involved, maybe beginning to move at a faster cadence than I had originally intended.  Then on March 29th, I was reminded that I need to slow down a bit and enjoy each moment.  When you see your husbands life flash before your eyes it has a way of resetting your priorities.  My word for the remainder of the year changed to heal.  Healing of body and mind continues as perspectives and priorities ebb, flow and mold into what will be our future goals.

Earlier this week, I came across this quote.  I think instead of one word this year, maybe I will look to one phrase:

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.  I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art--write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.  And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." Neil Gaiman

A very Happy New Year to you, and may you find magic and dreams in 2014.

Evolution and Getting Lost in the Weeds

 January has come and gone in a blink, yet not the whirlwind that typically accompanies such a passage of time.  I felt every minute of it.  I guess that comes from reflecting upon your goals and trying to determine which of the expectations that you have are real versus those you have simply put far too much weight on. As we look at how we have evolved in the last six years, and how we continue to, we have matured and learned that some of the ideals that we have staunchly lived by  maybe should have been less rigid, ebbing and flowing with the realities that we face.  It is so interesting how stubborn deep seeded some of these feelings dwell,  yet the same circumstance to someone else is trivial.  The type A me has just got to let it go. :)

Earlier this week I joined a planning committee for a local non-profit.  I had not sit in on a meeting like this before, so early in the goal setting process  that timelines for accomplishment were just being lain;  like the bricks of a foundation.  It was difficult for all of us not to not "get lost in the weeds" during the discussion, being so eager to put forth ideas and add some more bricks and mortar, before the base layer was dry. 


I read this article today and it was fascinating.  It wonders: have we ever left high school?  The discussion involves brain development, memories, and how we have evolved as social human beings. It goes further to hint at how we perpetuate our experiences, during this pivotal development time (15-25),  both in ourselves as we age and with our children. 

As January merges to February I see that our evolution must move forward by taking our past development with all of its rich lessons and giving ourselves permission to get out of the weeds and continue building on our solid foundation; journeying down our less traveled by road. 

Focus and Refocus

This last week has simply flown.  I know that traveling for a business conference for three days and then jumping back into life at home has everything to do with it, yet I was shocked to realize that I haven't posted in nearly a week!

As a hobbyist photographer I have found that everything in a shot can change subtly or dramatically just as a matter of focus.  Depending on the light, there can be variations in softness, depth and lovely little artifacts.  All of these things allow us to see the world around us in different and amazing ways.

B and I have found since beginning our homestead journey that trying new things that support our ultimate goals is a rich and diverse experience.  A wonderful trial and error that gives us a continuous education.  We learn what we can take on, push our limits, set goals, adjust goals and make game plans.  A constant focus and refocus.  There are different times for different things and nothing is black and white.  Activities and ideas all have their place on the ultimate slide rule adjusting with the ebb and flow of life.

Even if you aren't into taking pictures, I urge you to look through a lens and focus on something and then change it, focusing on something to the background or foreground of the item.  Or simply set your camera to auto and notice all of the little self adjustments.  Then think about how simple it is to fine tune, focus and refocus.