Isis

Living simply and sensibly is so difficult in times like ours.  Everywhere I go, there is more temptation to be extravagant.  A lot of times, we give in to it.  Sometimes we don't.  When we don't, I feel a calmness over me. I give myself the tiniest pat on the back because I made a conscious choice to have less. Own less. Be responsible for less. Acquire less.  The Joneses zoomed right past us, and we stood on the curb and waved. We survived just fine without another item, and that feels nice.

simplify.

In our efforts to consume less, we have chosen to make small changes.  We might fail miserably.  Change is hard.  But, if they're successful, we'll have learned a million lessons.  If nothing else, gratitude. I'm not getting rid of my Kindle (How on Earth would I research all of my wacky ideas?) and D is not selling all of his worldly possessions (though I DO hate that canvas vest.).  But we are being more content. We are thinking about our kids and their kids and their futures.  Not just living 'greener' or being more 'eco-friendly', but financially.  More and more, we are finding ourselves saying "We don't need it right now."  And - surprisingly - it feels good.  Not buying something for ourselves now, say, a newer, better, faster thingamajig is a sufficient thingamajig for one of our darling sons in the future. Any day, at any time in my or their lives, I will choose for them to have something rather than myself.

The Bible says "A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous." (Proverbs 13:22)

Sometimes, the Bible is unclear. It's authors occasionally speak very elaborate, and it is difficult to know precisely what is meant.  I rarely feel that way about things written in Proverbs, this verse especially.  If the Bible says in clear English (or Hebrew or Greek) instructions for what a good person is to do, than we are going to try hard to do that. We want to be good people.  How will we have an inheritance for anyone if we indulge in every whim we come across? We won't.  And we are learning that slowly every day.

the future.

Yesterday was a perfect day.  In the morning, we went to the farmer's market.  I wanted to buy some of the big fat eggs the little Amish gal was selling, along with a 7.00 bag of egg noodles, a fancy relish with Serrano peppers and salty capers, a hand-woven handbag, a ceramic bowl, heirloom tomatoes, a potted heirloom tomato plant, cheese curds, and goat's milk soap (peppermint lavender. two of my favorites in one bar).  Instead, I bought a 1.00 bundle of the most delicate and sweet asparagus, a piece of local artwork featuring mine and D's most favorite band,  and two giant cookies.  It was a lovely, lovely place. It was extremely crowded and difficult to maneuver with a stroller and a 9 year old. Sweaty people shuffling through sipping lemonade, touching and smelling and squeezing produce, putting it down and doing it again.  Random dogs licking your ankles, and various children weaving in between and then back through. If you take it at a leisurely pace, like many things, it is a fabulous afternoon.

loom.

extra-large jelly beans.

oh my gluttony.

heirloom

After the farmer's market, we had lunch and piddled around the house.  D made a fire-pit and a fire outside.  We roasted hot dogs and then s'mores, drank wine, and tossed marshmallows into each other's mouths. Everyone slept like babies, except the baby.

sweet.

Today on our way down the (long long) driveway, we saw a green heron. Unfortunately, we were without a camera, but it was such a beautiful bird.  The second one I've ever seen, the first was at the rookery by the house we lived in before Moraine.  I went back after grabbing the binoculars and a camera, only to find him gone. We also saw a fawn with her momma. So tiny, no more than a foot and a half tall, and just beautiful.  Big brother spotted them as we drove past, we drove back just in time to see them trot/stumble away.

I did see two bluebirds and a basking turtle on my return trip. The Eastern Bluebird is so sweet to look at, even with a helpless worm in his mouth. yuck.

 "I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day.  I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it.  We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did."  -Benjamin Harrison

 Happy Decoration Day!

-S.