I know, 'so what's so big about that?', you ask? Well, here in Northern Michigan, as with other areas about the country, this 2014 Winter is reluctant to let go of our lives. Sunshine is a welcome thing for raising our depressed spirits and promising some temps that may melt some of what we just received on top of the lingering deep piles.
Yes, winter has overtaken our lives like nothing else. We, here at Sacred Sparks, have been working full time on, may I say the word 'survival', and not sound too dramatic?
Of course, you might know, because of the past mild winters and making it through with excess wood for heating, we backed off last year, waited till October to start gathering. Very bad idea! Mid October brought us rain, normal, of course for autumn, but once the rain started, if forgot to quit! In fact it was having such a grand time, the rains decided that a continuous deluge was better that sporadic! Over 20 inches of rain fell over the course of mid October to mid November, making it pretty impossible to venture onto hilly inclines to cut downed tree tops, (this years gift from a neighbor friend). So, ultimately we were caught short on wood for heat. Now it's April, the heating season is normally winding down... NOT the case for 2014! We have learned a valuable lesson the hard way.
The constant scramble to remain warm has been an overpowering, totally consuming time issue here. Thus leaving us short on all the other things we normally do. Such as, creating art, building a new chicken coop, doing minor repairs that we saved for winter tasks.
All this behind thing has left us short and stressed... add that to the never ending winter... we, as well as everyone we know are truly stretched to our limits of remaining calm, cool and collected! Yet, we try, succumb, acclimate and continue on, with the ever going hope that soon Spring will finally break from her chains of Winter's grasp. We look for the little signs, that will grow into bigger and better signs of a new, warmer season to wrap it's fragrant verdant arms around us all.
Just had to get that out of the way. We will be busy this coming year, prepping for 2 winter's worth of fire wood! My next post will be much sunnier I promise. The Sun is shining today with a promise of some melting. That is a good thing!
The howling winds of today, January 16th, has presented itself, as many days do, as a multi-faceted gem. Flashing from one facet to another depending on the light that bounces off from it. Coming from a gem, that would be cool, but coming from a day, that I am trying to stay focused.... equals NUTS! Yup, today is crazy nuts, at least for me.
It started out with my presence on FaceBook... answering, responding, sharing... then to a project of research for current prices of Essential Oils and Amber Vials to hold them. This project has been an on going effort that gets interrupted and way laid constantly. I really need a computer that I can take out to the quiet of my studio, where I can keep the lights down low, and hide in a shadowed corner, where no one will know where I am.
So far today I have been deep in my research, then jerked up with a visitor, come early to our little shop. We jump for customers, and did so today, but even with our quick efforts, we couldn't get into view of the potential customer, and drove out as we stood in the drive way trying to get their attention. We dejectedly walked back into the house. I tried to get back onto my task, when an incoming call pulled my attention.
It's cold in this corner of the house, far away from the radiant wood stove. My right hand is numb... I call it mouse hand, and this time of year I get 'Mouse Hand' every day. I need a heated mouse! I know they are out there, I just have to find one. Any suggestions?
OK so here I sit, writing this Blog, when I should be working on my Essential Oil research. Where did that come in? Well the mail came and we got a card from the Township folks that are trying to promote the small businesses in the Township. What a fabulous and pro active idea! Jerry (hubby) checked their brand new site = www.jordantownship.org
I personally applaud this sort of action, and it comes welcomed and none too soon in my book. On this site it leads folks here to our Blogspot, not our web page, facebook page, or Etsy Shop. Thinking this is the case, I needed to update my Blog! Thus another distraction from my focus track for the day...
So I leave you with this info and jump back to my original intent for this snowy, windy, blustery day, here in the Jordan River Valley. Thanks for your visit here. Follow me if you've a mind to, or comment. I love comments. Yup another distraction, but a very much welcomed one. Peace Be Linda
