I Miss The Night Sky

Taken from my deck, when we lived in the country...

I miss being able to go out on my deck at night and look for constellations with my kids. I miss the moon.

I miss impromptu bonfires in the back yard, a pack of kids roasting marshmallows and making s'mores.

I miss meeting up with the neighbors in the back yard and discussing the gardens over a beer.

I love the city, but *sometimes* I miss living in the country. I miss being able to see the moon. It was part of Kieran's bedtime routine. We'd go out on the deck, and he'd say "Look! It's the moon!"....every single night.

Tank, a Rescue

This is Tank. I found him on July 4, 2011. We had had days of thunderstorms and scorching heat. He had no food, he was drinking green water from a 5 gallon bucket. If you look at the top picture, you can see the heavy chain that was used to tether him 24/7. The mud around him was inches deep. His ears were fly bitten so badly, they were just big open wounds. We pulled him and took him to the shelter, where he spent six months before leaving for a foster home. Being an American Pit Bull Terrier or APBT mix is one of the things that keeps dogs from being fostered or adopted. Too many people believe the bullshit.

 Tank is doing great in his foster home. I knew he would. He was always such a well mannered dog with such a sweet heart. While he's waiting for his forever home, he's being spoiled by my lovely friend Megan. If you're ever looking for a great dog, please consider adopting a shelter dog.

My Gardening Start, And A Little About Poverty

In my garden, from Spring 2010

Today the boys and I started some seeds in 2 liter soda bottles. All of my seeds are organic, non gmo, and I am HOPING this year's garden will do better than last year's. We had a ton of eggplant, but not much else. I like eggplant, and as vegetarians, we rely on it for our burger fix{recipe here, if you're interested!} BUT DAMN IT WAS A LOT OF EGGPLANT. What I'm really after this year is a proper garden with a fuck ton of tomatoes because I really want to can/ freeze like crazy. Trying to buy organic produce is not easy where I live, not *everything* is readily available, nor is it affordable, and we are on a very limited budget.

Yes, we are POOR, and finding ways to live well, working to enrich our lives without spending money we don't have. So, gardening is one of those things. We've been punched in the face by the economy and made some unwise decisions. I miss having money, but I've found that, in some ways, this poverty has given me more opportunities than one would think. I've connected with people I wouldn't normally have, I've found passions I never thought I'd have.

I've learned to grow some of our own food. Even though it's out of necessity, it's given us something to do as a family that isn't using gas or costing money (except for the initial start up fund), and it's a great learning experience for all of us. We garden without the use of pesticides/ herbicides, and we'll be learning to preserve different things this year (my three year old insisted on growing beets, and I am 35 and have never eaten a beet in my life)...so! Lots of learning!

I started volunteering, because it really is a great way to find a job. I did find a job that way, but I also widened my circle of friends. And while I know ALL  kinds of people (rich & poor, atheist & religious, etc) we are all connected by our common passion. Also, serving others is GOOD for you. It adds such a richness to your life! It's easy to write a check to make a donation, but getting out there and working your ass off for something you believe in? It's infinitely better for you. I see the absolute worst of people, but I see the best of people too.

When we had money, taking a vacation meant going somewhere and staying in a hotel. But we can't really afford it now. I've connected with people online, through blogs and Facebook, and have cultivated friendships all over the country. I've gone to Colorado for the first time to visit a Facebook friend, and she took us all over Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. We stayed in her little house with her daughter (the same age as my daughter) and her dogs, cooked our meals together and had a lovely time. This spring I am taking a solo vacation to Florida to stay with a bloggy friend I've known for a few years online. On the BEACH. I know the very kindest people.

We go to free local events. I've met artists, street artists, bands, poets, anarchists, activists, writers, etc. We are active in our economically diverse community, and nothing here is about how much money you have. In being poor, I really did learn that I have value that far exceeds the money I used to have.

Some Good Things That Happened Today

Hunts

This is my friend, Hunts. When found, he was near starvation. He fattened up some, and has been overlooked so often while staying at the shelter. He's been there for a year or more. But today? ADOPTED. I am so happy to know that tonight he is in a home, with a family and another dog. He is not stuck in a 3x4 box, he is not lonely, he is in a home.

I had a great conversation with my friend Tracy. We talked for 45 minutes about things we think no one really gets but us. It's nice to know that someone gets me every once in a while.

A volunteer bought me lunch, a veggie sandwich and the absolute best pasta salad I have ever had. EVER. I love that someone was thinking of me, and knows I am 1-always hungry and 2-a vegetarian.

My husband had a job interview today that went pretty well. It would mean both more money and more hours, and i would have to do something different as far as my schedule goes, but that's fine by me.

My lovely 14 year old daughter cooked dinner, which is a great thing especially since I have been on my feet since 5 AM.

It was a good day.