Joel Salatin

We got to hear Joel Salatin speak the other night to a packed house at Hiram College. He's a pretty well known figure in today's agricultural world. It was good to hear someone talk right for a change (that is, with a southern accent).
He talked lots about the food industry, good/bad agricultural techniques, the importance of stewarding the earth. Nothing new if you've heard him before, but still, very entertaining and good to be around like-minded folks.
I tried to take a picture of him signing books, but it's kinda blurry. He looks like he's about to backhand this lady.

Come on Spring!

I mean, winter's good and all, but come on. It's mid March. We're ready for sun and birds and flowers and gardening!

We went to a seed starter gathering the other at a local church. Met some good folks and learned some good tips. I already started a few indoors.

A while back we took a train to New York to visit our good friend Denton and his girl Vanassa. I highly recommend train rides and good friends in New York.

In the meantime, we've been working part-time jobs, fixing up our 3rd floor space at Doc's house, and spending time with Selah and Mathéo.

Found some pallets and painted them.

Lynea and lists go together. Thanks to whiteboard paint, she can write lists on our wall each day.

Story-time

Thank you winter for being cold and unsunny. I promise to appreciate spring and summer more than ever.

The thing about snow

The thing I like about snow is that it reminds us that we aren’t in control. The very verb that we try to do all the time, “control”, is laughed at by snow. We can go inside, but it still snows. We can put on our jacket and snow hat to shield us from the flakes, but they still come. It disrupts traffic, messes up our schedules. It may even cancel school or work, or even worse, something fun.

The reason I like snow better than the other uncontrollable elements is that most of the time, it’s peaceful. It absorbs sound and renders all the normal noise quiet. Unlike rain, you can walk through it and not get soaking wet. You can enjoy it for long time, sledding, skiing, making snowmen or snowwomen.

This is what I thought about the other night as I walked peacefully through the snow. I thought about how I have spent the last year barefoot and shirtless most of the time, and how now, I’m wearing as many things as I can find. That’s because we live in Cleveland now. It’s good to have change.

A white Christmas in Cleveland

Being an uncle

I took my nephew to school today. As that statement sets in, I realize I'm getting pretty old.

Uncle Neea

We made it to Florida! After 28 long hours of travel and a night in the airport, we made it home. Got to hang out with family today and even had some donkeys come and visit us in the backyard. Judah calls Lynea "Uncle Neea" to which everyone say, "No, that's Aunt Neea." But, if my Uncle Rick taught me something growing up it was that Uncle's don't always have to be parent-like. So, when I'm alone with Judah I try to reinforce the Uncle Neea as in "Where's Uncle Neea?", cause I think it's quite hilarious. We'll see how long we can keep it going.

Other than that, it's good to be home.

Uncle Neea and Judah

Uncle Neea and Apollo