I hadn't thought much about the fact that I haven't blogged most of this year, until I received a notfication of a comment from Nancy, basically, asking if things were okay up here in the northeast.
Yes, but clearly, I've been neglecting a part of my life that is important to me. I don't really have a reason that I haven't been blogging, except that, I guess I've felt a little full with other things and projects.
What's been happening since February?
Lots of great family stuff:
- Prodigal daughter returning from her internship on the other side of the equator.
- The "baby" taking a job as a co-worker (of sorts) with her dad. Then, taking a second job. Then, deciding which of these two FULL-TIME jobs she wanted to keep, because working 80 hours a week is a lot for a teenager. It's been a really enlightening six months for her.
- Visits from out-of-state family.
- Deus Ex Machina spending every weekend since May hiking and/or kayaking, which has been amazing!
- Attending some fun faires, festivals, and live shows (which we haven't done since 2019), and in general, very much enjoying the fact that we live in Maine, a.k.a. "Vacationland."
- Making more time for old friends.
Lots of great homestead stuff:
- Planting, tending, and harvesting the garden.
- Doing some pickling/preserving (mostly eggs and jalepenos)
- Still making soap.
- Raising our annual allotment of meat birds.
- Breeding our rabbits.
- We are planning some home-renovations and improvements. The original plan was hire someone to do the work, but it looks like we're going to have to do-it-ourselves. Luckily, we have a lot of kids, and they are agreeing to help us out, which is amazing! I am a lucky mama!
And working!
- If you recall, I started working at the library last October. I love my gig as a library assistant. It's a dream job, and I'm very much enjoying both the work and the people. I feel very fortunate to have the job, because it is very deeply and personally satisfying work. As I have said, many times over the years, the library is the BEST resource/service a community can provide for its residents. It is the ONE place that has something for every one! And I am very blessed to be a part of it.
- I am also still serving the homeschool community as a resource teacher, and the summers are typically really busy with doing portfolio reviews. So, that's taken most of my free time.
- And I am working on a novel. I have half-a-dozen novels I've attempted over the years in various stages of completion, but I have always gotten stuck and not been able to finish them. This time is a little different, because I started it differently, and so I'm hoping it will be the one that ultimately sees the bookstore shelves. It is, of course, a post-apocalyptic story. I mean, what else would one expect from me?
So, thank you to Nancy, who reached out. I apologize for appearing to drop off the grid. I am still around and healthy and happy! Things are pretty much "normal" - whatever that means. Hopefully, I'll be able to post a little more regularly, starting probably in September, when the portfolio review season has ended.
Until next time, be well. Stay cool ... and hydrated!
