The Social Porcupine

If my ten years of blogging has taught me anything, it is that if a steadfast blogger woman goes MIA it is because she has stumbled upon the delights of cloud nine. After all these wild illusions, I am no different.  (Yes, I am engaged.) I have missed this blog though, and my lucky readers will be glad to know that my fiancé is also a writer, and we are keeping the other accountable to our earthly passions. The writing shall carry on!! Andy (aka Shagbark Hick from twitter or Randy from his Substack County Line Notes ) and I plan to be married sometime in the spring as soon as the wildflowers are ready to be made into bouquets. There is little to do this winter but to make my wedding dress. And, of course, for us to get to know each other's families and faith as thoroughly as love urges one. Our first picture together, taken by my little brother in my father's junk yard.  If you all remember, I left end of last summer for a long road trip that lasted just about five...

I'm in that last stride before stepping homeward.  I've been accepted into a six-week work study program at the John C Campbell Folk School, and my second week is half over. It's one of the fairest work exchanges I've ever found myself doing. We work three weeks for lodging, food, and for up to three weeks of classes plus two weekend classes. But even the "work" is arranged to be pleasant, if you don't mind sharing some full-hearted effort. I've grown at least half a muscle in each arm, and I've been much too busy to do anything except soak in abundant opportunity. The staff like to let you know the place is haunted by friendly ghosts. Last night my roommate and I awoke to find our bedroom door wide open, so maybe it's true. I like the idea of Olive's ghost watching over the place, walking through the gardens, and visiting the students in all her favorite places. This school seems to have a theme of unnecessary but a...

Hello.  I've been wearing lots of yellow since I stopped blogging. There are dried wildflower bouquets all over my car. I've shaved maybe three times in the last couple years. I've worn shoes only a handful of times. I applied to a school for the first time ever in my young life this week. . . but I've been teaching embroidery classes at a couple different Montessori schools all summer.  I'm cheerier, and older, and quieter. I'm not wiser, yet. I've started writing again, last month, working every day on my novel, just a few sentences. I'm writing about a happy character named Eden, and so for at least five minutes every day, I too am happy.  Been learning French for four months. I might be smart, but I can't master English. Friends and family constantly remind me of this. But soon I shall be saying to everyone, " Pardon, your French  ain't spelled quite right."  Where have  I been?  I...

I try to live my life in such a way that I never spend money as if I am poor so that when I really want or need something I can easily spend without making myself truly poor. Because of this, I can travel.  But going to Germany I knew was still going to be a huge test for me. To be honest, when I'm not tired or stretched for time, I still love shopping and buying new-to-me things, especially dusty books and floral dresses.  But the money wouldn't be my only problem. I also had the matter of space to think about. I brought one suitcase and backpack with me, which meant if I didn't want to spend more money for checked-in luggage on my return flight, I could bring only an additional duffel bag on my return flight.  To save space, I brought the bare minimum that would make me feel like I still had a variety to wear for six months. To save money, I also brought bulk items I might need while in Germany, including razor blades, two tubes of Young Living toothpaste...

It's amazing how birds can sit on an electric line and live. If we humans tried our brains would fry ... but then birds don't really have a brain. So I suppose I'm content letting them sit on the dangerous lines and for me to be able to live a different sort of exciting life that allows for pondering things such as how amazing it is birds can sit where I can't.  The week before I knew I'd be leaving Stuttgart soon was full of many activities. I biked to a thrift store ... ended up being a twenty-six-mile ride in all. And yes my legs killed for awhile. And ... I bought absolutely nothing at the thrift store. Not that there weren't nice things there ... but I didn't want to spend money, nor carry anything back ;D I did take a few lovely pictures posted above and below. Also, you may be asking why I biked so far to a thrift store. I love thrift stores.  But most people I've talked down seem to look down upon second-hand stores, and in gener...