tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91197019447736142752024-03-13T17:31:12.084-04:00Soil for the SoulLive Mindfully, Love Big, and Laugh AlotMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-12363059646289606992010-10-01T13:04:00.000-04:002010-10-01T13:04:36.919-04:00TEDxNextGenerationAsheville - Birke Baehr - "What's Wrong With Our Food ...<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F7Id9caYw-Y?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F7Id9caYw-Y?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-89588457067802357332010-09-29T15:52:00.000-04:002010-09-29T15:52:23.431-04:00Nature Deficit Disorder<div><iframe frameborder="0" height="339" scrolling="no" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/25701705#25701705" width="425"></iframe><div style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center; width: 425px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/" style="border-bottom: #999 1px dotted; color: #5799db !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">Breaking News</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="border-bottom: #999 1px dotted; color: #5799db !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">World News</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="border-bottom: #999 1px dotted; color: #5799db !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">News about the Economy</a></div></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are many studies that can be found showing the importance of nature to overall health and doctors are actually beginning to "prescribe" this to their patients. Thankfully I'm finding many movements around that strive to get kids outside, be it in a park or just in their own backyard. Check out more information & news stories on Richard Louv's website:</span> <a href="http://richardlouv.com/">http://richardlouv.com/</a>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-2576884271419233432010-04-22T13:54:00.000-04:002010-04-22T13:54:28.148-04:00Happy Earth Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46aH3zC0LoM5up1uDLcY1tsTV5FMRGIx7rEZHFHpD86BIp7QJ4Nili7PyHxc5ypNWrStMuQyWKDCc7aZR2ir-IU3E3pcQVK_hOjapviNMGwEcSuTEyhCG5SndtfPkY7hH6iLo89hboX2k/s1600/misc+May+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46aH3zC0LoM5up1uDLcY1tsTV5FMRGIx7rEZHFHpD86BIp7QJ4Nili7PyHxc5ypNWrStMuQyWKDCc7aZR2ir-IU3E3pcQVK_hOjapviNMGwEcSuTEyhCG5SndtfPkY7hH6iLo89hboX2k/s640/misc+May+056.jpg" width="480" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"What do you mean I can't come in? It's just mud ... I've been embracing nature."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Tk5J6bjNjE3q-kue_kn1Nl5wkJRmHU11MxDZpaq0sFm5BOPM3_d40WHGgu1Rq5ec2R7oDKMzhyw7160XbIv9pUGHerz6er0t0RKCzXvb_5WSCP_qvj1CoNE3j89-U13dqaVr9QD-sznp/s1600/misc+May+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Tk5J6bjNjE3q-kue_kn1Nl5wkJRmHU11MxDZpaq0sFm5BOPM3_d40WHGgu1Rq5ec2R7oDKMzhyw7160XbIv9pUGHerz6er0t0RKCzXvb_5WSCP_qvj1CoNE3j89-U13dqaVr9QD-sznp/s640/misc+May+054.jpg" width="480" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, I'll get it, is this better?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hope you get the opportunity to get out and embrace nature today. National Wildlife has a drive on to get kids and families outside and I encourage you to check it out and consider signing their pledge. You can discover more at <a href="http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Be-Out-There.aspx">getoutthere.org</a> where they have activities, articles, and more. I just noticed they have a study up detailing how much time kids spend "plugged in", I guess my terminology was correct in that previous post.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I know I'm not writing much/any and I do have a few things I'd like to share with my cyber friends. I cherish your input and motivation to keep striving and growing. I've been reading your post but been in a writing lull, maybe I should say I've been busy living. Hope to get more things up soon, but you know I couldn't let Earth Day pass by without a little something.</span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-40828138928045026772010-03-31T22:20:00.000-04:002010-03-31T22:20:15.938-04:00Imagination Playground<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tt7I8jwPT3y861YisXt-BrSMj31wtOGsMv3C8iyxC5qAhv0Joxq6AsixEXxHPQ5EqjGCkgwxnBiDQixy2Im5PSXLmqzUg6G8maJLZ4tOFWe_KabjrDALnxFdTFLTuap-wnzPAivpgmxb/s1600/alicetease7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="171" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tt7I8jwPT3y861YisXt-BrSMj31wtOGsMv3C8iyxC5qAhv0Joxq6AsixEXxHPQ5EqjGCkgwxnBiDQixy2Im5PSXLmqzUg6G8maJLZ4tOFWe_KabjrDALnxFdTFLTuap-wnzPAivpgmxb/s400/alicetease7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We finally went to see Alice in Wonderland this past weekend and what a playground for the imagination it was. It really got me thinking about my dreams for our little place unfortunately I'm having a hard time finding talking flowers. What I can find are bushes, trees, and vines that bear berries and fruit so I can have my own little garden of Eden. There are also many other plants I'm learning about that offer other multifunctions in a landscape. I want to use all of these to create meandering pathways that open onto random courtyards and conceal little niches and hideaways. Little rooms created with living walls to sit and read or just stare up at the sky above while enjoying all the fresh nutrition nature is providing. What I see in my mind is really quite fun, now I just have to acquire the motivation to actually put it on the ground. I still haven't posted for you my "walk about" where I photographed our place as it actually exist today. Hmmm, am I hiding that reality from you or me. I am taking workshops and reading books .... but need to do more to take it from a dream in my head to reality on the ground. The last workshop I took was on designing and constructing rain gardens. These are simply bio retention systems designed to retain stormwater while blending in with the yards landscaping and preferably using native plants. At this workshop I hit the jackpot by meeting Sarah Vroom from <a href="http://www.bountifulbackyards.com/">Bountiful Backyards</a>. As quoted from an <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/05/bountiful-backyards-edible-landscaping.php">article at treehugger.com</a>, they are "an “edible landscaping collective” based in Durham that designs gardens, provides ongoing training, and organizes workshops on everything from vermiculture (worm composting) to mushroom cultivation". Being true permaculturist they work within the area they live, which is still a little ways from me, but I hope to be able to use their consulting service to help springboard some designs, learn more about the plants, and gain inspiration to move me beyond my comfort zone which I seem to be well rooted in these days.</span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-4324759958958958042010-03-21T10:57:00.001-04:002010-03-21T10:58:04.682-04:00Contracted Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJA_vjyYwYwWrQalalzEFAlFZiJHsGl4sYzZrtZoCHyKGmXs51SYyzJmYIj6ghmS14hSeHemOKfK-GmkzS8yukuwf_4hkDJRLmqyptge_HQHmtVwAIIVqIPZbOuQMDQ-nCkL2CH-4N02u/s1600-h/Misc+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJA_vjyYwYwWrQalalzEFAlFZiJHsGl4sYzZrtZoCHyKGmXs51SYyzJmYIj6ghmS14hSeHemOKfK-GmkzS8yukuwf_4hkDJRLmqyptge_HQHmtVwAIIVqIPZbOuQMDQ-nCkL2CH-4N02u/s400/Misc+074.jpg" vt="true" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been away for a bit seeing family and attending workshops which I'll hopefully write about soon. I'm continuing on my quest to absorb as much environmental knowledge as I can and motivate myself to get out there and live it. This week though I want to explore something else that's been on my mind, purge my thoughts as I often do here at KAP. A few days ago, quite suddenly and unexpected, I lost my beloved sweet boy C C. He went into intestinal distress and after trying for hours to save him we had to make that most dreaded decision to put him down. Last Sunday morning started off promising to be a beautiful day with the boys happily eating their breakfast, after which I turned them out to pasture. By mid afternoon the nightmare began and ended just as the sun was about to rise on Monday with my husband and I pulling out of the parking lot of the NC State animal hospital with an empty trailer and heavy hearts. This began my pondering of if I'd known would I have done anything different? It was a long miserable winter but would I have braved the elements and spent more time with my guys if I'd known he wouldn't be with me come spring? We all think from time to time how would we act if we knew how much time we had here and have been momentarily moved by the many songs on the subject such as Tim McGraw's "Live like you were dying". My question though is how would you act toward another if you knew you had a set contracted time to be together. If the day you met you filled out and signed a contract stating a start and end date for the relationship. Would we speak kinder, look one another in the eyes more, have more patience and let those pet peeves fall by the wayside. Would we snap less and bite our tongue from correcting them over trivial things they may say or do. Would we be more attentive and less distracted when we were with them. The list goes on and on and as I mull it all over the next question I have is are we even capable of maintaining that sort of intensity in all our relationships even if we knew it was not to last forever?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-rJ3aNTO_bCEG32yakXAIUADa0Lpwjj2nm0uSQsOaMazFCMkNVzg7EsS9l-bHTxV3FHCimUcxF8ppFpOpG9uwwhuUchJwDgCYddCPQQDgBh5UkGxmLi-aD81lhECIO6NsbM9JHPMM7VJ/s1600-h/DSC02827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-rJ3aNTO_bCEG32yakXAIUADa0Lpwjj2nm0uSQsOaMazFCMkNVzg7EsS9l-bHTxV3FHCimUcxF8ppFpOpG9uwwhuUchJwDgCYddCPQQDgBh5UkGxmLi-aD81lhECIO6NsbM9JHPMM7VJ/s400/DSC02827.JPG" vt="true" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately I had not done a post for C C yet on either blog so I've put one up for him now over at <a href="http://sweettfarm.blogspot.com/2010/03/sweetest-boy-ever.html">Sweet T Farm</a> if you would like to see more pictures and learn a little about him.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-39002311494974149882010-03-06T22:33:00.002-05:002010-03-06T22:36:43.258-05:00Pimping Myself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ngzGhDrzdckWJBDqmw8tE4a78ctWAMj69Bd16fbrztTIAhifTZHWKgJkKlEe1IF3Tvh7nO_lF-vjwHD5t6TtYvmST1_nlTOByMD1WE9XeFzogGqd__ttr76sjHk78b4cjtcmvYa6q1d1/s1600-h/DSC04288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ngzGhDrzdckWJBDqmw8tE4a78ctWAMj69Bd16fbrztTIAhifTZHWKgJkKlEe1IF3Tvh7nO_lF-vjwHD5t6TtYvmST1_nlTOByMD1WE9XeFzogGqd__ttr76sjHk78b4cjtcmvYa6q1d1/s400/DSC04288.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meadow Linn of <a href="http://savortheday.blogspot.com/2010/02/ginger-lemon-rum-cocktail.html#comment-form">Savor the Day</a> posted a competition to name a drink. My husband and I had so much fun with this and I really want to share it with ya'll. I have it at my new blog <a href="http://sweettfarm.blogspot.com/">Sweet T Farm</a> and since I have more people visit here I just had to come and pimp myself. I hope it makes you laugh.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-54761164902936720922010-03-03T11:42:00.000-05:002010-03-03T11:42:26.316-05:00Gardening for Wildlife Habitats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDnwFLCsFbvw0qt4HwcV-iVAW1msFlXE-BDHx-mNqZDJWV6avZrtP0KBa-86j-zHDN7REvdT7x3xoCwQbcm28h-mQ3fzWhLflEn4l498IsavLfG1BX7eTvFgi5Oh-bUMJMsY3TYwzSATR/s1600-h/kids+gardening" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDnwFLCsFbvw0qt4HwcV-iVAW1msFlXE-BDHx-mNqZDJWV6avZrtP0KBa-86j-zHDN7REvdT7x3xoCwQbcm28h-mQ3fzWhLflEn4l498IsavLfG1BX7eTvFgi5Oh-bUMJMsY3TYwzSATR/s400/kids+gardening" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“More than just plants grow out of helping a child tend a garden,” says Judy Sedbrook, a Denver-based master gardener with the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. “Gardening gives children a sense of responsibility and accomplishment, and it enables them to learn about the environment.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found this quote on the National Wildlife Website. I was excited to see they have a section giving tips on </span><a href="http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Gardening/Archives/2010/Wildlife-Gardening-with-Kids.aspx"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">gardening with children</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. I went to the site to get information on having my yard designated as an official Wildlife Habitat. I found not only the above mentioned information but that currently there is a drive in progress to create 150,000 Wildlife Habitats. I thought some of you might be interested and you may find your yard already meets the requirements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As to my previous post, I've been working on the flip side to the dream - the reality check. I've walked the property, taken photo's of where it is now and look forward to one day looking back and seeing how far it's all come. At first I was seeing how far I've yet to go, but now I can see that a little progress toward the dream has been achieved. I'll get some pictures up soon to share as documentation and to lay out a path to lead to the next step.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The picture shown above is our group of ladies along with some children planting our first vegetable garden last year. I have to give all the credit to the ladies for that happening, I tend to say someday or next year too much. They have been wonderful motivators to just go for it and I thank them and many of you for that as well.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-46748410036072079382010-02-24T20:28:00.000-05:002010-02-24T20:28:30.409-05:00Unplugged<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpiA009RJaITHsorgw2x-lp_vTkwuex_7yOETYnmeXbo5ksr5rVgLnfXjyyw2cqlGIYdgWFKIv6Pr7xoIHsW7SLh8fvdhH2lGIRqQg0jf1Z_T973sIT_sHtacs7xcKCD9FXYd8-a_RsgQ/s1600-h/unplugged" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpiA009RJaITHsorgw2x-lp_vTkwuex_7yOETYnmeXbo5ksr5rVgLnfXjyyw2cqlGIYdgWFKIv6Pr7xoIHsW7SLh8fvdhH2lGIRqQg0jf1Z_T973sIT_sHtacs7xcKCD9FXYd8-a_RsgQ/s400/unplugged" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It is so true! that jungle that we create for ourselves can be very tricky to get out of sometimes. We need to teach this stuff to our children when they are YOUNG so that their jungles don't grow so thick and dense."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This comment was recently left on one of my post by Dawn of <a href="http://todayandeveryday.wordpress.com/">Today and Everyday</a>. It is one of the things that got me thinking about what I started this blog for. What are my dreams for our little farm and what am I doing to accomplish that. Well to put it simply I want it to be a place to get unplugged. I want to create an environment where kids can come, connect with nature, and just BE. There is so much stimulation in the world today and things that desensitize kids to the point they feel little empathy, compassion, or connection with life. I want a place where they can come and get their hands in the dirt, plant seeds, and watch life grow from the care they give it. I want them to know where there food comes from and what the body was designed to eat. A place where they can feed chickens and gather eggs, taste honey straight from the hive, learn the importance of all life and how it is interconnected and dependent on one another. Learn to respect nature not fear and destroy it. I would like them to have the opportunity to groom and care for the horses to see what they need as well as enjoying riding them. I want them to play around the pond, float in the canoe watching the clouds drift by overhead, and interact with the frogs and other life that reside there. I want them to swing beneath the Live Oaks and dance freely under the sun. I want to give them a place to sit quietly, listen to their thoughts, and learn to understand their emotions. I want a place for kids to learn to self regulate in any situation, to observe and respond rather than judge and react. Hopefully our little farm will become a place that in some small way helps kids journey through life without creating jungles.</span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-77153947486398622872010-02-14T12:22:00.001-05:002010-02-14T12:42:33.493-05:00Snow at the Beach<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyJOZ3k8QIwzlDiZkgxxD_4ROwXrAfXSPXHlb0hYMNdRTXK9R7EkIvdNUtEId16ftHs32cHH-pwez_QCHUqmd6fkDvrBTSjaQOVw1MJtrsVx7IGVOlID5D-MKcPpXMA2-DVMdZ4kNL8HG/s1600-h/DSC04217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyJOZ3k8QIwzlDiZkgxxD_4ROwXrAfXSPXHlb0hYMNdRTXK9R7EkIvdNUtEId16ftHs32cHH-pwez_QCHUqmd6fkDvrBTSjaQOVw1MJtrsVx7IGVOlID5D-MKcPpXMA2-DVMdZ4kNL8HG/s400/DSC04217.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We don't often get snow here on the coast especially more than a dusting. This weekend we received 7" -8" which is melting pretty fast and leaving me with a lot (more) mud and slush to tromp through. On top of that I awoke to down tree limbs and pasture fence and we were supposed to be travelling this weekend. Needless to say I was not seeing a winter wonderland. I half heartedly took pictures anyway thinking the moment needed to at least be documented and I'm glad I did. The fence is fixed, the boys are safe, family came here, and life is somewhat in order again. Now I can look back at these photos and see the beauty that was right before me the whole time. I need to practice what I preach, I always tell my girls when they are in a delimna "things always work out".</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHreCKeK0YnpeCPgw9iJ3hvrgOTdWi4rt4sKdE_fcaBQxy_2xxd-AINCo_HOSsk0Rh2Y5gEH4QbuX6qfYKkQDCvaXw3f6m5v1-svXlYkGPjNB27odUAAu3dEBExW2q83oF09rKbvyNOZ3i/s1600-h/DSC04219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHreCKeK0YnpeCPgw9iJ3hvrgOTdWi4rt4sKdE_fcaBQxy_2xxd-AINCo_HOSsk0Rh2Y5gEH4QbuX6qfYKkQDCvaXw3f6m5v1-svXlYkGPjNB27odUAAu3dEBExW2q83oF09rKbvyNOZ3i/s400/DSC04219.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over at my blog <a href="http://sweettfarm.blogspot.com/">Sweet T Farm</a> I am beginning to introduce all the animals. I started with my littly guy Gapi and I'm putting a link to each in my sidebar. I had introduced Rebel here so I used that link for him. </span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-2102144018416854062010-02-10T20:16:00.001-05:002010-02-10T20:16:57.006-05:00Exploring Sweet T Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig22KKc0rRTIS3tkiTAJ_Mosx9eeIZGdX7raAdfqlooGMX4aw-OoMB98stxShHIi9XiplO4wAoA4waGj6vrPZ6oKXEBvAiP5CLNV1E8btxV6AE_YiSbTrT9r2zfJLAryECmKjyiBNLm7ve/s1600-h/DSC04179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig22KKc0rRTIS3tkiTAJ_Mosx9eeIZGdX7raAdfqlooGMX4aw-OoMB98stxShHIi9XiplO4wAoA4waGj6vrPZ6oKXEBvAiP5CLNV1E8btxV6AE_YiSbTrT9r2zfJLAryECmKjyiBNLm7ve/s400/DSC04179.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the beginning KAP was solely a place for me to sort my thoughts concerning a need I felt for children to learn mindfulness. Somewhere along the way it became more of a therapeutic place for me to find my own way and share some of my life with others. I have had many reminders lately concerning the root of this blog and I would like it to stay a place to explore those thoughts. I want it to be a place to ask questions and share thoughts with you as I continue to grow and learn from your wonderful comments. I also want an outlet in which to just play and free write. For this reason I have started another blog and I hope that you will join me there as well. This blog is named for our little place, <a href="http://sweettfarm.blogspot.com/">Sweet T Farm</a>, and through it I would like to share a bit of life along the southern coast of NC. So come on over for a visit, Rebel is waiting to welcome you in.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-34731305804875326692010-02-08T18:58:00.001-05:002010-02-08T19:00:13.020-05:00Nature's Painting<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As the days grow longer it reminds me of a post I wrote last winter. I hope you don't mind me recycling but it is still true even with all the rain we've had this winter and this is a nice reminder</span>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeu8USyxGySurk226ONNckM0j3Bs_Emg4Whh9FxxjTmJSGgf6GdxaFbqx3ZfQKVtzpXZ6VntD6UZGrTVlMF6iQ_kNdckA-uZUY9H9NzO722KWHbIp2HqFdaZUz3sbrgIFbSqDyisw2igI/s1600-h/DSC02334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeu8USyxGySurk226ONNckM0j3Bs_Emg4Whh9FxxjTmJSGgf6GdxaFbqx3ZfQKVtzpXZ6VntD6UZGrTVlMF6iQ_kNdckA-uZUY9H9NzO722KWHbIp2HqFdaZUz3sbrgIFbSqDyisw2igI/s400/DSC02334.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The days are gradually inching their way longer. I always dread when the time changes and the days shorten. In these winter months the sun has started setting by the time I leave work and it is dark shortly after arriving home. This leaves me doing many barnyard chores by the glow of a few solitary lights. I so yearn for the long days of summer when I can come home and there is still time to stay out and play. A time when more can be done on weekday evenings to lighten the weekend load and I am not relegated to shut myself away so early. But there is a bright spot in the winter darkness as there is beauty to be found in any season. During these shortened days the light around the coast is somehow more serene, the air crisp and fresh. It seems to cradle the soul and create a dreamlike state of mind. My drive to and from work involves crossing four bridges over three different bodies of water. As the sun is setting on my way home, I can forget for that time about the darkness that awaits me, for it is as if I am driving through a painting.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-38151751948569779522010-01-28T09:02:00.018-05:002010-02-01T09:24:56.690-05:00Blank Page<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahi6w9GApxDIGSsXQ1_Ck7LbB3P5-injYf7INArvGMNodw7KeHFq5Rp2Rh1VSpu-1Oz_2peiC1RwJoul8AZy7T0-Lk-j7dQB_4Vhjs5byklcgVauFecFaBceJTE8LRP_xJxjBxsurPGOh/s1600-h/DSC04167.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432730714201335634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 411px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahi6w9GApxDIGSsXQ1_Ck7LbB3P5-injYf7INArvGMNodw7KeHFq5Rp2Rh1VSpu-1Oz_2peiC1RwJoul8AZy7T0-Lk-j7dQB_4Vhjs5byklcgVauFecFaBceJTE8LRP_xJxjBxsurPGOh/s400/DSC04167.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">One night earlier this week as I was dreaming I saw before me a notebook. I watched as it opened to reveal a crisp, clean, fresh blank page. It radiated warmth, beauty and a sense of importance, yet it was only a blank piece of paper. My initial feeling was puzzlement which then turned to slight disappointment. Why was there no story, life directions, or words of inspiration to motivate and guide me? I continued to stare at the page and then a smile began to spread across my face. The realization that this was for me to write on was making it's way into my thoughts. This was my page and I could write ANYTHING I wanted. This was my place to write my story with no limitations. It was no longer a blank page but a page full of promise and possibilities.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-50587002541430725912010-01-24T09:49:00.007-05:002010-01-28T09:00:10.270-05:00Leaping<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs7X_rG-2h1gFBHzk4R_MO4avCutp0HtwI4xxMhrhBi7qo-WtxW3UkGoo6mB6nYLj48HyuwKdX1enJg-Gdy3di34Qku6CXdxjvdEsx9s1H8LYL7K7NOqotR8OLi3DLBqstDMja9xWR579/s1600-h/DSC03098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430320642890484466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 417px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 313px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs7X_rG-2h1gFBHzk4R_MO4avCutp0HtwI4xxMhrhBi7qo-WtxW3UkGoo6mB6nYLj48HyuwKdX1enJg-Gdy3di34Qku6CXdxjvdEsx9s1H8LYL7K7NOqotR8OLi3DLBqstDMja9xWR579/s400/DSC03098.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"> A knowledge of the path cannot be substituted for putting one foot in front of the other."</div><div align="left"> M.C. Richards </div><div align="left"><br />There are two thoughts along these lines that battle for supremacy in my head:</div><div align="center"><br />"Look before you leap"</div><div align="center"><br />"Leap and build your wings on the way down"</div><div align="left"><br />Whenever I am planning a project or setting a life goal I tend to want to know absolutely everything before I begin. I want to read the books, shadow someone, ask every one's opinion, weigh the options and the pros and cons, think of all the ways it could fail and have a back up plan ..... Yet with all this I can still feel unprepared to achieve the goal and that usually leads to never beginning. At the same time I also believe most skills and knowledge are acquired best by doing, getting your hands dirty, making mistakes and picking yourself up and starting again. I am constantly in a debate against myself between the one side shouting acquire the knowledge and skills first and the other pushing and saying just get in there and do it. I know there is a balance that lies somewhere in between and that each situation is unique as to how it should be approached but the battle rages on as to which side gives and when. </div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-86288611641901867322010-01-13T19:25:00.007-05:002010-01-17T11:47:40.043-05:001st Person 3rd Person<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3JqqHHnO7p-xtJ4bYGQABdp7FLVUqI2nnUd0kJl7ZFkBuKtyBPMhjajHZTWZWhNDSlsE0AR9grMMKl5HWfY9DfxH9vBTazWmS9a4BdUPTIlDQICr0MGYfH9XSqaNcQTE9VvGqmFOxbe6/s1600-h/DSC03500.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 419px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427751037989597250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3JqqHHnO7p-xtJ4bYGQABdp7FLVUqI2nnUd0kJl7ZFkBuKtyBPMhjajHZTWZWhNDSlsE0AR9grMMKl5HWfY9DfxH9vBTazWmS9a4BdUPTIlDQICr0MGYfH9XSqaNcQTE9VvGqmFOxbe6/s400/DSC03500.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> When I began playing with fictional writing recently I started by writing in third person. As the story began to turn semi autobiographical I found myself at times slipping into first person. I had to decide one way or the other from which viewpoint the story would be told. I thought about which each meant: 3rd person - an observer, 1st person - living the moment. As this went through my mind it brought up the question, from which viewpoint was my real life story being told?</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-52484997285254774052010-01-03T19:49:00.013-05:002010-01-10T13:11:58.741-05:00Look Within<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sjxQ60Ik1uMCAIJdyMyhHOqbwUQMOziA1R5YUfFIwFrTV4Urulwu7RATnJVc3ILbRGGKwDZErQhEi6KLOeqcFCv4jWkPvOII5ukzotMnoXF4oyj8uqzIZrAhpF89Efo2GND9PIBx-gfc/s1600-h/DSC02669.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 415px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 313px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422684870875170514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sjxQ60Ik1uMCAIJdyMyhHOqbwUQMOziA1R5YUfFIwFrTV4Urulwu7RATnJVc3ILbRGGKwDZErQhEi6KLOeqcFCv4jWkPvOII5ukzotMnoXF4oyj8uqzIZrAhpF89Efo2GND9PIBx-gfc/s400/DSC02669.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> "The greatest wisdom is in simplicity.Love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, forgiveness. It's not complex or elaborate. The real knowledge is free. It's encoded in your DNA. All you need is within you. Great teachers have said that from the beginning. Find your heart, and you will find your way."<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Carlos Barrios Mayan Ajq'ij</span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-20097495620669509522010-01-01T15:33:00.016-05:002010-01-01T19:19:45.931-05:00Enthusiasm<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM5ETzrPXqTZw-s-DBVzqp5cmsC_o4uM1tYp926pn4cw75-aYgq9gWNwxGvvrmjRn98csGZnX9nekW1Ad7r33si0didyDBsQjepN4o6Ip7zW6u2q7WG_Yh1vg29UtgwRKYWnEaxW7v9Eq/s1600-h/pond+004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 414px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421881049173028738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM5ETzrPXqTZw-s-DBVzqp5cmsC_o4uM1tYp926pn4cw75-aYgq9gWNwxGvvrmjRn98csGZnX9nekW1Ad7r33si0didyDBsQjepN4o6Ip7zW6u2q7WG_Yh1vg29UtgwRKYWnEaxW7v9Eq/s400/pond+004.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> "None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm" Henry David Thoreau<br /></span><br /><div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">As I sat today watching the rain fall yet again, I found my enthusiasm running low on this the first day of the new year. As the drops sent ripples across the pond I thought of one of my own post, </span><a href="http://kap-maria.blogspot.com/2008/12/exchanging-energy.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Exchanging Energy</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. Rereading it and <a href="http://todayandeveryday.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/enjoy-the-ride/">Dawn's post about Joy</a></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> reminded me that finding my enthusiasm is not something I should do just for myself but for all those I encounter along my journey. Now this isn't to say that I should always be Ms. Perky but I do hope to maintain an awareness of how I'm effecting those around me. The path to peace and happiness in the world is created by each individual finding it in themselves.</span></div></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-77132979877763389112009-12-30T02:59:00.046-05:002009-12-30T19:17:46.854-05:00Blue Moon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnu6NlawQUfjTiC8nNrAYrjuwJDpXXQUKUIpG8iKuYiqm2Enjl6g2ULtmol_5PnsH04dpswNx787UwmS7MKT8fUYAXHWhLwww1xK8gtCTOpNFp5XK4AZyLPwD01n2n6-UV1M-S-K2qrpW/s1600-h/DSC02022.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 411px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420946715075402530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnu6NlawQUfjTiC8nNrAYrjuwJDpXXQUKUIpG8iKuYiqm2Enjl6g2ULtmol_5PnsH04dpswNx787UwmS7MKT8fUYAXHWhLwww1xK8gtCTOpNFp5XK4AZyLPwD01n2n6-UV1M-S-K2qrpW/s400/DSC02022.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">As the day's activities draw to an end, my husband and I can usually be found on the porch breathing in the refreshing night air, collecting our thoughts, and forging new plans. To me the night sky seems to provide cleansing and nourishment for the soul, raining down energy on the weary thirsty traveler. As I gaze upon the stars, I also feel a connection to a greater whole as if the night sky is a unifying force connecting all life, now and throughout time. For New Year's Eve the night sky will be brightly illuminated by the moon in all her full glory, the second full moon in December. What a unique blessing with both the night and the moon symbolizing a time of reflection and new beginnings. During this time of saying my farewells to the past and looking forward with great expectation to the coming year, a word that comes to mind is gratitude. I am grateful for all that has transpired, the good and the bad, for it has brought me to where I am today, and I look forward with gratitude for the many blessings yet to come.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">I've noticed on your blogs that some of you are participating in a one word challenge for the new year. I had not planned to do this until I noticed the one word that presented itself as I finished this post. I will go into 2010 with the intent of using gratitude as my rudder to steer me on my travels.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Happy New Year and I wish you all many blessings throughout the coming year.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-18060609633591994982009-12-27T10:27:00.005-05:002009-12-27T10:37:10.188-05:00DesiderataGo placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.<br /><br />Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.<br /><br />If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.<br /><br />Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.<br /><br />Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.<br /><br />Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.<br /><br />Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.<br /><br />Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.<br /><br />Strive to be happy.<br /><br />Max Ehrmann, 1927Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-54230240263159345982009-12-05T14:38:00.022-05:002009-12-05T19:59:31.325-05:00Discovering Self<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyComfNV296H6EfL0me-GSy2amG77ysR7fR_0MHSykEXNVUXvQmvUrxoIGJLcY1IGq-mJtcFf-zl0XsEifUJRMLdSgrP_knhzJVAD_av0wRs3SEFHk2LFK7DkfEuIRhYUdCAYC9nDnJAR/s1600-h/DSC02907.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411910594198113346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 411px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 311px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyComfNV296H6EfL0me-GSy2amG77ysR7fR_0MHSykEXNVUXvQmvUrxoIGJLcY1IGq-mJtcFf-zl0XsEifUJRMLdSgrP_knhzJVAD_av0wRs3SEFHk2LFK7DkfEuIRhYUdCAYC9nDnJAR/s400/DSC02907.JPG" border="0" /></span></a> "I write not to be understood, but to understand." C. Day Lewis (father Daniel Day Lewis)</div><br /><div align="left">I have found writing to be quite therapeutic, a way to peel back the layers and see what is underneath. I began writing to organize some of the thoughts rambling around in my head, but I never consciously envisioned that I would discover my core self in what came out in my written word. I even recently began playing with some fictional characters just for fun and before I knew it the story began to turn semi-autobiographical. Although the story is totally fictional, I have found I was writing in characteristics of my past, present and even future self. The future characteristics have become motivation to propel me toward some of my goals, which is still, and always will be, a work in progress. I am sure many of you bloggers have found this to be true as well, but I highly recommend to anyone that writing can be used as a way to explore themselves and life in general. </div><br /><div align="left">BTW I don't know if anyone is still out there, I've been away for a while. I wasn't actually away as I've been keeping up with your blogs and have even written a few post but never seemed to feel like hitting that publish button. I've been on quite a knowledge quest the last few months, getting my green building certification, studying permaculture and sustainable living, wetlands workshops, planting rain gardens for which I plan to get certified for in January, just took a fascinating beekeeping course and am presently studying soil microbiology. Hmm what have I forgotten, oh I got semi-hooked on Facebook which I swore I'd never do. Hope everyone is having a great weekend, the weather is a bit damp here in the South (by that I mean I'm living in the middle of a swamp that used to be my yard). </div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-20000926094074431772009-09-07T11:38:00.009-04:002009-09-07T11:46:52.512-04:00No Worries<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378750952573062114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 409px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 313px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOb6CcPxmksy2GQ-7H2AxUsHRpav4k7a5qn5w_CIHiV_SeIJDdGPQTllHnLgtl-LZAueVmyMXKnwKjXTiJUYJhkkEuPJg0PTsFsXrpZTWx-ZOEGtbZHrIFFQCF8wy6GAaA2AuaDnggmA9D/s400/DSC03708.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />Try letting go ....<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">and see what happens.</p><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Skyward view through my magical Live Oak as I float along on my homemade swing.</span></p>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-12709662400065461892009-08-26T09:18:00.023-04:002009-09-03T20:35:52.729-04:00Ch Ch Ch Changing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInKP2w3RZOL6CuGj1V1zyZyeVL9G1ndXfPHSq6TWlOV9xBPgHmV8qsJ868S2UpBE-4uuHVon9S6tQmqRmx8GCy-o9zJVQ2Kisfa2rE4z2FARVah-Pi9yg5pCAI3nJsw0v43MI0K5l-5y_/s1600-h/DSC02661.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377369555637332274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 412px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 312px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInKP2w3RZOL6CuGj1V1zyZyeVL9G1ndXfPHSq6TWlOV9xBPgHmV8qsJ868S2UpBE-4uuHVon9S6tQmqRmx8GCy-o9zJVQ2Kisfa2rE4z2FARVah-Pi9yg5pCAI3nJsw0v43MI0K5l-5y_/s400/DSC02661.JPG" border="0" /></a> The above is a photograph I took recently of a barn on my uncle's property. Things have changed a bit there since my childhood. No longer is this barn surrounded by cows and horses grazing contentedly on green pastures. No longer are the lofts stuffed with hay or the tack room lined with saddles. But as some things in our lives change some part of them always stays the same. For me I will always love the aroma of hay and leather and they still have the power to transport me to another world full of adventures.<br /><br />Some of my friends think I've been doing some changing myself although I don't really see it. I think the difference is I have always been this person on "the inside" and now have begun to live it "externally". I think you call that being more authentic. All those thoughts, ideas, "voices" I'm now letting out to make their way in the world and the I cant's are diminishing. One of the sources of letting those "voices" out has been through blogging. I am not writing much on this blog these days but this marks that blogosphere milestone of being my 100th post. The whole writing thing came after suggestions from a few friends and then my husband telling me to write it down so I did. I wrote my first post on August 26, 2008, which I guess means I have also just had an anniversary of sorts although at first it was a private journal only. This did help sort some thoughts, but then a few months later I read my first blog, yes I had never even read a blog before. Shortly after that I went public and began to read and write more. I have found this form of opening up and sharing with others therapeutic and probably the anonymity of it all made it easier. I now don't have so many voices in my head bouncing around and running into each other, arguing and debating life. I have gotten out this year and done many of the things I only thought of before and have so much yet to do. So to all of you out there in blogland I say thank you for inspiring and motivating me, for sharing your time and listening to my voice.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-24992856712043562012009-08-24T11:49:00.018-04:002009-08-26T17:55:55.784-04:00Life's a Beach<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9UZUBc8gsPntDBsJ_ftq2UhgydWtCNVkocKNFmsPr5S1QlL1rAtVRryY4BbBm0NwEmt-7kCJFQOv-TeQiSJ8XCIv9NlSkUnLVQfu0x6h2cceq7OeTP9PTZerY7kotgjAyWNIS0nQXdPR/s1600-h/DSC03497.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374393048488703474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 418px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 316px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9UZUBc8gsPntDBsJ_ftq2UhgydWtCNVkocKNFmsPr5S1QlL1rAtVRryY4BbBm0NwEmt-7kCJFQOv-TeQiSJ8XCIv9NlSkUnLVQfu0x6h2cceq7OeTP9PTZerY7kotgjAyWNIS0nQXdPR/s400/DSC03497.JPG" border="0" /></a> It can be quite odd when your office is at the beach, on an island actually. I have a schedule and wear clothes, many times feeling a bit overdressed, while everyone around me is on "island time" and walking about in basically their underwear. I'm sure these people wouldn't be caught dead walking onto their porch at home in their actual underwear yet here they walk or bike around town in even less. Since we are becoming more populated by year rounders I do see more people in the stores actually dressed now but there are still those walking around in nothing more than butt skimming sheer cover ups and I have in the past walked by girls in bikini's in the grocery aisle. The oddest thing is that no one finds this odd and most don't give it a second thought. What would it be like where you live to pass someone walking around in their underwear pushing a shopping cart while going about their daily chores? On the plus side our business attire is shorts and sandals or loafers. It is strange here to see someone in a tie and do they still make hose, not sure if they even sell those torture devises around here. If you are spotted wearing anything like that you are immediately outed as a salesperson in town for the day. On occassion we feel a need or desire to dress up so we may break out the khaki's.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-42497234690135623942009-08-20T20:28:00.012-04:002009-08-21T19:10:08.571-04:00Alien in the Garden<span style="font-family:verdana;">In my studies of permaculture this summer I have learned a lot of interesting things and a few I wish I could wipe from my memory. I am mostly speaking of the interplay between the many little creatures that crawl, hop, and buzz all around us. It is like something out of a horror movie, in fact one is believed to have inspired the movie Alien and it began a showing in my garden last night. I am speaking of the wasp vs. the caterpillar and to keep from creeping myself out with the details (hint - the 1st movie showing how the Alien is incubated and then "born") you can read more </span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/alien-empire/caterpillar-wasps/3415/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> if you are so inclined. Also I did not take a picture, in fact I do not want to go back, and definitely don't wish to record one here for eternity so here is a</span><a href="http://www.gardengrapevine.com/TomatoWorm.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> link</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> to what it looks like right now. The interesting part though is the plants role in this, who knew a plant could send out an SOS. By the way, if you can't tell by his gruesome actions, the wasp is the beneficial one and for the healthiest garden you have to sometimes just walk away. I am learning that in order for nature to be in balance the best thing I can do is stay out of it's way.<br /></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8reWtncpqu6qLp9P5zLk1SKUg6rpY7qx_wZ3vTm-VBvLbmgBdV7IqRh0K1ISacr1Nd2bJ4GuEWwYH0sVytuiI-oKjRQVFf0Qin2NyZcaa6BToHIiqt6WJoMPjeaqSwUm26rvEJz-m_qJO/s1600-h/DSC03783.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372209898411842498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8reWtncpqu6qLp9P5zLk1SKUg6rpY7qx_wZ3vTm-VBvLbmgBdV7IqRh0K1ISacr1Nd2bJ4GuEWwYH0sVytuiI-oKjRQVFf0Qin2NyZcaa6BToHIiqt6WJoMPjeaqSwUm26rvEJz-m_qJO/s400/DSC03783.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I didn't take a picture of the poor little worm but wanted to show you the canteloupe the horses planted, yes that's my manure compost pile. This isn't the first garden they have attempted to grow, once they gave me back some beautiful watermelon plants, that is until the deer ate them. Who says gardening has to be so complicated, just enjoy a cool watermelon on a sunny day, give what's left to the equine, and then let nature do all the work :). This is an aged pile so if I can beat the deer it should be safe to transplant it and see what happens.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Update: Well I was too late, when I checked after work today the canteloupe was gone roots an all. They probably chowed it down last night, hope it was enjoyed.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-11881071646111289302009-08-07T10:48:00.069-04:002009-08-19T12:25:33.762-04:00Tattoo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUR6yAc6XdKcRNKI-gybPd2gvq59JKUMSTPpzngf7LxBNds4EcgM-jPansIfPTmMhM_NU444u5S4g1H8zwsrhicVoprMjP6Px3JShTjfDUsF_gSbpALTDrMqG6E9dvkmZYS8CGXdlrVKz/s1600-h/tattoo+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371478233146769234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 412px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUR6yAc6XdKcRNKI-gybPd2gvq59JKUMSTPpzngf7LxBNds4EcgM-jPansIfPTmMhM_NU444u5S4g1H8zwsrhicVoprMjP6Px3JShTjfDUsF_gSbpALTDrMqG6E9dvkmZYS8CGXdlrVKz/s400/tattoo+008.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tattoo's have come up in conversation a bit lately so I thought I would explore the topic here. Feelings about tattoo's can be controversial so I hope no one takes offense one way or the other from this post. While some people view it as the body being used as a canvas for a work of art, others see it as defilement. That word did come up in a conversation about tattoo's recently so what exactly does it mean. The definition of defilement is to make filthy or dirty or to make unclean or unfit for ceremonial use; desecrate: defile a temple. Hmmm, I always thought tattoo's were a part of ceremony in many cultures, a way of marking landmarks in one's life. I personally do not have a tattoo (yet anyway), but many of my family members and friends do. In most cases I see their tattoo's as a visual narration of their life or either as an outward expression of an inward journey. I gain much insight into who they are from hearing the stories, meanings, and their feelings behind each one. To me they are a form of expression, kind of a pictorial freedom of speech. If you have a tattoo, or even imagine what you would get if you had one (that'd be me), I would love to hear your story.<br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">The <em>visual pictorial</em> above is of my step-sister's story. The circle on her back is her birth sign representing the day she was born and the tree, a work in progress, symbolizes the tree of life. The art work is of an actual Live Oak tree that has special meaning for her. (Getting off topic, but adding to the uniqueness of Live Oak trees, you can see my feelings about them from what I have written before <a href="http://kap-maria.blogspot.com/2009/01/majestic-live-oak.html">here</a>.) Getting back to the image, you can also see my favorite, her sons baby handprint. She has now added her second sons handprint as he was just about to be born when this photograph was taken. </span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119701944773614275.post-34209518363898982972009-07-31T22:27:00.019-04:002009-08-07T08:39:29.348-04:00Beltline - Battle or Ballet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit13ZXJ7AH7cpmHMwsLPe2kbSVZcbywQZZ9ADYpBomIAcD7fC5Ybw2eUHduINytVabgStTX2aTuxnY94vBaK0xRmG1k5iW8SJ4TJ0JszY8pzMpotyxKyCVmgyNeR156YpszC_Y_7y183Pp/s1600-h/DSC03730.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366281532242774386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 409px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 313px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit13ZXJ7AH7cpmHMwsLPe2kbSVZcbywQZZ9ADYpBomIAcD7fC5Ybw2eUHduINytVabgStTX2aTuxnY94vBaK0xRmG1k5iW8SJ4TJ0JszY8pzMpotyxKyCVmgyNeR156YpszC_Y_7y183Pp/s400/DSC03730.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I recently attended some workshops in Raleigh, NC. The classes I found to be enjoyable but driving on the beltline not so much. Although I used to live in this area, before the population and road system became what it is today, I now am very much a small town girl. The beltline is three and four lanes of steady in a hurry commuters. The most intimidating part for me though are it's continuous on and off ramps, and heaven forbid you are not in the correct lane when you get to your exit. It feels like you are being charged on in battle, not only being trapped from both sides, in front, and barrelling down on you from behind, but they are constantly charging down on you from off ramps, one after the other, like a battalion of warriors coming down from the cliffs above. As I was in the middle of what seemed to be chaos, feeling assaulted and attacked, I began to wonder if from a birds eye view that this may look like a well choreographed dance. My problem was that I had wondered on stage and didn't know the steps.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com5