Sagetribe- Adventures From Our Village

Growing

Sagetribe — 2013-05-21T13:11:20-04:00

The seedlings sprouted, were nestled into their raised beds, and then re-nestled because those chipmunks that plague us are tunneling like crazy. Our season of growing has begun.

What will it look like? It will look like a big guy getting it all ready and then leaving it all, for 8 weeks, in the hands of someone who has no clue what is what in the pictures above.

It will look like someone who once, as a teenager, lost her allowance for two weeks because she refused to clean off farm fresh eggs, but has come a long way, and is now mostly OK with smashing worms and finding a bug or two in the salad spinner.

It will look like someone who has A LOT of reading and learning to do and wishes she had an old woman with long white hair (am I the only one who wishes this?) to mentor her in the ways of herbal medicine and canning and fermenting. Books are good, but OH I need to "do" to learn.

It looks like the kids and I are pretty lucky to be off to a good start and will be left with plenty to keep us busy.

I'll learn. I am learning. But if you see that old woman wandering around, please send her my way!

Critter Walk

Sagetribe — 2013-05-19T17:40:00-04:00

Come walk with us on this Sunday hike day. There are critters also enjoying the slight breeze and vitamin D.

Can you find them?

The Gleason side of our family loves reptiles and the Big Guy is coming around to them, so we were in love of our all sightings.

Really there is just nothing more gorgeous!

After some painted turtle chats, we said goodbye and continued through the mostly dry lake bed

thankful for the critters, especially the Northern Ringneck, Garter, and Northern Water snakes that let us spend our morning with them.

Some things, while still exciting, we are finding by the clumps, but today we saw more snakes and turtles than we usually do for weeks at a time.

Regardless, all are treasures to seek and find again and again.

Here's to long hikes or walks, critters, and time to explore.

A Week

Sagetribe — 2013-05-16T21:09:58-04:00

The days are speed racing. There is the part of me that is counting down and another part that keeps assigning projects, because maybe if I do, the days won't end. I don't want to say goodbye to these big kids I do love so. It's not goodbye, I know, but it is, and I know that too.

I've packed my classroom up many times in the last nine years, but there was always a new classroom to unpack. New shelves to fill, new posters to create...

This is my choice and I know this. I know that it doesn't mean I'll never unpack the boxes again or that if I decide to unpack them at home, it doesn't mean I'm not a teacher or teaching.

The big kids and I have cried and next week more tears will fall I'm sure. But I'm trying to remember that although sometimes my sadness wants to blanket me and keep me warm in its teary embrace, there are graduates to celebrate. Two I have taught for six years! And all four who are so deserving and will go on to do great things in this world.

There are vacations to see grandparents, beaches, and a little cousin named Sam. There are so many ideas that need to be written down when Time, who will be visiting soon, is present, beautiful classes to facilitate, and best of all... a Clark and a Sophie to just be with for not one month or two, but for an indefinite amount of time.

Yes, in a week the seasons of my life change, a new chapter begins to be written, and in all the sadness of what just can't be anymore, good things are growing.

May 14, 2013

Sagetribe — 2013-05-14T19:02:44-04:00

Hanging with my girl on a very hot Tuesday!

Mid-Week Joy- Summer Nights

Sagetribe — 2013-05-08T19:58:29-04:00

These nights, where the sun stays up until nearly nine, and the breeze is still too chilly for most buzzing bugs,

where the husband is home to push the girl up big hills, and the boy's independence on wheels is growing,

where the stoop is our place to reconnect and sip good things,

and the garden is still in the needing just a little care stage...

These nights are telling me summer nights are just around the corner- bedtimes will soon be moved to later and dinner will only be served outside.

These nights are telling me 2 1/2 more weeks-breathe deep, the list will begin to be checked off, goodbyes won't be forever, and there are many good things growing and changing in the night light of the sun.

A Weekend of Beginnings

Sagetribe — 2013-05-05T22:16:09-04:00

When I picture my life, I see a winding, wooded path. For years I didn't pay much attention to where my steps fell. As long as I tried to be a good person, not break the law (or get caught) and do what was expected of me, my feet just kept walking.

Years ago, just married, at 23, my body anaemic, my head forever in pain, my mind in and out of sadness and panic, I recognized the things along my path that I was putting into my body, both physically and mentally, were crushing my spirit, and clearly were making the path harder and harder to walk on. I needed to stop, look around, become mindful and intentional. I needed to watch where I was stepping, focus, breathe a little deeper. I began. I taught myself how to cook. I quit smoking. I gained needed weight. I looked for guides.

Years ago I sat in retreat with women, some 50 years my senior, and I listened, for maybe the first time. I began to recognize what it looks like to be mindful and joyful and fulfilled.

I quit my job; I put myself back in school; I overcame my fear of public speaking; I became the person I'd dreamed of as a little girl when I taught lessons to stuffed bears and turtles.

New beginnings...

10 years later, I am far from finished walking this path of mindfulness. But I can say I'm proud of the last ten years. There is a lot to learn, though, and many places I need to grow and nurture.

I'm ready again to curve my path and walk, again, in unknown lands.

This weekend, I was blessed to be surrounded by beautiful women whose strength and courage, faith and good will, guide me once again into new beginnings.

My personal legend, as Paulo Coelho calls it, is moving me, mindfully, into new directions, and while I'm scared and a little sad, there is so much joy in this growth and change.

This weekend I was reminded of how important we are to each other. Us humans are beautiful. We can give so much of ourselves and help love and kindness, strength and courage, wrap others, friends and strangers, in ways we maybe never thought was possible. We can be light and love. We can choose to be mindful of others and ourselves.

In three weeks the season shifts once again. I'm excited to share my new beginnings as they unfold!

There is a new tab on my blog called Offerings. My teaching life is changing. Here is where you'll find local and internet based offerings. Please bookmark this page and check back often!

So thankful to be beginning on a new path, for the soul sisters I continue to be blessed to be surrounded by, for the husband who loves me and lets me nap after being away for two days and cooks and cleans up and does bath, for the children who wrap me in their love and giggles. This I do for you. This I do for me. Much love to you all!

Apr 30, 2013

Sagetribe — 2013-04-30T08:43:41-04:00

A sweet teenager brought me joy on a day of yucky state testing and after school care. So love my big kids!

Sagetribe — 2013-04-28T20:33:26-04:00

Thankful for good friends to wind along back roads with, a fancy way to ride through misty Indiana green hills, 20 different wines to taste, good crackers and cheese. Thankful for a tipsy Sunday and grandparents who babysat. For finally getting cooking the whole chicken down, for a Pop who takes the boy golfing, a Mimi who makes wonderful Broccoli Salad, and for a weekend of relaxing with those we love.

Apr 25, 2013

Sagetribe — 2013-04-25T09:06:12-04:00

Nine hours of conferences and running out of tea on a Thursday.

Apr 24, 2013

Sagetribe — 2013-04-24T22:12:36-04:00

Resting sore piggies after a long day of conferences and a beautiful night of women's' voices on a Wednesday.