Diamond in the Rough

Real Rough

This is my hubby man tearing out a ridiculous dormer window.

If you started following this newsletter a few years ago, you may have thought it was a renovation themed blog. You might be wondering what happened. Did they ever finish that house? Are they still living on a porch? Sorry about the lack of updates for all you DIY enthusiasts. I owe you an update. This is not it.

This beautiful bush used to have and abandoned car under it. I was so pleased to have cleaned it up, I put a propane tank under it which I never painted. On the bright side, my tacky pool hides it pretty well.

When I first moved into my fixer upper house, I was thrilled with all the magical little discoveries. Past all the clutter and disrepair, I saw inspiring potential. Three years later, I am struggling to see the magic past all our clutter and unfinished projects. Looking into the unknown, full of history and nature now looks like an unfinished chore list.

It does leave something to be desired.

I used to see this place as an oasis that I needed to share with other creative people. I pictured people gathered under my oaks playing music and singing, sketching and painting, picking mushrooms and fruit and enjoying each other’s company. Now, peering over my above ground pool, I hope I haven't killed the magic of it all.

We immediately regretted the placement of the connex. It is a handy place to park the mower. I have plans to paint a secret garden on it so it blends in.

My oaks are still amazing. Their gargantuan trunks sprawling up and out, covered in resurrection ferns. Their twisting branches full of Spanish moss cascading down to the ground. The shady under story beckoning explorers to venture into this hidden world. Come and see this hidden world, created through centuries of growth and renewal, a symbiotic relationship quietly nurturing scores of life. Pretty amazing, right?

I love to study the gnarled branches of my old growth oaks.

Sometimes, it seems, the very act of viewing something strips the mystery away. I will try to remember to tread softly through the magic. Each day I will look with new eyes and refreshed energy.

These chickens are very messy.

It’s a good thing we are adding more. She is such a good mamma hen.