The weekend, daylight savings
I used to like the time change to Daylight Savings, there was something about it, that really meant, spring is here! But now, it just seems silly, like why do we do this LOL? It always takes me a while to get used to it.
Yesterday we had an AMAZING day. It was so warm, and sunny. The chickens really love this weather. We have 18 chickens now. Yesterday, we gathered 13 eggs. We took 3 dozen eggs with us, and went down to the cities. Once a month, my sis has a potluck dinner at her house. Yesterday, we fired up the grill. It is a nice group of us who goes to her potlucks. I also brought my dog, Bruin. He was a good dog, he behaved around all the people and the other dogs. When he was a puppy, he was SO hyper! Now he has really mellowed out. We made food on the grill, the kids and dogs ran around the yard. I boiled the eggs, and then today, the kids are going to color the eggs. It may be a little bit early for Easter.
Any day now, we will be getting 5 new boxes of honey bees! Last year, our honey bees, died, when we had a terrible COLD snap in March. We were too late to order new ones. This year, we ordered new ones. And I hope, that these ones will be strong, and will produce lots of honey.
Today is cool and overcast. This Friday March 18 all the family is coming in from all over the country for Grandpa's funeral. He lived to be 97 years old!!! He lived on the Apple Orchard. I remember when I first started helping at the orchard, in 2009, Grandpa was driving the tractor, mowing the lawn, and picking apples. Then, a few years later, he was out there in 101 degrees, and he got heat stroke. He was never the same after that. He was lucky to live there and then he lived for a while in a beautiful care center. What a wonderful man he was, and such a great example. He was so very kind to donate his car to my son Nick a couple of years ago, after he decided to quit driving. That was a great car!!! I used it too. It was very reliable. We drove it until we couldn't drive it any more. Then Nick got a different car, a Pontiac grand am. That car didn't work out. That one only lasted 6 months!!! He had to sell it. Nick is now living with his girlfriend, about 45 mins north of here. He has no way to get to work! I worry about him but then I keep hoping one of these days he will figure it out!
DH and I reserved a hotel room in town, where the family will be, for the funeral on Friday. It will be a celebration of life. We'll get to see many cousins and extended family.
The last time I wrote a journal entry, last summer, I was struggling a lot, because I had agreed to do a project with my friend H, and things weren't going very well. She wrote a story and I illustrated it, and put it together, and we self-published the book. It was about Owls. We launched it in October. I should have been writing more about my experiences, to keep track, so I could read back on it, but I didn't really have the time. I also worked at a seasonal job last summer and then I got hired for 3 months to work as a part-time fill-in temporary employee, way up north, along the Canadian border. That ended last November. They asked me if I was interested in coming back this summer. I did well, I guess. I wasn't perfect. It was difficult. I've done worse, but it wasn't easy. I also came back every weekend and worked at the apple orchard. We had a book signing party in October.
I'm scheduled to start working again up in the boundary waters canoe area wilderness on May 1st. This year it will be FULL time, May 1 to October 1. I told my aunt I'll be able to help in the orchard again in October.
I'm working on another book, this time, I wrote it myself, and I'm illustrating it, too. It is also about the apple orchard. I expect to have it done in October again, and sell it at the orchard.
My friend H, who wrote the book about the Owls, was very difficult to work with, but I couldn't figure out, whether I was being difficult, or if she was the one who was difficult, but we just never meshed. She said some pretty messed up things to me. Also, I devoted so much time to that book, that I did NOT really get to enjoy my summer last year at all.
For one thing, we didn't have bees last year, and this year, we'll have 4 hives here, and one hive at the apple orchard. But also, I didn't even get to put in the garden last year. It was kind of an odd spring. I really missed having my garden.
This year, because of my work hours, I'm not going to have a garden, again, either. DH will take care of the chickens and the bees. Maybe I will have a small garden.
It was that Owl book, which took up a lot of my time and energy. Now, a friend of mine, Marie, really wants me to illustrate HER children's book that SHE is writing!!! I said, you know, that is a bad idea for me, because things did NOT go well at all with me and H, and the owl book. I explained to her in detail what went wrong. So she kept bringing it up, and she would not take NO for an answer. I really don't know what she's thinking. Then we met for lunch in January, and I said, maybe I could do a few sketches for her, but that I couldn't take on that kind of workload. She said, to think about it. Now, she is not a writer! So don't you think I want to qualify people first, before I do a TON of work for FREE for them??? I just couldn't believe it. At first, I said, some people have made lots of money writing children's books!!! But, after having some experience, I realize how difficult that really is. If she does it, and if she finds someone to illustrate her stories, then I will be really happy for her. I will not be jealous, I will not think that I missed out on something. I think she is crazy. She sent me like 15 text messages last night wondering where we were at on this book idea. I said, "This is a heck of a time to put me on the spot. I'm having family time and promised I wouldn't spend a lot of time staring at my phone!"
She did not listen to me at all. Then today, she made some comment, wondering if I was afraid that I was going to suck. I am not afraid that I am going to suck because I DON'T SUCK. I am amazing. She doesn't even HEAR what I say my fears are. She doesn't even LISTEN. So my last text to her was, "Maybe you should write up a business plan describing what you WANT." I haven't heard from her since! I don't want to hear from her.
It makes me grateful for the people in my life like my sis, and my cousins who are coming to visit, even though it is for a sad occasion, the funeral, isn't that the way it is sometimes.
Anyway ... everyone at the cookies, and did I mention they were sweetened with honey? but I do have leftovers, so I'm serving those for dinner :)
I hope to be more on DS again, I feel like it is a good place, to come and vent some of these frustrations, and work through these issues. Part of my problem is I need to take more time for myself :) here's to a great week ahead!!!
Yesterday we had an AMAZING day. It was so warm, and sunny. The chickens really love this weather. We have 18 chickens now. Yesterday, we gathered 13 eggs. We took 3 dozen eggs with us, and went down to the cities. Once a month, my sis has a potluck dinner at her house. Yesterday, we fired up the grill. It is a nice group of us who goes to her potlucks. I also brought my dog, Bruin. He was a good dog, he behaved around all the people and the other dogs. When he was a puppy, he was SO hyper! Now he has really mellowed out. We made food on the grill, the kids and dogs ran around the yard. I boiled the eggs, and then today, the kids are going to color the eggs. It may be a little bit early for Easter.
Any day now, we will be getting 5 new boxes of honey bees! Last year, our honey bees, died, when we had a terrible COLD snap in March. We were too late to order new ones. This year, we ordered new ones. And I hope, that these ones will be strong, and will produce lots of honey.
Today is cool and overcast. This Friday March 18 all the family is coming in from all over the country for Grandpa's funeral. He lived to be 97 years old!!! He lived on the Apple Orchard. I remember when I first started helping at the orchard, in 2009, Grandpa was driving the tractor, mowing the lawn, and picking apples. Then, a few years later, he was out there in 101 degrees, and he got heat stroke. He was never the same after that. He was lucky to live there and then he lived for a while in a beautiful care center. What a wonderful man he was, and such a great example. He was so very kind to donate his car to my son Nick a couple of years ago, after he decided to quit driving. That was a great car!!! I used it too. It was very reliable. We drove it until we couldn't drive it any more. Then Nick got a different car, a Pontiac grand am. That car didn't work out. That one only lasted 6 months!!! He had to sell it. Nick is now living with his girlfriend, about 45 mins north of here. He has no way to get to work! I worry about him but then I keep hoping one of these days he will figure it out!
DH and I reserved a hotel room in town, where the family will be, for the funeral on Friday. It will be a celebration of life. We'll get to see many cousins and extended family.
The last time I wrote a journal entry, last summer, I was struggling a lot, because I had agreed to do a project with my friend H, and things weren't going very well. She wrote a story and I illustrated it, and put it together, and we self-published the book. It was about Owls. We launched it in October. I should have been writing more about my experiences, to keep track, so I could read back on it, but I didn't really have the time. I also worked at a seasonal job last summer and then I got hired for 3 months to work as a part-time fill-in temporary employee, way up north, along the Canadian border. That ended last November. They asked me if I was interested in coming back this summer. I did well, I guess. I wasn't perfect. It was difficult. I've done worse, but it wasn't easy. I also came back every weekend and worked at the apple orchard. We had a book signing party in October.
I'm scheduled to start working again up in the boundary waters canoe area wilderness on May 1st. This year it will be FULL time, May 1 to October 1. I told my aunt I'll be able to help in the orchard again in October.
I'm working on another book, this time, I wrote it myself, and I'm illustrating it, too. It is also about the apple orchard. I expect to have it done in October again, and sell it at the orchard.
My friend H, who wrote the book about the Owls, was very difficult to work with, but I couldn't figure out, whether I was being difficult, or if she was the one who was difficult, but we just never meshed. She said some pretty messed up things to me. Also, I devoted so much time to that book, that I did NOT really get to enjoy my summer last year at all.
For one thing, we didn't have bees last year, and this year, we'll have 4 hives here, and one hive at the apple orchard. But also, I didn't even get to put in the garden last year. It was kind of an odd spring. I really missed having my garden.
This year, because of my work hours, I'm not going to have a garden, again, either. DH will take care of the chickens and the bees. Maybe I will have a small garden.
It was that Owl book, which took up a lot of my time and energy. Now, a friend of mine, Marie, really wants me to illustrate HER children's book that SHE is writing!!! I said, you know, that is a bad idea for me, because things did NOT go well at all with me and H, and the owl book. I explained to her in detail what went wrong. So she kept bringing it up, and she would not take NO for an answer. I really don't know what she's thinking. Then we met for lunch in January, and I said, maybe I could do a few sketches for her, but that I couldn't take on that kind of workload. She said, to think about it. Now, she is not a writer! So don't you think I want to qualify people first, before I do a TON of work for FREE for them??? I just couldn't believe it. At first, I said, some people have made lots of money writing children's books!!! But, after having some experience, I realize how difficult that really is. If she does it, and if she finds someone to illustrate her stories, then I will be really happy for her. I will not be jealous, I will not think that I missed out on something. I think she is crazy. She sent me like 15 text messages last night wondering where we were at on this book idea. I said, "This is a heck of a time to put me on the spot. I'm having family time and promised I wouldn't spend a lot of time staring at my phone!"
She did not listen to me at all. Then today, she made some comment, wondering if I was afraid that I was going to suck. I am not afraid that I am going to suck because I DON'T SUCK. I am amazing. She doesn't even HEAR what I say my fears are. She doesn't even LISTEN. So my last text to her was, "Maybe you should write up a business plan describing what you WANT." I haven't heard from her since! I don't want to hear from her.
It makes me grateful for the people in my life like my sis, and my cousins who are coming to visit, even though it is for a sad occasion, the funeral, isn't that the way it is sometimes.
Anyway ... everyone at the cookies, and did I mention they were sweetened with honey? but I do have leftovers, so I'm serving those for dinner :)
I hope to be more on DS again, I feel like it is a good place, to come and vent some of these frustrations, and work through these issues. Part of my problem is I need to take more time for myself :) here's to a great week ahead!!!
Replies
Hi Carolyn, thinking of you, our dear friends, and keeping you all in my thoughts, prayers, and in my heart. Your grandpa sounded like a great man, and i think it\'s so heart-felt, that you all are going to gather together, to have a celebrate of his life, in loving memory, and remembrance :) i know you all will always feel his spirit with you all, and the very special memories that will forever live on, in your hearts :) we are with you all in spirit, and our love is hugging your hearts. i\'m so proud of you Carolyn, for keeping strong, taking good care, and focused on good health. i\'m so sorry your 2 friends, tried to take advantage of your kindness, and generousity. You are a wonderfully talented, and gifted person, with a love for artwork, your paintings, artwork, are truly genuine, and special joys, that come from your heart, and you deserve the credit, and the recognition, for the hard work, and all of the love, spirit, and energy you put into your artwork, and paintings :) i\'m so proud of you for remaining strong with things, and taking time for yourself :) i have my beautiful owl painting, and my beautiful flowers painting, you gave me, here in my computer room :) i proudly display them, and we\'re so thankful for your very special friendships over the years :) i hope your son and his girlfriend are doing well, and that your son will be able to get things in order, for his work :)
i\'m so sad to hear about your honey bees, but i am so glad and thankful you all were able to get more honey bees, and are looking forward to harvesting honey, and more eggs, from the chickens : )That\'s amazing, that you all have 18 chickens, and recieve lots of eggs from them :) i\'m so happy you all enjoyed going to the cookout :) We love the spring time, and all of the spirited energy, and excitement the season brings :)
i\'ll be thinking of you all often this week, and keeping you all in my thoughts, prayers, and in my heart :) it\'s so nice to see you online, and writing :) DS is such a wonderful site, and truly a treasure trove of support, guidance, and encouragement :)
Wishing you all continued peaceful joys, and blessings, and a lovely new spring season :) We send our love, many peaceful blessings, and warm friendship hugs, from all of us here :) Take care, our dear friend :) have a peaceful day :)
Thank you Chris! your friendship means the world. I will be thinking of you too this week ahead!!!