If it's not the heat,

It's the humidity. And right now I can see it on the inside of the windows as Ez makes noodles. I can see the tomato plants out the window, and they're looking good! No ripe ones, yet. That won't be for a while. Our blueberries aren't ripe yet, either. Looks like that will be in a couple of weeks. And none of the shiny little beetles that drive me bonkers -- that will be in early July, I think. Hopefully they won't eat too much.

I've caught four field mice in four days. Cute little buggers. In live traps! And each one is named, and then let go, far far away. Today's mouse, "Mothra," got little dark blue dots on its tail, thanks to Keenan, who believes that we're catching the same mouse each day. I know Bartimaus Catslayer, day 2 mouse, hasn't returned -- that one had a ripped up ear. Could be Bart's somewhere around, we may never know....

Okey dokey artichokey. How many more mice can I catch?

Hot and muggy

So, it's June, and I'd like to take some pictures, but I'm not sure how to get the pictures from my very nice new camera that my father sent me into the various forms needed for whatever thing I want to do with it. If that sentence didn't make much sense, it's because I was raised in the age of FILM. That's different than the age of DIGITAL, whatever that means. No, I have no anti-computer bias whatsoever. Why did you think that? No doubt if I understood all these doohickies and and whatnot, I'd be much better at sending pictures to my relatives, who are longing to see pictures of their grandchildren. Arrgh. Or their own children. Anyway.

It may be time for more coffee. I can put coffee in a mug, and I just need to decide if I want it hot or cold. But I may want a hot and muggy coffee, to go along with the day.

much love,
Kelpie

Green. old friend, Lawrence

Seems like summer's in full bloom now, and it's been great on the commune. Lots of flowers and green, and the steam table has been full of truly amazing freshness. The sugar snap peas are my favorite. They're green, so I think I'm getting nutrition, and they're sweet and crunchy, which is what I really want.

My ol' buddy Steve came to visit yesterday with his wife, and we walked around the farm for a few hours, catching up and touring. Our conversation made me miss Lawrence, but more miss the Lawrence of my misspent youth. I feel so lucky to have grown up in such a progressive town, and very grateful for the educational opportunities handed to me on a plate. Now when I go back, I see a lot of economic boom, which in some respects seems a bit empty to me -- I understand there's a second Wal-Mart now, and that's discouraging. But in many more ways, Lawrence is fundamentally solid in its values, with green growing things all around, and people working together to make it a peaceful place of learning and art. I miss that.

Don't get me wrong -- Twin Oaks is chockful of growing and art. Sometimes though, it's just a bit... hmm.... constricting. I'm laughing at myself, because I remember a time when I thought Lawrence too constricting. In the ways that really matter, Twin Oaks and Lawrence are more similar than different. For example, growing up, I thought every town had a coop grocery store -- it just makes sense. Now of course, I realize what a treasure the Merc is. People just need to have control over their food source, over what actually goes in their actual mouths. And unfortunately, in this day and age, most folks are limited in their choices. Don't get me started.

okey dokey artichokey,
much love,
Kelpie