The irony of winter is its warmth. Rather than isolating us, the cold draws us closer, giving us an excuse to relax and while away hours in each other’s company. It’s also a great time for playing in the kitchen, and when the weather breaks, perfect for a long walk with a friend. EIGHTH ANNUAL […]
JANUARY 2017, ISSUE #188 Read More »
In the last month of 2016 we honored the dead, celebrated the living, watched kids frolic in the leaves, savored several sunsets, and relaxed into a mellow Christmas with our friends. SUNRISE ON A NEW MONTH And just like that, we’re into another month. The sun sneaks across Fred and Reda’s bronzed lawn to light
DECEMBER 2016, ISSUE #187 Read More »
Another month digging the grassroots movement, doing our best to ignore the ringmasters promising top-down change. BEFORE THE FROST First principle of self-reliance: grow food! Noticing we were due for the first heavy frost of the season, Bob pulled in peppers, turmeric, ginger, and potatoes from our garden. Camille freezes the ginger and
NOVEMBER 2016, ISSUE #186 Read More »
We spent much of October outside basking in the amber light of fall. We did things around the yard. Bob harvested ginger and turmeric and put our Troutsfarm sign back up. Camille went for walks in a post-hurricane rain mushroom wonderland and discovered a crazy plant that feeds on mushrooms! This is the time of year
OCTOBER 2016, ISSUE #185 Read More »
A most memorable month! Emily married Tyler, we met Bob’s grandson, Nolan, we stayed with Rob and Sharyl, and then with Shirley, and we connected with Camille’s brother, Michael, and load of other Colorado friends. Back home, we celebrated Bob’s birthday, harvested our first paw paw, made Kentucky Fried Tofu, went to a concert, and hung out
SEPTEMBER 2016, ISSUE #184 Read More »
The dog days of summer brought lots of comfortable sameness and a few surprises most notably, the speedy return of Bob’s smile, and an introduction to our grandson, Nolan. TURN AROUND Bob and John headed out for Boone in the work truck and had to turn around when they realized they were flirting
AUGUST 2016, ISSUE #183 Read More »
In which we celebrate our anniversary, survive a big scare, and make pickles. TWENTY-TWO REMARKABLE YEARS July 31, we celebrated twenty-two years of marriage and happily signed up for another twenty-two. OUR LITTLE HOME It isn’t much, a thirty-year old manufactured home re-roofed and cabled to the earth so it won’t fly off
JULY 2016, ISSUE #182 Read More »
Two birthdays and a funeral brought out the best in everyone this month. We also acquired a greenhouse and some beautiful canna lily plants, participated in a couple of Abundance NC’s events, and enjoyed the first of many fingerling potatoes from the garden. FOOD AND BEAUTY Bob and John work on the first phase
JUNE 2016, ISSUE #181 Read More »
Shakori, annual vacation and family reunion, home cooking, yard work, a day at the beach, a turtle, a whopper of a party, and a few snakes. DINING IN We started the month on a Sunday with the typical Sunday night dinner of scalloped potatoes, Kentucky Fried Tofu and asparagus from Bob’s garden. Friday is often Itey
MAY 2016, ISSUE #180 Read More »
A month that started out beautifully and ended badly, April began with the best neighborhood party of the year, Haruka’s birthday and a visit from Margie and ended in tragedy. SWEET SIXTEEN TRAIL CRAWL The best, most funnest event of the year, Trail Crawl involves eating, drinking, walking and talking. See the whole
APRIL 2016, ISSUE #179 Read More »
