beauty that moves

return to the trails and mountains... check!

Dearest Mt Pisgah, you really kicked my ass. Ask my family and  they will tell you I was heard countless times on the trail, "you're really kicking my ass Pisgah!" But I needed it, and am better for it, so thank you.

And to anyone reading this, thanks for indulging me with all this Vermont talk. It's going to take me a few posts to cover everything, I'll break it into three sections I think; hiking, Grandmother June's homestead, and how to keep a ten year old happy and energized enough to be dragged up the side of a mountain by her parents. First I'll cover hiking, sadly there will be no links because whatever improvements that have been made in the land of Typepad, they are lost on me. I can't figure out adding links with the new format and don't feel like spending hours on here figuring it out - with the blog trying to be on retreat and all.
First things first. I left my hiking shoes at home. Excellent move on my part. I grabbed my running shoes (which I never use) by mistake, they look like my Northface hikers but sadly are nothing like them. Keens it was. How do you all feel about Keens? I've found them to be okay, not great. For local light hikes (think airline trails) and of course walking through rivers they are great. To seriously hike in them though is difficult as tiny sticks, sand and stones always slip into the sides, get trapped underfoot, and the shoes need to be "emptied" regularly on the trail. They do work for me in the sense that I don't require a lot of support, I'd hike barefoot or in moccasins if it weren't for the sake of protecting the feet. A serious abrasion or puncture (gross) will ruin the day for everyone.
 This photo was taken at a lookout about half way up. Emily sported her head net most of the way as the black flies were out in full force. This tiny little investment is just about the most essential piece of gear for her. Without it she is miserable, with it, good to go. I'd highly recommend a head net to anyone hiking with children, especially if black flies are in your area.

This mountain (man, I wish I could add links for you!) overlooks Lake Willoughby which is five miles long and 300 ft deep. It is mostly undeveloped as you can see and is really only accessible from either end. It is clean and quiet, and it is 10 minutes from where Adam grew up. Nice stomping grounds for a young boy and his friends.
Finally at the top. The hike wasn't too long, only 2 miles. But it was an intense, straight up two miles. I thought it was one of the most beautiful ascents ever though because the whole time we had this incredible glacial lake to our left and the late afternoon sun dancing across it's surface. So beautiful. We were rewarded further by views of Burke Mountain (Vermont) and The White Mountains (New Hampshire).  The height of Mt Pisgah is just under 3,000 ft so I didn't expect it to have that incredible alpine feel, but it did! The last twenty minutes of our hike the temps were cooler, the incredible scent of pine surrounded us, the hardwoods were gone, and the dirt underfoot was replaced by rock.
We hung around at the top, consumed some calories, and soaked it all in.

Have I ever mentioned how much yoga has helped me as a hiker? Probably not due to the fact that there was little to no hiking reported on this blog last summer (looking to change that big time this year), but it's true. Yoga has made me a stronger hiker. Not just because I am physically stronger, but my attitude has shifted. I remember years ago Adam and I were on a hike (Mt. Ascutney) and I gave up. I was ten years younger and literally thought I couldn't do it, we had to turn around and headed down the mountain. I think there were some tears, Adam was cool and supportive. He must have thought I was such a wimp, but never would have let that show. Now I realize that if I just stay with an even, steady breath, and place one foot in front of the other , the mountain will get climbed. It's just walking after all. I'm not fast, but I do get there. I listen to my heart muscle and keep it at a reasonable pace, if it feels like it's going to burst out of my chest I slow down or stop for five minutes, then keep going. No big deal. Yoga has taught me about meeting my edge, to gaze beyond my limits, and when the time is right, to break ground and discover new territory.
Of course having her around is pretty inspiring and makes me stronger for sure.

When I get back here to blog some more I'll write about the homestead and some new to us methods of keeping the kiddo on board with the rigorous hiking requests of two crazy parents... what I share might surprise you.

when i am among the trees

When I Am Among the Trees

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks, and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”

Mary Oliver, Thirst

I read this poem to Adam on the way up North. It makes me think of him. Have you ever read a poem and thought "if only I could write poetry like that, that is what I would say." Yeah, me too.

We are home... Vermont was great. So much to share... stay tuned for more pictures and stories ahead. This photo was taken on the road to Adam's grandmother's house. Can you imagine?

heading out

One pack... two feet... 48 hours... countless footsteps offered up as prayer for each soldier who has fallen and their loved ones left behind. This is always a difficult weekend for me, heading to the mountains feels right.
Peace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X29xW8E2AoY&feature=related

this blog's going on retreat

I think I'm going to enter summer mode a tiny bit early and take a vacation from the blog. My time here is always wonderful, and amazingly worthwhile, but it is time. And time feels very precious to me right now.

In just over a week the  Farmers Market begins and I will be there every other week for the entire season with my upcycled wares (is repurposed out?). Please be sure to visit this market if you are in eastern Connecticut over the summer. This dedicated group really amazes me.

Sewing. There will be  a lot of time spent sewing. Which is okay, but I must admit that my favorite part of my work is definitely the hunt for various fabrics and the bringing the vision to life of each item. I'm told I have a pretty good eye for combining color and fabrics, I just know it's my favorite part of the process. The actual sewing part? That's kind of like housekeeping to me, necessary and worthwhile... but not particulary juicy.

Yoga. Now that's juicy. And something I'm trying to figure out how to spend even more time doing. I sense some deeper aspects of yoga are waiting for me on the horizon, ready to enter my practice... but I need to slow down and clear some head space to open up to it. Adam and I have talked a lot about this and because he is so freaking supportive of my whirly, twirly ways - he thinks I should attend a Five Day Yoga Retreat in September. I really hope the scheduling works out for my family. This retreat is intentionally not part of my advanced certification program, it's just yoga. Deep, experiential yoga. Like I told my teacher the other day, I don't need a teacher training right now, I need a Heather training. 

You know what else I want to do this summer? Besides return to the mountains and trails? I want to go to more concerts. There's been a really lame gap in our concert attendance the last couple of years and I have no good excuse. So I must work on that too. Anything great coming to New England that I should know about?

Here is the thing, I'm not completely vanishing here. There is no need for that. Let's just say from here on out, until further notice, I'll be posting about once a week. And those posts might be mellow, simple and light, like summertime... ooh, makes me think of Janis. Now that would have been a summer concert...   

lunch

I may not have much to say these days, or really just don't have the time to stop and say it... but I am eating well which provides for great happiness... and peace of mind too. My mood, energy and overall well being are all closely linked to the foods that make their way into my body. So this was lunch yesterday. I've been really into cooking beans lately - not canned - but taking the time to actually cook them. The flavor difference is beyond comparison. Cooked chick peas, cooled to room temperature, sprinkled with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, sea salt, cracked pepper, pumpkin seeds. If I had parsley I would have chopped some of that up too. The melon was sent up from Florida so it's got some miles on it, but it is organic and is the best tasting melon I've ever tried. We've gone through two of these beauties this week! So that's it. Simple lunch for very busy days, creating balance. Supporting a happy yogi, crafter, mama, partner.