and back again

With this summer and fall came a welcome stability.

During the last full calender year starting in August, I have spent no more than 3 weeks in any given place--and often much less. The record breaking 3 week stint was spent with Jena and Rey in Manama, Bahrain over Christmas. I barely broke that streak this summer in between a couple road trips, but currently it has been 8 weeks since I have been grounded in Sioux Center, Iowa after returning from Alberta from Andrew and Lynda's wedding.

It is a welcome change, and I am refreshed.

The farm, Seedtime and Harvest, embraced me in my weeks back, and in between road trips I harvested and ate all the fresh organic veggies I've been deprived of while on the road. The very tangible and fascinating reality of roots growing in dirt has guided my mind and feelings to find some sort of acceptable balance, after the inevitable fullness of returning to Sioux Center after much travel.

A few photos of my summer trips:

Camping at Lost Johnny National Forest Campground. near hungry house dam. Montana. Thanks Matthew for taking the picture.

Sharing a lovely childhood memory with Betsy. Anyone else love this place?? Free ice water anyone? (to those skeptics, just read the story of how it all started, you'll be touched-- I'm sure of it.)

The Russet House Farm. Ontario. A beautiful old farm house. off the grid, due to the visible panels on the roof. Thanks to Sylvia and Brain, I experienced my definition of a dream farm. We ate lots of veggies and flowers, spent many hours of the day in the kitchen conversing, and lived in a way that, for once, made sense to me as a Christian and lover of green things. Thanks Brian and Sylvia. and Justin.

Connecticut. Chicago. Ontario. Alberta. Everywhere in between. The road trips, combined with the creation of this: has helped the transition from ultra-transience to Iowa. I bought the scraps from a couple dress makers in Uganda. It was fun. Congrats again, Andrew and Lynda.

The frosts have again come and harvest is complete. The seasons continue, in nature and my life. Yes, I am again jobless. open for ideas for work and volunteering and road trips.