In Other Off-Grid-y News....

I know the header picture of the Studio doesn't really fit but I can't bring myself to take it down yet. Having the Studio space last year was really a big deal for me. Yea, the roof leaked and it was raining down ceiling tiles in there and there's probably a structural problem somewhere where the floor was falling in in the one spot, but, man, it was such an awesome experience. I did get all my art supplies out by the end of my little three month lease right before the tax notice of impending doom was put on the door. I feel a little helpless when we drive by my former Studio space now. It would take winning the lottery to rehab the building. And that's just the one section of the building. It used to be a restaurant before it became part of the bakery. Anyway, I miss my Studio. On to more off-grid-y news....

We have another off-gridder amongst us. Mike met him at our local Cafe. You can meet him here at his Bootjack Cabin.

Also amongst us, a dead wind turbine. I could see myself spooking and running for my life right along side Diesel when I said that. Yes, it's the neighbor's turbine that I coveted a while back. They suffered a lightening strike this past Summer and it damaged some of their solar equipment in addition to the turbine. Still not flying so, it's been down awhile. 

And, finally, the honeymoon is over. No, not my marriage. I never even had a wedding yet alone a honeymoon. Gosh, a vacation sounds divine. Some place warm where scantily clad men feed you grapes and fan you with palm fronds. Anyway, I'm talking about the living off-grid "honeymoon." When you first go off-grid things are all new and exciting. Not any more. Sure, I still go wild when the Sun shines but I find myself muttering under my breath when I have to stop and think about flipping something on or plugging something in or starting the generator when I want to cook. Some days, I'm just not in the mood for what can feel like glorified camping. Some days, when I've haven't slept well the night before and I'm all crabby and achey, I think about bringing a line back and tying in. Some days, when I'm REALLY crabby, I just want to get the feLIONs out of the cabin, throw my favorite things out on the lawn, and drop a match as I close the door behind us. But that's when I'm REALLY crabby and Mike will give me a little bit of chocolate or the sky will clear and I'm okay again. I'm okay but, like I said, the honeymoon is over. I realize that's all dark and shadowy but I've always been honest with you and that's where I'm at in this journey. And, this has been your off-grid-y news update.

Hot Times Ahead

Okay everyone, up on your feet. Hands in the air. Whoot! Whoot! Oh yea. Oh yea. Do a little happy dance. Oh yea. Oh yea. Thanks for celebrating with me. You heard it here first. We stopped by Bob's Sheet Metal and finishing paying for the HOT WATER SYSTEM! The Husband is here at the cabin 24/7 now and we've got some help lined up for his portion of the project - sinking posts into the ground and building all the stuff the racks are going to be bolted into. Let's all dance about a bit more. Oh yea. Whoot! Whoot! And....you can sit back down again.

This photo is prior to one of the racks maliciously attacking Diesel. That's Diesel's story and he's sticking to it. It was very traumatic so we're really not talking about it. We will get new photos of all the damage as we get closer to the install - both the rack and Diesel's leg. You have been spared the worst. Diesel's leg is pretty well healed. On second thought, you will get the picture of Diesel's leg only if he decides it okay for me to take a picture of it. Like I said, he's pretty sensitive about it and we're not allowed to stare. Nobody likes to be stared at. It's not polite and in the animal kingdom it is REALLY not polite, it's predatory.

So, we're all waiting on the weather now. As soon as it's green (versus it being Winter) we are a go and, did I mention, in HOT WATER! Oh yea! Whoot! Whoot!

Still breathing, screaming, and kicking.

Today, out the front door, snow and a truck.

Quite literally all three of those things.

As you saw, I dropped off the blogosphere there again. We had a little incident that involved Diesel, the racks for the hot water system, a lot of woman screaming, a lot of horse kicking and screaming, and a lot of horse blood. It also involved a rude, not as talented as I needed veterinarian. Then we had a special needs feLIONs emergency. Also involving another inadequate veterinarian. I do NOT want to relive any of what happened by rehashing it here for you. Bottom line is that we now drive two hours one-way for serious veterinary care. We also really like Dr. Ladd and his staff near Baraga. The main thing is that other than a couple more grey hairs for your's truly and a few more hard miles on the ol' ticker, we're all okay. Mostly. Diesel will have a couple of scars and his confidence is rattled. Time will tell if he's going to stay sound. At most, he's on light duty anyway and should be fine. Tiffany Anne is back to her Princess-y self. Fancy was in good hands in Marquette and is fine. Though, I still feel strongly that a veterinarian should be allowed to legally administer a sedative for the animals' owners.

The Husband is home at the cabin all the time now, and again, there is still breathing, screaming, and kicking there too. I'm glad he's home but it's a little more work in one way than bachelorette-ing it. Easier in another way by having help with all the chores. I'm relieved and grateful that he had a 25 year career and nobody crashed and burned and died on his watch. He's got his little jacket that says "Retired" and his "Thanks for 25 years service to the US" plaque.

As I come out of this animal and retirement induced tail spin, I enter a new stage of life. All my life, I've done what I was told to do. I did what other people wanted/demanded that I do. I played the hand I was dealt and flowed with it the best I could. Finally, all of a sudden, it's still and quiet. The demands are gone. There's too many extra pounds, old fractures and bone spurs, I'm exhausted and there's this person that stares back at me from the mirror that is shockingly a lot older than I remember. Then there's all these little boxes of who I wanted to be, what I wanted to do, and labeled "Your LIFE" that I've been stacking one on top of another since my years actually comprised of single digits and shoved in an hasty heap in a dark corner. I look at this heap of dusty hopes and dreams and what I wanted through angry tears cursing those I put before myself for fear of rejection - angriest at myself that I didn't tell them to go F off. People want you to live your life the way they want you to live it because they either didn't get to live it themselves or they're not brave enough to live it themselves. Lesson learned. So, I carefully try to unpack those hopes and dreams so old and brittle they disintegrate at my slightest touch and I feel the disappointment and heartache of what dreams and parts of myself are already gone but I still have yet to accept and release. As I look for what can be resuscitated, I realize the boxes are now empty while I feel the loud, echoing ticking of a clock not that far away anymore. Breathing, screaming, and kicking.... I just begin again. 

Pigments were a flyin'

I'm on a total Painter's high. Probably should clarify that a bit least someone gets the wrong idea. Flying pigments NOT sniffing pigments. It's like a Runner's high. You know, a natural high. Anyway, I'm still too wound up to write so here's the visual scoop.

Art Cart locked and loaded.

5 foot by 12 foot canvas stapled in place. Art Cart in position.

Breaking the ice. No more dreaded blank canvas. Plus I got to try out my new paint marker.

Oops. Pigments miss their approach during landing attempt.
 (Why yes, that's some Air Traffic Controller Speak I picked up from The Husband.)

Hi!

Proper working setup and ....

.... a peek into my journal.

Brushes, paint, water jars, journal, and feLION Studio Assistant. Why yes, there were tiny little black hairs in my watercolors. Why do you ask? 

Gratuitous feLION Photo Friday

Lou (left) and his friend Sara (right).

Virtual Studio Shopping Saturday

Saturday is an excellent day for a little shopping. Because I've got the love for all things Studio going on, let's shop for Studios. Please fasten your seatbelt, keep your hands in the vehicle at all times, no screaming, no crying, and remain seated until the ride comes to a complete stop. Wheeeee! Okay, we're here at Kanga Room Systems. Enjoy! I found the kitchenette and bathroom layouts and all the pricing information very interesting and helpful.  

Modern style. Photo "borrowed" from Kanga Room Systems' website.

Country Cottage style. Also borrowed from Kanga's website.