A few words...

Hello there.  It's a been a while since I've posted in this space, so I thought I'd write a few words of explanation...for myself and everyone who stops by to read.

This summer has been a busy one, and while I'm normally a pretty grounded person I've found myself a little too overwhelmed a little too often.  I love all of the things that fill my days, but I've been feeling an increasing need to seek more balance and rhythm.  

I was given a much-needed reminder of this last week while taking care of the little baby dove.  The dove dropped into our lives (quite literally), at the busiest time of the week...harvest and market.  On Friday, a day dedicated to harvest for our market garden, I found myself having to take constant, regular breaks to take the baby outside to be fed and watch over it.  That evening, with crates and crates of veggies still to be washed, I sat outside by myself watching this process unfold, and the meaning and lesson of it hit home quite suddenly.  I felt the breeze of my skin, watched the colors change in this amazing valley sky, and saw many birds I had never noticed before.  I noticed the western tanager perched high in the tree, and the acrobatic family of swallows nesting on our house.  I noticed so many birds, large and small, in our yard and across the street in the meadow by the wetlands.  I saw all of this life happening all around.  And I realized that it had been too long since I just was.  Since I just sat and watched and listened.  Here I was on the busiest day of the week, just sitting...and it was wonderfully nourishing.  It was that day more than any other that I needed to stop and be still a while.  The next day the baby bird flew up into a tree with its parents, and those responsibilities ended...but the lesson of the bird (as I'm calling that whole experience) did not.   

I love sharing the inspiration of daily life on this blog, and I should say that Valley Mama is definitely NOT ending any time soon, but is seems like when you start thinking of everything in terms of a blog post and seeing everything as a photo it's time to step back and take a break.  

So...

I will still visit this space and share posts, but not as often, not daily.  At least for now.  

I need to slow my summer down a little.  More time just being in nature, less time in front of the computer.

More time doing the things I love, less time thinking about them.

Enjoy the warmth, the evening storms, the birds.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you are doing the same!

Comments

[sarah]

great update, Allison:) I was in north central MI at my moms cabin this weekend and had a similar realization. While sitting outside with Owen,struggling with deciding whether nap time was happening or not, I realized either way will be just fine:)Taking in the trees, wildlife, and wind.. It's great when that clarity comes through, and what a peaceful feeling it truly is.

[allisoncruse]

Thanks Sarah :) I'm glad you're taking some time to enjoy life as well. When is Owen's B-day? Mason just turned 2!

[online jobs]

I love sharing the inspiration of daily life on this blog, and I should say that Valley Mama is definitely NOT ending any time soon, but is seems like when you start thinking of everything in terms of a blog post and seeing everything as a photo it's time to step back and take a break