Don't Put Those Shoes Back On

They will eventually find its way to where they belong and I hope its not back on her feet.

A shoe less little one running around the house laughing at her own happiness.

To feel unconfined is a sense of freedom and a fresh of breath air.

To feel the cold earth on the soles of her feet is what she craves for.

I hope she doesnt put those shoes back on.

That she never feels that she has to be confined to our modern ways.

To be different is the hardest thing to do.  

Take your shoes off and run. Run fast and fast.

Don't look back. 

Be free and wild.

Wolves Book Club: The Lost Girls

I decided to start a book club on the blog and I'm really excited about it.  At the end of each month I will write a review and lists some questions so you can participate, if you like. Eventually my goal is to do some sort of google chat once a month but baby steps.

The first book will be The Lost Girls by Jennifer Baggett, Holly Corbett and Amanda Pressner.  Thought it was a good choice since the weather is cold and we are all stuck inside.  Reading about three young girls' travels around the world is a good escape from the hustle of the holiday season.

"Three friends, each on the brink of a quarter-life crisis, make a pact to quit their high pressure New York City media jobs and leave behind their friends, boyfriends, and everything familiar to embark on a year-long backpacking adventure around the world in The Lost Girls."

Would love to see you reading your book on instagram the rest of December and January! Use the hashtag #wolvesbookclub on there so I can get a chance to see.  I'll post your pictures on the blog!

Happy Reading!

Listening to: River sleeping on my lap:)

Wild

This book grabbed me by the shirt and dragged me into an adventure that I never want to forget.  I want to live it and hike the PCT, AT or any long hiking trail.  It’s been a couple of years since I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed and its a book that I have recommended to several people because its a must read. Male or female. Single or married.  Kids or no kids.  Nature lover or outdoors hater.  No matter what your status is, YOU. MUST. READ. IT.  

After you close the book, get in your car and go see the movie.  If you are feeling really inspired, walk to the nearest theater but don't get comfortable or take off your hiking boots because next you will want to get on the nearest trail and hike it.  

It's inspiring and I admire Cheryl for the ballsy adventure she took alone.  I had the pleasure of going to one of her book signing last year in Virginia and she is awesome. 

What we really got to me, after watching the movie last night, was that we all get to a pivotal point in our lives where we are broken into a million pieces and we need to do something drastic to rebuild ourselves.  That's exactly what she did.  Kudos to you Cheryl.  You're my hero!

Where I Write

Wolf River has really been a test of time management and dedication.  When I tell you I have waved the white flag,  its true.  I have waved it high and proud.  "This is it.  What was I thinking? Was I even thinking? Must email Rosemi!"  

Then I slow down my breathing, check my pulse, count to ten, put my feet up against the wall and bitch.  I sprint to my computer and write a whining email to my editor.

So I get out and go to my favorite place to write Wolf River.  The one place that inspires me. Where I'm surrounded by like minded people, people who have done it before me and who know what I am feeling. Where people come in and out with a book.  Where people are reading or searching for the perfect one to get lost in.  

I go to the library.  

(not the library by my beautiful shelf) 

It's the best place!  My dream, when all this is said and done,  is that I get to read my book at my local library.  The people who work there are so nice and I know them all.  They greet me with a warm smile and talk to me like a friend.

Support your local library and go spend some time there.  It will  motivate you to keep writing.

Listening to: Ain't Nobdoy's Problem by The Lumineers

Craving Vitamin D

What is it with the green lush forest that I crave? The pure scent of the wild.  The untouched part of the earth where no cars, no buildings and if we are lucky no pollution. I guess its the undiscovered that pulls me in.  The ability to go explore and not feel confined to my house or the hustle of the busy life we live by.

As a stay at home mom,  there are several times a week when the four walls I live in start caving in on me.  The gloomy days of winter get under my skin and make me crave vitamin D like I crave chocolate.

Dont get me wrong, I believe that winter is necessary for nature and for us.  A time to slow down and hibernate. To get that old crock pot going, start a fire and curl up on the couch and read a good book. But I can't tell you how much I miss seeing green and the smiling sun shining on me.  The walks to drop off the kids at school seem happier with less crying because they are cold and more time spent at the park playing before homework.   Right now, I'm writing a chapter in Wolf River that the setting is in the winter time with lots of snow and cold days.  So I shouldn't be complaining because right now those wolves  have it much harder than I do.

But the outdoors for me is my therapy, its my medication and my sanity.  All the doors and windows are open.  The sweet sound of the front screen door opening and closing brings me joy.  Not the monster heater that turns on, kills my plants and forces me to put extra socks on even when the thermostat reads 70.

I'm sending the above picture to my printer this week and having them print it at least 11 x 14.  It's going to be a reminder of the time soon to come.  But don't get all excited because you will laugh when I tell you that I'm putting it in my bathroom because its the only place in my house that doesnt have a window and I need a constant reminder of the outdoors.  A green bathroom yes!

I have a fun announcement next week, just need to work out the details, and I will post it here:) So be on the look out.

Listening to: Slow It Down by The Lumineers

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Photography & Plants

A lot of what I've been posting lately has been about my writing and about Wolf River but as much as I love writing my true passions are film photography, polaroid, healthy eating, simple living and plants. Yes, plants! I pin plants, think plants and shop plants.  I even have a crazy idea brewing in my head.

 But photography, oh it what makes my heart skip a beat.  I'm that lady who pulls out the camera at the most awkward moments. I've been shooting for years now and each year I learn something new, what I don't like to photograph and what I do.  When I first started shooting I thought for sure I wanted to be a portrait photographer but as years go by I've learned that I love to shoot lifestyle, still life, randomness that I love, my kids and plants.  I love seeing my work in print. It makes my heart full and puts a big smile on my face.  Don't even get me started on polaroid, it makes me weak in the knees.

I guess I felt the need to share this because I've put my work on the back burner. Why? I got discouraged and felt that I lost my spark.  I felt it even more recently and it broke my heart into a million pieces but I think thats what happens with every artist.  You have moments when you think you suck big time and you question why you even call yourself a photographer.  I had to take a step back and take a deep breath.  I realized that I need to shoot more than I do now and only shoot things I love.  Thats it.  Every thing else will fall into place.  Sometimes it's good to put your passions out into the universe and let it open doors.

Listening to: Sesame Street in the background :)