Olivia

Climate Change and Homesteading: A Critical Perspective

This question is for those of you who live in the south, humid or otherwise. These heat waves are getting crazy. This morning, the youtube news is showing California burning. Now, California has always burned. To an extent. The trees and bushes are adapted to fire. But not these fires. These fires are now hotterContinueContinue reading “Climate Change and Homesteading: A Critical Perspective”

Dear Dad

Dear Dad, today Rider and I took you to Leadbetter State Park. Or, we attempted to. Apparently, dog people are not welcome at this park so we did not stay to explore. Which is fine, wildlife deserve to have an undisturbed area to exist, too. And sometimes plans aren’t just meant to be and mustContinueContinue reading “Dear Dad”

Navigating Family Trauma: Reuniting with My Incarcerated Brother

Today, my youngest brother pulled up the gravel driveway and parked his 30 year old red Nissan S.U.V. next to my 2016 Nissan rig. His big foot tire cover matching my big foot bumper stickers. I haven’t seen him in 5 years. The gritty details is his story to tell but it was traumatic theContinueContinue reading “Navigating Family Trauma: Reuniting with My Incarcerated Brother”

A Rare Heatwave

Three years ago we were suddenly experiencing record breaking heat for this area. We found ourselves under what was termed a heat dome. Heat dome was a new term for me. Growing up in the Sacramento valley in CA, I was no stranger to heat. We had what was called an inversion layer that coveredContinueContinue reading “A Rare Heatwave”

Surviving Narcissistic Abuse: A Daughter’s Story of Protection and Loss

Trigger Warning! This post contains disturbing content dealing with abuse and death. Please don’t read farther if it is a difficult topic for you. Before I get much farther into this blog, let me warn you. I am in the process of grieving. I had been trying to protect Dad from my mother for nearContinueContinue reading “Surviving Narcissistic Abuse: A Daughter’s Story of Protection and Loss”

Living with Osteogenisis Imperfecta: My Daily Struggles and Triumphs

I mentioned in the previous post that I was “partially handicapped” and I know, technically you are either handicapped or not but in reality, for me, some days I am just fine. Some activities don’t cause me very much pain. I was born with a genetic defect called Osteogenisis imperfecta. Basically that means I haveContinueContinue reading “Living with Osteogenisis Imperfecta: My Daily Struggles and Triumphs”

Foraging Basket Making: Learning from Local Wisdom and Youtube

I was taking my morning walk with the pup, and realized I needed a better way to gather berries and other goodies while in the woods. I used to have baskets and bags just for this, but having lost 99% of everything, baskets didn’t make the cut. This saddens me a little bit because lastContinueContinue reading “Foraging Basket Making: Learning from Local Wisdom and Youtube”

Nettles- Practical and Free

Lightly raining and mild temps currently. Humid. Remind me to invest in a little weather station for my little spot here. I do like to keep those records since the weather service never gets it right out here. Male Nettle Female Nettle Jewelweed and Rider’s butt On Nettles: I’ve eaten the leaves in the past-ContinueContinue reading “Nettles- Practical and Free”

Transitioning to Minimalist Off-Grid Cooking: Challenges and Solutions

This is not my image, it was found floating around on the internet and on several Pinterest boards so If it is yours let me know and I will properly name it. One of the things I really have to get used to, and probably the most difficult things for me, to be honest, wasContinueContinue reading “Transitioning to Minimalist Off-Grid Cooking: Challenges and Solutions”

Homesteading Struggles: Starting Anew and Finding Motivation

Today is a beautiful day outside. Damp but not chilly. A bit humid. Lots of clouds with the sun occasionally peeking through. It has nothing to do with the picture I posted below. So what am I doing just wallowing in bed instead of using this day off from work to work on the homestead?ContinueContinue reading “Homesteading Struggles: Starting Anew and Finding Motivation”