The Adventures of Sprout: Solstice 2014

This was on my last week on Lopez. The whole late Summer crew getting together to watch an old school 90's classic- Dumb and Dumber!! Which some youngins in the group had never seen. I love the moments when you realize you're getting older. It's so interesting! I love sharing different experiences of growing with a myriad of friends.

In my last bit of time on Lopez I decided I would try my hand at designing and building my own Sprout Home on a Trailer. I stopped working with LCLT for my last 2 weeks and worked everyday on my project. It's challenging to manage your own time in that way; with a very challenging self-directed task. At the end of 2 weeks I completed the framing of my structure and with another 2 weeks she should be done. That will be for 2015. Doing this project alone has reiterated once more how much I enjoy working with other people and having there be at least one other brain in on things and able to help with problem solving. My initial plan was just going to be a "box on wheels" because I was trying to do it in 2 weeks, BUT I'm totally against building a box on wheels, that's the whole point or "tiny homes" -for me at least- is to be artistic weird, and creative. So half way through my process I changed most of the design, and am so happy I did! (even though I didn't finish it).
The size is 7'x12'. During this 2 weeks of building I was able to start and finish a book (in 4 days!!). The book: Fledgling by Octavia Butler (a black female sci-fi writer- she's incredible)

Framing a triangle inside of a trapezoid is very challenging

And since it's been such a long time (August) since I posted last I'm just going to do a brief run down of the months since though I'm sure important things/people have come in and out of my life.

October- Visited Mom and helped her move in to her new spot in NE Oregon. I realized how mush help other people need- especially our elders. I was happy to do all of the little things my mom wanted me to do; not because she couldn't but because its much easier for a young body to do some things like installing blinds or staining the deck. Anyways, this made me realize that there are tons of people out there who need help and I want to help them. I've been trying to do this thing called "free help". It's exactly what it sounds like: need a hole dug, deck stained, childcare, a sink full of dishes done, etc. I'm interested in doing things for others that will make life easier and less stressful. I've tried to set up a few "free helps" but when money isn't involved I think its hard for people to commit, because almost every time I've planned something with someone it falls through at the last minute. Though I was successful in building a cat staircase for a friend who had an old kitty who needed to get down from a high up window with tenderness. That was great! People plus cats = happy Me.

November-Started Jiu Jitsu back up. I was offered a work/trade situation to assistant teach the BJJ kids class in exchange for my membership dues. This was really nice. I love wrestling with lil ones! The moves really work...even when kids are pulling them on adults. Had a wonderful Turkey Day with my mom and my Humboldt family at Moonstone Beach. So. Much. Good. Food. mygod. I was a squirrel puppet in a Comix Trip show. Had a blast when Celina and her friend Jim came down from OR.

December- Met a person who I took a class with 5 years ago in a parking lot in Eureka, KC. Read a life changing book in 3 days: Dying to Be Me by Anita Moorjani. Had a great time celebrating Jess's 10 days of 30 years old birthdays celebration and her wonderful party on the 10th day (13th). Contemplation of Massage Therapy Certification and/or Yoga Teacher Certification, living at a meditation center for an extended period of time. I feel like this year is my year to find a practice that grows me both personally and spiritually. I drove to Sacramento 2 weeks ago to catch a flight out of SMF. I got to hang with my Dad at his new house for a few days. It was nice to see him. It's interesting: within the last 6 months both of my parents have separately moved out of my childhood homes. I don't feel like I had a super huge connection to either so it hasn't made a huge impact on me. Just funny how they both did it at the same time. While in Sac I met up with a person I haven't seen in 4 years. It's great to catch up with past people. Then I flew out of SMF to Seattle where my good buddy Waggy picked me up and drove me all the way to Anacortes, WA for me to catch the ferry. I love how our car ride was as good as or better than catching up over dinner at a restaurant or something. He's so sweet. Then I went to Lopez to attend my 3rd Winter Solstice Ritual Celebration. This was an amazing one. Some super magical things happened. And all of the Lopez kiddies are growing up! So fast! Spent some good time with Table, Pamela, Suzanne, Janie, Deena, Callie, Ryan, Sandy, Rhea, Ralph, Libby, Alaya, Nitsan, Amanda, and some new faces too! On the day I was flying out of SEA, Janie and I had an amazing adventure getting thru traffick, thru the city and to the airport. But we made it to our separate flights with minutes to spare.

Now its now. I've been trying to focus on having physically unproductive days in exchange for internally productive days. This is a challenging because I usually gauge the merit of my day based on how physically productive I have been. I don't want to rely solely on physical cultivation. For a balanced and growing person both internal and external production must be accepted and practiced. For me, practicing internal production is me getting up, walking to the cafe down the street, listening to me favorite meditation speaker (Tara Brach) whilst taking notes, and drinking 1 cup of coffee all day (until 5), walking home, followed by more thinking! This has been a good practice and I plan on keeping it up. I've started doing yoga consistently as well. Oh yeah and I'm moving in with Jess (one of my BFFs) for round 2 after a 3.5 year hiatus...hah!