I know there was a lot of drastic talk on here a while ago about an Airstream and outfitting ourselves for a new chapter on the road. Our last attempts are fresh on my mind. They were good efforts but not experiences to repeat. Not Ashley and I, and not with a two month old. [...] Continue Reading »
before we jump in the camper and go
4the big frugality
0Yes, if you read yesterday, Ashley is reading The New Frugality by Chris Farrell. It’s causing new questions to arise, like “Levon, how are we ever going to retire?” Or at least, “Why aren’t we saving?” Uh um, the expert (me) started to say something. But then not. I smiled, and not because it was [...] Continue Reading »
about writing a blog
6I said I was done for the week, well one more. I’ve been getting up at 5 and writing before work the past two weeks, but something has happened and I’ve been accidentally waking up at 3:30 and 2:00. It’s 6:30 now and I’ve been on a rampage, scouring this blog for the pertinent details [...] Continue Reading »
resisting inertia
2[ from addair who is listening to The Beatles (White Album) ] Levon found a book in a trash pile on Madison Ave of Harlem (the beneficial aspect to the NYC custom of garbage removal via sidewalk littering) and brought it home to me. I’ve learned to adopt this library collection philosophy. I use to hem and haw about bringing [...] Continue Reading »
call me an idealist, but…
6(from Levon) “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” -Henry David Thoreau and then, ” What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats.” Rebekah had a copy of Walden on the [...] Continue Reading »
two lane highway
0(from Levon) Grace Acres farm is on Botha Rd, a country Virginia highway between Remington and Bealeton. These two country towns lie about 30 minutes south of Washington D.C. We have 2 cows, six goats, nine rabbits, and 13 chickens. New York City feels far away and long ago. No more waking up to the squealing brakes [...] Continue Reading »
the weekend
1(from ashley) I allot each of the seasons a focus, aiming to concentrate growth in areas that are important to me. For the summer, I’m zooming in on adventure and travel. My newest habitat is perfect for this endeavor and having my Mom and Frankie come to visit this weekend was a great kick off. [...] Continue Reading »
1 2 3. its saturday night, so go act like it
0(from ashley) Everyone hustles here and we are quickly finding that in order to survive we have to hustle as well. This week has been filled to the brim with painting, sewing, planning, figuring, music charting, piano playing, and coffee making. Being a Saturday, I’ve tried to take a day to rest. Yet I keep [...] Continue Reading »
new york doesn't care about me but i paint it anyway
13(from ashley) Creation is powered by energy; and this city is awash in energy. Sometimes the energy is fraught with anxiety, tension, and oppression and lately, thats the kind gushing through my outlets. As every good environmentalist knows, energy is not to be wasted and so I’m trying to give my energy to art. [...] Continue Reading »
recovery
3(from ashley) Yesterday was grim and taxing but my friends and family were there to pluck me out of despondency. And a sweet southern wind found its way to Harlem. First, Levon saw a double rainbow on his way home from work. He said that it was so incredible, the natives smiled. When he couldn’t [...] Continue Reading »