It’s true.
I’m home.
It was a long hard pull, the solo drive home from Robert’s arms to this tangled little home of grapevines and poultry. But I made it and this morning Idaho is draped in springtime rain and the purple breath of blooming iris out in the yard.
As always, upon returning home after one of these solo ventures, I don’t know where to begin with life again. I’ve realized that it starts with the smallest details. I cut some iris for vases around the house. I’ve cleaned my fridge and vacuumed half the house. My first load of laundry is on spin cycle. This afternoon I need to build an Ikea table, purchase tension rods for a new set of curtains as well as a flat of raspberries for some canning plans I have. I also have about 25 Meyer lemons I need to process in some way (I don’t know what I was thinking when I picked them at the Minor household of Oakland, as if I needed one more project to deal with upon my return home). Jillian. Take that back. Those lemons and their destiny will be a pleasure. Take it slow, darling, take it slow.
My travels took me:
across Nevada
to the wonderful home of my other parents in Grass Valley
to Allison’s home in San Jose
to the home of Carrie and Dylan in the Oakland hills
to Petaluma
to beach camping in Mendocino County
to the home of Kelly and Brad in Arcata
across Oregon (stuffed full of those wild eyed lumberjacks)
to the home of Candace and Joel
across Washington to the Winthrop smokejumper base and RW’s tired mind and body
(His fatigue taxes me and talking to him is an emotional roller coaster.
He is being pushed so hard, to the brink of his abilities, and I’m right there along for the ride.)
I tore myself away from Winthrop (oh the pain of that) and made my way hastily across Washington and Montana
to find myself tumbling over the Idaho state line yesterday morning.
I felt the fullness of her space wrap around me twice and the rest of the road home felt like flying. I arrived at The Gables to knee deep grass, a dead garden and a thirsty cat. The ladies say bruck-bruck-hello. Judith is still my feathered darling, Rhonda is still a lazy lady and Winona is as wild as ever.
I’m glad to be here but already find myself missing the road and the Kerouac-ian moments and constant discovery there.
The floor of my home is strewn with treasures, socks and fishing gear. I’ve been moving my office into the spare room and the spare room into my old office space. Farley is sleeping on a pile of laundry. Penelope was just scolded for eating Farley’s food and has exiled herself to the dog bed in the bedroom. I should call her to me and snuggle her and make sure her feelings are mended.
Now I’m rambling but I’m so terribly overwhelmed by all that needs to be done today. I keep telling myself to slow down and take all the time I need. I’ll try my hardest but it’s always a battle to not get carried away and eventually paralyzed by the weight of tasks, duties and the business side of life.
And then there are the weeds choking out the flowers out in the garden spaces.
One thing at a time, cowgirl. One thing at a time.
It’s good to be home.
I plan to be in my studio by Friday.
And if I don’t find myself there at that time, I suppose it will mean I needed some more time to get settled in.
I missed you. It’s only when I’m away that I fully realize the importance of this space and the capturing of my life moments. I write, photograph and create for me, but sharing it all with you is the delight of my heart.
Onward.
Always onward.
Let’s hit the ground gently and fall into a smooth stride once more.
Love,
The Noisy Plume
PS Thanks for your lovely notes on my photo posts while I was away. It was so nice to carry you with me.
I am glad you are home…xxx just for you
Sounds like an adventure, and how lovely to be with your man over the weekend. I envy your trek across numerous states, alone. It is so nice to wander alone sometimes.
Glad to see you back! Rest up and recoup!
What a whirlwind of a trip! Prayers as you settle back into the embrace of summer. One day at a time!
'I write, photograph and create for me, but sharing it all with you is the delight of my heart.'
Hmmm Im going to hold on to this and ponder it a little more. It really awoke the grey matter and got me thinking about what makes my heart happy.
ta very much!
you're back, you're back! welcome home!
Taking it one day at a time has always been something very difficult for me. I'm hoping you find it easier…maybe I'll become better at it by reading your wonderful words as you share your summer with us. Much love to you! Hope you settle in just wonderfully, no matter how much time you need to do so!
xx
http://culinarygetaways.com/meyer-lemon-curd/
here is a link I've been saving for forever for Meyer Lemon Curd! How ironic is that??
Send me some if you make it! 🙂
Welcome home, Jillian!
glad you're back…sounds like a really enjoyable whirlwind adventure!! i still wish you were coming 'home' this summer, but oh well!! can't wait to see the new ideas that spew forth following this trip 😉
love you
j
Hurrah for adventures and loves, less hurrah for the heartache that comes with leaving them behind. Happy thoughts, hey x
"I write, photograph and create for me, but sharing it all with you is the delight of my heart."
Oh Jillian.
Seeing you again only solidified my kindred connection to your hummingbird heart…which beats faster than mind but whose pace this owl needs to keep awake during the day.
Go easy on my girl, Plume…yes?
YES.
Welcome home, sweet Plume. Be easy – take it one moment at a time.
I always thought it was strange that the shortest route to Idaho from Washington is through Montana.
You speak of Idaho, Pocatello in such a positive way that it makes me wonder what Pocatello you live in. I grew up there and find it difficult to share in your adoration.
I'll have to keep reading and perhaps it will come to me.
"we all will do it this way and everything is going to be fine because I love you and you love me and everything is going to be ok."
The words I'm wearing today. Pin them on like a huge broach and be easy.
MLJ: Kisses received!
Cassie: It's always lovely to wander alone though I feel like I DID manage to overextend a bit on this jaunt. I wasn't expecting to see RW in Winthrop and it added over 20 driving hours to my trip. Whew!
Good Girls: Thanks, dear one. xx
Amy: This is an excellent thing for you to investigate over the summer! Let me know what you discover about yourself!
Elaine: xx
Rachael: Sigh. You wear graciousness like a warm coat. xx
Janel: Ooh! Thank you! I'm going to try to find time this week to test this recipe! I'll let you know how it does or doesn't go!
Jaune: Thank you! xx
Jordan: Love you back and cannot WAIT to hear what the new news is!! Though I have a BIT of an idea what it might be:) xx
Elly: I'm feeling those happy thoughts and tying them up in my hair like ribbons today!
Mme: Ditto. All my love.
Stregata: Thanks and I shall!
Cannwin: I find it strange that you dislike it so!!! I'm quite talented when it comes to finding the beauty in everything and everywhere — so is RW. It helps that I have a darling home and property as well as my location in town. I love it here and I won't move again until I find something that suits me more. Actually, my only issue with this place is that the winters are too temperate. I like freeze-your-face-off cold weather and lots of snow — it tends to be a bit balmy here in the winter months.
Perhaps you should ask Umberdove (comment posted above this one) what is so appealing about Pocatello. She was living in an ultra urban area of Seattle last summer when she popped over to see me in Pocatello and says that she connected with this area deeply and profoundly. She even considered moving here before relocating to Northern California a couple of months ago! In point of fact, nearly everyone who visits me in Pocatello loves it here. Perhaps the lovebug I'm carrying for this little town is contagious??? Or everyone who loves me is a filthy fibber!
Umbie: Pin them on today, tomorrow and every day after. When I wrote them, I sealed them with truth. Stand strong today sister. Stand strong.
I can imagine how hard it is to come home alone to the myriad things there always are to do after a long trip…and how hard it is to take a one-step-at-a-time approach to it all.
When I urge folks to take it easy, one thing at a time, tomorrow's another day, it's partly because of my own tendency to forget to do just that! (So to myself I say, practice what you preach!).
But I'm glad you've got black magic tulips and regal irises and an amiable blue-eye boy and homebody hens to greet you. Well come, they all say, welcome.
xx
D
To temperate? You should move to South Dakota (that's where I am now) last winter it hit -37 (or something) and all the schools closed.
I sat here and tried to list 10 things I love about your area of the world and I've come up with some:
1. Scout Mt for a bbq
2. Cherry Springs in the fall when the leaves are falling along the shaded pathways. (this is where my husband 'officially' proposed to me)
3. Arbon Valley in the dead of winter… if you can get out there.
4. 4th of July fireworks show
5. Rolling down the hill at Upper Ross Park.
6. The totally random rose garden in the middle of the highway by Upper Ross Park.
7. The night sky when it's so clear you can see the Milky Way.
8. The hills behind my mom's house where I could see town from. (I grew up in Mink Creek area)
….
….
And that's all I can come up with for now. Give me time I'm sure I'll think of something. 🙂
I personally love the Portland area. When I was a child we spent our summers there visiting my grandparents and I have never been able to get enough of the ocean. Ironically I am also madly in love with my home here in South Dakota. It's the best kept secret in the country.
…-37. Not too shabby. When I was home in December we drove out to feed horses in -47C. Base temperature. I'm not counting the wind chill. That's a delicious sort of survivor cold.
9. Skiing on the Mink Creek xc-ski trails.
10. The wildflower festival on Pebble in June.
11. Live music on the University quad every Thursday all summer long.
12. The smell of wet sage.
13. Mule deer on the run on City Creek.
14. Running on city creek.
15. The smell of a Juniper stand on a hot summer day while running on City Creek.
16. Owning City Creek (it's my pleasure to be able to say this as I actually DO own city creek….the creek that is, not the recreation area…just the water).
17. Chokecherries.
18. The backside of Pebble where that dry wheat farmer grows the most perfect crops.
19. Fishing the upper Portneuf on the backside of Pebble.
20. Fishing the lower Portneuf on the Blackfoot Reservation (it's a trophy trout fishery between the edge of the city and the reservoir because of millions of gallons of spring water that enter the river on the reservation lands).
21. The wild horses on the flats over on the reservation.
22. Balmy winters (though I also dislike this).
23. The burgers and sweet potato fries at Senang.
24. The train tracks!!! LOVE THEM!
25. My yard.
26. Ross Park crags.
27. Massacre Rocks.
28. Our proximity to City of Rocks (top quality granite).
29. All of the spring fed creeks that seem to ooze up out of nowhere and flow down the mountainsides.
30. Deer on my front porch.
31. The tail-less squirrel who lives in my blue spruce.
32. The fact that I can grow roses here…I've always wanted a rose garden. Now I have one.
33. Fishing the Southfork. Wading in the water when the weather turns hot.
34. Catching cutthroat.
35. Liberal hunting laws so RW and I can subsist on meat we personally harvest in this state (and Wyoming).
36. Having the valley at the North end of town. I can go out and stand in the wheat fields and feel like I'm home when I miss Saskatchewan dreadfully in the summertime.
37. The sound of ruffed grouse.
38. Hiking in the timber at the base of Scout.
39. Aspen stands.
40. My 102 year old house and all the creaks and groans that come with it.
41. The sunflowers in September.
42. Watching Farley quarter a field in search of sharptail grouse.
43. The secret apple tree.
44. The view.
45. Bartz Field.
……..
I'd keep going but I need to visit the post office.
lol.
I grew up on Pebble but have never learned how to ski. Is that odd? My neighbors owned or managed… or something, so I was up there with them A LOT. So I suppose that counts as a bunch of good memories.
In fact as a child… when I was an aspiring writer… I came up with a lot of my best work up there. My first job was at the day-care center up there.
Okay so…
9. that park in the middle of old town where the fish fountain is (can't remember the name anymore) I remember when they put that in, we were all very excited.
10. The hometown parades.
11. Trying to get up our hill in the dead of winter… trying to get down the hill in the dead of winter.
12. Poky High vs Highland High football games.
13. The canyon below my mom's house that we went from being terrified of to intrigued by to terrified of as often as there was a bobcat around.
14. Love the crags at Ross Park. Learned to climb at Ross.
15. There use to be a small carnival type park at Ross almost across from where the skate park is now (there's a play set there now) I loved that.
16. The proximity to Lava.
17. I actually love the way the Portneuf runs straight through town… which makes me think of the duck races.
Am I getting annoying yet? This is kind of fun. Trying to come up with sparkling childhood memories.
And if I lived in 102 year old house I'd probably love anywhere I lived. 😉
Welcome home m'dear!!
Humph. And you said you didn't much like Pocatello…
🙂
Thanks Fawn!
xx