I Am From

I am from the wide open spaces and rolling hills of the northern grasslands. Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, tumbleweeds, smoke plants, cicadas and wind. Vast nothingness, filling my soul with spirit.
I am from the green valleys and cool waters of Wisconsin. The house in the woods. The cities of endless parks.
I am from big kitchens and hours spent canning. Hundreds of jars of red, gold, green and pink.
From big gardens and herb beds.
From push mowing lawns and cutting wood by hand.
I am from long bike rides, and longer days spent in the woods. Pine scents and piles of leaves.
I am from childhood companions with big hearts and impish fun. From stickers and hair ties, freckles and skates. Arms held out to catch to me. Competition.
I am from big tents, smoky fires, floating in the rain, carving names in the rocks, football games, broken bones.
Growing up unaware…
I am from a great grandmother I barely knew, who everyone says I’m just like. Kilpatrick bloodline, always cold, rather forgetful.
I am from songs on repeat, nighttime runs gathering strength from the stars.
I am from hidden reading cubbies, and dusty libraries.
From skinny girl arms, too big clothes, and clutz of the year awards.
I am from big daydreams, fairy worlds, and even bigger plans.
Summers in Colorado with cousins and mountains, rivers and reunions.
I am from frigid winters, frostbitten toes, crunchy snow. Sledding and flying, snowballs and snowmen.
From long talks, giggles, and secrets.
I am from contentment.

Inspired by Sarah at Emerging Mummy

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Piper

So here I sit in just shy of 400 square feet that we are starting to call home. We are full time RV living. In the middle of the move, even I had moments where I thought we might be crazy. But now I am so very glad that we took the jump and did this (well, as soon as I can get all my internet access bumps worked out)!

So my grandmother about summed up most the reactions we’ve gotten to this move. She called shortly after being informed by my parents that we were living in a camper, and the conversation went something like this:
Nana: “So how are you doing?” (her voice dripping in sympathetic tones)
Me: “Oh, we’re doing great!...”
Nana: cutting me off, “Well of course you are dear, that’s what you do. You are just going to keep going and make the best of it, aren’t you?”
Me: “huh…the best of it…I’m not sure I understand”…
Try explaining to an 85 year old who can barely hear you that everything really is ok, and no, we haven’t lost either our home, or our minds.

The house, by the way, is rented out to someone we trust.

My grandfather wasn’t much better as he spouted off about being irresponsible and the dangers of renters (I guess he should know since a good chunk of his fortune came from his rental properties). But I can’t fault him, most people, I think, have thought we were a little crazy.

It’s hard to explain everything though. Sure, the easiest piece of the puzzle is that it saves us a bundle to live in Piper (we’re in a Sandpiper camper by Forest River. “Piper” is in lieu of calling it “house” which didn’t seem quite fitting…or “camper” which doesn’t seem quite homey enough). The mortgage on the house is being covered by someone else, and should the local economy not hold out this fall/winter, we won’t have to be scrambling to figure out what to do with the house if we have to leave. But that really is only the worse case scenario.

In reality, we’ve been moving this way for quite a while. Each small decision over the past couple years has probably impacted our ability to make this one so easily. For one, we’ve been in the typical cycle of collecting stuff. It gets overwhelming. Downsizing has been very freeing. Less stuff means more time. More clarity about what’s important in life.

Ironically, three weeks ago I had half a dozen really good points about how this decision was good for us and why we were doing it. I really can’t think of all those great thoughts right now. We’ve been in the Piper for a little over two weeks and here at the park for just over a week. And though life seems a bit busier than normal right now because of Dh’s schedule on top of trying to get everything settled, it’s still been almost perfect. M and I have spent every moment that we can walking, biking, exploring, firefly chasing, swimming, and playing outside. I have had to spend a lot less time cleaning. Though it takes a bit more dedication to keep it clean/uncluttered, actual cleaning time is much less than in the sticks and bricks.

I’m also hoping this also translates into more time/inspiration for blogging. That might be asking too much though.

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