Time together vs. time apart

Justin's out for the weekend at a festival.  We had to buy a second tube of toothpaste to accommodate this unheard of separation.  That's right -- this is the longest separation we've had since we arrived in London more than 6 months ago. 

We've gone from one extreme in our marriage to another, it seems.  Two weeks after we got married, I flew off for 6 weeks to lead a couple international service groups.  About a year and a half later, I moved to Pittsburgh to try my compatibility with grad school, while Justin stayed in Lancaster.  Last year, Justin went off on the Appalachian Trail for almost a month while I stayed home and worked.  We've a history of enjoying our independence from one another.

So, really, to go these 6 long months without even a thread of hope of getting space AND surviving nonetheless?  Miraculous.  In fact, we were recently reflecting on exactly how much time we've been spending together over the last months since moving here, and the fact that also share our living space with several others.  We're pleasantly surprised that we've managed, and even, for the most part, enjoyed spending a lot more time together.  Let's hope it lasts! :)

Photo courtesy of James Krabill

Picture post!

Speaking of...

A few pictures from our day out and about, specifically at the Geffrye Museum.  Loved being outside, in a garden, on a beautiful day.  Click on individual pictures for larger versions!

A "knotte" garden -- interwoven lines of plants.

The "potte" they speak of refers to veggies and herbs.  Though we're sure other types of "potte" may be grown for profit.

Quintessential Crazy English Garden.

Patriotic Flower Beds -- not only in the U.S.!

The caption for this piece of art by Charles West Cope reads:  "This young mother is depicted as the Victorian ideal -- surrounded by her well-behaved children, she is usefully employed in the economical task of knitting socks."  Can we recreate this, but with references to well-behaved dogs and yarn bombing?

Blessed pollinators in action!

Our Evolutionary Plans

Sharing a few thoughts that came to me as I watched ants truck around the Quiet Garden on Saturday, responding to their biological drive to survive....

Justin and I do not feel a biological need to reproduce our own offspring.  In fact, that was one of the very first things we bonded over shortly before beginning our romantic relationship.  We are very comfortable with our desire not to have children, and don't feel threatened by (nor try to impose our convictions upon) others who choose different paths.

We do, perhaps, still feel a drive to be present in the story of creation and evolution -- of "making the world a better place."  Our ideas for how to do that typically rest in a horticultural scene, with an emphasis on encouraging new life and growth in the way of plants, including fruit, vegetables, flowers, trees, etc.  We want one of our marks on this Earth to be one of improving the soil, providing a respite for others, and providing and/or growing a diverse array of food that addresses and promotes equality for people, animals, and the Earth.

Some of you know that we've long had on our hearts the practice of considering, "what is ours to do?" And we often come up with ideas of cooperative business centring on food and hospitality.  These ideas and dreams are our "babies," so to speak, and what we spend time doing and talking about.  We want to give our lives -- not necessarily raising a biological family -- but to birthing systems of equality, nurturing physical, emotional and spiritual health for all God's creatures, and investing our time in bringing those to the table who might otherwise go without.

As goes the common saying, we want to leave this beautiful creation in better shape than we found it. We know many others are also on this path, in various and unique ways, and that gives great strength for the journey.