Spring has roared in with massive storms, the most recent of which covered the entirety of our state!!! 😱We have been VERY lucky with every storm (knock on wood), both here at home and at the land, to not have any damage. It feels weird to be concerned for two places, while we are here and the storms are heading East, I always wonder how the land is holding up. I was telling Woodchuck how surprised I am that there was no damage, just a couple of dead trees that got snapped, and I feel like the land is responding to our efforts to get it healthy.
On one of our recent trips out there, we put up more signage on the watershed. We had extra signs that were given to us by the NRCS, so we made sure to post every single one. We will be going back in and posting regular no trespassing signs as well. While out there, I trapsed through the vegetation to shake hands with one of my favorite kinds of trees. Willow! They have their catkins right now and are fuzzy and adorable. We met our goal of getting as much done out there as we could before April 1st. Now we let the animals nest in peace until August 1, with the exception of keeping the fire break path mowed.
Speaking of met, we meet with the County Surveyor about the ditches and overflowing pond. She was very nice and open to meeting with us on the land to take a look at some of the areas of concern! We weren't dressed to do it that day, but made an appointment with her for the following week. The consensus was that we can't do anything that causes flooding on anyone else's property, and vice versa, so that one pipe that leads from the North into our back ditch was going to be a key topic to discuss. It was a cold day when we met on the land and we walked her from the back ditch that leads into the pond over to in between the neighbors where the ditch winds from the pond, through three properties, under the road and into a county overseen ditch. Again, she was so kind and open to spending her time to figuring out to handle the situations of flooding on our land from issues from surrounding properties, as well as how to enhance certain features on ours that might make the flow of water/drainage better.
I continue to try and streamline my side hobby business for this new year. Trying to find things that work, let go of the things that don't, and create a more authentic presence. So, I changed the name! We went from Soapwood Art Studio to Of Forest and Heather. I also had new business cards printed since I was down to just a few from the previous name. I LOVE them!!! I think the new name and the new look of the business card really reflects me and my art better. They are also printed on a hemp-blend paper.
Although I was accepted into an adorable little plant shoppe that also highlights local female artists, I had to reject the offer once I got their contract. I just can't afford their fees. I've noticed, when checking into shows too, that nobody wants to state their prices/fees upfront. They make you contact them with a a basic website application and then if THEY like what they see in YOU and your art, they send you the details. I feel like it's such a waste of time on the parts of both parties. So I am continuing to find new ways to try and move my art, but also work around my availability while my son isn't driving himself and within my financial parameters. I was kind of put-off too that when I took the time to thank them, but said that I would not be able to move forward with them because I would not be able to afford their fees, I did not hear back from them. That's not the vibe nor respect that I am looking for in a business partnership and I think the Universe understands that and keeps me from the things that don't align.
So while my days are long and hard in a Winter and hardship kind of way, I tuck myself into the evenings with my cat and some hand-sewing. Better do it while I can! Once we start working the land more, my days will be even longer in a different kind of way.
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