Prairie

A Prairie Minimalist

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Through the past couple years of drought the landscape feels as though it may have shrunk a little, become more bare bones and essential. The bare nakedness is made more stark on account of it being harvest time and all the neighbouring fields are now laid bare to bake in the dry heat. Save for the stint of winter season whites the landscape has been very similar in tone these past couple years – dry and brown. The green of spring has been so brief it might just be canceled out should we head into another dry year. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Even the wildness of the place feels less than usual; I haven’t seen skunk or rabbit or badger or snake in a long time and the bird song is light and infrequent. I suspect the animals are moving toward areas where there is water. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2937″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”There is a minimalist feeling to it; not bad, not particularly good either, just a flat knowing that this is where it’s at. On the prairie Mother Nature is taking a foray into less vibrant color and chaos. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”And in terms of life lived out here, well, life has gone along with the shift of mother nature. The work of looking after sheep and dogs is minimal because there are fewer of them, or maybe I’ve just simplified the work to the point of bare essentials, I’m not sure. I do know I’ve become more direct about what to do, and then making time to get that specific task done. And I’ve changed what I expect my self to get done, and that makes life feel minimal in a healthy way. The big jobs that take days upon days to complete will happen in due time and they are no longer a frequent occurrence like they used to be.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Many smaller habits of living have also become very minimal without me noticing they were heading that way. Far fewer trips to the city, shopping only for what I need, using the library again. It is my recent photographs and the strong pull toward neutral tones in recent felted artwork that caused me to notice this undercurrent of minimalism occurring in my life. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2938″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”I like the minimal – it goes with the less vibrant, less chaotic, introvert I know lives within. This undercurrent will pass on though; when Mother Nature moves on from this drought and into vibrancy again I’ll feel that pull too. And life will bring its opportunities and slips that toss me into excitement and chaos. Nonetheless I find myself feeling comforted by being in this space now and in knowing this minimalist approach will serve me down the road. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Any Road

“When you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there. “

Cheshire Cat, Alice in Wonderland

A fitting quote as I pour sweat and tears working behind the scenes of this blog and website while attempting updates with the trepidation that comes with not knowing precisely what I am aiming for. The spotty internet connection causes most of the tears.

Some subtle changes are coming, one of which is including photography that isn’t about sheep or a dog but is all about prairie. A small and fitting step in rising up into the title of Photographer at Wool, Stone & Prairie.

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Prairie Winter Turns

It is late in the evening and as I write I am listening to the roaring noise of wind. Brief bursts of rain spurred by the high winds make a slashing sound on the metal roof. It is January on the northern prairie; this kind of weather is unreal. The weather has been unusually warm for January. A good occurrence when you’re feeding hay to livestock but a worrisome occurrence in all other matters.

It is early the next morning, sleep was brief, there is still the roaring of wind. The internet didn’t stay alive long enough for me to post last night. The rain became snow and morphed into a blizzard. There is a thick blanket of snow/rain on the ground. I’m anxious to head outdoors and see the flock but it’s early hours and it will be full dark for awhile yet. The Kelpies showed no concern about heading outdoors this AM so I’m hopeful that bodes well for the actual conditions. Maybe it’s just the roaring of the wind that has me rattled.

The routine here right now is – well – very routine, which I’m sure I comment on every year. The morning chores consists of getting hay feed to the sheep, cows, horses and then feeding guardian dogs. In the evening we return to the pasture and feed guardian dogs a second time and just have a look around before nightfall.

It’s easy to become impatient with this small, every day occurrence and livelihood. Then brutal weather comes along and makes you appreciate how precarious it all is and in that precariousness is a measure of appreciation.

And you begin again, your routine made anew by way of nature.

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