The dog days of... whatever this month is
Image ID: my black work boots in a super artsy-fartsy shot with the bitterroot mountains in the background at dusk.
Before I write anything meaningful on this post, know that I almost just drank a fruit fly. They buzz slowly these days, feeding off the hosts of ripe to over-ripe tomatoes and peppers the farm has floating around, mostly in the forms of c-grade produce that frequently gets left behind in the field (only when there’s rot or not enough salvageable, even for us farmers). They are sleepy beings, as am I.
Image ID: left hand holding out a bunch of very long stemmed chard. The stems are a vibrant burgundy and they have small, dark green leaves.
September is here and with it comes a certain distinct tiredness. Less angry and frustrated than the August Tired-s, less resigned and defeated than those that roll in like a fog bank in October. September tired-s are drudging, pushing your body day in and day out with the growing panic of the first frosts (Thursday was the first night with my down winter coat and headlamp for me) and impending winter and the innate NEED to get everything in from the fields from the still lush tomatoes to the humble beets and everything else in-between.
Image ID: Deranged, the hen. An angry, floofed out chicken stares at me from her perch on one of the roosting bars, only she looks a bit feral as she is coming out of her summer molt and not all of her feathers have grown back in.
She is supposed to look like this right now, she isn’t unhealthy, we’re just waiting on those new, young feathers. They all look a little wild this time of year.
Along with this comes the need to cram in as many summery adventures as possible. A friend and I battled unexpected winds and huge waves for one last paddle boarding adventure in the very drained Lake Como, while another friend took me bouldering for the first time (Did I buy myself a pair of rock-climbing shoes as soon as I got home? Well, no, it was a few hours later but still, same day!), and tracking down hot springs for afternoons of soaking in the beautiful Idaho canyons.
Image ID: looking up a narrow canyon to some Idahoan mountains in the distance. There is lush tree and shrub growth in the valley and foreground, which is near a creek.
Yes, Goldbug hot springs gets TWO pictures. It’s been only a week and I am ready to return and return to that sublime noodle state.
Image ID: thermal pools of Goldbug hot springs. There are tree branches blocking out a pit of the photo but it’s the best one I got of this blissful place.
All this while still juggling creative works, I have some illustrations/comics lined up for the farm and for a friend’s new business, as well as my own personal creations. Struggling with how to fit it all in, and learning how to view projects on a much longer time scale (learning all I can from folks with ADHD has been a god-send, an no, I’m not diagnosed but yeah I might chat with a doctor about it haha). I’ve also been experimenting with different methods of just starting projects, to avoid “choice paralysis,” but I think that’s really a post for another day.
Image ID: three tarot cards laid out on a colorful, handwoven fabric.
I have also been thoroughly enjoying Sam Guay’s tarot deck, the Blood Moon Tarot. I pretty much only use tarot for self-reflection and story ideas (also a full-blown post idea for another day), and it’s been phenominal. Each illustration is a delight and I love the question-based card descriptions, making them excellent for journal prompts.
Image ID: Self portrait of the writer sitting on a throne made of barbed wire and deer antlers.
Someday all of us here will get some decent rest. Until next time, Sabrina
