sue boardman

A Room for an Author

Posted on February 7, 2016by sue boardman

On Monday I began my third round of the 30 day writing challenge called WriteYourselfAlive. Each day includes some inspirational quotes and some prompts for writing. On day 3, the prompt suggested writing, with lots of sensory detail, about our favorite writing space, actual or imagined. This is mine. The real deal. An author named Annie Dillard feels that writers should work in basically empty, not very comfortable, completely uninspiring spaces that will not distract them from the truth of what needs saying. I’ve enjoyed some of her work quite a lot but I don’t think I’m going to her place to write!

Bill says I am a cat. (Orange tabby. Nice wide face. Not the pinchy-faced kind. Huge sea green eyes. Twitchy tail.)

Contemplations Garden

It’s Twins!!!

Posted on May 26, 2015by sue boardman

So, I’ve been busy catching/resting up after our big trip to see the kids over Mothers’ Day weekend. I’ve been trying to figure out how to boil it all down enough to tell you about it but I haven’t quite gotten there yet. Let’s say, for now, my heart is full. Details to follow!

Instead, a bit of a detour. Two tomatoes!!! This after years of frustration and rotting, squirrel tooth marked disappointment. Seasons of hopes dashed amongst miles of vines and no blooms. Hours of watering and composting and feeling as though I’d never get my Steel Magnolia membership card.

Contemplations Garden Grandmothers

Meanwhile, back on the farm…

Posted on May 4, 2015by sue boardman

Pardon my absence. Several things have conspired to keep me away!

After struggling for about a week with a dislocated rib, I wandered out to the garden the other day. Where, just the day before, had been gorgeous, tender baby collard greens, I found leaves full of holes and pitiful stems with no leaves at all. I was appalled!

Further investigation revealed caterpillars. Exactly the same color as the leaves and sitting just along the vein that runs from the stem up into the leaves. And, on the back, babies just waiting to get bigger and even hungrier.

The Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar this was not!

Contemplations

Look What Followed Me Home!

Posted on April 13, 2015by sue boardman

On one of those recent days when it almost, but not quite, rained all day, I was headed home from a lunch meeting, my inner locavore foodie in a very needy mood! My car, being fairly intuitive as those things go, somehow wound up on the curb in front of Pine Street Market in Avondale. Shopping at Pine Street is a bit of an adventure because you’re never quite sure what you’ll find. It depends on what the farmers brought!

Well, on that particular day, I was in luck! Ribeye steaks. Big, gorgeous, thick ribeye steaks. Owner and master butcher, Rusty Bowers, was all too happy to tell me about the steaks.

Contemplations

New Beginnings

Posted on April 5, 2015by sue boardman

In a few moments, it will be Monday again. I hope that your weekend has been wonderful. Easter. Passover. Gorgeous weather. Growing peace in the midst of faith rocked to the core. Or even a bit of precious time to do something on your list, rather than all the other lists in your world. (Sometimes realism is useful!)

I spent my Easter moments planting seeds. Arugula, lots of lettuce, parsley, collards, kale, hoping against hope that whatever ate most of the last crop of collards will be somewhere else this year because I don’t do bug spray! Misting the seeds and a bit of composting, and a couple of cups of tea filled out my morning.

Contemplations

Order from Chaos, Eventually!

Posted on March 29, 2015by sue boardman

I have a secret.

When I get really stressed—when the chaos in my world gets too big or too close, I iron.

Please don’t call me Martha Stewart! It’s not about impressing the neighbors. Nor do I believe it’s impossible for normal humans to feel loved if their pillowcases are not perfectly pressed, monogram and all.

Contemplations

Food Heaven

Posted on March 22, 2015by sue boardman

How was your Saturday? If it was anything like ours, you were probably pretty busy!

First there was the matter of a 26-quart stockpot full of what is commonly known around here as “pig soup.” Bone broth, to much of the world, in this case, pork bones. (Stay tuned for forthcoming info on the process. For today, let’s just say it was one of the more dramatic, nose-to-toes adventures I’ve had!)