LIFE AS OF LATELY

It feels like fall, but the rain falls like spring, and the skies look like winter. I have come to only one conclusion, Mother Nature is confused, because it is summer and the heat should be scorching hot enough to fry eggs on the blacktop. Not that I am complaining.

I am not the only one confused. My garden goes through growth spurts like a toddler. Take the watermelon for example. Two weeks ago it grew like a weed, reaching its vines over the trellis and growing almost a foot a day. Three little flowers turned to fruit and grew plump and fast into watermelons as large as softballs. Week two, the clouds rolled in and rain fell semi-heavy some days and none the next. The temperatures cooled to the mid-80s and suddenly the watermelons in their hammocks decided it was time to take a nap. No more growing this week they protested. Even the little okra seedlings that sprouted in hours have protested by delaying growth. At least the tomatoes are still generous in their produce.

But this is life as of lately and I wonder if this is the way New Hampshire feels in the summertime. Cool and rainy and confused. And then I think, I kind of like it.

Enjoy these photos of life as of lately. 

AmericanaramA with the fam! 

Mom liked his tattoo. Can you identify all 4?

AmericanaramA

You are looking at Bob Dylan. 

Epic Battle.

Epic Craft Fail  X 2

Praying Mantis's in the Morning

DECIDING THE FUTURE

Sometimes, I think I have a serious issue with staying in one place. Then I remember I am young and unattached and looking for the right place that allows me to be me. Is that so wrong?

I love the Outer Banks in all its raw beauty, naivety and pure simple “life on a sandbar” mentality. But I have outgrown the OBX and possibly had done so before even moving here. On the other hand, I think Adam secretly loves his life on a sandbar and never wants to leave.

I’m starting a list, must-haves for my new city. If this sounds like the city you love or live in or both, please feel free to share with me because I’m making another list at the same time, and maybe you can help: Where 

should we move? Help me choose the perfect city.

 I’m looking for a city  . . .

...with Adam and Lola.

…that has hiking, walking trails, green space, and trail running paths that are easy to get to and they aren’t too crowded either!

…with craft brews that are easy to come by.

…with relatively low cost of living – I don’t have a lot of cash money folks and I’d like to be able to save for bigger and better things.

… with live music, the good kind. One time Adam and I saw 5 concerts in 1 week in Raleigh. This was a rare occurrence for us, but we really enjoyed it.

… that’s easy to get to. We have lots of friends and family and we definitely want them to come visit.

… with professionalism and a good job market.

…with fun weather, snow in the winter, thunderstorms in the summer.

…where I can by a house and settle down for a while.

…that is eco-friendly and green and dedicated to making a better footprint.

Any thoughts on where I should move folks?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Today is my birthday. I am 27. I am not afraid to tell my age. I am young, my co-workers call me “Young Dana” and I hate it. This is my defining decade and sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in it, but today I’m swimming laps around it and relishing. Today is my day and it feels good.

If you are in your defining decade? Take 15 minutes today and watch or listen this TED Talk. It’s important to you and your future. http://on.ted.com/Jay