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Blog postThe natural instincts of animals are remarkable. Spending so many of my hours with animals in the course of a lifetime, I’ve come to respect this, but I’ve also come to wonder at length about human instinct and whether we are compelled to follow it the way animals do, but that is decidedly a topic for another post.
A week ago today, I had just finished a post about Thelma’s arrival and the happenings in this foster house, when I glanced at the puppy monitor and realized that Thelma wa -
Blog postThe natural instincts of animals are remarkable. Spending so many of my hours with animals in the course of a lifetime, I’ve come to respect this, but I’ve also come to wonder at length about human instinct and whether we are compelled to follow it the way animals do, but that is decidedly a topic for another post.
A week ago today, I had just finished a post about Thelma’s arrival and the happenings in this foster house, when I glanced at the puppy monitor and realized that Thelma wa -
Blog postDaisy continues to surprise us as she gains her confidence and health. Thelma had her puppies on Tuesday and I watched Daisy, wondering if she would be bothered by the sounds in the next room, but she seemed unfazed. The only notable thing that happened was that she destroyed her beloved football. I don’t know … Continue reading Diary of a Rescue Week Ten: Frightened Dog Getting Braver
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Blog postDaisy continues to surprise us as she gains her confidence and health. Thelma had her puppies on Tuesday and I watched Daisy, wondering if she would be bothered by the sounds in the next room, but she seemed unfazed. The only notable thing that happened was that she destroyed her beloved football. I don’t know … Continue reading Diary of a Rescue Week Ten: Frightened Dog Getting Braver
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Blog postPuppy watch has begun in earnest. After a week of her temperature holding steady at a consistent 100 degrees, this morning Thelma’s temp dropped to 98.7. She is still happy to see me and thumps her tail, but she doesn’t get up and climb over the side of the whelping box to greet me. More tellingly, she only nibbled at her breakfast even though it was almost entirely eggs and chicken.
photo by Ian Achterberg After a rough first week with us, Thelma has been doing pretty well. But -
Blog postPuppy watch has begun in earnest. After a week of her temperature holding steady at a consistent 100 degrees, this morning Thelma’s temp dropped to 98.7. She is still happy to see me and thumps her tail, but she doesn’t get up and climb over the side of the whelping box to greet me. More tellingly, she only nibbled at her breakfast even though it was almost entirely eggs and chicken.
photo by Ian Achterberg After a rough first week with us, Thelma has been doing pretty well. But -
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Blog postI really hope I won’t be writing, Diary of a Rescue Week Fifty-Two, some day. Daisy is still here, but she is ready to go. She is healthy and happy, and while she still needs a slow introduction to women and won’t go near men, I think she is ready. Whatever happened to this dog … Continue reading Diary of a Rescue Weeks Eight and Nine: Separation Sometimes Makes You Stronger
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Blog postI really hope I won’t be writing, Diary of a Rescue Week Fifty-Two, some day. Daisy is still here, but she is ready to go. She is healthy and happy, and while she still needs a slow introduction to women and won’t go near men, I think she is ready. Whatever happened to this dog … Continue reading Diary of a Rescue Weeks Eight and Nine: Separation Sometimes Makes You Stronger
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Blog postI am home again after a week of visiting and volunteering in seven animal shelters in our rural south with an amazing team of volunteers.
When I try to describe the experience, I have to grapple for words. I’ve been to the shelters before; I was there while on book tour last fall. But this time, there wasn’t a fence separating me from the dogs.
This time we spent our days with the staff and the dogs. We walked countless dogs, played with them, bathed them, clipped their nails -
Blog postI am home again after a week of visiting and volunteering in seven animal shelters in our rural south with an amazing team of volunteers.
When I try to describe the experience, I have to grapple for words. I’ve been to the shelters before; I was there while on book tour last fall. But this time, there wasn’t a fence separating me from the dogs.
This time we spent our days with the staff and the dogs. We walked countless dogs, played with them, bathed them, clipped their nails -
Blog postIt’s the pitties that break my heart. There are so many. I don’t know if it’s that they have such expressive faces or if they know their odds, but as we pass row after row of them, their sadness seeps right through the kennel fence into my soul.
On this Rescue Road Trip, we’ve had the opportunity to walk many pitbulls, to hug them, to cuddle them, to play with them off leash, even. At Newberry County Shelter, I led Kimbo (or mostly Kimbo led me) into the playyard. I threw a ball for h -
Blog postIt’s the pitties that break my heart. There are so many. I don’t know if it’s that they have such expressive faces or if they know their odds, but as we pass row after row of them, their sadness seeps right through the kennel fence into my soul.
On this Rescue Road Trip, we’ve had the opportunity to walk many pitbulls, to hug them, to cuddle them, to play with them off leash, even. At Newberry County Shelter, I led Kimbo (or mostly Kimbo led me) into the playyard. I threw a ball for h -
Blog postThe last time I set foot in the southern shelters, I was stunned.
We wandered through the kennels, head spinning and heart-aching, helpless to do anything except offer a few bags of dog food, a box of cat litter, and a promise to share what we saw. This time…
Traveling with a team of eight feels more substantial. We are here to do work. Not to just gasp and dream. We are here to share all we can, to join in the real work, if only for a day.
It was maybe a little awkwar -
Blog postThe last time I set foot in the southern shelters, I was stunned.
We wandered through the kennels, head spinning and heart-aching, helpless to do anything except offer a few bags of dog food, a box of cat litter, and a promise to share what we saw. This time…
Traveling with a team of eight feels more substantial. We are here to do work. Not to just gasp and dream. We are here to share all we can, to join in the real work, if only for a day.
It was maybe a little awkwar -
Blog postAfter what felt like no progress or only incremental progress for weeks and weeks, this week Daisy had several big breakthroughs!
She’s like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. I don’t know what kind of butterfly is spunky, mischievous, and a little bit pushy, but that’s the kind Daisy is.
She’s also LOVES attention – butt scratches, ear rubs, kisses, any and all of it., in fact she demands it. For a dog who couldn’t tolerate my touch at the start, this has been startling for -
Blog postAfter what felt like no progress or only incremental progress for weeks and weeks, this week Daisy had several big breakthroughs!
She’s like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. I don’t know what kind of butterfly is spunky, mischievous, and a little bit pushy, but that’s the kind Daisy is.
She’s also LOVES attention – butt scratches, ear rubs, kisses, any and all of it., in fact she demands it. For a dog who couldn’t tolerate my touch at the start, this has been startling for -
Blog postThis Sunday I will climb in a van with seven other volunteers and head south to visit six of our partner shelters in North and South Carolina.
We have three goals –
We will put ‘boots on the ground’ as one of our team members put it, spending our days working in the shelters, helping with whatever they need. We are all prepared to get dirty and tackle tasks from cleaning kennels to trimming toenails. We are bringing the skills to assist with marketing the dogs, from writing bios a -
Blog postThis Sunday I will climb in a van with seven other volunteers and head south to visit six of our partner shelters in North and South Carolina.
We have three goals –
We will put ‘boots on the ground’ as one of our team members put it, spending our days working in the shelters, helping with whatever they need. We are all prepared to get dirty and tackle tasks from cleaning kennels to trimming toenails. We are bringing the skills to assist with marketing the dogs, from writing bios a -
Blog postI’ve often wondered what my limit is.
I know other people who have four, five, even nine dogs living in their houses.
Five.
That’s clearly my limit, judging by the non-stop headache I can’t shake and my inability to finish any task. Items I was in the process of putting away are littered all over my house, piling up just on the other side of the gates, at the base of the stairs and in the window between the front hall and the kitchen.
I haven’t been able to mak -
Blog postI’ve often wondered what my limit is.
I know other people who have four, five, even nine dogs living in their houses.
Five.
That’s clearly my limit, judging by the non-stop headache I can’t shake and my inability to finish any task. Items I was in the process of putting away are littered all over my house, piling up just on the other side of the gates, at the base of the stairs and in the window between the front hall and the kitchen.
I haven’t been able to mak -
Blog postHi – Thanks for stopping by the Kid Friendly Organic Life blog! As you may have noticed, I don’t post very often on this blog anymore. There are lots of reasons for this, but it is NOT because I don’t care passionately about living a kid-friendly organic life anymore—I do! I do!
I’m leaving this blog live, sort of like leaving the light on, because it has an important message and I’m not completely convinced I’ve said all I want to say on the topic. Meanwhile, if you are looking to live a -
Blog post“Being a writer invades my life 24/7.”
When I read that line in Shonda Rhimes’ book Year of Yes, I thought, Exactly.
I’m not even sure when I transitioned from wanting to be a writer to being a writer, but at some point it took over my brain. All day long I take mental notes of everything I see.
The Wal-Mart employee with the raccoon eyes, snapping her gum as stands frozen, starring at a shelf, a product in her hand. Is she putting away returned items? Is s -
Blog postI need to write about writing.
That’s what I've been telling myself for the past several weeks as my website blog stagnates.
But what writing wisdom could I possibly offer? The internet is smothered in writing wisdom. It is everywhere because, well, writers write. It’s not like horseshoers or knitters or firemen. You could write about those things on a blog and fling it out on the internet and there would probably be a great need and a great audience to find. (Not that -
Blog postFor the first time in a very long time, I have the opportunity to ponder – what should I write next? I’ve got projects aplenty, but this next one is truly up to me. I get to pick!
I’m coming to the end of the final edits of my third book for The Story Plant. That completes the deal. Oh, sure, there’s still copy edits, proofreading, cover design, promotional stuff, the begging for reviews, and the launch. But that’s not up to me – that’s dictated by the book, the publisher, the edito -
Blog post“You’re famous!” my friend commented on Facebook after seeing me on a regional TV news program.
That week I was a guest on an abc affiliate news show as the author spotlight – a popular reoccurring 2-3 minute feature. Months ago, I watched a few other authors – some were excellent, some awkward, but it was reassuring. I thought, I can handle this.
The morning of my appearance, I sprang out of my bed, nerves already tingling. I took the dogs for a 3-mile hike, trying to -
Blog postSummer is here and writing time is at a premium. Even so, I’m diving into a new story and loving every moment of it. I restarted/rewrote the first few chapters five times in different point of views and tenses trying to figure out which one was best and finally landed on the winner yesterday. Now, I can just write, write, write if I can find the time, time, time.
Girls’ Weekend is off and running and while I should be doing the real work of promoting the novel, I’m distracted by the -
Blog postHey Subscribers to Kid Friendly Organic Life!
First off, sorry for the random old posts that Blogger keeps sending out. I have NO earthly idea what that is about, but rest assured I am attempting to get to the bottom of it with little or no help from blogger (or google who own blogger!). If I can't resolve the issue, I may remove this blog, which would break my heart, of course. Still, I don't want you to get this odd form of spam from me because I am the anti-spam.
Man -
Blog postIT'S ALMOST TIME!
In just a few days, Girls’ Weekend will be released! I’m excited, nervous, and more than anything – stunned. It feels maybe a little bit surreal. When I first wrote it, it was my own private fantasy and not something I thought I'd ever be publishing.
I wrote the first draft of Girls Weekend when I was in the throes of heavy-duty motherhood. I was busy raising a 2-year-old, a preschooler, and an elementary aged kiddo.
When, my husband -
Blog postAs a pantser (a writer who does not outline, rather follows a story wherever it leads), I meet many of my characters when they appear on the page.
I do know the main characters before I start, having spent perhaps months getting to know them before their adventures begin. I interview them and write dozens of pages filled with their answers, my observations, sudden inspirations (he’s obsessed with peanut butter, she always speaks with full words instead of contractions).
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Blog postRecently, I’ve had the tremendous privilege of speaking with several book clubs about my novel, I’m Not Her.
I love chatting with people about the story. They are always surprised when at some point I reveal that when I started writing the book, I had no idea how it would end.
And then they are even more surprised when I tell them I was as shocked as they were when Leroy turned up.
After that, I’ll confess that I wasn’t even certain what the story was ab -
Blog postI haven’t run in over two weeks. It’s pretty much killing me.
I’ve finally been sidelined by foot pain that the foot doc and the acupuncturist couldn’t fix. The only thing left to do is rest.
Not my strong suit.
My mind is spilling over with all manner of ideas-questions-dreams-stories-paranoias-fears-worries-odd thoughts.
Running dispels the crazies for me. It helps me process my life and find a balance between what is a good idea and what -
Blog postWe bought a new bed. I know, not so exciting for you, but still. When you consider how many hours of your life you spend in your bed, this is a big deal.
Not only did we buy a new bed, but I’m now sleeping on the other side.
For pretty much all our married life, I’ve slept on the right side. This was determined in our first house because I wanted to be closest to the bathroom (I’m a girl). And then it made sense because I was closest to the door – so the kids could reach me f -
Blog postHow'd you like to cut your grocery bill, improve your health, help the planet, and eat food that tastes great? It's within your reach. Here are a few ideas for making it happen.
1. Don’t Buy Rinse Aid, Windex, or odor-repellents.
Use good ole white vinegar in place of all of these products. You may have to refill the rinse aid dispenser more often, but since vinegar costs about a tenth of those fancy, expensive, toxic, earth-polluting commercial rinse aid solutions, you’ll actu -
Blog post[Note: This is a guest post from an amazing woman I met via twitter. I'm super excited to share her writing and her message! I think it is a CRITICAL message for everyone who has a daughter. Give Hilary a shout out via twitter or in the blog comments if you agree!]
If I had read the title of this post a few years ago, I would have had two reactions: ‘that’s not possible’, and ‘tell me more.’ I would have been split down the middle between believing that we exist in a world where loving our -
Blog postAfter what seems like a very long hiatus, I’m back at it. I haven’t abandoned you my Kid Friendly Organic Life people! In fact, one of my New Year’s resolution is to get back to blogging regularly here.
Honest confession – it’s not just that I’ve missed you (I have! I have!), but also my jeans are getting a little tight and there’s just a bit too much white sugar creeping back into my world. My excuses are long and layered, but they amount to nothing more than distraction and laziness.I ha -
Blog postAbout seven years ago, I ordered a lemon tree through the mail.
At the time, I was seriously over the edge in terms of doing EVERYTHING organic and decided that growing my own organic lemons was a good idea.
I’m sure I’ve mentioned that I live in Pennsylvania. Not Florida.
But the optimistic website assured me that I could grow lemons ANYWHERE. So, I said, “Awesome! Send me a tree!” (I’m sure that’s technically historical fiction, as the facts are fuzzy these many years l -
Blog postThanksgiving is upon us, and with it, perhaps a few house guests? A few gatherings? That’s the drill at my house. Lots of extra people, lots of extra food, lots of wine, lots of cooking, and hopefully, lots of other people in the kitchen besides me to load the dishwasher!
My family has a tradition of everyone helping with the big meal. This means that cousins and friends will arrive with bags and coolers of food. Space in the fridge will be at a premium.
So, this week one of ou -
Blog postAt the beginning of the summer when I realized I had NO TIME for my garden, I thought, I’ll figure out some garden hacks and then I’ll blog about them. Sadly, not all my hacks worked, but there is still potential and the information is worth sharing, so here we go….
Let’s start with the biggest flop with the potential to be the biggest success. I do think this one is a keeper, but it needs some modifications and a lot more attention.
Gutter Step GardenNick built this lovely idea for -
Blog postSome days I want my house back. Most days I’m okay with sharing it. It’s only been recently that I’ve come to realize how very close I am to launching my kiddos. Yes, the youngest is only in middle school, but as any high school parent can attest – it goes by fast. Five years. That’s all that’s left.
I used to think I would be sad. Maybe even a bit inconsolable when the last one leaves, but lately I find myself fantasizing about the quiet house. The counter that stays uncluttered. The frid -
Blog postHello Kid Friendly Organic Life readers! Did you think I’d abandoned you? Never! However, I have been more than a bit distracted of late. Here’s why -
My novel was published just this week by The Story Plant. I’m super excited. Between promoting I’m Not Her and writing (and re-writing) my next novel for Story Plant, I’ve had very little time for me (and you). Here’s what my gardens look like –
See if you can find cucumbers, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, one pepper plant, sweet potatoes, -
Blog postAfter this past week I can no longer call myself an organic farmer. Sigh.
The Japanese beetles got me. I’ve put up with squash bugs and voles and those nasty invisible beetles that eat up my beans. And while we’ve had Japanese beetles before, I’ve never reached for the chemical weapons with any of them. I moved plants around, incentified the cats, and picked thousands of beetles off plants to drop them to their certain death in my bucket of dish soap.
But then last year happened. I w -
Blog postIn some ways he is already gone. Even the hours when he is here, he is somewhere else – ear buds in listening to music I don’t understand, texting with people I do not know, reading books I’ve never heard of, and surfing websites certainly not meant for parents. I’m proud of the fact that he is so independent and obviously ready to be out our door. Yet, my heart breaks at the thought of him being gone.
I watched him walk across that stage a few days ago, accept his diploma, grin for the ca -
Blog postQuick! What’s every woman’s fantasy?
No, that’s not it. It’s a Roomba! A robotic vacuum cleaner.
Guess what?
I got one. Which means, technically, all my dreams have come true. This is pretty much accurate.
Shout out to my FIL and my little brother who pitched in Amazon loot for my birthday which enabled me to bring Ed home finally.
Here’s Ed.
How do I know his name is Ed?
When I told Nick his name was Ed, he asked how I knew that. I said, “It says it the -
Blog postI was walking the dog the other day and passed a young man in a baseball cap working in a neighbor’s yard. He looked up, smiled, and called, “Good afternoon, Ma’am!” I smiled and waved back, but inside I was shrieking, “Ma’am?! Ma’am?! I’m not a Ma’am!”
I look in the mirror and I don’t see a Ma’am. Next year I will be fifty, so chronologically, I am firmly in Ma’am territory, like it or not. Why did his respectful greeting bother me so much? I’m not one of those women contemplating Botox. -
Blog postEvery mother harbors nightmares about losing her child. It’s what makes us nag and remind and question and stay up in wait for the headlights in the driveway. We only want to keep them safe. We wrongly imagine it is within our power. This past weekend that nightmare was a reality for a mom in my town. I don’t know her, but she has weighed on my heart ever since the moment I heard that a five-year-old had been struck and killed by a delivery van.
It was an accident. The van wasn’t driving -
Blog postLast night I finished teaching a six week class on Healthy Cooking for the Community Education program of our school district. It was great fun and forced me to truly examine my own beliefs about healthy cooking.
Let’s first toss aside a few incorrect assumptions.
Healthy cooking is not about losing weight, although if you truly cook in a healthy way your weight will naturally find its way to a healthy number that works for your body.
Healthy cooking is not about using “light” -
Blog postI’ve just finished reading a book, I have to write about. Even as I made notes and underlined and laughed while reading it, I thought, “I can’t wait to blog about this….”
I need to qualify all that I’m about to write by saying, this woman is nuts. But it’s a good nuts. Pretty much every chapter had me shaking my head and muttering, “What a lunatic,” but I said it with a smile on my face. I adore this woman and her ideas. I just wouldn’t ever want to live with her.
The book is The Lif
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Girls' Weekend
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I'm Not Her
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Live Intentionally: 65 Challenges for a Healthier, Happier Life by Cara Sue Achterberg (2014-11-18)
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