May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you and the pure light within you, guide your way on "~Incredible String Band

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

The Arrival of New Friends and the Passing of an Old One....

It's been many a moon since I last updated, or so it seems anyway. After spending a month or so up north in Oregon rambling about and visiting with friends ( where we had on going and seemingly never ending computer woes, hence the delay in updating the blog ), we headed down south again just in time for Moss's court date.


Once again, it was delayed until April 9th. We contemplated driving back up north to wait it out, but alas, it just did not make sense to drive all the way back up there only to turn around in two weeks and come back here. As of now, we are in the only place in southern California that we find to be the least bit tolerable, the Santa Barbara and Ojai region. Here we will remain until April 9th, when Moss's trial begins, hopefully for real this time. After that we can go back up north for an indefinite period of time. Due to the high cost of bio fuel we will have to stick to even more regional living than we normally do, in an effort to save money. That means spending extended periods of time living within one region, seeking out free and low cost campgrounds and out of the way places ( there are lots in Oregon!). Once we get the veggie system up and running again we will be able to ramble aimlessly once more. Hopefully this will happen in time for the national Rainbow gathering in July. While here in C.A we are enjoying the wonderful sunny weather and Moss is earning a few extra dollars working some good initiatives, one of which is another great alternative energy initiative.


Since Sage is now nine months old and is actively crawling and standing (in fact today she took her first forward steps without holding on!), we felt she needed a little play space of her own. We created an area in the living room of the bus, a shelf with some toys and a place for her high chair. It is not much, but she loves it and has great fun pulling all the toys off the shelf and tossing them around.


We have been trying to spend as much time in nature, real wild nature, not the manicured kind of nature that one may often encounter at the local park ( although that can be wonderful too !) as we can. The last few months, while up north I was very happy to have been able to go for long walks in the woods with Sage in the carrier. Here in Santa Barbara we enjoy regular walks along the beach and pier. She has so much fun waving to everyone and is working on saying her first word, "Hi". I have to laugh because she looks like a little parade queen in her stroller (which she now prefers to the sling carrier) waving and laughing at every single person. She really loves people !


We met another family here in Santa Barbabra recently, Sunshine, Dylan, and their two boys Timothy and Trace. They have given me permission to write about them, which is nice as we meet many fascinating people but so few will allow us to take pictures or write about about them on the blog ( which I more than understand and appreciate.) They live in their RV, and have begun their nomadic journey within the last year. Sunshine is pregnant and expecting her baby around June 4th ( Sage was born June 9 th !). They are such a loving and kind family. Sunshine is a talented artist, she sings, draws and makes beautiful art from recycled stuff that she finds. Dylan is talented musician who plays guitar flawlessly and knows every song you would probably care to hear. I have been helping them get their blog and Etsy shop set up. You can check it out here,


http://thegypsyamore.blogspot.com/


I have some sad news to report as well, Palomino, my sweet pigeon friend has passed away. I tried her for days to help her, but she died on Easter Sunday from a combination of head trauma and canker ( a protazoan parasite). I am very sad and do not care to go into the details at this time. My friend Sunshine drew a beautiful picture for me commemorating her life. She is still working on it and when she finishes I will post it here. It means so much to me.


As much as I enjoy this area ( as cities go anyway) I am eager to get out of the city and back into the mountains or on the beach. In a few days Moss will take a break from working and we will head into the mountains around here and camp for a while near the hot springs, or maybe on the beach. I think we will take that opportunity to do a deep internal cleansing and fast as well. It will be a nice thing to do just before Moss's court trial and will help him remain clear headed and positive.Then, once that is all behind us we can head back up north for the remainder of the spring and summer.....











Sage enjoying her first strawberry.



The play space we set up for Sage.




Sage and Mom on the beach



A windy day on the beach..

19 comments:

Lizz said...

A great update.

I'm sorry for your loss. I experienced a bird loss today, my children drew about their feathered friend.

Happy Travels!

Justine said...

I'm so sorry about your sweet bird, mama. ****That is so incredible she's starting to walk already!!! and I **LOVE** your skirt on the beach! Those knitted pants look super snugly!!! Sending you strength and hope to get you thru the trial. Love, Justine

beadbabe49 said...

What a sweet soul she is...and I'll keep good thoughts on your court date.

Tiffany said...

That babe is so adorable!! Her little cheeks... I could just squeeze 'em off. :)

Cadi said...

I like to visit your blog a whole bunch! You're a beautiful family & the bus is so awesome! :-) Sending you lots of good vibes, always. Bright blessings, Cadi

Mindy said...

I love your blog and was so excited to see an update. Hugs and sympathy on the loss of your beloved pet. I'm sure her spirit lingers with you. Congrats on little Sage taking her first step! What a big girl. I'll be visiting your friends' blog as well, and keeping you all in our prayers during Moss's trial.

SHI said...

Wow I can't believe she's already 9months...I have a neice who is 9 months as well...where does the time go?? I'll be sending you energy of strength for the upcoming trial!
~Bright Blessings Shi

Anonymous said...

Pixie, I was so glad to read your blog as you haven't been posting as much and I was wondering about you. Your little one is so beautiful. I hope that the trial goes well and is over with soon...it's been a long drawn-out mess. Congratulations on your success over at Etsy! You have beautiful items for sale...wish I could afford to buy some felted boots!

Unknown said...

Justine ~ Thanks for the condoloances, and yeah I too cannot believe Sage is walking already ! Thanks for the compliments on the clothes too, the skirt is from Emily at Piece by Peace and the pants handspun and knitted by yours truly...


Beadbabe ~ Thanks sister for the good thoughts and prayers ! Moss is actually really nervous !

Caffinated Crafter ~ LOL..I know I have to restrain myself sometimes, but then I am biased..


Cadi ~ Thanks sister and welcome to our humble little virtual place on the net.

Earthmommy ~ Thank you for all the kind words and prayers ! I know I feel so bad about not updating more. Between computer probs and caring for a now crawling and almost walking little one, it's been hectic ! I will try to do much better .

Shi ~ Tell me about it ! Nine months now, almost ten and chersihing every second.

Jenn~ Thanks so much ! yeah we are still truckin and will try to update more often.

Thanks again everyone for the comments and prayers/vibes. I will pass them on to poor Moss who is a nervous wreck right now !

Much Love ~ Pixie

Unknown said...

Lizz ~ Thanks so much..yeah I am very sad about it. Hugs to your beautiful family too, it's hard to lose a friend...

Yarrow said...

I was so happy to see an update. I check in often. I love your blog. You are a lovely family and I enjoy reading about your life and adventures. Its very inspiring. So sorry about your loss and will be sending good energy for Moss's court date. ~hugs~

Anonymous said...

Wow, wow, wow!! I just can't believe how much Sage has grown! It seems like just yesterday I was reading her birth story. I'm so glad that you & your family are fairing well. I wish Moss much fairness and justice in his trial, I know it will go as you need it to. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your feathered friend ((hugs)). Thank you for sharing your tales :) Spring Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Pixie..Sorry about your loss. Sage is growing by leaps and bounds. She is beautiful. Good Luck to Moss on the 9th. I will be thinking about you all.

Love,
Alicia

Half Moon Alice said...

This computer made this page weird, but hope you get this, Just wanted to touch base with you guys, we are in santa Maria (North about 70 miles) at Dylans moms house. I realized we never got your phone number or anything, we really want to stay in connect with yous'. looks like we're not heading north til may. love ya sweet one. we miss Sage, especially Tim. I hope youre not mad for us not really saying goodbyeAlthough, gypsys don't really say goodbye, they say , until next time, my dear friend.

Lisa Russell said...

Congrats on the walking thing, very very sweet, isn't it. I just wanted to thank you for introducing us to Sunshine- I have been reading you for a while now, and think it's really cool that you were able to get them going on a blog and Etsy shop; you are as sweet as can be. The world is a good place.

Grammie Hoffman in WA said...

I am SO excited I found your blog! I'm Sunshine's mom. Thank you SO much for befriending them, great little family, aren't they? I haven't met Dylan yet but Sunny seems crazy about him. Can't wait to hear their music!
I long to travel but am tied to a farm, will be lurking tho!
I'm retired from law enforcement and your so right. Most cops ARE A@#HOLES!! Hope the court date goes ok and is over soon.
Your little girl looks like a "pixie", did you look like her when you were little? What a beauty!
Please visit when you can:
http://FarmlivinginWA.blogspot.com

Grammie Hoffman in WA said...

Hi, It's me again, Sunshine's mom.
Hope the hearing went ok, it's been awhile since you've posted and like a typical grammie, I worry! Haven't heard from her either, no news is good news?

I'm having a "best sunset pic" CONTEST on my site: (http://FarmlivinginWA.blogspot.com) Ends Fri. night at 10. Odds are good ~ WIN SOME CHOCOLATE!! Hugs!

Gypsy Root said...

Today on Mother's Day I got to relax and read. I read your entire blog and could not stop. It is so great to see people living there dreams. What I loved most was the way you handle adversity and trials. It was inspiring and a reminder that we can make the best our of any situation.
Beautiful daughter! Great job!

Unknown said...

I LOVE these photos - especially the ones with Sage in her purple longies!

Tara