New Horizons

It’s been a busy week. Some days I feel super overwhelmed…, to the point where I get shaky and want to shut down. It’s easier to not face things head on. I think the shutting down bit has a little bit to do with fear of success and failure. Because trying to succeed can lead to failure.  It’s so much easier to obtain mediocrity. To take the middle path. To be okay. Not great. But okay.

I digress. Things are going well.

House hunting yielded no leads, but I caught up with a friend whilst driving all over Kitchener. Another Saturday will fall prey to apartment hunting hell.  I really just want a decent bathroom & kitchen & location. Okay. Maybe I’m a bit picky. But damn it, I’m an adult. I work hard. I deserve decent bathroom, kitchen & location!

{In Paper Dreams} cards may be showing up in a Waterloo boutique someday soon. (I’ll keep you abreast of any developments.) That has brought up new challenges. Packaging is one hurdle. Labels. Timing. Got to make Mother’s Day. As you do.

Work deadlines approach, come, pass. In a whirl wind. Pretty satisfying in retrospect. I might be ‘published’ someday soon (?) which is pretty f$%#ing awesome.  I’m  always so  amazed at how work deadlines differ from school deadlines. In my experience, work deadlines are more fluid. They recognize that some projects get derailed.  Bigger.  Complicated.  I don’t know if this is the case everywhere. Or if it’s a good thing. Research is like that though.

This turned into a bit of a free writing session. On my phone, so I hope there aren’t too many errors.  Goodness. This post felt so much longer when I was writing it on my phone. Seeing it on my screen makes all those big thoughts of the nighttime seems so small.

I’d leave you with a photograph, but I have no idea how to accomplish that on this device. Maybe I’ll add one tomorrow.  This is my most recent papercutting. It took much longer than I thought I had patience for. I kept screwing up on Nunavut. And the archipelago in arctic was rather painful.

Current reading: Chalice – Robin McKinley (I finished this novel last night. I definitely recommend reading some Robin McKinley. Her books are filled with adventure and strong female leads. I’d only ever read her young adult books–this was my first foray into her adult literature. Her descriptions of honey made me *swoon*. And her descriptions of earth-lines made me want to spend more time outdoors and barefoot.)

Current listening: World Spins Madly On – The Weepies; anything by Lennon & Maisy Stella

Ciao

Exotic Earthworms

Did you know that there are 19 species of earthworms in Ontario and not one is native to the province?  While earthworms once existed in the region, they were extirpated during the retreat of the last glaciers (in Ontario) and never recolonized naturally from the southern parts of the continent. So until the introduction of earthworms in the 1700s from Europe, ecosystem developed without their influence.

Earthworms are considered ecosystem ‘engineers’ because of the significant role they play in structuring an ecosystem, particularly their ability to influence nutrient dynamics and soil organic matter.  Earthworms consume leaf fall and increase carbon loss from soil and can contribute to nitrogen turnover and leaching from the forest floor. And while the contribution of earthworms is by no means inherently negative (they’re great in your vegetable garden), they become problematic when they enter and influence an ecosystem that evolved outside of their influence.  (Is there a metaphor for the human condition in there somewhere?)  Particularly when those ecosystems are being managed for conservation.

I’ve been researching exotic earthworms for a report I’m writing and couldn’t help but be fascinated with the creatures. And considering I have a degree in environmental studies, I’m surprised it has taken me this long to learn that the earthworms around here are exotic… So, of course, my natural inclination was to share this information!  (I sense a “THINGS YOU OUGHT TO KNOW even-though-they-won’t-really-matter-all-that-much-to-you” column visiting this blog.)

On another note, THINGS I LIKE as a weekly update has been put on hold. I’ve done this for a number of reasons: (a) because I’ve (obviously) been failing to post weekly, (b) I want to curate a list of the finest things, not just EVERYTHING I can think of at the last minute, and, (c) I want to occasionally blog about OTHER things, and two posts a week may be stretching my mental capacity. (Now I just need to think about what those OTHER things will be.)

Some housekeeping-ish things:

I noticed that I haven’t officially announced the opening of In Paper Dreams, a shop where my friend (and now business partner) Danielle and I are selling our hobby-crafts.  (You know, the shop I’ve been posting about to NO END!)  At this time we’re only selling greeting cards, but we’re hoping to soon delve in to postcards, miniature art, and other paper craft goodies!  If you want to keep track of our shenanigans, (a) get a Tumblr and (b) FOLLOW US!  Or like our Facebook page!

 

(You can find a printable template for your very own paper deer head trophy on our website under the ‘templates‘ tab.)

And,

My work contract has been extended for a full year! (And I will be moving back to KW!)