here we are in yellow springs at the spirited goat coffeehouse, where hippies live on.  some stoner musician kids who hang out there ‘adopted’ me.  it cheered me up a little.

here we are, trying to stay upbeat despite our latest setbacks.  i guess another couple of years in limbo won’t kill us if it hasn’t already.  maybe life itself is one big existential waiting room, eh?

so, it’s looking more and more like we’ll be stuck here in ohio for a couple more years, due to the ignorant behavior of jerks from the past.  sometimes no matter how hard you try, other people’s bad karma sabotages you for years to come.  so here we remain, waiting it out, trying to make the best of a difficult situation.

to that end, we hung out in yellow springs:  at the sunrise café, all natural, organic, local, predominately vegan food, very yum; at our default park setting, john bryan; and at peifer farm market, where it’s definitely harvest season.

back at the narrows, along the river.  we’re finally starting to see schools of fish, and toads, and other wildlife that were strangely absent all season.  see if you can spot the toad.
we’re now trying to adjust to the probability that our move to TN may be delayed much longer than planned, due to more setbacks beyond our control.  not a fun prospect, but it will give us time to take care of a lot of necessary unpleasant business in a less stressful time crunch.

here we are back at the fen wetlands, absorbing the mysterious quiet approach of autumn.  there were so many beautiful scenes, i don’t know where to begin.
as it turns out, we may have to dig in and stick it out in ohio a lot longer than expected.  sad how other people’s evil karma can reach forward and entrap you years later, and there’s nothing you can do but wait it out, and try to make the most of it.

so without further ado, the swamp.

did i mention fire?  almost as mystical as water.

the waterfalls, famous irony yellow springs, and woods of glen helen, on a peaceful pre-autumn afternoon.  there can never be too many waterfalls or water for me.  i live for water (aquarius).  i wish we could afford a piece of land with water on it.  i’ll just have to create my own.

appearances are deceptive.  it looks like a calm, festive scene here.  don’t be fooled!  😉

 in the background, we are being put through bureaucratic hell just trying to qualify for a loan for a tiny mobile home on a small piece of land in TN, because of past circumstances outside of our control.  we’re dreading the possibility that we may have to winter over here again, and start over once the legalistic dust has settled in spring.  not a fun prospect, but beggars can’t be choosers.

other people’s selfish behavior, or your own responses or lack thereof, can come back to haunt you in so many ways.  they don’t teach kids that growing up.  you could avoid so much aggravation or sorrow later on.  life when you’re born different is hard enough, without allowing ignorant abusers to control your outcomes.  you can’t always undo the damage, but you can control your own choices going forward.

this is something some of us unfortunately learn the hard way, much later in life, because we didn’t receive the proper emotional, mental, or physical tools to live a healthy life, or we were so indoctrinated to conform and submit to abuse or irresponsible behavior.  save yourself some heartache, learn from your experiences, get away from chaotic, destructive influences, and don’t perpetuate others’ misguided mistakes.  this is called being a grownup.

just a calm reflection, on a non-eventful rosh hashanah.

indian curried vegetables and basmati rice, and asian eggplant with fresh herbs.  apples, peaches, bananas, and honey– to a sweet new year, in a better place.

may the year ahead be sweet.  here’s to relocation some time soon!