What I’m Doing –

I live in a little town called Battle Ground, WA.  Here in my little corner of the NW we get a lot of rain. To the South is Oregon known as the Beaver State. We are known as the Evergreen State. It has never before occurred to me how incompatible those two things are. 

If you follow me on IG stories you know all about our pond turned to sea issues. You also know about Steve, Stella and now it seems there is a little Sammy…. Ugh! If you don’t know here is a quick recap.

We are not alone…

We have known for quite sometime that we have a very active beaver(s) in our back yard. I have photographed him and on numerous occasions we have heard his tale slap. However, his most noticeable calling card has been the 5 trees (most recently a 60 ft) he has taken down. 

Our home shares this pond with 3 other properties and the pond is the water run off for the neighborhood. It is the neighborhoods responsibility to maintain this pond and the County does routine checks to make sure we are doing our job.  We were not happy about the Steve the Beav but we just wrapped as many trees as we could with wire and tried to live in peace with him.

Unfortunately, that is no longer an option. Our little beaver family chewed through the overflow pipe and dammed up the drain creating flooding in our back yard and threatening our shop.   The County was called and a decision was made to unblock the drain and to have a trapper come out and remove the beavers….

Now I don’t want the reputation of being some kind of beaver family killer. The reality is they can’t stay.   Apparently we can expect a new family about every 3 years to move in. 

Date Nights –

Last week date night was dinner and then a tour of the Portland Art Museum.  We didn’t know it but we accidentally arrived on the first Thursday of the month which meant it was FREE! Sweet!   We didn’t have much time to tour but honestly I was just confused by a lot of what I saw. I just don’t get what some people call art. Much of the time what I saw looked more like a school art fair. But we entertained ourselves and had a good time spending time together. 

Then Saturday night we ventured back to Portland to enjoy the Winter Light Festival along the East Bank. We went last year and had a blast! This year EVERYONE was there and it was so crowded we didn’t get close to any of the exhibits.  After squeezing our way through the crowds we walked across the Tillicum Crossing Bridge and just enjoyed a beautiful winter’s evening in the city. 

What I’m Reading –

Unsheltered by Barbar Kingsolver

This book flips chapter to chapter between two different and yet similar story lines. Which seems to center around a house in ill repair that neither family can afford to fix. I’m on page 121 of 461 and I’m just beginning to figure things out and enjoy it a bit.  I do find myself getting frustrated when I find myself really getting into the story line and then reach the end of the chapter. The next chapter will pick up with the other story line and I have to wait an entire chapter to get back to the previous story but in the meantime I get hooked on the new chapter and the pattern just repeats….

The Law of Divine compensation – Marianne Williamson

This is a very different book for me and I’m reading it along with my morning devotionals. It is all about being positive, optimistic and remembering we are created with purpose and intentionality. 

Better Than Before – by Gretchen Rubin

This is the same author who wrote The Happiness Project. The subtitle to this book is “What I learned about making and breaking habits – To sleep more, quit sugar, procrastinate less, and generally build a happier life”.   I am fascinated by this book. First, it is not a how to. It is the author exploring these things for herself. The foundation is the question of how habits are formed. Her process for breaking things down and the subsequent questions that are asked are really interesting. While at no point does it feel like it is a personal how-to book because we are brought along on her journey.  However, you can’t help but apply yourself to her questions and it helps you understand yourself more. I’m only 1/3rd of the way so far but I’m fascinated.

What I’m Photographing –

February has always been a super slow month for me. I try to brace myself for it but I can’t help getting discouraged at times. In the past several weeks I have had 2 appointments cancel  and  2 shoots cancel. 

It’s a weird time of year. I rarely have cancellations! Maybe once a year. Life happens that way sometimes and you just have to roll with it.

So while I’m not photographing I am writing blogs, working on my monthly newsletter, trying to post something cleaver on social media, cleaning and organizing the studio. I’m taking two online photography classes and attending networking events meant to help me grow as a business owner. 

I am always scouting locations for future shoots.  On our way back to our car Saturday night we passed the coolest parking area with some awesome {friendly} graffiti. I think this location would be so much fun for anyone looking for a cool urban vibe to their pictures.

There is always the business of the business. Currently taxes are a huge headache. Small business taxes are no joke. I seriously don’t understand how the government expects a small business to grow when every year it snatches a HUGE chunk of your profits for itself… Sigh… This is just not my time of year…

Goal Check –

I missed Senior Sunday – I am struggling to keep up with my twice weekly postings of Family Friday’s and Senior Sundays. I would like to keep it up we shall see

My magazine is designed and off to the printers for a test print!!

Date Nights – Still happening. 

Positive thoughts – 2 of the books I’m reading (Better than Before and The Law of Divine Compensation) have helpful ideas regarding being more positive and kinder to yourself.  While I believe I am a friendly, kind person to others I don’t offer the same to myself.  I’m shocked at how often I have to correct my thoughts regarding myself. Man I’m mean to me! It is an on-going effort but awareness is the first step!

My Current Favorite –

Have you noticed? Trees are budding! The days are longer. The sun peeks out occasionally.  We are making plans for Spring and Summer! I feel like I am trying to emerge from the dark cocoon of Winter. 

I love the daffodils they sell at Trader Joes. For less than 2 dollars you can buy a bunch of roughly 6-8 daffodils. They just lay there on a shelf without water. All snug in their tight buds. You bring them home trim the bottoms and put them in water and in just a couple days you have the most gorgeous bouquet! I will be making weekly trips for these daffodils as long as they last!

Happy Valentin’es Day to you tomorrow. I hope your day is filled with love however that looks to you. Me it looks like flowers…

Shelly