I ate the red berries / And fell into the pond / I found myself in a dream / Where all my worries were gone

February 12th, 2013 - filed under: The Farm » Family



What can I say about June, besides: “Strawberries!” Oh yes, even though it rained heavily until well past mid-month, we took advantage of those clear days. And we picked many, many strawberries in June.

I was already feeling so much better, physically, than I had in years, so it was amazing to get outside and enjoy life a little.




Right near the beginning of the month, Waits started nursery school. It was a co-op program, so I worked one morning each week, and then he was on his own for two mornings. Here’s the little guy on the very first day of nursery school (oh yes, I cried my eyes out):



Also early in the month we made a family trip down to Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, for their annual open house.




On the way home that evening, Waits fell asleep, and Damian and I got to talking. It was one of those rare moments where you dig in really deep, to reveal something precious and profound. Which was good, but it was also the first time we said out loud, “What if we just don’t make each other happy?

After that talk we began walking together every night. Every single night after dinner, Waits in the stroller listening to music, Damian and I pushing and talking, uncovering and examining. Those walks were everything, just totally incredible for our connection. We are both great communicators, gifted with the ability to really listen and really hear, without ego. It made everything so much easier.

But it also allows us to process through emotion much faster. (that’s called foreshadowing)

Father’s Day evening walk; a gardener trimming his roses loaded up our stroller.


Evening walks and strawberries, strawberries and evening walks. That’s what June was about. Here’s some snaps from another blustery day out at the fields, with my step-sister and friends, near the end of the month:










July coming soon . . .

  • Taylor

    Ohmigosh those strawberries look amazing. I remember working on a farm a couple years ago and harvesting strawberries. The rhythm I got into went something like this: *pick* basket, *pick* mouth.

    Your pictures are beautiful!

  • http://chewonthisvegan.tumblr.com/ Monika {windycityvegan}

    I love your hair in the lead photo! I think the only thing I miss about having long hair (I lopped it all off a few weeks ago) is braiding it, especially across the crown.

  • Veronica

    “What if we just don’t make each other happy?”

    Happiness is a choice. It takes effort and nobody can “make” you happy.

  • http://twitter.com/rachelkyle0402 Rachel Jacobs

    Ok I keep getting the horrible feeling that you and Damian have decided to part ways. I thought that from the first post you put up after your hiatus. I realize I will just have to wait…but I am hoping (yes the positive inside me just won’t die :)) that you all have talked it through and are still together.
    On a side note I absolutely love your hair in the first photo. I am completely inept at “fixing” in any sort of way…but I think the braids are so very cool.
    Have a good Wednesday Sayward and Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your family tomorrow.

  • Bianca

    Gosh, I wish we still had strawberries in June down here. They’re gone by early May because it gets so hot.

  • Scaredofeverything

    At what farm did you pick these luscious berries!? I usually go to Sauvie Island but it seems in the past few years the berries have been pretty dinky.

  • bitt

    I appreciate your honesty. Love that you shared the sanctuary pics.

  • Dett

    Rachel I have the same bad feeling… I’m still hoping that I’m wrong though.

  • http://twitter.com/rachelkyle0402 Rachel Jacobs

    Soon enough we will find out Dett :)

  • http://twitter.com/rachelkyle0402 Rachel Jacobs

    Soon enough we will find out Dett :)

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thanks! Those strawberries in the last series of pics were seriously the most amazing strawberries I’ve ever eaten. Amazing!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thanks! Those strawberries in the last series of pics were seriously the most amazing strawberries I’ve ever eaten. Amazing!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Your hair looks so cute short though! =D

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Your hair looks so cute short though! =D

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    I just completely disagree, but of course that’s okay! Different strokes. ;-)

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    I just completely disagree, but of course that’s okay! Different strokes. ;-)

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Ooh I learned how to do that bangs-braid from a video tutorial! It’s actually pretty easy – http://www.natthefatrat.com/2012/05/mama-style-bang-braid-tutorial.html

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Ooh I learned how to do that bangs-braid from a video tutorial! It’s actually pretty easy – http://www.natthefatrat.com/2012/05/mama-style-bang-braid-tutorial.html

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Oh, we got them in Portland all the way through July and sometimes even into August. But that’s awesome you get them so early, I’m sure that helps make it feel like winter doesn’t drag on and on.

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Oh, we got them in Portland all the way through July and sometimes even into August. But that’s awesome you get them so early, I’m sure that helps make it feel like winter doesn’t drag on and on.

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Bella Organics on Sauvie island is the BEST u-pick farm in Portland! It’s the only all-organic u-pick on the island and they also have a little farm store with dirt-cheap produce. It’s the best!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    It feels so good to write honestly! Thanks, Bitt. =)

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    It feels so good to write honestly! Thanks, Bitt. =)

  • Scaredofeverything

    Thanks! Patiently waiting for summer. These hands will be berry stained!

  • Scaredofeverything

    Thanks! Patiently waiting for summer. These hands will be berry stained!

  • Scaredofeverything

    If ONLY it were as easy as simply choosing to be happy. I would, I really would and I myself have tried. That isn’t the reality for most people though. There are many, many complexities at work for so many of us. Happiness comes and goes. I think the key is to take notice of when you are happy and to savor those moments. To give that happiness you feel the same brainspace you give to all other emotions.

  • Kelly H.

    I second Rachel’s comments about your relationship (and the hair!). I’ve always felt you and Damian have a pretty amazing and beautiful connection. I know it’s not perfect but some of the key elements seem to be there, so I’m really rooting for you two staying together!

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