We've been pushing hard the last few days to reach the township. We've come across n abandoned homestead on the outskirts, which is where we spent the night last. Everyone is tired and sore, but knowing we're so close to the township is helping to push us forward.
The weather has really started warming lately, which is making our clipped pace even more difficult. This morning, though, we awoke to grey, foggy skies. The clouds are hugging the tops of the hills around us, and it's made it quite cool and comfortable. Occasionally, there is a slight rumble overhead, and we keep wondering who, or what, is passing by overhead.
It's why we've been pushing so hard lately. Every day more airships cruise by, east bound. Why? What has happened in the township?
A cup of coffee, and then we'll break camp and head off once more. With any luck, we'll be in the heart of the township in 2 days time.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Rumbles
Yesterday afternoon, 3 airships rumbled by overhead. We're on the side of a mountain that is densely packed with trees, so we weren't spotted. I don't think it would have mattered much, though. We couldn't tell, from our vantage point, if they were Skyrates or Soldiers, but the general consensus is Skyrates.
They were heading East at a clipped pace. Not sure if that's good or bad news for the fate of the township.
The birds are still silent. It's putting me very ill at ease. I miss their songs. I've been leaving out some grains and seeds trying to entice them closer. Thus far, my efforts have been in vain. There are no voices of nature on this mountain. What does that mean?
They were heading East at a clipped pace. Not sure if that's good or bad news for the fate of the township.
The birds are still silent. It's putting me very ill at ease. I miss their songs. I've been leaving out some grains and seeds trying to entice them closer. Thus far, my efforts have been in vain. There are no voices of nature on this mountain. What does that mean?
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Ninkeys
I haven't been able to shake off this depression that's consumed me. So, yesterday after we made camp, May, Ian, and I decided to scout the area looking for something to pick the mood up- flowers, berries, nuts, etc. We didn't find anything like that, but something did find us that took a bit of the load off for a bit. A troop of Ninkeys!
They're smallish animals, covered in hair, and very playful and mischievous. They descended on us from the trees overhead, curious about what we were. One in particular took a liking to Ian, and decided to include him in their game of climbing and romping around. May and I settled back to watch, as the Ninkeys were not interested in the two of us. I suspect it's because Ian was so much similar to their size that they found him so intriguing.
And they were loud! Their vocalizations to one another were, at times, so piercing that it felt like my head would split in two! Ian didn't seem bothered by their sharp cries. In fact, he began joining the chorus! Whooping and hollering like a wild man. At first the Ninkeys seemed confused by his mimicry, but then I actually think they enjoyed him trying to be as much a part of their troop as possible.
I don't know how long we sat there. Eventually, the light began to dip low, and the Ninkeys began to drift off, finding someplace to spend the night. So, we returned to camp, too. The heaviness of my mental burden returned with me, much to my dismay. Hopefully I'll be able to leave it behind soon.
They're smallish animals, covered in hair, and very playful and mischievous. They descended on us from the trees overhead, curious about what we were. One in particular took a liking to Ian, and decided to include him in their game of climbing and romping around. May and I settled back to watch, as the Ninkeys were not interested in the two of us. I suspect it's because Ian was so much similar to their size that they found him so intriguing.
And they were loud! Their vocalizations to one another were, at times, so piercing that it felt like my head would split in two! Ian didn't seem bothered by their sharp cries. In fact, he began joining the chorus! Whooping and hollering like a wild man. At first the Ninkeys seemed confused by his mimicry, but then I actually think they enjoyed him trying to be as much a part of their troop as possible.
I don't know how long we sat there. Eventually, the light began to dip low, and the Ninkeys began to drift off, finding someplace to spend the night. So, we returned to camp, too. The heaviness of my mental burden returned with me, much to my dismay. Hopefully I'll be able to leave it behind soon.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
One foot in front of the other
We're on the move again, but I have to admit that I'm really struggling.
The sun is shining brightly, there's a lovely breeze to keep it not too hot, but I can't shake the feeling that it's all coming undone. Most of the birds have disappeared. I think they're probably all nesting somewhere, but it is strange to have the world so quiet.
It's more than that, though.
I suppose it possibly stems from how I was raised. My parents settled in the township when I was quite young, so I don't really remember being on the move as a kid. It had it's own share of hardships staying in one place. In lean years, my parents would stress a lot. And it seemed every time I made a friend, it wasn't long before they were moving on to new and more exciting places.
But I always knew where home was. I knew where I belonged, and what to expect from the surrounding natural world.
Now, home is not a place. I feel like we've somehow let the kids down- not that the kids seem to even notice. This is their life, and they've never known it any different. And normally I enjoy the change of scenery and people, it's just that sometimes I wish we had a place of our own. Somewhere we could put down roots.
The sun is shining brightly, there's a lovely breeze to keep it not too hot, but I can't shake the feeling that it's all coming undone. Most of the birds have disappeared. I think they're probably all nesting somewhere, but it is strange to have the world so quiet.
It's more than that, though.
I suppose it possibly stems from how I was raised. My parents settled in the township when I was quite young, so I don't really remember being on the move as a kid. It had it's own share of hardships staying in one place. In lean years, my parents would stress a lot. And it seemed every time I made a friend, it wasn't long before they were moving on to new and more exciting places.
But I always knew where home was. I knew where I belonged, and what to expect from the surrounding natural world.
Now, home is not a place. I feel like we've somehow let the kids down- not that the kids seem to even notice. This is their life, and they've never known it any different. And normally I enjoy the change of scenery and people, it's just that sometimes I wish we had a place of our own. Somewhere we could put down roots.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Surprise treat
Every night, before we bed ourselves down, I leave out a bowl of milk for the fairies. Steve thinks it's silly and a waste, but my Grandmother passed the tradition on to me. She told me that in the time before the caves, people often left offerings for the fay folk. Even people who didn't believe! In the time of the caves, things became very scarce, so the ones who didn't believe stopped the offerings. Many of those bloodlines have now been lost. The ones who kept the old traditions were protected, and even helped by the fay. Whether or not that's true, or just the ramblings of an old woman, I don't know. But, I do know we sometimes enjoy secret visits by the fay.
It is true that most of the time the milk is gone come morning, with footprints in the dirt belonging to any number of animals. Usually the cat. But sometimes, the milk is gone, no footprints left behind, and something else in it's place!
This morning we awoke to sugared petals. We've decided to use some of our precious sugar to make a cake and put the petals on it. I can hardly wait for evening meal!
Which brings me to our next surprise of the morning- all the chickens are laying again! One of our girls keeps us in eggs no matter what is happening in the world. But the others... well, sometimes they need a bit of convincing. But while Ian was waiting for morning meal, he came across not 1, not 2, but 5 eggs! This evening's meal will be a veritable feast.
It is true that most of the time the milk is gone come morning, with footprints in the dirt belonging to any number of animals. Usually the cat. But sometimes, the milk is gone, no footprints left behind, and something else in it's place!
This morning we awoke to sugared petals. We've decided to use some of our precious sugar to make a cake and put the petals on it. I can hardly wait for evening meal!
Which brings me to our next surprise of the morning- all the chickens are laying again! One of our girls keeps us in eggs no matter what is happening in the world. But the others... well, sometimes they need a bit of convincing. But while Ian was waiting for morning meal, he came across not 1, not 2, but 5 eggs! This evening's meal will be a veritable feast.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Stopped yet again
My poor little boy is sick. He was up most of the night before last with stomach troubles, and spent yesterday in severe distress. Steve spent most of the afternoon scouting the area for food and herbs. Ian spent most of the day complaining. He does not make a good patient!
This morning he is still complaining of a sore stomach and his appetite isn't back yet, but I suspect he is on the mend. We've decided to stay put another day, hoping he'll be right to travel tomorrow. With all the illnesses we've endured, granted most of them were me, I feel like we're not going to make it to the township until the end of Summer!
This morning he is still complaining of a sore stomach and his appetite isn't back yet, but I suspect he is on the mend. We've decided to stay put another day, hoping he'll be right to travel tomorrow. With all the illnesses we've endured, granted most of them were me, I feel like we're not going to make it to the township until the end of Summer!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Long days
We've put a lot of ground underneath our feet in the last few days. I'm still feeling rather unwell, but the concoction of herbs is making some difference. At least I have some of my energy back. May and I are still experimenting with different combinations, hoping something will finally work. She's been invaluable these last few days, though. I'm not sure where we'd be without her.
Unfortunately, we now suspect something got into our food storage. We've all been sick with stomach issues for the last 3 days. With my compromised health, I seem to have gotten it the worst. Ian appeared to have been the only one unaffected, but this morning even he woke up in pain. We've decided to press on, albeit at a much slower pace.
At least the weather is cooperating. It's been lovely- sunny and warm. None of us have really been in the mood to fully enjoy the long days, but it does seem to ease even the discomfort of cramping stomach muscles.
The nights are beginning to warm up as well, a sure sign that summer isn't far away. Last night, I lay awake listening to a pack of wolves howling in the distance and the screech of an owl overhead. I love the sounds at night, and I've missed them over the cold winter months. Nature seems so quiet during those long nights.
Unfortunately, we now suspect something got into our food storage. We've all been sick with stomach issues for the last 3 days. With my compromised health, I seem to have gotten it the worst. Ian appeared to have been the only one unaffected, but this morning even he woke up in pain. We've decided to press on, albeit at a much slower pace.
At least the weather is cooperating. It's been lovely- sunny and warm. None of us have really been in the mood to fully enjoy the long days, but it does seem to ease even the discomfort of cramping stomach muscles.
The nights are beginning to warm up as well, a sure sign that summer isn't far away. Last night, I lay awake listening to a pack of wolves howling in the distance and the screech of an owl overhead. I love the sounds at night, and I've missed them over the cold winter months. Nature seems so quiet during those long nights.
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