Simple pleasures

Dearest Birdie.

Yesterday we walked a marathon, I know, another one, wasn't Chicago enough! We crossed the Lion's Gate Bridge in West Vancouver, walked around Stanley Park, through downtown, across the Granville Street bridge, explored the Island and drooled in the market. Then, once back over the bridge, followed the ocean side walk back to Stanley Park and over The Lion's Gate home. We did not get the Aquabus or any other bus, we did not stop for nourishment despite not having fueled properly for the journey at lunch. We hung in there and walked and walked and walked. Why? Well one, we wanted to go to the market and two, we are on a budget and every time we think about spending money, we can't seem to justify it. I spend my time in a new city, scoping out the grocery stores, pen and paper in hand comparing prices. I hand wash in the kitchen sink to avoid dropping my loonies into the Laundromat machines. We are by no means poor, we have saved for this journey, but we are still on a budget. The oldest will be in University in September, the youngest only three years behind. We have our future to think about too.

Red Bird the other day you said something to me about cutting coupons and it got me thinking about our new financial situations. We were neither of us rich prior to our life changes but I would say we were comfortable. We have always been pretty frugal, spending only what we could afford and living quite simply. This journey has stretched that way of life to mean making the choices we did yesterday. Yes, by the time we had finished exploring Granville Island, a bus or taxi would have been so welcome to our aching feet, but with no income we have to watch those pennies. What I'm learning though is that I rather like life this way. It feels good to wash by hand rather than using the electricity required for the washing machine, standing outside spinning the clothes around, like a crazy human dryer has me giggling like a child. I relish seeing how far I can make a cup of quinoa go, never eating the same thing twice. Or stretching that discount steak and reduced veg into a stir fry and stew and salad, yet still leaving the boys full and satisfied. I now shop bulk, not with how much space my pantry has in mind, but armed with measuring cups, getting just what I need for each recipe. I bake using what I have, substituting flax for egg, or almonds for flour, experimenting and discovering new flavours and textures. The back to basics approach has me shaking my head at all the years we spent buying things we never really needed.

This is a choice for us I know, although there is no guarantee we will find new employment after this year, but we have chosen to live this way for a year and perhaps this sounds to some like privilege talking, but I don't think I could go back now. I don't think I could do the big house, with the granite counters and new furniture.  I like this life style, it feels liberating, no, it feels right, I feel right, I feel in tune with the earth and how we should be living. I know, hippie nonsense, but that's how I feel.

So Red Bird, with scissors in hand and papers spread out before you, do you feel the same?  I'm guessing your liberation comes from making everything happen for yourself with no dependence on Him (I think it's blasphemous to us the capital isn't it...ah who cares!). Or are you resenting the world of coupons and specials?

Always Yours, while baking a pie made from foraged blackberries!
Sparrow