Is it too far-fetched….

To want to break away and start up a “village” ??

I’ve been thinking about this since I watched the movie “The Village” – and I’m not envisioning it to degree of total isolation that was portrayed in that particular movie, but just the general idea, that we can live again as a community, be there for one another, come together as a community and do something worthwhile – a place to raise our children that feels more true to life than the way the masses live today, a place where our resources are used wisely and efficiently, a place where our food is not contaminated but instead grown organically, a place that is nothing like the world we live in today.

It seems realistic to me, its just a matter of gathering together a group of people who would actually be willing to accomplish this together. I’m not THAT crazy, either. Here are my thoughts on the issue.

A group of 5-10 families could probably get off to a decent start with this.
We would buy a nice plot of land and all help one another build energy efficient, solar powered homes.
There would be a central meeting house where we could come together and discuss things, have social events together, etc.
We would grow our own crops and harvest them as a community (with divided responsibilities) so we have one another to help keep things moving
Flower gardens, landscaping throughout
Playgrounds for our children
Brewing our own beers and wines
Baking our own breads

*sigh* I have a vision here, people!

I have always admired the Amish lifestyle, and their ability to live in such simplicity. I am not suggesting that I want to *be* Amish, but rather pull some of those characteristics into a lifestyle that compliments a more efficient and resourceful version of the way we are used to living.

Thoughts?

Enter.The.Confessional

I confess

To having fallen

So deeply

Into another.

Just when you think

It has all ended,

That is when a true beginning

Can be found

Waiting

Just around the corner

And you know its right

When everything falls into place

Without your say

When you give your heart away

As difficult as it may seem

The obstacles

The struggles

Their dishonest, plaguing whispers

They can’t tear us apart;

May they build us up

Tall and strong…..

I confess

I gave my heart away

I took a chance

I took a chance with you

The Lonely Stage

The spotlight shines down
On me
The recluse
The self-proclaimed isolationist
And I have my moment of fame
Though no one is looking

Looking out into the empty seats
From here
Upon this lonely stage
I imagine the applause roaring
And it feels good.

The scene has reached its end
As if opening my eyes from dreaming
But this time REAL

What’s done is done
The grand finale still yet to come
So much more left to discover

And the spotlight begins to fade…….

The storm has reached its end
Finished its course
And the damage has pushed across
All that I have known
But I am still standing

As the spotlight fades into black.

copyright 2008 Michelle Black

themusicinmyhead

I don’t perceive the world the same as most.

I don’t hear voices in my head, but I SEE music, and I HEAR emotion.

Nothing is the way it seems.

Children need to be nurtured and tucked in at night.

Every night.

I believe you are in control over your own destiny.

The things around me are works of art waiting to happen.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” – oh so true.

One thing can become something else instantly if you change your perception.

There is so much music in my head…..

I stand alone, yet I am not lonely

Love exists

We all have a story that has been sculpted into time

I hear songs as I am writing this now

Tears are trails to a greater understanding

Smiling make us stronger

What happened to people being friendly?

I wish I had a time transporter

I don’t want to know all the answers

My heart is like the high tide, waves crashing

Sometimes I mourn my losses on my bedroom floor at midnight

If I had a million dollars I wouldn’t be any more content than I am right now

“So much for the honest man” – a line from a song I am listening to now

I love looking out my window in the morning

Ohio isn’t as boring as I used to think

Sometimes I feel empowered by the woman I have become

Sometimes I feel fragile when I remember the little girl inside

Sometimes….

You look at me through clouded eyes
I’m not evil
I just can’t get it right sometimes

No – you really don’t know where I’m coming from
No, you really don’t
No you really don’t know
No you really don’t

-lyrics from a song I wrote with ‘Skarlett’ a few years back. I am feeling this way at the present moment.

You know, we are all human… all ebbing and flowing, changing, growing, even regressing at times. I will not deny that I don’t always make the right choices, say the right things, and there are times when things motivate me for the wrong reasons. Most times, one doesn’t realize negative effects of a selfish action until the consequences come pouring down upon them.

And THEN come the people who use another person’s feelings of guilt or remorse to their own advantage, to put themselves on a pedestal, to get what they want. I think this is ugly. And while it is hurtful when things of this nature come into play, I am still more empathetic towards the person(s) who feel this type of need to use my mistakes against me. It takes being in a pretty dark place to actually succeed in bringing someone else down.

Having grown quite a bit in the past year, I am learning to see through these types of people, and not letting them get to me the way they used to. I live with my own ghosts, yes, and I don’t need anyone else to remind me that they exist. So when someone tries to do that, I simply turn the other cheek. There is a difference between being walked on, and consciously ignoring someone’s offensive acts.

I can’t forget all the times I’ve hidden my own despair, so to have obtained a portion of happiness is precious to me, and I cherish it with all that I am. I want my son to remember me as a positive, happy, and strong woman – a role model, someone he can count on. Being lost and wallowing in my own sadness and guilt will never get that point across to him, so that is a place I have decided to leave behind me. Forever.

You will NEVER be able to make anyone see you for all the things you really are. So the lesson I’ve gathered in this scenario is – don’t bother trying to explain yourself or your position. Just be who and what you are, and never EVER stop to see who’s watching. There is always someone watching, that is a given. So be as true to yourself as you can, and the rest will speak for itself, no matter who tries to bog you down.

Tea Time!

Doctor Unheimlich has diagnosed me with Michelle Black’s Disease
Cause:	improperly prepared tea
Symptoms:	mildly rosy cheeks, tree-climbing, sweating
Cure:	wake up and realise it was all just a dream
Enter your name, for your own diagnosis:

This is interesting to me considering it is a random generator and I am herbal-tea-obsessed AND was planning on posting a blog talking about the benefits of chamomile, so here’s my go-ahead.
Here is a list of all the great things chamomile tea can do for you, when consumed regularly. I drink a cup daily, and often times before bedtime as well.

- strengthens the stomach
- increases antibacterial activity
- boosts immunity
- increases production of amino acids, which calms nerves (thus reducing stress, helps menstrual cramping, muscle spasms)
-is an anti-inflammatory
-reduces gas

I’ve been drinking tea avidly now for the past 4-5 years, and I can honestly tell you that I have NOT been to the doctor once since I began incorporating tea into my daily diet. Of course different teas are known for aiding in different areas, so I rotate between different blends and colors, but I always have chamomile around *wink wink*.
Here are some great sites for finding awesome teas, and/or info on tea.

adagio.com
teamuse.com
yogitea.com
ambassadororganics.com
mountainroseherbs.com – tea and other goodies too
Herbal Sage Tea Company – in my hometown! (Athens, OH).
revolutiontea.com

House Hunting

Well this is something we all start dreaming about when we’re way too young to even FATHOM what owning a home is all about.

In the past 2 years, I have become independent enough to live somewhat comfortably and actually start saving some moolah. It only JUST dawned on me today that the reality of actually owning a home isn’t too far from me now, so I’ve been floating around for the past few hours figuring up what I can afford, and what sort of projection that makes in terms of wood, brick, walls, running water, and a roof. And surprisingly, my price range doesn’t yield any daunting visuals. I am happy with the idea of fixing things up as long as the bones of the place are in tact.

Bottom Line: More living space for my son and I, a place that I can give to him that he will relate to his childhood and remember as ‘home’ once he’s an adult, having a small home studio, buying some Siamese KITTEN BABIES, and last but most certainly NOT least….. painting my friggin walls.

Not much more I could ask for in life really. Simple things.

SO I’ve already come across homes that I’d be interested in that ARE in my price range as well as in good locations so I intend to take a good year of peeking around the area until I find the perfect place. Not too big, not too small, some charm (nothing too new), and some yard space. I want to have a garden where I can grow my own veggies and herbs so a small yard will do.

I’m really not that needy