I told my parents they needed to stock up on some groceries as the news of more and more closures began.  They are two of the most resilient, skilled and, frankly, badass people I know.  Their generation possessed many trades that my generation took for granted (and we are in danger of losing).  

As we began to stock up on a few necessities, a wave of disappointment came across my body.  How is it I got to the point of relying on so many packaged products?  Sometimes we are forced to take a hard look at ourselves.

I told my sister-in-law that I wished I was with her and my brother in Leadville.  Growing up in the way I did, this sort of global shut down would not have phased me in the least up there.  My father and brothers hunted, my mom and grandma processed the kill and knew how to hunt themselves.  To be honest, I think my mom was a more skilled hunter than some of the men in my family.  That little 5’1” wonder was incredibly strong!  Uncles and aunts were a part of many of these processes and I long for the communal living.

I remember growing up with a stove that required the wood we harvested as a family.  Each day after school it was my job to start a fire to keep the house warm.  I remember having canned fruits and vegetables around from my grandma (I don’t remember eating them because I don’t think I ate anything other than bean burritos with extra cheese for several years of my life).  As far as water goes, it was all around in the form of snow if not  out of the faucet.

Here I am realizing I don’t touch the source of my food.  I continue to say it is a goal but make little progress.  The mantra continues to ring in my head “return to source.”

My dad sharing his knowledge.

I love the Maya Angelou quote above. Sometimes I don’t want to forgive myself for things I’ve done in the past, but then I realize I didn’t know better. Guilt is tough!

I have known that I wanted to do better for this growing artistic venture, but I didn’t know how until now. As I’ve said before the packaging I use is recycled, the wood is reclaimed USA barn wood, some of the shirts are organic cotton and bamboo etc.

I don’t want to compromise when it comes to the planet. The earrings come with either 14k or sterling silver attachments for several reasons but primarily so that those with sensitive skin are more likely to be able to wear them. Now I have the best of both worlds. I have found the high quality metal, sourced in the USA through Rio Grande Jewelry, and they have recycled metal!! I will be switching over each of my products and all new products will be made with recycled materials minus the 14k gold which is not recycled but is sourced in the USA. This makes my heart happy today.