Perks of Being Self-Employed

During the summer months I work here, outside on my beautiful patio. I tailor everything  so I can be outside. I count it as an excellent day if I can eat all three meals outside too. My cats hang out with me. The 5th generation song sparrow family keeps us company. They have a unbelievably lovely and LOUD song they sing as they leave their home looking for insects. There's a small fountain providing endless burbling watery sounds. Everyone takes turns drinking, the cats-you can see Loki sipping from the fountain on the opening page of this website!-the wasps, many varieties of bees and pollinators, dragonflies and damselflies. Hummingbirds visit. Hummingbird moths visit. Monarchs have been floating around the garden this week, nectaring on the flowers. Sandhill cranes pass high over head sounding like prehistoric creatures. Squirrels scrabble through the oaks.

The other morning got up early and paddled my canoe around the lake. The lake was like glass. I watched two Kingfishers take turns diving for fish. I played peek-a-boo with a Great Blue Heron who was hanging out on the pier. I watched a merganser disappear for crazy long periods of time under water until he finally caught a small fish. I watched him flip the small fish up in the air a few times before he made a meal of it.

Tomorrow I'll pack up my car, giving up a weekend with loved ones to travel an art show in Ottawa, Illinois. This week I'll be traveling with a dear friend who will also be exhibiting at the show in Ottawa. We'll be staying at a fabulous b & B in a converted grain silo! I wouldn't be able to do these things if I were punching a time clock.

Being self-employed is NOT for the feint of heart. It can be a white knuckled, wild sickening roller coaster ride of uncertainty. But, I'm ALL in! I love the perks.

Thank-FULL-ness.

---