Yesterday, I was doing my homework upstairs when one of my housemates put on some music. It was the Mountain Goats, a band I used to listen to religiously senior year of high school and a favorite of my roommate and mine this past last semester. When in the room together, she and I would often sing along to John Darnielle’s lead vocals, trying our best to harmonize with his tortured delivery and scratchy voice.
My roommate isn’t here to share those memories with now- she’s currently studying abroad in Mexico with Earlham’s Border Studies Program and I miss her dearly. (Shout out to the Border Studies Crew and my main gal Chiara!)
This has been a lucky week for me. I’ve had two cancelled classes, got a chance to speak to my notoriously elusive brother on the phone, enjoyed several delicious house dinners, and even had some time to send letters to friends. (Also fit in a successful dumpster diving trip. Why some places throw out perfectly good food, I’ll never know.)
I’m looking forward to the business of the weekend. Of course there’s Farm Day, but I’ve also got a breakfast date with few friends, and the Winter Farmer’s market is happening this week!
Right now, my brain feels full- mostly with anecdotes about Midwestern geography. I’ve been spending almost all my time looking at resources for a paper about Indiana prairie and the history of conservation efforts within the state. It’s a crash course in Indiana geography which is great, plus I’m totally fascinated by the idea of “prairie.” It’s truly a unique Midwestern thing to me. We’ve got nothing like it back home. (The thick root system and amazingly fertile soil is only part of it. Read up on it if you don’t’ know about it!)
One last thing- I’m so ready for Spring! Midwestern weather is confusing. Just when I settle into the warm weather-it’s cold again! Even the chickens are the farm have had enough- I got some angry clucks directed at me during evening chores today…
