The more interesting life of the gold finch
What’s the Wild Canary Life? I am not sure yet so come with me as I figure it out. I am from Iowa and our state bird is the Gold Finch. But I’ve pushed back on being a stereotypical Iowan. Sure, I grew up in a small town, still live in that same small town, I know farmers, I like to grow veggies and flowers, and I love to explore small towns. But I also love to travel, am intrigued by art, enjoy a diverse set of friends, and really want to explore the creative process. I’ve always had my eye on what’s new, what’s next, and don’t tend follow the crowd. One of my high school friends described me as eclectic…. I wasn’t sure that was a compliment at the time but now I love it.
As we were researching names for a potential real estate project, I learned that the Gold Finch is also known as a Wild Canary. That resonated with me! Gold finches are a common bird but this name evokes a free spirit, eclectic nature, and one who eschews convention. I’m quickly approaching 50 and it’s time to pursue the things that give me pleasure and purpose outside of being a mom, partner and business owner. I’m working to build the interesting life I want for the next 50 years. You can expect to find musings on travel, food, art, and igniting my personal creative journey. I hope you will join me as the Wild Canary takes flight!
Latest Musings
- Coffee and Life: Take your time, use quality inputs, follow the process, savor the outcome.I tend to get fascinated with different ideas, foods, activities, people and then my situation changes and they fall by the wayside until the next new thing comes along. But coffee has been a constant companion as long as I can remember. I love the smell and the taste, not to mention the warm liquid to help clear my morning head and give me a few minutes of peace before the day begins. My dad drank coffee every morning and…
- Coffee FavoritesJava House, Iowa City, Iowa. My first love. Pour overs, art, great university vibe where I try to visit anytime I am back. It makes me want to get lost in a book and enroll back in classes. Fuel Art and Espresso, Mt. Vernon, IA A favorite combo of coffee, art and community. Owner Tommie makes great jewelry and art from found objects and has a wonderful curation of items to browse (and buy) while the coffee is brewing. Their…
- Making space to bring the artist out of the shadowsI have always felt a need to create. However, I never felt like I had any particular talent to put art out into the world. I’m terrible at drawing and painting. Forget about sketching or making beautiful sculptures. My writing is long and rambling and undisciplined. And then there’s the time. Often, making art is not seen as productive, it doesn’t pay the bills, there are always other needs to be met before creative time is allowed. However, despite my…
- Inspiration of the Eternal Indian makes a unique getawayA need to get away and an old travel book conspired for a quick camping trip to Illinois for art, Native American history and nature.
- France-getting him to love it too!We had a fabulous trip to France in October of 2021. Brian had never been and I LOVE it so I was nervous to make sure he was as smitten as me. Dream of dreams is to have a vacation or retirement home in the south of France someday so we did some quick exploring of Paris, the Luberon region in Provence and a couple days on the coast in La Ciotat. The trip was made so much better due…