I just found a couple of pages a friend of mine wrote about stocking and organizing a pantry… and of course I wanted to pass on the information to you since the intent of this blog so closely matches Dianne’s articles.

First I noticed her article on Gather.Com, one of my favorite article-writing sites. Her article, A Well-Stocked Pantry, caught my eye… because pantries are often on my mind… especially as my tomatoes are getting ripe and I’m wondering how I’m going to can and store them all!

In her article she linked to a related Squidoo page about kitchen pantries on which she shows examples of why having a well stocked kitchen pantry will be invaluable in a number of situations. I too look for the sales to buy supplies in quantity. She has a poll there, “Is your pantry organized and well-stocked?”… I had to admit, mine is well-stocked, but not organized. I love her organization suggestions!

Home is a blue and white planet, beneath the stars. I consider earth to be my home. It is good to know that in this entire chaotic universe there’s one planet on which I can rest my feet, where I feel safe enough to relax and enjoy life.

But home means more than just that.

Home is the feeling of relief I get when I come back to town after being away all day. I live in a very small town (Happy Camp, 1200 people) in the center of the Klamath National Forest. It is about 80 miles to Yreka, the next-largest town in the winter time. During the summer we can drive 40 miles north to Cave Junction.

Going out of town for groceries, supplies, or entertainment usually means being gone most of the day. It means hours on wheels. Coming home requires a long drive through the forest on a winding mountain road in the middle of absolute nowhere.

There’s nothing quite as wonderful as parking in front of the post office after getting back to town. I turn off the car, look up at the old wooden Bigfoot statue, and breathe, “I’m home” and “thank you God”. I’m always glad to be back in Happy Camp.

But home means more than just that.

After getting my mail, I drive to the other side of town, up the hill, and up my bumpy, rocky driveway to the three-bedroom cabin that’s been my home for the last seven years. It is such a feeling of relief to come back to this spot, to my familiar surroundings, my kitchen, my computer, my bed.

Home is a place where I can be myself, pursue my interests, and not worry about all the people that are out there, doing other things that I’m glad to be away from for a while.

Home is a sanctuary. A place where I feel safe. A wonderful, peaceful, happy place of my own.

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Inspired by Create A Connnection: Dialogue Friday

Submitted to the All Women Blogging Carnival