March 2023 | Consistency
Playlist : Vivii - Tragic | Avatar II Soundtrack | Dora Jar - Bump
Favorites : Scout Coffee cardamom buns | Winter sunsets | Andes Gifts | Only Murders in the Building
Well folks, this is the first of my monthly updates, fun stories, my favorite things at the moment, and whatever else I feel like writing! I’m sitting at my favorite coffee shop (shout out to Scout) gazing out the window with a big pup on the other side being a big goof in the snow. Lately life has felt—consistent.
It’s hard to believe that exactly four years ago, I was at some random job trying to get by when I casually scribbled the first Prairi Lu pin — fireweed. I had never heard of fireweed until my time spent in southeast Alaska. That summer was a transformative year; I felt like I was writing a new book on my life, and shelving the previous work. I was ready for a break from stability, and I said yes to almost every experience thrown at me.
The moment I first came across fireweed I was on a road trip from Skagway to Haines, Alaska. Normally a 40-minute ferry ride is the quickest way to get to this laid-back fishing town. But after hearing from locals about how beautiful the six-hour drive on the Haines Hwy was (up through the Yukon and back down), how could I pass that up? About half way through the drive I remember looking out the window and immediately thinking, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this shade of green before.”
The short window of warmth during the summer months displayed the most vibrant of colors—towering stalks of fireweed against the rolling meadows. The contrast was breath-taking. The stalks spread out like a blanket over a land that had once been subject to forest fires. They are some of the first signs of life after such destruction. The Takshanuk Mountains gave an incredible backdrop. Folks weren’t kidding when they said this was one of the most amazing drives they had ever been on.
For me, fireweed embodies the power of resilience. Even in a landscape that undergoes continuous change, they appear every year, harmonious with their environment.
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I’ve managed to create somewhat of a schedule for the next 6-8 months of what I think is possible to accomplish with Prairi Lu this year. Every free weekend I’ve had so far has been dedicated to brainstorming and drawing up ideas I’ve had for so long. I’m excited to put the thoughts down on paper (or tablet, really) and letting what come to mind appear like magic. Watch for monthly pin drops starting in April!
-Shannon
