The question I face with dismay, the one that comes up at every holiday, BBQ, and get-together, and one I have earned a gold star in avoiding. "So, what is it that you do?"

   Why such trepidation? Mostly because I don't have a job. Now you may be feeling a bit sorry for me, maybe you made a little "awe" sound in your head, maybe you even began to think of ways you could help in some way (good for you, you are a good person!). Well Stop. I don't want a J.O.B. The reason I feel such angst in telling you is because of the face I know you will make. You will be jealous.

   For your happiness and safety, I have always faced this particular question with mysticism- "I dunno, what is it that YOU do?" or a certain sense of purpose- "I'm Awesome, that's what I do!" I have also tried to make it sound like my hobbies are my real job and used the term 'Artist' freely in hopes that the vague title would not incur any further questions, which is false. If anything people have a new found interest in the Arts.

   If anyone knew what late night pic-nic bike rides, strolls through the river with my Mister and the mutts, the hours spent over a sweltering pot of freshly steamed, canned, boiled, or pickled essence of free garden vegetables, days spent creating a LEGO room for two grown adults, running through Edmonton's free splash parks, making a giant Jenga, brewing wine, burning wood, carving stamps, hooking rugs, clothes dying, marshmallow roasting, planting plants, pulling weeds, garage 'sailing', chicken smoking', tater tot makin' that really goes on around here!

   Well like I said, you would be envious.  I have decided that I have to come clean and let the world know my terrible secret; We just have a lot of fun. I will reveal to you what really happens in the Crowther Haus, but not too much,  I wouldn't want you to get hostile.