Keena Homestead Studios

Rolling and rocking

October 21, 2025

Hello and good day! Fall is falling all over our yard and honestly, I love seeing all the orange, red and yellow colors all over the yard and in the trees. We generally only cleanup the front yard but leave many of the falling leaves on the ground as they will disappear during winter. Also, the leaves provide cover for future lightning bugs, at least that is what I have read. This past summer, it was mesmerizing to watch the little lights dance through the darkness like little fairies. Truly magical. Also, we have left patches of untamed, uncut, grass and weeds though out the yard so all of the beneficial creatures that pollinate and such have places to hang out. This year I am mailing away for milkweed seeds to sow in our forest area and hopefully the butterflies will come back to visit.

This butterfly hung out for a few hours one afternoon.

Yesterday, I started prepping my garden for Spring flowers. I planted tulips, daffodils and alliums. Hubby helped dig holes as our ground is fairly dry and rocky. Now comes the hard part, waiting till Spring till I see the fruits of our labor and to see the first hints of life peeking through the ground. The sunflower, marigold and zinnia seeds that I collected will be planted next spring. I can’t wait as I Iove being able to have fresh picked flowers.

Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers when you can grow your own.

One thing that has happened since I started gardening is that I have picked up a new hobby, rock collecting. Every morning, I check the groundhog holes as one of the groundhogs leaves me cool gifts from the underworld, I mean dirt. I am sure that they are nothing more than rocks but maybe not.

The above photo is just a few of the rocks that I have squirreled away. I figure I am planning to use most of them in the garden and plan on making designs withs them or using them as border. Some of the rocks though, they look like they are ancient tools. I have found several triangle or arrow shaped, flat rocks that look to have strike marks. Some rocks are small and have pointy edges that looks like they were used for cutting and digging. Also, I have many rocks that look like they have been through an explosion as they appear to be shattered. Many also have the tell-tale signs of prehistoric life, fossils.

The rocks above appear to have had some human interaction. However, I have been researching the rocks that I find and did find an article that indicated that many of the split rocks that I have found could possibly been chipped in a fire. Paleo-Indians use to heat rocks for various things and fire can split rocks. Again, I am not an expert on rocks, but if you that are reading this is, can you point me in the direction of an archeologist or geologist, please?

Here is my rock opera, I mean, some of my rock photos.

So, as you can see, I have lots of research to be doing or not. I do however, want to get a rock tumbler as some of the little stones that I have found would probably make great jewelry. I can see me wearing one of these rocks as a pendant.

Time to get back to doing stuff and things around the homestead. Oh, one last thing. Hubby helped me rearrange the studio and I am diggin’ it. Can’t wait to sing my lungs out with our own little stage area. I can pretend I am back at the piano bar, bartending and singing along to the old standards with the patrons.

Thank goodness the neighbors are not too close by, so I do not have to worry about singing loud and off key.

Thank you, dear reader, for visiting. May today be the day that you do that thing, and you know what that thing is. Tootles!

MK~

All words, photos and thoughts are my own, unless noted. Thank you!
Bumbling Round Here

October 13, 2025

Hello and welcome or welcome back. The last few weeks I spent time learning about WP and how to edit a website. I did finally figure out how to post as KHS and not as M.L. Keena. After being on WP for seven or so years, I am starting to read the instruction manuals. So far, I have learned about categories and how to use them. Now, I am working on trying to get rid of this annoying banner.

I guess since I am only paying for a personal plan, WP begs others for money. If and when I decide to upgrade the account, I will. Right now, there are many other things to spend money on like food, medical.

Also, I sorted through more photos that I have shot in the last year and have been adding them to my screensaver file. What I really need to do is get some of my photos printed so that I can hang them on the walls around here.

^{The photos in the background will change every 60 seconds and pull a file that I can add and remove pictures, if needed.} Yes, I know there is a mess under the screen.

Last week, we took a ride down to the river. It is less than a mile down a few unpaved roads lined with autumn-colored trees. I “oohed and aahed” for most of the ride. It felt like he had traveled miles and further away from our place than we were. It was a nice place to enjoy the flowing Muskegon River as it snaked under two bridges down near Roger’s Height. It was nice to watch the water flow and people fished and also relaxed.

I snapped this photo just as the fishing line hit the water.

We joked about getting tethers for our tube and anchoring it so I could just float and not have to travel down the river. Really, though, can we do that? Maybe, just maybe?

Nature sure is great artist. I ooh aahed over all the colors of the coming Fall. I am sure that area is in full Fall color, we will have to take another drive down there to take a look. Speaking of seasons, Winter is just around the corner. The first freeze was just a little under a week ago. All, plants that really were not doing well, perished. However, I have one head of romaine that refuses to die and looks quite amazing. I am sure that one of these mornings, the groundhog of the bunnies will devour it as I am spending less and less time out there and have been spending more time indoors getting my indoor greenhouse going.

Yeah, I know it is a bathroom. However, I don’t use this bathroom in the studio so it the perfect place to set up my greenhouse. I was able to save a few tomato plants from the freeze. Hopefully, I will have better luck this coming spring. If not, there are plenty of places and farmers markets to get fresh goodies. Speaking of farmers markets, we usually go to the local one held in town on Fridays. October 31 will be the last day until May 2026. The l last time I was there I purchased a butternut squash. It was the tasty, yum!

I grilled this one and it was yum diddly. I just seasoned it with salt, pepper and sprinkled brown sugar. Oh, I did coat them in olive oil. We both scooped out soft centers and fulfilled our munchies. Natures goodness. Next year, I hope to grow a few of these as I saved the seeds.

Also, before I forget, we went to the Mecosta County Conservation District presentation. It was fascinating and I hope to incorporate some of their tips in our yard. At the end of the event, I got to meet a very adorable possum. If you know me, then you know that I have always had a soft spot for these much-bullied creatures. I now know that they help our environment and eat ticks and mice and such. Please be kind to them if you ever encounter one in the world. Also, since I am on the subject of creatures, did you know that bumble bees do not sting?

Well, time to go and do stuff, not sure what, but stuff. Thank you, dear reader for visiting. May your day be filled with open arms and open doors.
Hard Core Corny

September 23, 2025

Official Fall, Autumnal Equinox, has arrived in Midwest Michigan. The leaves are getting ready for their trips to the ground, the deck the front walkway. This will be our second Fall after leaving California. News reports indicate that because of climate change, the seasons are a little off and Midwest Michigan is not getting as much rain or snow than in past years. Also, a few weeks ago, we had faux Fall, and this kicked off the color change in the trees a little earlier than usual. So, because of these weather issues, the leaves are falling earlier, and the Fall colors may not be as fabulous as last year but trust me, I won’t notice. I’ll be too busy “oohing and aahing” every time I walk outside or look out our front window.

^{The above photos were all shot this foggy morning.}

Beauty is every is everywhere, at least for me. My eyes see colors way before I see detail. Often my brain fills in the rest and I am amazed that what I was gasping about exclaiming, “So pretty!” before I realize it is a broken and burned-out trailer with weeds growing out of it. Art really is everywhere, and nature is the best artist. How do I follow Mother Nature on IG? (Kidding). I guess when you have limited vision without glasses, and a wild imagination, you get me. I looked out across the street this morning as the sun was rising and saw thick lines of white (fog), black (the tree line) and yellow (corn) with speckles of green and orange. It looked like a flag of some sort until I blinked a few times and put on my glasses. I spent a few minutes snapping a few photos and then I turned to my right and spied the rising sun.

^{The view looking East this morning.}

Around the corner from us is this huge pond. Hubby and I have walked there once so that I could snap a few photos.

Sometimes, when we are driving down that dirt road, I will glance over at the pond and will often see a heron. Hubby often says that the Great Blue Heron comes up on the bird app along with the many other birds that come up like cardinals, finches, warblers and jays. Truly, we are in heaven, as a neighbor, who offered us eggs, said to Jim one night.

Not eggs, but one of the tasty acorn squash that Jim’s friend gifted us.

One thing that makes me green with envy, is other gardeners that had bumper crops. Yeah, envy is not good, but seriously, I want that high that people get from gifting the fruits of their labor, really. This year, I have given away a few things, things like basil that I had plenty of because I went on a cloning spree and a few jalapeno plants that were actually banana peppers. So, I see why so many people we randomly meet will offer us free eggs and veggies and fruit. Like I said, heaven.

Thank you, dear reader for stopping by. May your day soft and cuddly, like a fresh blanket out of the dryer on a warm morning. Hugs.
Food for thought

September 16, 2025

Hello and welcome (or welcome back) to our blog. This morning, I have been working on this webpage. Hopefully, I can get it together to finish a cohesive product. Wait, that is going to be a hard task as sometimes, I am all over the place. Actually, yesterday was my first post for the Keena Homestead Studio but it is not my first foray into the blogging world. I, like most people, use blogging as a diary or history. The other blog I have been writing under is Art of the Beat. On that blog, I am an emotional, opinionated writer with no sense of direction. Hopefully, I can keep them separate, fingers crossed. Also, I guess I must mention that I am into human rights and feeding people and would love a world where children did not go to bed hungry and will be believed if they (boys, girls, women, men or whatever gender a person identifies as) say they are being hurt, that is all.

_{^{This photo was taken by Hubby in Sky Valley, California. So glad that I do not need the walker much anymore.}}

Here on this blog, I am documenting our lives as newly retired, creative homesteaders. No, we are not going post how-to’s on how to garden or any of those things that may happen on a homestead. Often it is too hard to focus on one thing as there may be a racoon swinging from the front bird feeder or Gladys, the local turkey, out back fighting with the squirrels and chipmunks. Like this morning, I am sorting seeds that I have been drying out so that they will be ready for planting next season. This is my new thing of the moment, gardening. I would like to say it is going well, but nah, lying is bad. Next year I will be ready instead of waiting for the ground to get to the right temperature before I sow seeds.

Gebera, coriander, basil and onion seeds.

Busy work.

I mentioned creative for a reason, as we both like to create stuff and things. Jim is more on the musical side and quick with an idea and me, a bit of a racoon, moving and squirreling away skills and things to work on (later). A few years ago, one of my many wild ideas was to start a meet-up of creatives, like a collaboration cafe. Like maybe a creative trade between artists. For instance, I have lots of cameras and have taken some decent photos and I used to cook for a living. I could trade those creative skills for a model or a hairdresser or makeup artist for portraits or fresh baked cookies or bagels. Maybe that is too big of an ask? Below are a few of my photos and art. It was difficult to only pic a few as I have many photos from many different events.

The Zombies

My favorite bassplayer

Get the Led Out, Spotlight 29 Casino

Whiskey Myers in Santa Barbara, CA

Sara Evans, Fantasy Springs Casino

The Beach Boys, Fantasy Springs Casino

The Red Barn in Palm Desert with the Ghosts of Kelso on stage.

No more weddings…EVER!!!

My favorite entertainer.

Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar

The Pistol Annies

Ghosts of Kelso, Idyllwild Brewery

All photos have been taken by me on one of my cheap cameras. You can see that I am all over the place as I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do in my life. Guess I still have not gotten that figured out yet. Really, though, that is okay. Also, I like to recreate some of my photos with acrylic paint.

Inspired by a shoot with Analiesse

Inspired from a photo of punk band No Reaction.

Self portrait

Inspired by a photo taken in Kelso, CA

A painting inspired by a photo shoot with Ashley Reinke

Collective Soul

End of Route 66

So, that is a little more about us and KHS. I look forward to sharing a little more. Maybe you that are reading live in Midwest Michigan and would like to collaborate? If you interest, please send a message and I promise to get back to you.

Thank you, for stopping by and may you have a nice day. -MK
All roads lead home.

September 15, 2025

Greetings and welcome to our blog. What a year it has been with so many new experiences. In July 2024, we moved from the hot and dry deserts of the Coachella Valley in California to real seasons and cooler weather of Midwest Michigan. So far, so good. By the way, “Yes! I survived my first Michigan winter.”

_{I was never so happy to see that sign. We had just traveled through 6 states with two cats and a dog.}

A little introduction is needed. We are Jim and Michelle, a recently retired couple from the Coachella Valley in Southern California. Jim was born here in the Mitten before moving West in his youth. Me, I had only lived in So. Cal my whole life! Anyhow, yes, I know it snows and is cold. Our first winter was full of snow and freezing temps. I have now experienced below zero temps, and I survived! Truthfully, I am sure that I would be singing a different tune if I were younger and had children to worry about and had to work. Lucky for me, I do not drive any longer, probably why I had no issues with the snow and cold. My husband had lived the first few years of his life in Michigan but was eager to come back. Me, I was excited, albeit a little apprehensive about the weather. Our first night in Michigan, we were treated to a loud and bright thunderstorm that lit up the night sky. I’m getting used to the popup rain showers and have learned to layer my clothes accordingly. Speaking of weather, it is so different than So. Cal but not so different. According to various news reports, this area is experiencing a drought. Yeah, hard for me to imagine that this place that is so lush and green is going through a drought. However, then we had visited a damn not too far down the road and it was three feet under the full line. I had photos but cannot locate them at the moment. Viva the over fifty brain!

^{This is the Hard Damn, built in 1921.}

Life has been good. Every drive around town is like sightseeing to me because the scenery is always changing. There may be tall corn stalks in the field down the street today and tomorrow they are gone. In the past year we have seen some of the most amazing landscapes. In the summer there are plenty of lush, green fields and bushy trees. Fall brings my favorite colors, yellow, red and orange before the leaves fall and cover the ground. Oh, winter and it’s bony, leafless trees! It is quite a sight when there is an early morning freeze, and those same branches are lined with ice. It truly looks like it’s all fake and a movie prop.

The following photos were shot during 2024-2025 out and around Midwest Michigan. I am a gal that takes lots of photos by the way so get ready!

^{The above photos were snapped in Summer 2024.}

^{The above photos were Winter 2024-25}

^{The above photos were snapped in Spring 2025.}

I save the best, in my opinion, for last, Fall. Fall is my favorite season, mainly because of Halloween.

Fall is officially here on September 22 at 2:19 PM EDT in the Northern Hemisphere. Note to self, I was just looking at the Farmer’s Almanac and it mentions that this Fall will be warmer than last year for the Midwest. Maybe I will get a few tomatoes and jalapenos this season after all. Oh yeah, I didn’t start my garden till almost summer so probably why the tomatoes and squash did not produce. There is always next year.

Like everything in my life, this garden is a work in progress.

Thank you for stopping and checking out my photos and such. Hopefully. as I get the hang of setting up this WP site I can move onto other ideas that are swimming in my head. Maybe, I can even find people to collaborate with on things. By the way, I am in the process of updating this WP site so please excuse any duplicate postings.

Have a lovely day. ~ MK

_{All photos used in this post were taken by ML Keena.}