30 Days of Thankfulness. They're over. I failed. I've posted less than half those days. The rest I have done a re-post, or not posted at all. It's not that I am not grateful. I just can't seem to put words to the paper. I failed. Gratitude sometimes can not be captured in words. There are times when the words won't reach. A place where the soul holds the secrets. And these days have been full. The demands of farming, the changes in a child getting married and leaving the nest have all left us depleted. A house becoming quieter. The soul is stretched and weary. The practice of ... View Post
30 Days of Thankfulness, Day #5
The frost lingers, leaving evidence of the crisp air. Puddles with a thin layer of ice glimmer in the morning sun. The sound of scraping, as windshields have been kissed by Jack Frost in the night. A stillness hovers in the cold. It's late this year; this hard frost. The winds have blown and the cold rains have left a chill in the air. But, this frost and cold have taken their time in appearing. There is still much to accomplish before the winter weather settles in. Haying equipment dot the various fields around town. A prayer for a final cut. More bales for winter. Less need for ... View Post
Putting More Feet Onto Our Dreams
We're putting more feet onto our dreams! Dream -a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal. Do you dream anymore? Has Covid stolen so much of you? When Covid began we were in the middle of my farmers worst depression. We were almost out of wood and still facing most of winter. We were purchasing feed at a rapid rate (and price) for the cows. Our cash flow was in the negative. And even the possibility of selling cows was not feasible. We were stuck. The weather raged. Covid reared it's ugly head. Reports of death and sickness flooded the news. Schools closed. Businesses ... View Post
30 Days of Thankfulness, Day #8 Winter. . . is Here
Winter. Hated by many. Loved by others. The longest Season in Vermont. Often tricky on the farm. Cold, wind and snow can cause extra work. Wood needs to be cut, because we can never get that done before Winter. Stored feed needs to be hauled for the cows. Extra work needed to ensure cows energy stays high. Making milk is important! Breakdowns are harder in the winter. But the rhythm of life slows. There's time for hot chocolate by the fire. Daylight scarce. Reading may happen before my farmer nods off. Dreams and plans are formulated while the winds blow. Spring is ... View Post
Finding Peace in the Fall Foliage
She waves as she pulls away. It's Friday afternoon and she's full of life and plans. She is navigating friends, classes, work and this thing we call life. I look at her and she smiles. I wonder as she pulls away if I will ever see her again. Will she too never come home? I think of that with all the kids. Especially as they drive away. Not always. Sometimes. It flashes before me. And the gut wrenching desire to hold them all right here with me rears. I turn to go back into the house. I don't want to descend into worry or fear. But, Oh, how easy it would be. I take a moment to ... View Post
