A Traditional Skills Life

This morning I got up and drank coffee. I used sorghum from my friend’s sorghum mill to sweeten it and fresh goat’s milk from my own flock that I pasteurized on the stovetop last night. For breakfast I ate rice with greens from our garden cooked in home made chicken broth with a side ofContinue reading “A Traditional Skills Life”

Bloom Where you are Planted – The Platitude I Love and Hate as a Domestic Abuse Survivor

Trigger warning. I will be discussing Domestic Violence and miscarriage due to violence. . To watch the TikTok – follow click here. The first time I heard the phrase “Bloom where you are planted” I was in an abusive marriage. It was my “counselor” who told me that phrase. This was the worst piece ofContinue reading “Bloom Where you are Planted – The Platitude I Love and Hate as a Domestic Abuse Survivor”

The Most Important Two Questions I Ever Asked Myself as a Woman Homesteader

It’s no secret to anyone who homesteads that a traditional skills lifestyle can be challenging. Winter, spring, summer or fall there are chores to do, livestock and plants to tend, and housework that seems to never end. It can be exhausting and overwhelming. Sometimes that exhaustion is overwhelming to the point we want to giveContinue reading “The Most Important Two Questions I Ever Asked Myself as a Woman Homesteader”

When the Spring Goes Dry: A Very Honest Post About Recovering from Domestic Violence and Trauma

Years ago at the other farm our spring ran out of water and we had to switch to the emergency tank. It was not pleasant drinking from that tank. But even more unpleasant was making the trek up the side of the holler to clear out the blockage. Part of me feels like the pastContinue reading “When the Spring Goes Dry: A Very Honest Post About Recovering from Domestic Violence and Trauma”

Meditations on Water

We have been under siege by water the past three weeks here at Serenity Cove. It has come in the form of rain, ice, hail, snow, and flood. I’ve quite a bit of time to think while doing chores about water. Yes, we are surrounded on three sides by water, but the shear amount ofContinue reading “Meditations on Water”

Homesteaders Need a Day Off

Gd worked six days and the took a break. No matter if you believe in this story of creation or not, the fact that a rest day is built into an entire culture is pretty amazing. However, on a Homestead or farm it’s very tempting to work seven days a week. Chores like feeding animals,Continue reading “Homesteaders Need a Day Off”

Saying the Final Goodbye

I unexpectedly lost a friend this past week. A very significant friend. She was my meditation partner and best cuddle buddy. I’m talking about my cat. But for those of us who have significant spiritual relationships with animals the loss of an animal friend can be as difficult as the loss of a human relationship.Continue reading “Saying the Final Goodbye”

Mending Clothes – a Forgotten Skill with Global Impact

I recently made a trip to the thrift store to purchase new long sleeved men’s shirts for the winter. I happily found three shirts in like new condition. Two were missing buttons, yet the replacement buttons were still attached at the bottom of the placket. I suspect the missing button may have been the reasonContinue reading “Mending Clothes – a Forgotten Skill with Global Impact”

Be Careful Little Ears

When I began studying other religions in school I came across something rather interesting. Every major religion and the New Age movement has this same basic teaching – be careful little ears what you hear. When a principle is universal even between conflicting spiritual practices we need to pay special attention.

A Life Possessed, Not Owned

I do not own a car. I do have partial possession of one. I have known individuals who own an automobile, but that vehicle is possessed by the local impound. Without ownership I have the ability to use a valuable tool to bless myself and others. Yet, some people I know with ownership but notContinue reading “A Life Possessed, Not Owned”