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”

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”

Moving beyond suffering

“How do we react when bad things happen?” This question has been on my mind lately. It popped up earlier this summer when Night, my sweet ewe, died unexpectedly. Not too long afterwards I had a bit of a health crisis due to mass pesticide exposure (driving by a farm). Then last Thursday my motherContinue reading “Moving beyond suffering”

Control’s Perspective

On the surface it looks bleak. It sounds like a judgement, a put down. And frankly, if you are actively engaged in judging yourself and others everything sounds like a put down and a judgement. “I’ll never get it right, and I’ll never get it done. Why even try?” At some point we all have our inner Eyor speak up in a gloomy, glum way.

Honest Affection

In 1996 a group of teenagers from all over the United States took a trip to Peru. Several of the young ladies were from the Midwest. I’ll never forget the look on one young woman’s face when a very well respected lacol pastor embraced her and kissed her cheek. Or the look on the lineContinue reading “Honest Affection”

Boundaries Part 1 – What are They?

Profit recently learned to jump fences. Considering that Serenity is directly across the street from a small school this is not a good thing. Profit is a one thousand pound working steer in training to become an ox. At this point in his life he a half ton puppy who LOVES children. He is actuallyContinue reading “Boundaries Part 1 – What are They?”

Enter the Stillness

When I was in grade school I found a book called Cowboy Wisdom. It was a collection of simple sayings. I read it one afternoon almost thirty years ago. One quote has stuck with me most of my life. “Find a place you can enter the Stillness” Over the busy decades packed with degrees, volunteering,Continue reading “Enter the Stillness”

Monday’s Musings : I Can’t Do EVERYTHING

I was raised in a time of shifting ideology in this country. Traditional gender roles and second wave Feminism clashed in the media and stereotypes clashed around me as the child of a single mother in a male dominated industry. A male teacher told my mother he was shocked at how “well adjusted” I amContinue reading “Monday’s Musings : I Can’t Do EVERYTHING”

Monday’s Musings: Saying “NO”

  I’m finally over my back injury, thankfully. Spring is here almost and the yearly push to do is starting. In years past I’ve taken on more than I should. It’s easy to learn boundaries and saying “no” to other people’s demands. But that’s not so easy to say to yourself sometimes.   For severalContinue reading “Monday’s Musings: Saying “NO””