Thanks for Everything

When I was a kid my mother had a rule that made me nearly explode at the end of every August.  Having worked myself into a frenzy opening a glut of birthday presents, I was required to write thank you notes before I could stash the loot in my room.  It’s not that I wasn't appreciative, but the timing couldn't have been worse!  I dutifully scribbled notes in the neatest penmanship I could muster considering the circumstances.  Then off I’d fly to my room never to be seen or heard from again.  Good news, mom!  I learned the lesson:  I don’t make a habit of taking things or people for granted.  Unfortunately, it still creeps up on me quicker than I’d like to admit.  My excuse is that everything in life seems to happen so fast these days – one week zooms into the next, seasons pass in a blink, my how the year does fly!  It is a great relief to me that Americans have a handy national holiday during which it is “strongly suggested” I STOP and appreciate my blessings.  I still write thank you notes for my birthday gifts, but I've upped the ante for Thanksgiving, the time for reflection and offering of thanks comes regardless of the gluttonous feast.

Hard to Say Goodbye

Goodbyes are tough.  No matter how long I have to prepare, it’s difficult for me to embrace the finality of a particular period or relationship…even when it’s with a cow.  Last week, Weldon and I sold Bambi, our milk cow.  When we purchased her two years ago we were eager to jump into the delicious possibilities that home dairy would offer.  Though our plate was fairly full at the time, we didn't expect that after only one full season of milking, life would require us to take a sabbatical and force us to say goodbye to Bambi so soon.

Making a List, Checking it Twice

I’m a little hesitant to post this.  One of my sisters (whose calming presence and laid-back personality make

her a phenomenal massage therapist and an ideal confidant) unleashes her otherwise non-existent fury when “a certain holiday” unfairly takes the stage before Thanksgiving has been given proper festivity.  She mandates that carols, themed movies, and décor remain under wraps until after the pumpkins and cranberries take their bow in the limelight.  I've chosen to acquiesce to her demands for two reasons: she’s my older sister and I can’t afford to pay for massages.  Truly, I agree with the notion that Thanksgiving is an amiable holiday, full of noble sentiment and historical value. I’m very much looking forward to the entire turkey-topped season.  I also agree that the “other major holiday soon to come” has greedily begun chomping on other calendar pages because of outlandish consumerism, nothing more.  However, as a homemade gift giver and a busy woman, I am required to turn my thoughts to December’s celebratory season long before the temperatures plummet.  So…with a bit of trepidation and a wish and a prayer to remain in my sister’s good graces (and within reach of her stone-melting thumbs), I’m posting about my preparations for "you know what".

News for November

Happy November!   I've finally bested the cold that had me down the past few weeks.  In the interim I’ve continued to craft Digging Deeper Pages.  There are TWO NEW PAGES posted on the blog's homepage for your reading and research enjoyment:  The House – a bit of domestic dissection about the tactile traits and philosophical framework of making a home.  The Livestock – a brief personal history along with the why and generic how-to of our animal husbandry practices.  This should be handy for animal lovers and conscientious consumers alike.    

There are a few more pages soon to come: The Farm, The Garden, and The Finances.  I value your interest, comments, and questions.  I know many of you have applicable personal experience and musings to share!