I grew up as a city girl, but I always longed for the country. My mother was a city girl who married my father, a country boy, and I’m an equal mix of them both. Childhood Memories My Dad grew up on a farm in northeast Kansas and I was always fascinated when we visited …
We all need some solitude. Time to think our own thoughts and dream our own dreams. Sometimes it can be hard to get away, especially if you live in the city. I love being able to take a walk on our farm to enjoy nature and get some exercise. Our dogs usually keep me company …
I’ve loved the natural beauty of the Ozarks since my first visit, about 25 years ago. My husband grew up in northwest Arkansas and every time we visited his family, I asked if we could move there, but I guess the time wasn’t right. Soon after our son was born, Scott’s parents bought some land …
I just love flea markets! It’s so relaxing to wander among the booths, admiring the displays and traveling back in time. Flea marketing knows no bounds when it comes to age or gender. Since they are typically made up of many vendors with different niches, everyone can find something to suit their interests. Just the …
Occasionally we lose electricity for no apparent reason. I’m sure there is one, we just never find out what it is. That happened one day this past May on a beautiful afternoon. These occasions are a stark reminder of how dependent I’ve become on electricity. The only thing I could think of to do housework-wise was …
Our air conditioning went out in mid-July, so what could we do? We opened our doors and windows to capture the breeze and keep our home as comfy as possible. Open windows are another simple pleasure that I particularly enjoy during spring and fall, but when the a/c goes out, it’s a reminder that at …
Country life is full of simple pleasures. Things that often go unnoticed or seem mundane. Hanging laundry on the clothesline is one of my simple pleasures. Valentine’s Day Gift The first Valentine’s Day after we moved to our farm, I asked my husband for a clothesline. Checking Craig’s List, he found someone a few hours …
I wasn’t familiar with the term “Livestock Guard Dog,” (LGD for short) before moving to the farm. I had heard of the Great Pyrenees breed, but not “Akbash,” a breed which originated in Turkey and means “white head.” A few years into my country life, a neighbor’s dog had a litter of puppies. Through her …
Hi, I’m Michelle. I just celebrated my 53rd birthday and I’m transitioning into the empty nest phase. After spending fourteen years homeschooling my two children, I feel both excited and uneasy about what the future holds. I enjoy writing and I think I lead a fairly interesting life, so I thought I’d try sharing some …