[Previous Rural Farmgirl, April 2009 – May 2010]
It seems that time has not been sitting around waiting for me to catch up with it this spring. Never has it been more evident that time is not respectful of people; it tends to just keep on pushing through, regardless of whether we are mindful of it.
Much of the spring has had me feeling I am on the tail end of a whip. It makes me think back to the days of high school when our community would have a street dance that always included a snake dance. At the end of the festivities, everyone would line up hand in hand run down Main Street, forming a human snake. You did not want to be at the end of the snake, or you could be whipped around with no control whatsoever.
My friends and family may suggest that my struggles are because I am so busy this spring. They may be right. I entered this spring thinking that I had more time on my hands than last spring. So when others asked for help with projects I thought, “Why not?” And, because I had time on my hands, I thought this would be the perfect time, too…funny how a few of those things can certainly fill a calendar quickly.
My spring is filled with a million truly great things…things like the opportunity to speak at the Rathdrum City Library, promoting the farmgirl sisterhood, and helping to plan Beth Moore’s event for our church. I even did some extra volunteering in the community. As if that didn’t keep me busy enough, I offered to assist a community member with her big event on May 15th: Sawyer Mansion tours.
This week, with the help of some of my local farmgirls, we are organizing a Prosserfarmgirl event for the weekend called “Farmgirls on the Loose.” Of course, as soon as it is over, I will need to turn my attentions back to the Sawyer House and to my son’s high school graduation and family get-together. As soon as my last guest leaves, I will be off to meet up with my friend Timi. She’s bringing a busload of “Junkers” through Prosser on the way to the Farm Chick Show in Spokane. There, I will be camping with Sisters on the Fly on the Spokane River. Oh, and did I mention I was also renovating a vintage trailer every time I can steal a moment?
Then, there is a trip to Michigan. By the time, that trip comes and goes, I will be into summer. I am proud to report that my summer calendar is relatively clear so far, although knowing me it will also fill up somehow.
Even when I’m busy, I KNOW how blessed I am. The things that keep me busy also bring me joy. Part of the blessing for me is that I don’t have to leave friends and family behind. Instead, they just jump in and become part of the fun. I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing that feels.
This week my attentions are on our Prosser Farmgirl event. It began last year when one of the farmgirls on MaryJanesFarm Connection suggested that we farmgirls start a glamping group. We named it “Farmgirls on the Loose,” Denali at the farm’s design studio drew us a logo, and we were up and running. I, of course, (having so much time on my hands) decided that I would invite gals to “Discover Prosser, Farmgirl Style.” Once again, my girlfriends rallied around me, opening up their land and homes and barns for dry camping, barn dances, and farmgirl fun.
Other Prosser farmgirls decided to open up their farms for tours, like Kelly Weiger, who has Nature’s Farm and Nursery; Jennifer, who has Sage Bluff Alpacas; and farmBOY Gordon Taylor, who has vineyards, hiking and one of our local wineries. Of course, we will tour our downtown and visit all the Prosser farmgirls who have businesses here, like Carol’s art gallery, Marilyn’s fabric shop, Sue’s brewery, and Ali, Pat, Jackie, and Denise’s wineries. If we are lucky, we will even meet up with our local chocolate maker farmgirl Anna.
I know that we will also go by and take in Amber’s winery. Amber is someone I truly want everyone to meet while they are here this weekend. Amber is my editor, and she is brilliant. In my short life as a writer, I have learned how blessed a writer is when they find an editor like Amber. She has a unique way of correcting all my mistakes (and there are plenty), yet keeping my writing in my voice. It takes meeting her to understand how she can do that. She is one of those women whose brilliance is only deepened by her willingness to share the light with others…a truly special gift. (AMBER NO YOU CAN NOT EDIT THIS OUT!! NICE TRY)
For nearly a year, some of us have been talking about, how much fun it would be to have an old-fashioned barn dance…one where all ages could attend and it would be a real family event, I knew I was shooting for the moon when we asked local country singer Zac Grooms to come and play. Zac is a local celebrity for sure, but he has also sung with and opened for some BIG dogs. But one thing I have learned in the last few years is, shoot for the moon. So I asked him, and he said yes!
(Zac with his band “unwound” – the cutie cowgirl is Zac’s mom and my friend Susie).
(If you can’t come to our event this weekend, at least check out Zac at www.zacgrooms.com. You will love his stuff. Oh, and be sure to tell him I sent you…)
As I was sitting here pondering the old snake dance that took place on the streets of my childhood hometown, I could see everyone who made the human chain and their roles in the fun I was experiencing. So although spring feels a little like being whipped around, I am not sure that I would want it any other way.
You go girl! Sounds like spring has finally sprung! You have some fun things to look forward to! I think we’ve all felt like you do at times. Over commited and over done but in the end, happy! Life is for the living!
Deb~
I seem to be buried this spring also. Started too many projects, agreed to some fun new classes and get together with new friends. Just receive 15 little chicks in the mail. You can see them on my blog, brtowsleyblogs.blogspot.com. A lot of gardening to do also. I would love one the old campers it would be loads of fun. I’m in Michigan, what is your trip for? A little chilly here right now hoping for the warm up soon!
And thank you so much for organizing this wonderful weekend. I am so looking forward to it.
It’s a vicious cycle, we get a few extra early weeks of Spring and what do we do, fill them to the hilt!! Ha! We sure get a lot accomplished but like you said we are scheduling summer already! lol Keep on truckin!
Whew! I am exshausted,,, and I am only reading your sweet comments! lol!
OK Girlie,,,are you ready for us? Cuz Prosser….here we come!
Wagons HO!
Se ya tomorrow! Wahoo & Yipee ki ya!
>^..^<
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Rene,Wow,wish I could come,and I thought I was busy!I would love to met you and all of your friends.good luck,blessed be,carol Branum
Your life surely is blessed with the family and friends that you have around you.
Spring?? Who said that it was spring? It is snowing here today. Someday it will get to our part of the woods.
Sounds like a wonderful week end with you and your friends. Would love to be there.
I will wave as I pass by, I’m going to Walla Walla.
Reading what you write brings back so many memories growing up in the Walla Walla area.
Hope to meet you one of these days.
Wish I could be closer to all that activity.Things are busy at work.Fields are being ready for planting but the fun stuff doesn’t happen till the fall.Have a great time for me.
I was imagining all these fun things you were describing. I like the idea of forming a human snake down the middle of the street. What fun and what special memories you had as a young girl. Now you will help create new memories for so many people 🙂 🙂 That’s wonderful. I love the photos too 🙂
You have some Fun times planned Rene’…
Good for You…!
and…
It’s always a good feeling to see Traditions, like your "Snake Dance" live on ‘eh…
GodSpeed to Y’all…!
Gary
in Tampa
Rene’, I know the feeling! You do it with such grace and forebearance that we would never know how truly busy you are except for the fact that we get to reap the fruits of your labors! As for me it has been busy too, but, I wouldn’t have missed the fun of "doin up the barn" and all the suppers together planning for the world. Can’t hardly wait for the weekend. Yee Haw!
Oh, Rene I want a vintage trailer, I really do. My Dad had an Airstream when I was very young & I have been enchanted ever since…am still trying to convince Paul on this one : ) Hope you are keeping up with it all; at least it’s good, fun stuff!
V
PS I’m hoping for a before and after post on your vintage trailer…are you going to paint it on the outside like the ones in the MJF magazine?!?
Wow, you keep busy! It’s wonderful to read, as busy as one gets, the enjoyment and laughter along the way even when, "all in a days work". Enjoyed poppin in and reading your blog!!
Rebecca
I will repeat what everyone has said..Wow, you are busy! When and where are you going to be at in Michigan? I live in the what we Michiganders call the "thumb" of Michigan and would love to meet up with you if you have time, which after reading this you don’t have much of it…LOL!
Love the Coop and want one!!!! Still in the city, but soon to hightail it. I had baerrd rock in my backyard in the suburb here and I board a horse a little ways away. That’s a start. WMAO to be able to afford it someday (soon!)