What awesome birds of prey! We do have bald eagles in our area in Michigan but I have only seen one ever. We do have very large hawks that fly over often and turkey vultures so I have to keep the chickens in the run unless I am out and about. Thanks for sharing!

How wonderful Libbie! I love the symbolism of the Eagle and family guarding your home! Very powerful indeed…We haven’t had any out of the ordinary nature sightings near or around our home lately… but we’ve been enjoying the birds coming to the feeder that hangs right out in front of my kitchen window. We’ve had so much snow in New England and the birds even come to the feeder when the flurries are flying! Yesterday we took a long warm walk by the Cape Cod Canal.. It was heaven… the smell of the ocean, sea birds all about, and the warm ( 40 degree) sun shining down on calm waters was all we needed to recharge our batteries from a little too much inside time!
Take good care of all of yours inside and out!
Beach Blessings,
Deb

Hello Libbie!
What a wonderful experience to see such a magnificent bird in your own tree! I saw a bald eagle a couple of months ago near our farm here in Kansas…my husband has never seen one in the wild here before. I’m from British Columbia and we have many of them. One spring in BC the radio station reported that people were phoning in reporting that there were over 20 bald eagles hanging around an opening in the ice near the road so we drove over to take a look. By the time we got there there was only one but he was in a tree just above us. He spread his wings and flew off and we were all amazed at how HUGE he was! You just don’t realize what majestic creatures they are until you see them up close. You certainly got a double dose of excitement with seeing the two owls in the evening…what a great day you had! I hope you have a wonderful day…keep warm and stay safe.
Maura 🙂

It’s unusual to sight an eagle here in Western Pa, I would love to see one in my backyard. But, unbelievably, as I opened the basement door a few weeks ago something flew past my legs. I thought it was another starling that got into the house somehow. I walked to the kitchen and there sitting on an old ladder hanging from the ceiling was an American Screech Owl! After getting pics(so people would believe me!) I chased him down and caught him and released him outside. Amazing.

I have a pair of owls that hunt in my neighborhood. Yep, neighborhood. Huntsville AL in the ‘burbs and we have owls, hawks, turkey vultures and lots of other birds. They make me amazed at how well nature can adapt to any situation.

Isn’t it wonderful! we saw our first local eagles last fall. they are about 10 minutes from where we live in Akron, OH. Mom & Dad eagles with two young. a boy & a girl. we just drove over there this weekend to see if we could spot them working on their nest. it is my understanding they come back to the same nest each year. Ohio’s eagle population is growing. So happy for you to have both eagles and owls. Keep us posted. It’s a wonderful thing to see something so majestic and pure and i love hearing (and seeing) other peoples encounters…Janet

You are so lucky! I just love to see those "big guys" out and about.
Just keep your lamby babes under cover & I don’t think you’ll have to worry. Good Luck!

Libbie,
Thanks for sharing the photos and your observations. Isn’t it a wonderful thing to have such beautiful birds as residents? Here in central PA we are also blessed to have eagles, horned owl, that sound so neat chordling back and forth on these frigid nights, as well as falcons and ospreys. We live out just far enough and fairly close to a river that they all visit all year. How blessed I feel when I can watch and listen to them. The family of hawks live in the top of a dead tree on the fence row and the chicken fuss every time they fly over. I love it!

We live in Southern California but are blessed to live in the outer most part of Los Angeles, in a little town between Palmdale and Santa Clarita for any of you that know this area. I drive A LOT, as anyone in SoCal does. I have a favorite sighting on my drive to school and back of a family of red tailed hawks, flying and circling and diving. It always lifts my spirits when ever I see them which is just about daily. Also, I see Gray Fox and Coyotes because I have to watch for them so I don’t hit them. They dash in front of the car, in front of me, just at an easy, comfortable clip as though they have no worries. We too are minus the mice we usually see. Thank you, wild animals, for keeping the rodents in check! We heard an Owl on our fireplace in our bedroom late at night, it is such a wonderful sound and always makes us share a smile when we hear them. But the most amazing thing our family has seen in SoCal is a bobcat. He sat on a low wall outside in the garden which was just past our sliding door from our kitchen table. We were eating dinner and I think, maybe what we were having, must have caught his attention, because he sat and watch us the entire meal, though I don’t remember eating much. It spurred a lively discussing and we just watched him watching us. It was great for young children to see that, up close and personal, and still be safe. Wish we have thought to grab the camera but no one wanted to move.

I would love to see eagles at our home here in Texas. We do have beautiful redtail hawks here. We have plans to put up an owl house for next year.

Eagle medicine is powerful, I’m sure you know that. The Lakota believe that seeing an eagle with it’s mate is a message from an ancestor. Which one of your ancestors would want to send you a bit of love, protection and positive power? More than one, I’d bet!
Love and light to you
My-more-than-sister
Missing you so so much
Kate

how great is it that so many like-minded women have a place to share an experience like yours.i suppose there are some who would consider all the oohing and aahing over such simple things as "birds" kinda silly..NOT ME! i totally get it.there is a mating pair of pileated woodpeckers living on our place here in northern lower michigan.they are frequent visitors to the suet feeders in the winter and they,too,are magnificent birds.thanks everyone for sharing!

Loved your eagles! I always like to sit in the morning and watch the birds at our birdfeeders ….. in the Spring we always see different ones passing by and over the years I am sure they just know a good stop for breakfast! I also look forward to the first glimps of pelicans in the pond by our home. Love to you and your family.

Hello Libby!
Thank you for the invite from one farm to another! It’s chilly here in "sunny" Florida. Shouldn’t complain, I know, after seeing the Northeast these past few weeks, but it’s a TAD cool for my bones here too! January always brings up thoughts of getting my seeds sorted, bought and finally planted in pots. Will be time soon (end of January) to plant taters. Can’t wait, as that means it won’t be long til warmth comes back! Thank you for sharing and for the opportunity to visit. Come on over to the cottonfieldfarm for a visit when you have time. So nice to visit over the fence. God bless. Regina cottonfieldfarm.blogspot.com

My prayers are with you and your son. I know a little of what you’re going through as my son’s best friend since birth had heart problems too – not the same type as you’re sons. He is now 19 years old and has had to go through 5 major surgeries so far with one more possible by the time he’s 35. He is a wonderful young man and like my own son. It is amazing what doctors can do – and how quickly children can recover from all they have to go through. Things are improving all the time and what we thought of as miricles just a few years ago are now common operations. May God bless you and hold your son in the palm of his hand.

HI! The kettle is on and there is a loaf of fresh baked bread just waiting to be sliced. After years of working to just to survive and not enough time for visiting, I can now say " Come on over for a cup of tea and some goodies.". There is something about the sound of ladies when they are together laughing,sharing,just being women that is a healing balm to the soul. So come sit a spell and lets share life!

Thanks for the invite and the cup of herbal tea, I like a bit of honey in mine please. You will have to stop by my place in Michigan some time!
I don’t know how you felt when hearing about your son needing surgery, but when I was a child at the age of 11 yrs old, I had to have surgery for scoliosis, years ago(over 30 yrs ago) and I know its important to have "strong" brave parents for we are scared, we don’t understand why, but as long as we feel your love it helps. I hope you don’t get offended by this, but I just remember how scared I was being left in a hospital at night it was the loneliness and scariest times.

Hi Libby I have been reading this site for awhile but as yesterday I am a certified farmgirl of the sisterhood. Thanks for the invite and I love both coffee and tea. I love the pictures you posted. I live on about 50 acres but horses,dogs,cats are all I have now. I have started planning our garden I can all I can. Anyway enough about me sounds like you are busy all year too. And as a mother of grown boys you are right they are the most important thing. Sorry to hear about William but what ever has to be done I am sure he will have a loving family around him to help and the doctors hands are blessed with prayers to guild him. Thanks again for the visit and I hope many more I am excitied to be a new member of Farmgirl Connections

Hi Libby,

I can relate to much of what you have said here….I do love to "visit" too. Your description of a visit fits me to a T! I’ll take a blanket, and take my shoes off, and sit on the couch with you…wood stove sounds lovely, too.
We had several horses when I was growing up. I was afraid of them, but helped with their care anyway. My older sister rode them. For a time we also had a bull, and cow. One day, when I was in high school, I was walking home, and saw all the neighbors gathered around our yard (7 acres, all fenced in ). I ran to see what they were watching. Well, my mother -at age 40 was being chased up the hill by the bull. It seems that she had gone and waved her apron at the bull, when she saw he’d gotten out the pasture and tried to get him back in.He was determined to tromp her good! I never knew my mother could run so fast! The men finally got him corraled before he could harm her, tho.
I will say some prayers for your little William, too. My daughter was born with a major heart defect (she’s now 37)that can’t be fixed. She has 2 little ones, during which her labors she had to wear a heart monitor, to make sure she did not have a heart attack. They have also said that she should not have any more. I worry she may need a transplant some day, but try not to think about it often. She just wants to live long enough to see them grown. I pray for that too. We know that organs are not always available when the need is there.
I see you posted a month ago….I believe that others have not responded, with the holidays’ "busyness" abounding. It is now Jan. 21, and I only just recieved your blog alert. As most folks I have been extremely busy too -we have just had our 3rd snowstorm since Christmas, and are due for another big one next Tues.
Let us know how things are with little William….we do care!

It is so difficult when our children get ill, even when they are in their adulthood. As you take care of him please take special care of yourself! Will keep you in my prayers.

How I enjoyed the "visit" with you just now! I have to have those same kind of "visits" with my beloved Jenny in Utah but we are sister just the same!

I am glad to that you shared about your son. You will all be on my prayer list from this day forward….I often say my prayers as I am feeding and watering my chickens, ducks, goats, bunnies, cats,and dog in the early mornings….somehow I just feel so close to God at that time…And you will be mentioned by name every morning and believe me, the power of prayer can see you through ANYTHING, no matter what is your "religious" views!

I’ll be glad when you get Evelyn back at home….I so love hearing about Jenny’s sweet cow and her little steer friend Stewie! We’ll be hoping that Evelyn has a beautiful little heifer just like her and Mona! a/k/a bamasuzy

Hi Libby,
What a wonderful visit! My heart hurts for you. I think we can stand whatever happens to ourselves, but let our child be under threat and our hearts spasm with fear. I will be praying for him and strength for you. I know you have the courage it takes.
Genny(in very frigid PA)

Hello Libby!
Thank you for the wonderful visit! You are a gracious hostess and your tea was fabulous! There’s nothing like a good old fashioned visit " farmgirl to farmgirl" to share what’s on our minds and in our hearts… I love your farmhouse and the cozy feeling you have created there for your family. You will all be in our prayers as you go steadily forward with treatment for your son.
Sending prayers and a big farmgirl hug!
Beach Blessings
Deb

My first time "visiting" with you and it felt wonderful. Inspired me to make that extra effort to "visit" with others without having a reason that makes me stop other than to enjoy each other’s company.
I have added William to my prayers.

Chilly in Virginia as well 😉
Emily

Hi Libby,

It is balmy, in the 40’s here on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Hubby is off, and we are going to prune our fruit trees today, and my parents’ tomorrow. No rain, but it is still damp and cloudy. I’m going to make my favorite blender soup for lunch(cook up potato, onion, kale, broccoli and blender up!) My prayers go out to you and your son’s doctors and nurses; be strong, and try not to worry. Take care

OK- first- research ask questions and write down lots of notes. Be an advocate for your son. It will help keep it all straight. Having lived through a few of these scary kids/family things. I find it helps to be on the prepared side of the medical conversations.

Horse- i know the whole OLD feeling. We buried out old pony a year ago. But being 39, he had a very amazing happy life. We also were happy everyday that he was there to great us with a little whiny. And he wld watch us through the back windows.

Rescue- we rescued our, hmm 3rd, this past Mother’s Day. She is a thoroughbred rescue. Sweet, smallish mare. She never pulled on the bit, ran away or bolted. BUT she did LAY DOWN when we were riding her. We found that her teeth were very bad (open sores in her mouth even). AN equine dentist and a chiropractor and she is doing much better. With all the snow and ice in our part of the country, she is enjoying some good- be a horse time. Maybe talk to your friends and get an equine dentist to look at your rescue.

I will keep you, your family and horse in my thoughts.

Thank you soo much for your invitation, my prayers are with you and your family, may the lord bless you and keep in his arms. The eagles and owls are good luck and prosperity and good health, There is a lot of blessing and prayer give to you and your family at this time, keep the faith and give thanks to GOD. He loves you and your wonderful family. love a simple lady. I don’t know what is to have or live in a farm so I truly enjoy your life. thank you:D

Hi Libbie, Enjoy reading your Blogs. Prayers from Texas sent your way for Williams complete recovery.

Thank you so much, Sadye! xoxo, Libbie

What a pleasure to enjoy a dream I have always had through your articles. You are a blessing and I pray that you and your family have a blessed Christmas. Thanks again for taking the time to share you experiences with us.

Merry Christmas Libbie to you and yours!!!

I so enjoy your blog. We to have our Christmas traditions.
This year we also added to our list a 4 generation picture, you see our first grandchild was born October 21st. My mom is 86 yrs old, so we took a picture with her, my daughter, new granddaughter (Morgan Jane) and me. Such a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

Great post Libbie! I can indentify- we live in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mtns. of Va. and I cant imagine living anywhere else. After travelling to the midwest this past summer I realized this- boy, its flat out there! Lovely, but flat! I hope your family has a wonderful holiday and thanks for sharing your adventures with the rest of us farmgirls!

Thanks for a thought provoking post! One of the things that you said…"If you can let go of the need to "get somewhere," it turns out that the speed of a child is always the right one. Just slow enough to really feel the magic…" is an awesome thought! That really makes ones’ "country" so meaningful. Blessings, Reba

I really enjoyed your pictures. The one line that struck me is how the red rock sandstone is in your blood. It helps me understand how I was so different from my siblings. I alsways wanted to be away from the city, farming. I could not understand why. My father was the same way. Then, I went back to Mexico when I was a teenager to stay for a few months with family. My family farmed and ranched. I felt so at home, like a peace that you get when you are where you are supposed to be in life. It was then I made up my mind that I was not going to live in the city, but find my calling and find some land. Though I may only be on one acre, I love it. I get to garden and do what I love, to sew and enjoy the land I am on. It is funny how something can be in your blood like that, but it is true and it is so satisfying.
I enjoy seeing your pictures and that you share your family with us. Farm girl sisterhood at its best.
Carolina

Wonderful thoughts, Libbie!
I’m pondering ways to make my home a haven these days myself.
Blessings,
Catherine

I agree that a little effort can go a long way! Thanks for the inspiration and confirmation of the way I feel too. I can’t wait to make "real" pumpkin pie this year for Thanksgiving!

Yes, it is all about the ripples. Everything we do creates ripples which spread out into the world.

I agree that a soak in a hot bath can clear your mind. It I have a problem a hot bath always helps me to figure out what path to take. And if I’m blocked creativily it opens up the door.

Libbie thank you for your words. They hit home. In these times with all the bad things happing that we can do nothing about I am going to try to make my little corner a better place. I will be ready for company instead of hiding out and live each day with a happy thought.Some days will be hard but I will keep this post and go back and read it.

Hi Rene,
Autumn here in my part of West Virginia is usually very pretty. This year the colors are slow turning and not very bright. But I like it anyway. No humidity!!!! The air just feels like fall. I don’t have a garden but flower beds are ready to put to sleep till spring. Then as the trees start to bud and wild flowers show their colors, I think my favorite season. Oh then there is the first snow, how pretty, forgetting all else. So do I have a favorite season, I think not. I can find something good in all seasons. Keep on blogging, I enjoy learning about other people.

Hi Libbie,
Thank you for the invite. I always enjoy reading your post.
To tell you the truth I am a bit jealous of your canning skills. I was not raised in the country and have no idea how to can. I would love to learn one of these days though.
Autumn is my favorite time of year and this year we moved to this little house with the creek right out my back window. We are still in town but it doesn’t seem like it.
The house sale finalized in April so it was too late to plant anything so come spring I have every intention of going crazy with planting.
I went to the local pumpkin patch and bought some, all sizes… placed them along the creek bed, in front of my porch and even in two planters along with gerber daisies and pansies. Looks lovely.
Anyway, thank you for sharing your life with us. I always feel comforted afted reading your post.
Have a wonderful fall!
Tammie

Wonderful closeups, and wonderful G. Eliot quote! Autumn in suburbia looks similar, only ha ha it all CAME FROM farms like yours!

Thank you for letting us peek into your world. :o) Your jar labels are wonderful. I just write on the top of my jar lids. I am lazy and don’t want to have to wash the labels off the following year. :o) Like you, fall is my favorite time of the year. Like the garden and everything else, I am ready to rest. :o) I find myself turning my thoughts to the inside and what I will do to occupy my time during the winter, knowing that come January, I will be thinking about gardening once again. My husband started beekeeping with two hives this spring and we find ourselves thinking about adding chickens and a couple of calves to our little piece of land, 2 1/2 acres. More than enough to keep us busy. I love reading the different blogs, gleaning information and ideas from you all. I don’t know how you find the time to do all that you do but keep up the good work. :o) Thank you once again. Rhonda, Prosser, WA

Oh, thanks for the tour, it is beautiful. I love the picture of the boys playing in the water. I remember when my son was about eight and he was playing in the dirt making a road in my soon to be garden. The next thing I knew the whole neighborhood was there joining in the muddy fun!!!! Haa, haa!!!! Kids and dirt just go together!!!

Loved reading about autumn on your farm. I wish I had one, but instead run the household using as much of the 1 acre yard as possible. We do have A wood wall-though it won’t last the winter-have to do something about that…and the garden has given up its last zuchinni to be stuffed for dinner!Carrots for tomorrow’s soup and apples for cake.
so even though I don’t have as many critters running around with my three kids…Autumn is delicious!Cyn in CT

I love your pictures!
My two year old son loves when you post kid pictures, by the way. He’s just figured out that they’re not his brothers. He says "My friends!" and points to them.
I didn’t get any tomatoes (or watermelon!) this year because it was such a foggy, wet summer, so I’m sad for the lack of green tomatoes.

Hello! Quick question about winter garlic. I planted it in the Fall and it was growing great, but before it got the garlic flowers, the leaves turned yellow, and the plants collapsed. we dug up the garlic but it was only half the size it should have been. any ideas on what might have gone wrong ( we are in Northern Ontario and had a very hot summer).

Hi Libbie!
Happy Autumn to you! Loved the visit at your place.. it most certainly is autumn… inside and out! Your wood wall is quite a sculpture in it’s own right! I can smell the wood fire burning from here…
We’ve been getting into the spirit here too. We dressed up the little red hen house and red shed for the " girls " a while back and leaves are beginning to turn… I’m feeling a RED October coming on in our neck of New England…Autumn is glorious on all counts!

Happy GLORIOUS fall…
Deb~

Hi Libbie,

Just love reading about autumn,my favorite time of year! The leaves turning….falling, hah! more work in the yard…today we’ve a "howlling wind" ..it sounds like Halloween is already here….
I’ve just baked 3 apple pies…two to the neighbors on either side of us. One gave us back the pan, and said, "could they have 2nd’s?" They included the apples for the next one, so of course I said "yes!" We had a nice exchange about the eagles, and owls we’ve heard in the neighborhood lately..tales of mice in the kitchen, which they tried to catch…but found that their cat was letting him out of the trap! Well, they said he’s not a good "mouser!"
I’m also enjoying your photos….little ones…best thing ever…and firewood for the winter…does give one a "cozy" feeling, knowing its ready and waiting.
On the coldest days I’m working on a baby quilt for the Linus project…has a calming effect on my nerves…always good.
Hope you are having a good weekend now…happy autumn!

Wow! What a great article and fabulous photos too! Just last week had to hose down my 7 year old boy and plop him in the tub before the company came for dinner!
I also have a pile of green tomatoes, one year I pulled up the plants roots and all, and hung them upside down from the barn rafters! I had only cherry tomatoes that year, but we ate them until January!!!!! Now I make sure that I have a couple of plants in big pots and bring them into our attached greenhouse for the winter- they will last all winter if I’m careful, and I’ll have REALLY early tomatoes next spring!

really enjoyed the pictures. it’s a busy time of year with all the canning and jelly making. i love it though. makes you feel good looking at all the pretty filled jars. i’ve got some gorgeous orange cinderella pumpkins and can’t wait to see how they work in pies and breads. i was told they make wonderful pies. hope so. our wood pile is all set, too. ah, contentment knowing we’ll be ready for our minn. winter.

Seeing your boys is a blessing. Love lists and you have me thinking of all the wonderful blessings…fall lettuce, beautiful leaves turning color, my son, my husband, oh the list could continue..

I have so much to be thankful for, My Charlie and I are retired, we have 4 Children between us and each have one in heaven. We love to travel and do things together. We like to garden and fish and just being together. Our health is pretty good now and we thank the good Lord for that. Our little world is wonderful and we do enjoy it a lot. Thank You Lord above. Hugs Juanita

I do so enjoy your blog. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, daughter and son-in-law. We are about to begin a new journey in our life too. Our little granddaughter, Morgan, is due in 4 weeks and we can hardly wait. She is our first grandchild, my husband is retiring in April and we will have been married 40 years in March. Sooo much to be thankful for. You have a lovely family and your blog just gives me that boost, that sometimes we all need. Thank You.

I am so thankful for my four beautiful boys too!! Thank you for sharing and reminding us to be thankful!

As I read the most recent issue of MaryJanesFarm …. I was reminded about a Gratitude Journal that I faithfully wrote in for years. What would I write today? I am grateful for the sweet flavor of pears, beautiful ripe tomatoes and the crisp fall mornings. As usual I loved your post! Debbie writes (in blog) about “serendipity” ……… It was total serendipity this summer when I found myself in your driveway and you so very graciously introduced me to “some of the wonders” of your world! You do indeed have a delightful family, lovely neighbors and a home with such warmth. When I read your post it puts a smile in my heart. I am grateful for people like you and serendipity!

I so agree with September being the ‘new year’! It has always felt that way to me with the season change (darker earlier, crisp temperatures), clothing change (putting away the tank tops, sandals & pulling out sweaters & boots) and putting the outside to ‘rest’ (pulling out the annuals, dead garden things, turning over the soil).
One of my favorite things to say to myself when I’m paring down (house hold items to clothing to my favorite books) is "Does this make my life better?" — I find it’s much easier to let things go when they don’t make my life ‘better’ in a way I can appreciate!

I am right there with you (actually blogged about it recently), maybe it is this time of year for us farm girls that makes us evaluate the past year.

My main problem is trying to do too much outside of the home (county fair board, homeschool activities, and on and on) and not saying NO when asked to help out with something. I am going to be more diligent on choosing only those things that bring joy and enhance our family life.

Yearning for beauty, stability, and love also,
Stephanie
The Park wife

Ditto too…September is the beginning of a new and Marvelous-Darling Year, always re-evaluating and re-inventing who, where and why’s in my life. So awesome seeing that so many of us Lady’s are doin the same…Garage-Sale time in Sunny Florida! Have a Sweet Sweet re-discovering…

Wow! You’ve certainly got me motivated…especially with your grandmother’s saying! On my farm this fall the BIGGIE is that I am expanding my farm store from the little room off my carport to a bigger outbuilding at the other end of my house. PATIENCE is NOT one of my virtues and it’s hard for me to not want it done ALL AT ONCE but son and son-in-law have begun the clean out, next will come the electrical wiring, insulation in walls (which I can do), installing paneling and building the little front porch (which I can help with!)….to make a REAL little country store….when we’re not actually working on the remodel I am busy making all sorts of jelly to sell in the current store and the new-old store, more goat milk soap, and all sorts of aprons, vests, and baby quilts….some with Christmas themes…but my main goal today is to finish writing an article that is near deadline AND finish patchig a weak place in the goat’s fence! I DO NOT have your sense of organization! Hope your sweet cow is doing fine!!!!!

One thing I did was start using things, what am I saving them for. For instance, I have my mothers linen napkins that
I use now and wash and hang out in the sunshine to dry and
think of her….plus it saves a tree.

Love your nanny’s quote, totally going to use that one! Fabulous "kick you in the butt, in a loving way" wisdom.

Libby–you sure said it right! There are many times I want to get a firehose and flush it all out!! I work fulltime and my house-husband, the professional mess-maker, gardner, poultry farmer, cook, canner, can’t find time to put anything away when he is done with it. I can’t really complain, since he does so much already, but I don’t want to clean it up!! He/We have put up lots of jars of home-grown produce this year and I am ready to snuggle into my chair with a stitching project and let winter come.

I agree…next to Spring, my favorite time of year is Fall. Both seasons, I go through the house and weed out non-ecentials. My Mom, (I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s) used to do vigorous housecleaning both Spring and Fall. I loved helping her and the satisfaction that we had when all was clean, bright, and comfy. Loved the way the house smelled of fresh air and sunshine. I still throw the windows open as much as possible….even on sunny winter days (here in IL.) and hang the quilts and duvet’s out on the line for freshening. I have 10 grandchildren and we spend a LOT of time leaf and flower gathering, garden planting and weeding, watching birds, watching all sorts of bugs, gathering little rocks, baking and just having fun. Don’t need clutter gobbing things up. The older I get, the easier it is for me to throw away "stuff". My hubby, on the other hand…well, that’s another story…Ha! We love country living and the country life. Fresh wholesome food and everything as free from chemicals as we can get. My life is just about perfect and the good Lord has been gracious to me. I am going to go enjoy my front porch and count my blessings! Have a WONDERFUL Fall!

I love your post. Thanks for the positive energy, it seems that many look at the glass as half empty, I like to see it as always half full.

My favorite quote " Attitude is the mind’s paintbrush, it can color any situation" Loring Forcier

Thanks for the other two quotes, I love them. I will now go tell my kids how great they are as sometimes I think I am too hard on them and set my expectations too high.

Good Karma to you, Heidi

Yes…attitude/focus is everything, isn’t it? I’ve been thinking about that for awhile; maybe in a little different way: that life really isn’t all about me, but rather is about Him. Returning evil for evil in relating to people or circumstances only serves to perpetuate the evil. But changing my focus to " how can I respond right now (not react!) in a way that will please the Lord? " has made a huge difference, and seems to me to break at least my small part of a negative chain.
Thanks for your thoughts on the similar subject, and for seeking to make the world better, even if it takes a bit of unrewarded effort. God sees it and takes note, I’m sure.

Isoagreewithyourpost!Sometimesitdoesseemlikethesmallestkindnesseshavegonecompletelyoutofoursocietytoday.Whatanicethingtoremember-Icanstarttoputsomethingback,givesomethingtoothersthatmayhelpthemgetthroughthesedifficulttimes.Ittakessolittle,butmakessuchadifference.Thankyouforthisreminder!

Thank you so much for reminding me that my small troubes can easily be put aside for a few moments to give a stranger a smile or hold a door for someone or slow down enough to radiate gratitude for all the blessings in my life. This message never gets old.

A beautiful post. Thank you for the reminder. I try to ‘shelter’ others… well, most of the time. But you’ve reminded me it’s worth the extra, tiny bit of effort *all* of the time 😉

Libby,
I love to read your posts, and this one especially touched my heart, as it is something that I’ve been thinking about a lot myself recently. My family and I are in the hospitality business, so we are in touch with the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We see human nature in all its possible forms. 99% of our guests are the most delightful folks you’d ever want to meet. The 1% that isn’t, can really have an impact on your (and everyone else’s) day. Conversely, we see people check in who are hot and bothered, may have been driving in traffic and who are bringing all sorts of mental baggage with them. As an innkeeper, I love to watch them unwind and let the cares of the world just melt away over the course of their stay. All it takes, as you say, is a smale, a kind word and a caring, receptive ear. We do not need to travel halfway across the world to make a difference … we can change the world exactly where we are, with just a smile. Keep up the wonderful writing, Libby. It is very inspiring. –Cathi (The Mountain Farmgirl)

Libbie,
This was a fantastic post! No way you could strike out looking for inspiration in Mary Jane’s " Eachother" section either! I agree… it’s fabulous and certainly at the heart of what a " farmgirl" truly is… KIND AND GENEROUS….I read a book right at the first of the year that motivated me much in the same way. It was written by Dr. Dwayne Dyer…( maybe he’s a farmboy at heart? ) Anyway, his book the Power of Intention, LEARNING HOW TO CO- CREATE YOUR LIFE…speaks along these same lines…and inspired me to write about it too!
We can never have too much kindness in the world…

I’ll share it with you all here!

Enjoy! and Thank you " kindly" for this wonderful post today!

http://www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.com/2009/12/conversation-with-wayne-dyer-dr-wayne.html

Deb

The smallest gesture of kindness becomes great when we release it from ourself. Surprise someone or something with a Random Act of Kindness, but beware, it is contagious!!!! 🙂

I have taken a bright marker and written the word "shelter" on a paper which is taped to the back of the bathroom door. It is a reminder, when I’m sitting still anyway!, to think about your post and adjust my perspective before returning to the stage of life. Thanks for your insights.

Libby, There must have been divine interference in you not having the right milk and your cheese making not working. 🙂 This post on kindness surely resonated with many, me included. Thanks so much for addressing a much needed element in today’s world.

Libby, I am new to the Rural Farmgirl Blog, but I already love it. How true that one act of kindness can change your life or raise your awareness. Many years ago, as I was leaving a department store, a young woman held the door for me as I hurriedly rushed through it (my mind on my next 3 stops). Just out side the door, I heard her say "THANK YOU"! It stopped me in my tracks and I looked back. Her expression was a mixture of humor, humbleness, and just a little indignant. I was so embarrassed and couldn’t find the right words to say to her, so I just lowered my head and scurried on out to my car. But, it changed me forever. To this day, I never fail to say thank you when someone holds a door for me. In turn, I try very hard to not be in such a hurry that I can’t find time to hold the door for others – and when I do, I always see that woman’s face. It is tucked away in my little book of Greatest Gifts and Life Lessons along with the quote from Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show "My mamma always said, it only takes a moment to courteous". I look forward to more Farmgirl wisdom.

I just got around to reading your blog and I love it. How right you are, Just a little kindness helps the world go round. Today I was driving back from picking up 4 turkey sand 1 silkie chicks in my full size van which sits up higher than a car. Waiting at a stoplight in 2 lanes of traffic, I looked to my left and saw a baby, probably about 2 months old facing the back, crying his eyes out. His little hands were shaking in front of his face, and I felt so sorry for him. Two women were sitting in the front seat, I’m sure just knowing that he would stop eventually. Well, I looked at him for a second or two, wishing there was something I could do, and he looked right at me, through 2 car windows and some space, this little baby, and his eyes met mine, and he stopped crying, he even shook a little like a baby will do who has been crying for awhile, and just looked at me. I continued to smile at him and he looked at me; and then the light turned green, but my day was changed for good. A very precious moment.

Gracious, what wonderful advice, and so simple to carry out!
A wonderful (best) friend taught me to see the beauty in God’s creation and to focus on it. If we focus on kindness, it will grow. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful post! Would you mind if I post the two quotes (from Plato and the Irish proverb) on my blog? I can link them back here if you would like.
Sincerely and God bless.

What a wonderful story!
Thank you for sharing! It has put a giant smile on my face!

Hannah

What a lovely story; I hung on every word. I had an old friend once similar to Margaret. His name was Ariel, and he lived next door to us for the five years we lived in Idaho. I learned alot from him despite his initial crusty manner- how to cut and piece a quilt, how and what to garden in the Bear Lake Valley, and how to “make do” in a remote town.

I hope you’ll share more of your friendship with Margaret … and Kate, too. Good luck on the riding lessons. I’ve never ridden bareback, but do prefer Western to English. Good on you!

Hugs,
Cathy K
Murray, UT

You are truely blessed to have such a wonderful woman by your side. I can imagine everything you will learn from her. But you yourself are wonderful too. Enjoy the ride!

Loved the story. Reminded me of my "Aunt Ruth". She could do anything too and lived to be 94.

You are blessed with the friendship of a woman that can show you a picure of the past but be there to help you now and in the furture. My mother is 80 and sometime when she talks about the past it is like reading a book you don’t want to put down. And of course the love a horse can be a blessing in itself we have eight horses that we love. They are more like pets now than anything but that is okay with us.

I truly enjoy your posts. I totally agree with your thoughts on so many people counting on you! Enjoy.

I also have a blog to share: http://ruralgirlsworld.blogspot.com

do you mind sharing her? i want a margaret.

and i love you for seeing past all the rough edges to such a quality person and friend! you rock!!