| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CherryPie |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 10:48:25 AM
I'm curious if other farmgirls feel sometimes like a square peg in a round hole with their family. Does your family have the same interests, the same passions? I love my family to pieces but I often feel like I'm the odd woman out - they love current TV shows, listen to pop music, and aren't really into living green or homegrown. Me, I'm into fiddle music, living like a suburban farmgirl and making things by hand. I wonder sometime how I seem to have fallen so far from the family tree. They support me and are the best but it's hard sometimes to share my excitement over heirloom tomato seeds or justify using my clothesline.
Anyone else experiencing this?
Kimberly Ann
Farmgirl Sister #225
Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster
http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| CherryPie |
Posted - Mar 22 2010 : 1:11:05 PM
Amy Grace, I am learning to play the fiddle so I like easy tunes! lol But for my own listening pleasure, I like American Roots music, swing, rockabilly, old timey tunes from the 20s and 30s, some civil war tunes....you name it. My dream would be to get a family band going (my family are all good singers) with Saturday night jam sessions and pinochle games, but there's no way they'd go for this kind of music. But first things first - I gotta get better at playing. Better go practice Angeline the Baker now. :-)
Kimberly Ann
Farmgirl Sister #225
Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster
http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
| jclambert |
Posted - Mar 22 2010 : 12:55:55 PM
Kimberly Ann,
I guess I'm very lucky because my granny quilted, gardened, canned, had chickens and lived a simple life.
I didn't realize how much I had learned by just watching her and helping her until I started trying to do alot of those things myself. My mother has no interest in baking, quilting, or livestock of any kind and it drives her nuts to know I'll be on a tractor brush hogging, helping bale hay, whatever needs to be done, and enjoying myself. Anyway, square pegs, be glad to be one because if there is ever a real crisis you will know how to make do. A lot of young people can't even cook and would go completely crazy without a tv, dvd, and all the other goodies.
Judy
*Love one another* |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Mar 22 2010 : 08:35:38 AM
Oh, I forgot to ask...What kind of fiddle music do you like?
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Mar 22 2010 : 08:34:25 AM
Yup - they were separated at birth. We bought a fixer house 6 years ago because a. it was what we could afford and b. he is a carpenter so we can get it done ourselves, right? Wrong - we have yet to take on a home improvement project, meanwhile our poor house is crumbling under the weight of misuse by teenage boys and misguided bassett hounds. Heavy sigh......
Fortunately I can do most of the garden stuff myself so I don't have to wait till he is in the mood:)
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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| CherryPie |
Posted - Mar 22 2010 : 08:25:29 AM
Amy Grace, our husbands must be brothers! My husband has a habit of putting things off, which drives me crazy too. He tolerates my domestic adventures but he's not gung-ho by any means. If he had his way, we'd live in a condo with a balcony instead of a house with a yard big enough for my chickens.
Kimberly Ann
Farmgirl Sister #225
Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster
http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Mar 22 2010 : 08:07:21 AM
I'm lucky because I'm an only child and my parents pretty much encouraged me to think for myself. I think they had some second thoughts about that when I was in high school, and for a while would have been happier had I gone the "conventional college and career route", but for the most part they are really supportive and find it wonderful that out of the whole family - 7 cousins - I am the only one who channels my grandma - i.e. canning, cooking, thriftiness to the point of madness etc.
Now my husband on the other hand - we are sort of opposites but he supports my beliefs, I just wish sometimes he had the sense of urgency the situation warrants - as in "yes it is vital that we plant this weekend" He is more of a "never do today what you can put off till next year" kind of guy. Which makes me crazy, and wonder how it is we get along so well:)
At least we have each other (farmgirls) to talk and vent to
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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| classygram |
Posted - Mar 22 2010 : 06:17:00 AM
I am definitly the square peg in a round hole. I love making things, going to the farmer's market for the fresh produce. I talk about my MJF friends and the things that I have learned and all the swaps. When I made a pincushion for Linda(grannypraying) my mother(85) said "Who would want that, I'd never think to make one,or want one." I thought, will then you missed out on the fun in making it. Why is it that when you do something differntly than they do, they think your way out there. Last night my DD called and asked what I was doing, I told her I was trying to catch up on my penpal's letters. Her remark was, "Oh I forgot you had so many new friends." Well the problem is that they probably don't even know how to sit down and write a letter. Just like journaling, they think why write your life down where other's can read it. Well I think I have a life worth sharing with my grand-children and hopefully someday one of them will enjoy it and share with ohter's. One time in my life I was caught up in trying to be like the family, but it can wear you down. My family seems to have to be on the go all the time, and just can't understand why I'm content to me at home, doing my thing. If only they knew the peace and comfort that you can get by slowing down and spending time with just yourself. Well I guess what I really want to say is, be yourself! Thats why God made us all different, with different gifts. Enjoy YOUR life today and let it shine!
Blessings, Brenda
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony" Mahatma Gandhi |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 5:52:58 PM
Kimberly Ann:
Out of six girls, I am, indeed, the odd one. Never bothered me. I never wanted to be like the others. I want to be me. I never cared if it bothered them. I'm the only musician in the family, I'm the only artist, etc... They think I'm odd. Oh, well...so be it.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 4:00:06 PM
Deborah, my DD's are 28 and 30. They always ask me what kind of meat I've cooked when we have dinners here. They're afraid it might be goat or lamb or a chicken I've butchered. Oh my! But after they taste it they change their minds. My parents aren't so bad. They eat whatever I fix when they come visit. They are always asking me what new babies I have or what I've planted. They are rather proud of all I do. They are always telling everyone about their farmer daughter. They never know what I'll be into next. I like keeping everyone guessing.
Teresa, when we first moved here we built the chicken-goat-horse "barn" out front in a fenced in pasture. It is not near the road. I had called the lady that's the niece to the people we bought the house from to see if we could lease her property next door for my horse we had then. She was so mean and rude. She doesn't even live out here. She wanted to know why we built that chicken house right up next to the road. And how awful it looked. Well, if you drive down our road that's all you see is farms and all kinds of animal housing right up where the whole world can see it. Good grief, we live out in the boonies. It looks like this all over. I was just amazed at how ignorant she was. I have never had anyone say that since. It's a farm, for Pete's sake! And it sure does smell good.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Room To Grow |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 3:28:49 PM
Well I do like TV and I do listen to modern music. But I am as green as I can be at the moment. But if I had the money I would be totally off the grid. And make everything by hand. I do sew and knit. I bake/cook from scratch and garden. I try not to buy new..I buy at second hand stores and I buy local foods when in season. But I dont buy things that are out of season in the grocery. I will be canning this yr. And I am going to try to make bread...kinda scared of that. I have been saving my dog food bags...50lb ones to make shopping bags from to sell and the flea market this summer...And I have been using vinegar and baking soda to clean things with. I will be putting up a clothsline this spring. Well my DH is, lol. We bought heirloms this yr so we can save the seeds. My daughter thinks I am from the dark ages....But when she eats the home grown veggies she doesnt complain. BTW she is 32.
Deborah
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
| vintagediva1 |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 3:16:14 PM
My grown daughters think that I am pretty wacky making things from scratch, quilting, watching DVDs of the Waltons on tv when I could be watching "idol" and "dancing with the stars" but I think they are kind of proud of me too.
One of my daughters now brings all her recyclables to my house as they don't have ecycling programs set up in the community where she lives and she takes her own reusable bags shopping and is learning how to use vinegar and baking soda to clean everything
Michele
www.2vintagedivas.etsy.com
www.sissyandsisterstitch.etsy.com
www.sissyandsisterstitch.artfire.com
Love that good ole vintage junk |
| prairie_princess |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 2:47:01 PM
I agree with Kristin and Mary Jane - just keep doing what you're doing and be proud you're different from your family! And that is fun to think about, Sherrie, that maybe we get some of our unique traits from different generations in the family tree!
Luckily, both DH's and my families have many similar, country-minded traits. They all do eat more fast food and watch more TV, but, especially my family, have the same self-reliant dreams as I do. In fact, like Kristin said, many of them see what I do and it has spurred them to try new, different things! They just can't believe some of the things I do, but tell me they admire and look up to what I do. I was even so flattered that my mom told me I was a better cook than her! (she's a wonderful cook, she just doesn't bake as much as I do... but I've noticed she's gotten more into it after I've told her some of the things I've baked).
Teresa, I think that is so horrible people would say that to your face! But I agree there is a social stigma... people are supposed to be a certain way and those of us who stray from that path are "weird." I think people just don't know how to react to people who do their own thing! Maybe they are even a little intimidated of us! But, with the economy, I almost think more and more people might be coming around to this way of life. They see how much money can be saved and it can be better for the spirit and for families. I know of many who are cooking more than they used to, which is a good sign!
"Only two things that money can't buy, that's true love and homegrown tomatoes."
- Guy Clark
"The man who has planted a garden feels he has done something for the good of the world."
- Charles Dudley Warner |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 2:35:16 PM
My family is like me, I learned from them and grew up in Missouri on a family farm, but, I have had my share of people call me white trash to my face more than once, and I think its got to do with living in California, even with all of its diversity, people have a mind set about how you should be, if you live here, even thou I am in the country, 30 miles from our town, and 60 plus miles from the city. I believe its how most are raised , and how some of us are wired. I beleive that we all have the right to sing our own songs without peoples persecutions and bad mouthing, but alass, it just isn't that way. We are a differant breed, and a dying one at that, and I really hope that every generation to come, looks at people like us and starts to see, what we see, before its too late. I think those who poopoo us are the square pegs in the round holes. This world needs to come full circle and get back to the simple and friendlyer times,before this planet dies.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| knitnpickinatune |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 2:34:02 PM
Kimberly,I wouldn't say you fell far from the family tree,you may have just drawn from your ancestors-is there any great grands,etc that played fiddle? Any great aunts that were farmgirls? My great grandmother was a farmgirl and my great grandfather was a hoedown fiddler. My grandmother was a guitarist. I skipped backwards a generation or so,I think.
http://www.mandolinbabe.info
http://www.mandolinbabe.net
@MandolinChick on Twitter
mando pickin & fiddle sawin' Farmgirl #702 |
| CountryBorn |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 2:08:32 PM
Kimberly Ann, my dear, you don't ever need to justify yourself to anyone! Being different from each other is what makes us all so interesting! You are living your life full of joy and feeling good about yourself and choices, that is what really living your life means. I have always been the square peg that didn't fit in anyones round hole. That suits me just fine. I just lvoe other people who march to their own drummer too. I love to hear everyones idea of what brings them happiness. My mother in law always thought we were the odd ones out because we didn't have a blacktop drive way and live in a housing tract. We had a gravel road lived 1800 feet off the main road and even had MUD on occasion good heavens!! I think she thought we were the poor relations. I used laugh so much. Just be you and enjoy yourself. You will be happy and content.People just don't always get it.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 12:46:07 PM
Kimberly, just keep on doing what you're doing. Maybe they'll join you someday when they see how happy and healthy you and your family are. I think more and more people are doing this now than just a few years ago. And pretty soon these people standing on the sidelines will be wanting in. So keep it up!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| child in harmony |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 11:59:01 AM
YES! Alot of my family members are so different than me. I started a blog a few years back hoping it would help them to understand me a bit more but ...and we unschool too so that was big.
I am thankful there are many like-minded people here. And I'm glad I'm ME. I'd rather live simply and do things naturally and create and tend my farm and garden than all their cars and gadgets and stuff. It brings joy and much satisfaction to my life, more then they have.
I also think I have opened their eyes a bit, that there are other ways to live and still be happy.
I have found a few like-minded people nearby ..homeschoolers I have met..which makes it great to share things with...and there's sisterhood here!! woohoo!
~marcia
www.harmonywoodsfarm.com
www.childinharmony.com
"Enriching,nurturing and inspiring Life with nature,animals
and the arts .. for the child and the child within" |
| Annika |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 11:01:31 AM
LOL! Kimberly Ann. My Granma used to say that they found me under a cabbage. My family thinks I was switched at birth or something...they are so not like me! Into fast food, TV, modern American culture and I'm just the opposite. So I do very much understand =) My sis and I get along well enough...she just calls me the green fairy!
*hugs*
You always have a sister here.
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Palouse Prairie Girls Chapter
http://palouseprairiegirls.blogspot.com/
http://prairiegirlsjournal.blogspot.com/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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