| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| KD Earthwork |
Posted - Feb 23 2009 : 1:18:54 PM
I think the thing I find so admirable about Mary Jane is that she is a woman doing all this successful business. She is not a follower.She is not afraid to go it alone.Even out in the wilderness or into the totally uncharted area of big than bigger business.
I was just reading about the woman who wanted to homestead but her husband wasn't sure since it put him in the role of sole breadwinner.How do we rethink these times and labels?I think it becomes much harder once we become mothers we tend to want what our mothers had or want to limit our potential to before or after the kids.We don't challenge ourselves to achieve our dreams. We are raised to fulfill others dreams to follow not lead.How to we gain the skills little by little to empower ourselves?To be able to make happen whatever we dream of and more.
I'm not saying I don't want or have a great relationship.But isn't this more possible if we know ourselves and are happy with our lives,fulfilling our dreams? |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| KD Earthwork |
Posted - Aug 29 2009 : 2:58:07 PM
Yes, I do sometimes feel pretty reclusive.After working, coming home tending farms chores and animal chores,making dinner for family(usually picking some of it first).I keep thinking of how farmgirls in the past got together to help each other get things done.Seems were all too busy out here in this rural area.Still trying though.Any suggestions as to how to get friends over?I know there's all kinds of ideas in Magazine's and books.Part of it is I have a late in life child and most of my friends children are growing up(I have a 21,13 and 3). So don't have that connection.I'm gardening like crazy it seems to be my salvation, at work tending ten acres of formal gardens,then home to our "trying to be self-sufficient farm".Just canned 42 quarts of tomatoes,five quarts of dilly beans.
I appreciate this team spirit just haven't found a way to share it yet. |
| ZenGoddess |
Posted - Aug 28 2009 : 8:44:27 PM
I am enjoying reading the posts and what I do know is far from everything, but i am older and my daughter says sometimes too wise.
Remember there is no I in team... United we stand and as farmgirls we all make a difference, so next time your out doin your chores and you feel alone ...please remember that the rest of us "real women" are right there with ya.. doing ours. I rarely say "I think I can"
coz "I know I can" I'm a farm girl. Saying this to yourself straightens the backbone and the work gets done. Just my thoughts
Hugs,
Zens Goddess
My life goal is to Simply - Simplify my life.
http://herbalcottage.blogspot.com
http://herbalcottage.etsy.com |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 03:35:50 AM
Welcome katie! I am so glad that you brought this topic back up, it's a good one!
Linda in Scranton, PA
|
| KD Earthwork |
Posted - Aug 23 2009 : 7:38:42 PM
I just got to go to Mary Jane's Farm and was so inspired. All of us have something to offer, I think it's about that, offering what we can.Whether it be food ,instruction, advice, a listening ear , friendship, inspiration.Let's let it SHINE !!! |
| KD Earthwork |
Posted - Jun 03 2009 : 8:32:10 PM
I think that's a great thought and one of the most important jobs in the world.But I'm not sure we all are the best at it.I have three kids and have been able to work kids and jobs together for the first few years with each of them.I had this energy for too many different things and like creating grand projects.I'm not always the best influence on my kids. I can represent certain dynamics to them but rely on others to show them other ways. I like the concept it takes a village to raise a child.But I really admire people who can put children first,it's just not always me.Please don't take this wrong.
Katie |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Jun 03 2009 : 7:21:31 PM
what do ya ladies think of my new tagline...it's a very old saying...anyone remember this?
Linda
in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
"The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world"
author unknown |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Jun 03 2009 : 7:16:19 PM
Hi everyone. I loved this topic when ya first started it and happy to see posts come back again after a couple months.
YAAA to all of us who enjoy being empowered. This is the greatest time in the history of our country for women. Women are recognized as strong and intelligent as ever. I sure would like to see more respect and honor given to the ones who care for children at home as their job. Children are not just to babysit but they are being taught how to live by the way we treat them and what they see us do.
I like the old saying.
"The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world!"
Ain't it the truth!!
Linda
in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
"WELL BEHAVED WOMEN RARELY MAKE HISTORY"
(The Junk Gypsy) |
| 5 acre Farmgirl |
Posted - Jun 03 2009 : 1:41:31 PM
Aren't everyones dreams different?
For some, it may not be to build a house, or drive a tractor, and for others it just might be to be a homemaker and raise children and have the love of your life for your entire life.....
I give it to those, and say a great big, "HURRAH"!!! who want it all, but, I am 52 and just cannot possibly do it all anymore, just do what I can....
More power to those who can do it all......YAAAA!!!!
Farmgirl Sister #368
"It is most common for man to value most what has least worth."
My Farm and Garden blog....
http://blogonthefarmandgarden.blogspot.com
|
| KD Earthwork |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 07:46:45 AM
Wow,
I love talking to all of you,even in the midst of an incredibly busy time you all are like touching home.Thank you for everyones words and deep sharing.I've been reading Wanda Urbanska's "Simple Living", trying to get even my idyllic yet too little time life sorted out.This working to support the farm reality that big agribusiness has done to us is counter-intuitive.All well, I'm just happy my husband and I are still both in good work and everyone's healthy.Good wishes to you all.
Katie |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 07:32:20 AM
Joanna- What a beautiful way of looking at life!
You ladies are an inspiration!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 06:51:53 AM
Very well put!
Linda
in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71 |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 04:58:47 AM
Katie, thank you for starting this topic and to all of you who have written here. Wow, just look at how empowered all of you are! I am saying my prayers of thanks that I have found all of you.
I have walked to the beat of my own drum for a very long time. Many have turned their backs on me, while others simply poke fun. Truly, I do not care!! Seems that those who turn their backs do so because they have been to afraid to follow their spirits to where they will lead. Those who poke fun are wishing they had the ability to do what I do. So, I always pray for all of them. . .hoping one day they to will honor their inner voice and realize that they are empowered women too!
Seems that once you have found your inner voice it empowers you through even the darkest days and allows the sun to shine even more brightly than it ever has before.
Thank you to all of you, it is so comforting to know there are others out there that feel as I do. . . empowered to do our own thing.
Joanna
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 02 2009 : 8:04:55 PM
Sandra *hugs* Your story is heartbreaking but beautiful in the end. You are so strong to come out of that experience with a positive out look on life.
You ladies never cease to amaze me! I am so lucky to know you through this forum!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| KD Earthwork |
Posted - Apr 02 2009 : 6:17:57 PM
Wow I love these amazing stories,but how difficult.There was this Gloria Steinem book I read once where the roles of men and women were written reversed.I loaned it out and don't know the name.But it protrayed woman as the dominating gender .Men would get in trouble if "they got"a woman pregnant.The examples are great,makes you realize women are a minority in this culture and men are dominating not just a patriarchial culture.
I work w/ my husband w/ this.But I still carry a huge weight for not much recognition.My projects are to be done w/ the kids or after housework,meals,shopping,dressing the family and home, working.I remember seeing that my life would be like this when I was younger,because even then I did the maintenence of my own car and created and took care of the gardens.Then of course meals and house cleaning.When kids came just more tacked on.The only saving thing is that as I watched my confidence build and try to fit in all the imaginings I wanted to do.The things I could make happen,to realize my own power,not of manipulation,or from benefiting from someone else's effort.When we built this house,basically all contracted and manifested by my skills,(my husband help hugely,but wouldn't have made it happen on his own)including the financing.It's really amazed me what I could do.This was at 46 w/ a new baby too,never stopped working either.Not to just brag,but more to recognize what I never had before how powerful I really am.
I think we got kind of a bum deal in this women's liberation stuff of trying to be like men,yet not really being able to think that way.How do we really become powerful forces of womanly,matronly leading a underground movement as leaders of the family.Not as the dominant force but in the nurturing,smart, world viewing women of the house.These last two days I'm suffering from serious lack of sleep due to a sick toddler.But it was so wonderful to feed her herbs good food and water and care and nurture her back to health.Not run to the doctor,feed her cold medicine and send her to daycare.I know this will pass thru me to her children,is this not power as well .
I think about the food issues and how busy the seed companies are this year and have hope for the world,the women are solving the food crisis in thier own way(maybe not just the women,give these good guys credit).
Anyway,go make chicken soup... Katie |
| idsweetie72 |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 12:29:41 PM
Diane, you are so correct- we do need to realize that as a woman we can do (almost) anything a man can do- (I can't write my name in the snow)
Mazy Day Farm |
| Diane B Carter |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 08:51:47 AM
My girlfriend had a start in life like Sandra, she was seperated from her sisters at age three, they were all sent to live in different houses. The father figure beat her and raped her, the mom figure ignored her screams. Thankfully she got out when she was 17ish. But found herself with child. She married the dad but soon realized he was no good. When she was 8 months along he said they were moving to California. To pay the way they sold almost everything she owned. She got lucky and found a friend who watched her son while she gave birth to her daughter. The hubby wanted another son and he left her. When her real dad, the man who gave her up and left her with abusive strangers, got old and was unalbe to care for himself she drove back to N.Y. with her 2 children picked him up and drove back to California with him and took care of him for many years. She is now married to a good man but he is sickly and she has to take care of him. They also live in Idaho. I think Kathy is wonderful and I'm so glad her life is at least peaceful. She has God in her life and feels happy. And to think women admired me for being the only girl on the track team in 1969. My dad was and still is the best man in the world. He belives a mans job is to take care of his family and his family wouldn't be their if not for his wife so mom always came first. To this day she takes care of him, driving him around,serving his meals to him but happy to do it. She also worked out of the house so I did the dinner meals, and helped mom. The boys did work but not womens work. Yet I still shoveled snow and cut grass. My parents paid for my oldest brother to go to college. I paid my own way. Life is strange,I am also on my 3ad marriage. My childrens dad was abusive to me but when he hit our 2 year old because he wanted a bite of Daddy's sub. I left, My second got into drugs,I left. This one I have now is real nice and funny and I tell him he's a keeper. He keeps on this best behavior because I have my own home in the country and I would leave in a heart beat if he was mean. I am so glad my dad never hit us or put us down. I had a good childhood and now I have a happy life. Women need to be strong and know they can do anything a man can do and usually do it neater.
Hope all your days are Sunnydays.
dianebcarterhotmailcom.blogspot.com |
| KD Earthwork |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 8:18:45 PM
Oh My God,what a story,and how well you write it,Sandra.I'm so sorry there are people such as that who are so hurt that they only know how to hurt back.Especially as a child with the people you are supposed to trust.God, I lived for eight years in a monastery,have worked there now a total of thirty years this year. I still have issues w/ my parents and others.I'm amazed at how once I forgive them and can talk to them without anger they can sometimes hear about how something affected me.Although I believe somethings are unforgivable,like what you mentioned.I think thenjust space and distance and protecting yourself has to be your concern.I'm so glad you've found someone to love you,finally.
At this monastery for a lng time I was in this "honeymoon" phase,everything I did was wonderful,held up as example to all others.I knew this was not it.Then after three years it changed and everything I did was wrong,again seconded by the whole community.At some point even in my worst thought of "who I really was,if people only knew",well this was beyond that.I realized I was neither the worst things or the best things,but I was important just the way I was,I had somethin to offer to the world no matter what.It gave me this really satisfied sense of myself that has allowed me to get through some hard times.
Good luck and much love to everyone who has undergone hard times and survived.Maybe even come back to offer something.
Katie |
| idsweetie72 |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 7:53:50 PM
Amen sis- and that's all you can do- each day is an adventure- (of sorts- some days suck though) lol
And some of my happiest memories are of my 3 kids and I living in a teeny tiny house, (my bedroom was the pantry- seriously), we had so much fun just shakin off the dust from yesterday
Mazy Day Farm |
| idcityrose |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 11:34:04 AM
Sandra, to try to imagine what you have overcome makes me realize what an incredible woman you must be. Thank God for being where you are today and with someone who is so accepting, kind and loving. My heart aches for what you must have been through and I just want to say you are special.
I haven't given up on a relationship but maybe as Katie said she wasn't paying attention to who was interested in her. I really would like someone to share things with, someone like you both have found and I do know that it still could happen. I believe if it is to be it will be. I'll just keep on doing what I do and that is how I will meet someone that is like minded.
God bless us all with the wisdom and strength to keep on "Plowin Thru!"
We are never alone in the forest of Sisters! We "Mountain Farmgirls" are outstanding in our field! |
| idsweetie72 |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 08:45:50 AM
I don't know if anyone on here from Idaho remembers, or saw, last August- the story about a lady who's step-father had escaped from the half-way house he was paroled to- and that this same man had recieved 120 years in the State of Texas for sexually,physically and mentally abusing this lady for 17 years- (he was captured and came up for parole again this Feb which was denied- he'll come up for parole again in 2012)
Anyway- I am that lady- and I want every woman, survivor or no- to realize that we are strong enough to overcome anything that is put in our path- even if we are scared- or feel insecure- or whatever you have to deal with- most of the time those hardships create a more beautiful and stronger YOU! I was so scared of men - I didn't have a voice with them- or anyone actually- I didn't know how to function in society because I had been kept from it for 17 years. When I ran away I was forced into a world that totally baffled me- I didn't understand the concept of love, kindness, trust and acceptance coming from anyone because I felt I was what my step-father and bio mom had told me all those years- "a worthless piece of ass that is only good for one thing-"
When I 'gave up' on men, and people in general- I found so much more love and peace than I have ever known. And I'm not saying that everyone needs a partner in their life to make them whole- but I do. But I need, and have,(finally), a parnter who loves me endlessly, trusts me, accepts me, never puts me down or try's to manipulate me, and one who isn't afraid of my voice that I found; but it took me 12 years after I ran away to find myself, and accept myself and all my flaws,
So I guess what I'm saying is just live your life- be who you are, find your voice, and when the timing is right- you'll find someone who compliments you, (and I say compliment instead of complete- because a true partner will that- compliment you as a woman and everything that makes you who you are.) (I'll get off my soap box now- lol- )
Mazy Day Farm |
| KD Earthwork |
Posted - Mar 25 2009 : 5:48:54 PM
Alee,
I'll look for that .I just finally splurged and got high speed internet because I'm so enjoying these "talks".I might have to ask you again how to find it.I'm pretty bad at all this computer stuff.
I don't think people should give up on things idcityrose.Your life will change now that your son is growing more independant.You never know when someone wonderful will come along who appreciates ALL of you.Sometimes I was blind to the ones who were looking.It sure is wonderful to have someone in my life it sure makes alot of things possible if you get someone to help not hinder.I think you've done all the hard work getting to know who you are.But you sound like me and I found someone who even likes all those out front strong things about me.
Katie
But thanks for all the support,sometimes it seems that no one sees it so it's nice when someone does see it. |
| idcityrose |
Posted - Mar 25 2009 : 3:56:25 PM
What a wonderful topic and what strong women you all are. Are any of you going to the BBB? because I would love to meet you.
I have given up on the idea that I will ever be part of a couple again.
I was a single mom for 17yrs,my son graduated last year. I have not even dated in that time nor do I think I can do that "dance" again. I was so busy raising my son and taking care of my shack (it is mine even if it is a shack) and working, sometimes 2 jobs. I was married 3 times so I do believe in marriage but as a child of the 60's and the baby of the family I have always had a voice. It scares men that I have an opinion. I am the only woman on our City Council (2nd term now) but I am one of 3 women on our School Board, a much better balance, but I do speak out and am not afraid of the repercussions because I had to grow into that over the years. I was a shy girl. I doubt if you could find anyone who knows me now say I am shy.
I just want to say what a powerful voice you all have, great topic Katie, Amen Sandra! One book I read to my son when he was young was called the Paperbag Princess. I don't remember the author but boy could I relate!
I love being a farmgirl and all the wonderful exposure to so many incredible women that I would never "meet" in a lifetime. Keep on Plowin Thru!!!!!
We are never alone in the forest of Sisters! We "Mountain Farmgirls" are outstanding in our field! |
| Alee |
Posted - Mar 24 2009 : 5:12:25 PM
Katie- You should join the MJ Heirloom Mavens group! Check out the "Danger of Extintion" thread and and the "Maven Tea Time". We also have a Coop over in the Henhouses. The Mavens are working towards trying to preserve the heirlooms and doing as much letter writing etc that we can to try and make sure that our heirlooms can be preserved for future generations!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| KD Earthwork |
Posted - Mar 24 2009 : 4:33:11 PM
I think it's interesting I'm reading Barbara Kingsolvers "Animal,Vegetable,Miracle".Even though I'm growing all our veggies and eggs,except right now ran out of onions and garlic.I buy grass fed local meat from my friend,plus every little while a chicken( I haven't yet had the nerve to kill one,or maybe more pluck one).I'm hardly buying any groceries from store,we live off the grid,have our own clean water.But I realize I can still be affected by these GMO's and how prevelant they are in our food and non organic.Like the granola I'm making right now that still has non-organic olive oil in it and coconut!That any non organic meat has now been fattened up with Round up sprayed corn...That heirloom seeds could be cross-pollinating w/GMO crops and changing the very structure of the seed.
Scary,frustrating...how do we change these corporate powers to care about the future? |
| idsweetie72 |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 3:59:59 PM
You are so right- I firmly believe it is my responsibilty that if I choose to raise animals, to eat or not, that they have the absolute best life I can give them. That they live with honor and die with honor- and the little buck is now out spending some time with the bigger goats- don't want my boy to gow up thinking he's a baby! (But I felt beter with him being near me for the first few days- gave him the time period to adjust and get used to th efamily- and hopefully he will retain the bond we now have throgh his lifetime)
That is an amazing story about the water buffalo lady- that would be a hoot to watch!
Mazy Day Farm |
|
|
