| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| ConGrazia |
Posted - Oct 07 2015 : 03:30:24 AM
I've always been a country girl. After I graduated high school, it was either college and a career in journalism or marry the handsome Illinois farmer. I've always been a dreamer, too! So (after harvest and pheasant season) I married David Butler, who had 240acres in corn and soybeans, angus cattle, hogs and sheep. Eventually we pulled up stakes, lived in Michigan in the city for barely 9 months, moved home, then to Wisconsin to run a 90 acre educational farm for a youth camp.It was pretty comprehensive--hay, barley,corn, 50 fruit trees,cattle, sheep, hogs, 500 chickens, horses, a small goat dairy and dozens of curious teenagers. After a few years there,in 1984 after the birth of our 3rd child, we joined the "caravan" with my newly retired dad, mom and several of my siblings and their families and put our roots down in the Arkansas Ozarks. I've been here ever since.My dad deeded 40 acres to us with "live water" and lovely bottom ground.David became the pastor of the local Baptist church. We raised and home schooled our 5 children and used the farm to keep ourselves in good food and scrape in a little extra income.I lived the farm woman/pastor's wife life and enjoyed many blessings. David had a massive heart attack in late 1993 and became semi-invalid for the next 15 years until his death in 2009. That intensified my farm girl experience a bit. After his death, I basically had a pile of weeds and some equipment I couldn't maintain, and was looking for a job. I was given the opportunity to start a non-profit children's string orchestra that donates instruments in rural Marion county. In 2011 I fell in love again,with this wonderful man who voluteered to help the "widow lady" by tilling my garden space. I married James Bebout. Whereas David had been the strong, silent quintessential farmer type, James (aka Buddy)is a retired Merchant Marine Chief Engineer who has been to 50+ countries and had been raising his triplets by himself on 240 Ozark acres for 6 years. Strong, certainly, but no introvert! So I have gone from stay-at-home home school mom farmer/preacher's wife of 32 years to career orchestra conductor newly wed lady-farmer-blended-family-mother of eight-grandmother of 9 with two farms and tons of well seasoned ideas to spread around.And many pleadings for help and encouragement! I am building up my Katahdin sheep herd again, hoping to do rotational grazing, trying to keep our local farmer's market inspired and supplied, and fixing up a 1964 Shasta camper trailer I found in the woods.
With Grace & Truth |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Killarney |
Posted - Dec 28 2015 : 4:43:59 PM
Welcome Kathy! from your neighbor state!.png?v 87646469)
Farmgirl Hugs! Connie
Imagine....#3392 |
| KristiW |
Posted - Dec 24 2015 : 12:31:33 PM
Welcome Kathy, I think you're going to love it here!
Kristine
Farmgirl Sister #6
Not all who wander are lost. |
| DandeeRose |
Posted - Dec 23 2015 : 11:04:27 PM
Welcome Kathy! What an amazing story!!
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232
http://themostlycrunchyfarmgirl.wordpress.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Dec 21 2015 : 6:28:46 PM
Hi Kathy,
Welcome to the Farmgirl Connection! Great place to be!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| katmom |
Posted - Nov 14 2015 : 8:57:09 PM
hey Kathy... how is your '65 Shasta coming along.. check out CeeJay and my posts on the Outpost Thread... here on the MJF forum..
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| cajungal |
Posted - Nov 12 2015 : 05:36:43 AM
Welcome, Kathy! I agree with MJ, your story reads like a novel. I could see a good LMN(Lifetime Movie) made of it.
Blessings!
Catherine
Sister #76 (2005)
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt.
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| Bear5 |
Posted - Nov 11 2015 : 1:21:30 PM
Welcome, Kathy. Enjoy your time with all of the Farm Girls.
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 |
| marjean |
Posted - Nov 11 2015 : 10:58:32 AM
Welcome! Kathy to MJF forum from a Florida Farm Gril. You'll find lots of great tips and listening ears here anytime you feel the need to share.
Farmgirl sister #308
Buying Club & Marketing
www.marketsofsunshine.com
Bible Research
www.jw.org |
| sherone_13 |
Posted - Nov 09 2015 : 07:36:04 AM
*waving at ya from Wyoming* Welcome to Farmgirls!
Sherone
Farmgirl Sister #1682
My Blog
www.annapearlsattic.blogspot.com
My Etsy
www.etsy.com/shop/annapearlsattic
My Avon
www.youravon.com/sheronetaylor
Women are angels. When someone breaks our wings, we just jump on our broomsticks and fly! We are flexible that way! |
| DandeeRose |
Posted - Nov 08 2015 : 4:16:19 PM
Welcome Kathy!!
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232
http://themostlycrunchyfarmgirl.wordpress.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
| ClaireSky |
Posted - Nov 08 2015 : 12:38:09 PM
A Big Wisconsin Welcome, Kathy!! Thank you for sharing your life story. It's very interesting and inspiring!! Look forward to hearing more about your life. 
Julie
Farmgirl #399
May 2010 Farmgirl of the Month
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog ... Charles F. Doran |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Nov 08 2015 : 12:16:13 PM
Welcome Kathy! Wow, what an adventure you have been on! Thank you for sharing your story with us. You seem to keep yourself really busy. I can’t wait to hear of some of your “well-seasoned ideas” that you plan to share. Keep it up and continue to be the strong woman that you are!
Krista |
| msdoolittle |
Posted - Nov 08 2015 : 09:09:08 AM
We just got back from the Ozarks! I LOVE it! Welcome, welcome. :)
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
| katmom |
Posted - Oct 10 2015 : 2:21:06 PM
A great BIG Welcome to you Kathy....
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
| guineahen |
Posted - Oct 10 2015 : 04:10:38 AM
Welcome and wow, what a full life! Looking forward to learning from you. I am starting up a flock-clun forest and black welsh. |
| homespunlivin |
Posted - Oct 09 2015 : 8:52:18 PM
Hi Kathy,
I wanted to send you a Louisiana welcome. Your story is beautiful! I look forward to gleaning from your farmgirl experiences.
"Your braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." - Christopher Robin |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Oct 08 2015 : 8:54:25 PM
Welcome Kathy from Loleta CA.
I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.
by Frances Farmer
Just follow God unquestioningly.
Because you love Him so, for if you trust His judgment there is nothing you need to know.
I trust in you Jesus... |
| texdane |
Posted - Oct 08 2015 : 6:44:30 PM
Welcome, Kathy! MaryJane said what I was thinking...your story is so interesting. I am looking forward to hearing more.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/
www.facebook.com/suburbanfarmgirlblogger |
| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Oct 08 2015 : 3:54:49 PM
Kathy, welcome from Minnesota. You sure are energetic. God bless your new life. It will be fun to hear more from you.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| TexasWildflower |
Posted - Oct 08 2015 : 08:57:09 AM
Welcome, Kathy! All I can say, after reading about your life, is Wow!! I wish you excitement and much happiness, and I'm so glad you joined us.
"I basically had a pile of weeds and some equipment I couldn't maintain"...multiply that by 25 acres and you described me. :) Only I'm on my own after 38 years of marriage and a divorce.
Again, Welcome!
Wanda
Farmgirl sister #3399
www.wandasturrock.com
'The Simply Lived Life' blog http://www.wandasturrock.com/website/blog/ |
| forgetmenot |
Posted - Oct 08 2015 : 08:14:53 AM
Welcome, Kathy! Wow, whatta life!...and, you're just getting to the good part! Can't wait to hear more from you. Your introduction is inspiring.
Farmgirl sister #3926
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Oct 08 2015 : 06:18:48 AM
Welcome Kathy! I loved reading your introduction! Your story is extremely inspiring! As I am clueless regarding your breed of sheep,could you tell me more? Looking forward to learning more from you!
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
| ConGrazia |
Posted - Oct 08 2015 : 03:39:00 AM
Wow, thanks everyone! One experience in farming that is new to me is a sisterhood like this! Red Tractor Girl, the card you sent from sunny Florida was extra-special! I am fixing up my FarmGirl badge and will wear it proudly! Thanks, Yellow Rose, Song Sparrow, & NY Pumpkin Girl--I too am excited and have so much to learn! Many hugs in return! Mary Jane, my sister and I fought (in a friendly fashion) over who got to pore over your book during spare moments 'til I gave it to her so I could use it as an excuse to drop in on her more often. ;) I don't know if it makes sense, but you have encouraged me by making my farmgirl dreams seem much more accessible and "do-able". I'll be around!
With Grace & Truth |
| MaryJane |
Posted - Oct 07 2015 : 7:56:25 PM
Welcome Kathy. Your life reads like a good novel with a happy ending. You are one busy woman!!!!! Love it that you are fixing up a Shasta. I have one I'm fixing up also. Why, just tonight I was in mine trying to decide what kind of flooring I'm going to put in it. Thank you again for sharing your life's journey with us. We hope to continue to see what unfolds next.
MaryJane, Farmgirl #1 Plowin' Thru ~ giving aprons a good wrap for 45 years and counting ~
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| NY Pumpkin girl |
Posted - Oct 07 2015 : 2:39:23 PM
Welcome Kathy, it sounds like you have had quite the adventures in life. Nice to meet you...
NY Pumpkin girl |
