| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| momtoeight |
Posted - Feb 13 2007 : 8:28:14 PM
We call it "wild Wyoming". I've lived here for 10 years, and still struggle with some of the limitations out here. A friend introduced me to these forums, and when she did, I told her I did not at all feel like a farmgirl! She told me that if I could cut up wild game on my kitchen table, then there was more farmgirl in me than I knew.
I was raised on a home farm - we raised goats, cows, chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs, and had a two acre garden. I learned to can, bake bread, mill wheat, and milk cows and goats. I could collect eggs in my bare feet and not get anything yucky between my toes! Hey, I was a kid... what did germs mean?
I still bake bread, and I still mill my own flour and roll my own oats as much as possible, but I gave up gardening 8 years ago - it was so expensive and so little grew up here (very short growing season, and moderately high altitude). I could not afford to buy fresh fruit for canning, so that went by the wayside also. Part of me would still love to have a bit of land where we could raise some cows, but I know that with my web design business, that won't happen - because I need to be closer to town to keep the business active. Of course, our town has a population of just under 300 people, so it is still VERY rural, but it isn't quite the same as having some space to wiggle a little. Still, it has taught us to make crawdad alfredo, and to cook antelope so that it is actually edible.
I've given birth to eight children, seven of whom are still living. My oldest son and his wife are expecting any day, my oldest daughter is in the Army, my next oldest son is working for my business. The younger four are still homeschooled, and help out a lot here. Husband just started working from home also - a hard adjustment, but one we feel will be for our good.
Life out here is hard sometimes. Long distances to everything, a lot of isolation, and supply lines for some things we need are hard to find. I am hoping that we can make our business grow enough to afford a greenhouse, and to be a bit more self-sufficient.
Firelight Web Studio - http://www.firelightwebstudio.com - Small Business Website Services with a Difference - Personal, Flexible, and Friendly |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 12:19:26 PM
Laura,
I'm glad you made it. This is a great forum & lots of friendly gals!!!
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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| momtoeight |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 09:39:52 AM
Pretty much anything you'd want to know about Medicine Bow is on the Town Website (I just happen to be the admin, so I know the site well). Try these two pages:
http://www.medicinebow.org/locality.htm
http://www.medicinebow.org/comment.htm
They have an assortment of info on what life is like out here.
There is an alternative energy facility coming in south of town. It is supported nationally at all levels of government, and governors from other states are supporting it because if it works, then it will pave the way for them to move forward with projects in their own states. It is supported by many people as a step forward in independence from foreign oil, and it has significant advances in environmental standards (emissions control, carbon dioxide sequestration, low sulfur fuel output, etc).
What it all means is jobs, and growth. The facility will operate just south of our town, it will use coal from a mine just 20 miles away, and it will be processed in a facility just 50 miles away. The jobs from this facility will benefit our town specifically. The size of the town is slated to double or triple.
Even then, it will still be a very small town. We will be fortunate if we can end up with a grocery store again. But I have long decided that I wanted my business poised for growth BEFORE it happened. This is definitely happening, so we are gathering local people for a citizen's committee to work on intelligent growth options. If there is a wave, I want to ride it. But I also want to be involved enough to help to insure that the growth does not batter our town and cause unreasonable problems for the people who are already here.
I've been the web admin for a total of 4 1/2 years (took two years off when my son was diagnosed with cancer, but am back at it now). I know the feeling people have for wanting to get out into a simpler life. There are properties selling north of town, you can get 40 acres for less than $1k per acre - but it is TOTALLY unimproved, and off the grid. Suitable for raising a cow or two, but cold and windy in the winter, and takes a 4X vehicle to get in and out when the roads drift or mud up. But those lots sell, as people come here with their dream for their own space that really IS their own space.
Thanks for the warm welcome. I hope to give back more than I take.
Laura - Mom to Eight
Firelight Web Studio - http://www.firelightwebstudio.com - Small Business Website Services with a Difference - Personal, Flexible, and Friendly |
| goneriding |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 08:11:46 AM
Hello!! I haven't been to Medicine Bow but it sounds soooo neat! I go thru WY about once a week on I-80. Maybe someday we will have a chance to meet!
Winona :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff... |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 07:19:20 AM
Welcome Laura - tell us more about Medicine Bow and your life! It sounds very interesting. Glad to have you here.
Ephesians 1:17 |
| Beemoosie |
Posted - Feb 14 2007 : 09:53:08 AM
Welcome Laura!
My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46,47
www.beequilting.blogspot.com
http://beemoosie-picture-diary.blogspot.com/ |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Feb 14 2007 : 08:54:05 AM
Welcome Laura!! I have been out to Medicine Bow..years and years ago...very pretty..very isolated!! I think you are more a farmgirl than alot of us..we are going to love having you here for sure!!! Welcome welcome welcome!!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| katmom |
Posted - Feb 14 2007 : 08:23:37 AM
Laura, Welcome, Welcome, Welcome.....you won't feel so out of touch when you stay connected to MJF connections.
>^..^< |
| MustangSuzie |
Posted - Feb 14 2007 : 08:11:57 AM
Welcome Laura! I know you will love it here!
Blessings....
Sarah
"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." -From The Great Law Of The Iroquois Confederacy.
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| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Feb 14 2007 : 06:41:25 AM
Hi, Laura. And welcome. You're going to fit right in. We're all farmgirls here, no matter where we live or what we do. We carry 'farmgirl' in our hearts. :)
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Feb 14 2007 : 06:13:38 AM
Welcome to the forum Laura. I would definitely say that you are a farmgirl! We may not all have lots of land and livestock, but our hearts are always on the farm. Glad you're here.
Karin |
| shelle |
Posted - Feb 14 2007 : 01:23:35 AM
Welcome to the board Laura!
Shelle
http://janzenfamilyjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Feb 13 2007 : 10:24:27 PM
welcome Laura.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
| YiberryYadeeKarin |
Posted - Feb 13 2007 : 9:34:36 PM
Laura,
I grew up in the city and now live in an area with a suburban/rural twist. I have spent time living in rural areas while working with the National Park and Forest Service. And because of those experiences, and how I feel in my heart, I feel like I'm a farmgirl. I've been to Medicine Bow more than once and you are OUT there! To me, living in such a rural area definitely makes you a farmgirl.
WELCOME!
Karin |
| jo Thompson |
Posted - Feb 13 2007 : 9:30:17 PM
Hello Laura, your gardening sounds as tough as mine. It's hard to invest when you have such a short time, luckily we have long days for awhile and things really take off..... I'm very much a farmgirl, think like one, but my heart is very liberal and open. The places I thought wild as a child are filling with people fleeing from the city for a second home and pushing the prices into the sky. You're lucky to be in a place without so many people. There are so many different stories told here, but we'll look forward to yours........ jo
"life is drab without a lab"
http://homepage.mac.com/thomja/Anchorage/PhotoAlbum15.html |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Feb 13 2007 : 9:13:03 PM
Welcome Laura, I think you will fit in just fine. You must have some interesting stories to tell. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Feb 13 2007 : 8:48:37 PM
You certainly sound like you'll fit right in here Laura and have a LOT to share with the rest of us. Welcome!
Diane |
| Bluewrenn |
Posted - Feb 13 2007 : 8:38:47 PM
Welcome, Laura. You sound like a farm girl to me... You'll love this group!
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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