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Across the Fence:  Frannieville, Kentucky  |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 06:48:41 AM
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Frannie: this is probably my most favorite quote in the book:
"You can kiss your family and friends good-bye
and put miles between you,
but at the same time you carry them with you
in your heart, your mind, your stomach,
because you do not just live
in a world .. but a world lives in you."
(Frederick Buechner, Telling the Truth)
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 06:50:33 AM
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another lovely thought:
"An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children.
He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part,
but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if
there were no others.
(A.W. Tozer)
I love this very concept when it comes to speaking of us and our OWN children .. and that is also what much of this book is all about for me!
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 06:55:01 AM
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i have not yet gotten to this chapter .. but i 'skipped' ahead .. and found this poem near the end of the book .. and just wanted to share it with you all:
"Breathe in me ... deep
That I might breathe ... and live
And hold me close that i might sleep
Soft held by all you give.
"Come kiss me wind and take my breath
Till you and I are one
And we will dance among the tombs
Until all death is gone.
"And no one knows that we exist
Wrapped in each other's arms
Except the One who blew the breath
That hides me safe from harm.
"Come kiss me wind and take my breath
Till you and I are one
And we will dance among the tombs
Until all death is gone.
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 06:56:23 AM
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Gurlfrenz . i would ADORE sharing your thoughts as you read chapter to chapter .. if you decide to get this lovely little book .. e-mail me .. and we'll do a one-on-one 'book-club' reading of THE SHACK.
(i'll be sharing some other 'passages' from it from time to time here too). xoxo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 07:02:40 AM
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well, the morning sun is calling to me ... going to get that morning cup of coffee and amble down to the TREEHOUSE (which is very much MY 'church') .. i have always said that: "my place of worship is under the trees"!! and finish reading THE SHACK. have a grande a glorious day gurlfrenz! xoxo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 09:19:05 AM
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i've just finished reading THE SHACK .. and am completely and totally and emotionally ... exhiliarated and exhausted .. all at the same time. it was truly a 'roller-coaster' ride for the emotions!
i don't remember crying so hard while reading a book! the ending chapters were so profound and so difficult and the depths of despair and uplifting to the heavens and JOY of life!
Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God.
OHHHH ya-ya's .. DO get this book and read it .. your soul will be affected forever! xo, frannie
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Edited by - CabinCreek-Kentucky on Oct 15 2008 09:20:05 AM |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 9:02:41 PM
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wanted to share this special story from Tilda (Pat Byers) of High Button Shoe .. who was among the special women who gathered here in Kentucky this past weekend. Love you sweet Tilda .. .and Beulah (Robin) too!
October 15, 2008
HighButtonShoe
The Farm Update/ The Journey to Kentucky
....occasionally, not often, we are given a gift, that we didn't expect, that can change us, better us, and one that we will reflect upon for time to come. Beu and me made the decision months ago to make the journey to Kentucky, with an invitation from Frannie of Freedom Farm (formerly Cabin Creek Farm) to come for a 'gurlfrenz' weekend. Knowing it would be a great trip, as we had been to Frannie's cabins a couple years ago and toured her house, in her absence, as she had run north to witness the birth of her granddaughter, this time we had the promise that we would actually meet Frannie. A trip like this is not always an easy feat. Obligations at home often deter our thinking and we let go of a plan, even though we dearly want to do it. My often Plan A to Plan Q, in the blink of an eye, you know. Fall, is always a busy time, with farm chores that must be done before the dreaded first snows, which in Michigan often do come in October. Never the less, we convinced Beu's father we must go. Frannie, may be the one person who can merely invite others to travel great distances for a weekend in Kentucky, and we come. Coming from Maryland, Texas, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, Wis-CON-sin, Ohio and Kentucky, we came.
The common denominator for us all, was Frannie herself. A free spirit, possibly eccentric (a quality I find most appealing in people, as I tend to have that trait myself, I would think...) I do believe there is no other human being quite like Frannie. A bit of description of her... she is a tiny waif of a thing, with a charm that immediately draws people to her. Perhaps her outward appearance to begin with would draw first attention. Frannie does not dress like most women. Hardly! Partial to hats and not common jewelry, she wears both, atop dresses in layers of fabrics that most would find suffocating, but she just adds layer upon layer, generally over colored tights and ankle or knee boots. If not tights, she wears brightly colored striped knee socks with sandals. Even I, who, can dress pretty odd at times, don't own striped knee socks! But then, I am wearing my old hunting grey socks at the moment, and will for the next several months, so I guess I can't comment on that.
Easily, aside from the layers of dresses and the hat, noticeable from even a distance is Frannie's signature hairdo. Long or short, it remains the same. Untamed, and this past weekend in rich colors of auburn, bleached streaks of almost white, and golds. At one time, she mentioned after removing her hat for a moment, to 'comb' her hair, she merely bent her head down, shook her hair with her hands, and content with that, put her hat back on. Indeed I believe that is her general method of combing her hair. It fits her nicely. The whole finished 'package' of Frannie fits her nicely. To know Frannie is to love her.
We left Michigan at 8AM with frost on the ground and 34 degrees. We arrived 10 hours later, with only coffee, gas, and toilet breaks. Gas was a pleasant surprise of $2.99.9 after leaving Michigan. And we found it as low as $2.76.9 before we left Kentucky.
Frannie, having gone up to Louisville airport, to pick up the fly ins, was later than we were getting there. Not surprising, apparently, as she herself describes herself as not always punctual. An understatement, and forgiven always. Her driveway is long and paved, as we found all roads in KY were. We did not see any dirt roads. The roads that would be dirt here, although paved were very narrow, all winding, and had only about 12 inches of shoulder. You definitely pay attention to your driving. At least those of us from "off" do. The locals drive much faster! If you aren't from KY, you are from "off". Only one of the local sayings that made our hearts smile over the course of the next few days. Once you drive the narrow driveway back into what we 'from the nawth' would call a section ( a fairly long drive in..) you pop over a hill, and look way down into the valley where the freedom farm is. It is quite indescribable to do it justice. Suffice to say, it about takes your breath away, in its simplicity, old buildings all painted red, tucked along with the very old log cabins that are part of the house. It is many buildings put together to form their house. Decked out for fall, with corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds, dried sunflowers and mums, the season had temporarily forgotten it was mid October and it was in the high 80's, the entire time we were there. We had brought clothes for cooler weather, so sometimes were quite frazzled in the warmth. But hairdo's were completely disregarded for a few days.
Others began to filter in and we enjoyed pizza baked in Frannie's old stove. While looking like an ancient black 100 year old wood burning cook stove, I think it was modern. We sat out on the back porch which overlooks yet another steep hillside, into the woods which surrounds the open spaces. I stayed vigil all weekend for Jake the resident 5' black cow snake, but he apparently did not make himself visible with 30 women roaming around the grounds. Smart snake. The table is probably 10-12' long and has old chairs around it. The outside sounds of the fall in the evening were almost deafening when we stopped talking long enough to listen. The evening of Kentucky sounds like the evening of Michigan.
We followed Mary and Jeanne to our cabin we had rented on the Green River, for 3 nights. Much to our surprise, our accommodations were BUNK beds. Beu took the upper, me the lower. I have not slept in bunk beds in decades! But we were comfortable. 9AM Saturday morning Eastern time, as Greensburg is Central time, (we stayed on Eastern time as most of us are EST..) Beu and me had already made our way to breakfast and COFFEE, and drove to Glovers Station, the antique building of our destination to meet the others. We sat in the sun, on the benches outside and shortly along came Miss Kledith, who without a doubt, is the epitome of southern gracious hospitality woman, and surely an asset to that store.
She had come in early to open and let us in right along with her. After hugs and reviews of our trip down, others started filtering in. Strangers to us, and each other, but we were all there for the same purpose. Friends of Frannie's. Numbering probably 20-25 women, we shopped some time (the first of many times we messed up our scheduled hours of the days activities) and all found treasures to bring back home. Next, we crossed the street, with Frannie in the lead, ahead of us, talking and gesturing to what we were going to see, as I was totally amazed that she simply walked into the street and the oncoming cars STOPPED. In Greensburg, people have the right of way, cars stop. Amazed, I thought she would get run over! The cars remained stopped on both sides until we all got across. In Michigan, we would have been run over flat! Probably with much horn honking and cursing. We went to the Greensburg Old Green County Court House, the oldest known court house west of the Alleghenies, and sitting on the old pews on the original brick floors, we were given local background of the building and the county by Nan Montgomery, a woman of great knowledge and beauty. We had met her on our last visit and I was impressed again with her as I was the first time. Like Kledith, Nan is a great asset to the community.
Leaving the court house, we walked down to a small park, where a local artist has painted murals on the building walls. Frannie instructed us to find a stone sometime in our walking to be used later. Only later did I find out the significance of the stone. One I will never forget. From there, we had a welcoming meeting with the mayor, and walked from there to a grand old house atop a hill, that Abraham Lincoln's teacher/mentor had lived in. Beautiful old stately home. Time to eat. We got take out, and drove back to Frannie's to unload gear, and car pool to SugarBucket Antiques (about 45 miles or minutes away...I forget which..but a lengthy drive of several cars trying to keep up with the lead car, as NONE of us knew where we were going, IF we lost the lead car!) Beu kept an eye on the car ahead of us, and I paid attention to the curves, and no shoulder end of the driving. At SugarBucket, we again, went thru her shop and she taught a class of fall garland, while others rested on her wrap around porch. And of course, we ate! Again! It was sweat running down your hair and back hot! The game of that stop, was cast iron frying pan toss. Easy you might think. Not!
Cast Iron is hard to fling. It is heavy, and the handle messes you up. We laughed ourselves silly. By now, 3 hours off schedule, we again got in the line of cars to our next stop of the day. Luna's sheep farm, where a class would be taught with wool to make a felted pumpkin. We watched as she did a technique of which I have forgotten the name, that separates and stretches the wool by some machine. Then it was carded. That technique I knew. It was late afternoon, still hot. Luna has tables set up in the yard by the sheep pasture. Her sheep are beautiful, and came up to the fence to greet us. Old farm tables were set with burlap cloths, and candelabras. She demonstrated spinning the wool and some tried it. Mary from Maryland was experienced with wool and very knowledgeable. Probably the rest of us..weren't. But still fascinated. The class was to make a felted wool pumpkin with dyed orange wool. (Not fabric, but wool.) I didn't take the class. Just as well, I suspect, as I know my non talents would have been most evident immediately! I sat at our smaller table and watched the others, who struggled some with the felting process. I laughed at Mary's pumpkin, which I told her resembled more an orange troll. Our table seemed to be off by itself as the darkness took over and the candles were lit. Luna has a table set with a delicious stew and homemade bread that we all got self serve and went back to our table to eat. In the darkness, lit only with the candles and lights on the fence, our table just talked. It was then, that we came to know each other. Friendships formed that will not soon be forgotten. We left about 10PM perhaps, our caravan of cars, resembling a funeral procession, back into the darkness of narrow roads and the unknown, as Frannie led us back to her drive. Beu and me opted to carry on and go to the cabin, as it was now 11PM, and did I mention HOT. In doing so, we missed the late night rendition of Frannie dancing at the tree house in a lizard mask and hands to the music sounds of Mama Mia. I am sorry we missed that!
Up again for coffee and a McDonald breakfast, we were off for Frannie's. While we had fattening McDonalds, the others were feasting on great food cooked on that old stove and served on the porch. We ate again! We ate on old gray enamelware plates. Her enamelware plate collections rivals my own in size. This day was supposed to be spent at Frannie's with 2 classes scheduled. Beu and me were signed up for the crow making class. I loved it.
And as we had brought things from home, each of us, to trade or sell, we spread our wares out on the lawns. Frannies' house was open for all. Extremely primitive, this is where I first saw the 2 doors for the same door frame, and why I have 2 doors on the opening to the bedroom off my dining room. I still don't know the reason for that custom, as I purely forgot to ask.
After classes, again off schedule, we had a pumpkin bowling event. Sending a pumpkin hurdling down her back slope to hit another pumpkin placed there. You know, something I would be good at. NOT! But after misunderstanding that we were playing BOWLING, not flinging like the fry pan, and I had flung my pumpkin way past the pumpkin and never even came remotely close...I whined and was pathetic and given another chance. Where upon, I hit the pumpkin. But so did 2 others. One time hit, is not to be believed. To do it TWO more times, impossible. But I graciously conceded my loss. (Oh, by the way, politics and stock market were taboo subjects for the weekend...) Except for my concede speech to my cheer on crowd...)
Then came the most powerful emotional part of the weekend. Told to bring a poem or writing that we would read while sitting on the ground in a circle, if we didn't bring one we had to sing and dance for our supper. We had eaten non stop for 2 days, but still the threat of that was enough for each to have a reading. Thinking sitting on the ground, would force me to have to crawl over to a tree to get back up, I sat in the circle. I had brought 2-3 readings with me, including one I didn't really intend to share, and in the end, that is the one I read. With each woman reading what they brought, we all cried. Some silent tears merely falling, others of us catching our breath and barely able to breathe, some openly sobbing. One by one, we read our paper. At the end of the readings , we each took our stone we had found, that had been a hot drag in our pockets for 2 days, and in getting up one by one we were to place our stone in what would become a heart, and say one thing that we were grateful for. The answers were as varied as we are. But all had great depth to them, and we all understood. Then we all stood,encircling her, each put a hand on Frannie, who is having cancer surgery in a few days, and Chris offered a moving, sincere prayer for Frannie's healing and the doctors skills, and also for friend Deena of www.theprimitivegathering.com who is battling cancer on a much more aggressive level. And we all cried. While this weekend gathering was not intended to be a spiritual retreat weekend, and indeed was not like ones I have been to, it was no doubt one of the most moving, personal experiences I have had. We came from different backgrounds, different states, different lives, and in the end, we were all as sisters. We hugged long, before each one was leaving to go back home. As Beu and me weren't leaving until Monday to come home, we joined Frannie and her Maryland friends, along with Betty Jo from Wis-CON-sin who had flown in also, to Campbellsville for a Mexican supper. We parted in the parking lot amid many hugs and for me and Beu, the utmost gratitude to be a part of this incredible weekend.
Monday morning we arose early and walked down from the cabin to the Green River to see Millie's River.
True southern accents melt your heart. One of the purest and most pleasing was from Miss Millie, who I believe is one of the most beautiful women I have ever met. We had to see her Green River. The fog was rising over the water, 4 deer were down to the waters edge drinking and in the other direction, with the sun just breaking thru the trees and fog was a crane standing guard in shallow water for his breakfast. We walked back up the hill, and picked up 2 bags of walnuts from the yard of our cabin to bring home for Rufus, the resident farm black squirrel who won't have walnuts from our trees due to the late frosts in June. We got coffee, and leaving road 61 one last time, we stopped on the hill outside town and trespassed in a field to take pictures of tobacco drying in an open barn. And headed home.
You had to be there, to experience the weekend. In spite of non stop eating of some of the very best food ever, I came home 'lighter', freer of some troublesome thoughts, free of stress that everyday life seems to bring some times. I will forever be grateful for this journey to Kentucky. I LOVE Kentucky. Frannie, THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN!!! And to all of you who were there with Beu and me, I will remember you. I have come to believe we all had a purpose to be there.
Back home, I faced unpacking which you KNOW I hate doing! And haven't fully gotten the truck unpacked yet. This week, the chores include moving all the antiques from the sale in Sept to the other barn. Where I am sure, Fritz the Anaconda, resident barn snake still is lurking, but I will be ready with my hoe to whomp him given the chance.
It is cold and wet. I have the fireplace on, along with my long underwear and hunting socks. So today hasn't been very productive. Ron will be sure to notice. But perhaps a pot of fresh coffee will offset my lack of ambition in his eyes. Or not.
PrimitiveGathering, the 15th of the month was released today. Our links are below. And the 15th of the month for LemonPoppySeeds was too. I have new things on PG, but show on the first for LPS. However, please check out the new listings for both.
And for those of you in this area, I will be helping at a shop in Cadillac Michigan having a Fall Open House.
Primitives in Thyme, October 25th 10-4. Located across from Wendy's down on the north end. Phone
(231) 392-2713. Great primitive antiques and folk art.
Okay, that's probably long enough reading for even my most favored readers!
Thanks for asking to be a part of our farm and life.
Should you decide not to, merely reply with remove.
in fond regard,
Tilda, with renewed spirit
probably cookies and great food applied directly to my butt,
a whole barn of stuff to move
lover of gourds
long underwear til May
content and happy
http://www.highbuttonshoe.net
http://www.lemonpoppyseeds.com/shoppes/pshighbuttonshoe/
http://www.123websiteservices.com/~craftsho/craftbooth502/index.php?x=96&y=16
http://www.theprimitivegathering.com/highbuttonshoe.htm
http://www.simplyprimitives.com/artisans/highbutton.html
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 05:28:55 AM
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GOOD THURSDAY MORNIN' GURLFRENZ!!! it's light out in this little 'holler' in 'kaintuck' .. but the sun hasn't shown her smiley face just yet! i've got an 'eye-doc' appointment this morning ... soooo .. back to e-town with me in a few minutes .. wanted to run up here and wish you all a lovely day before i head to town. AND .. of course, i'll 'make a morning of it' by stopping at the 'book store' for a cuppa' coffee and to look for some more books!
books! don't you jus' LOVE THEM! the 'piles' have gotten so deep here that i can't get to three quarters of them. i'm gonna' figger out how i can line them up so i can see them all!! not an easy task in these little cabins!
OH! did i tell ya'll that some of the gurlz peeked into the 'dreaded schoolhouse chaos' .. you'd have thought i'd let a buncha' kids loose in 'candyland' .. whenever they'd pick something up to look at it .. i told them that 'possession was nine-tenths of the law' ... and they HAD to take it with them! they all want to come back for a big 'clean the schoolhouse' party! ha! i jus' might do that at our spring gathering if i haven't gotten to all of it by then!
i do so want to clear it out .. it is beautifully done inside and is three rooms deep ... LOTS of rooms for beds and cots when lotsa' friends come to visit! oh how do we accumulate so much 'stuff' in this lifetime? (oh my .. but there are wonderful memory treasures in those boxes in there though!)
well sweet'ums .. i gotta' git my britches on and head down the roads. ya'll have a fun day .. and i'll holler at ya' later!
(have i told you lately that i love you)? (remember that olde song?)
well .. i do .. i do .. i do .. i do! (ha! another oldie but goodie!)
xoxo, frannie
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Shi-anne
True Blue Farmgirl
596 Posts
Cheryl
Ada
OK
USA
596 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 09:12:55 AM
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Frannie,
Haven't had much time online the last few weeks, but while I had a few minutes, wanted to say how much I love it here in Fannieville!
Looks like the girlfriends had an awesome time visiting and you darlins had goregous weather during their stay.
Hope to read more soon!
Happy fall!
Farmgirls don't have hot flashes ~ They have power surges! |
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LunaTheFarmLady
True Blue Farmgirl
448 Posts
Luna
Rineyville
KY
USA
448 Posts |
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homemom1fl
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Chris
Palm Harbor
FL
USA
76 Posts |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 3:30:08 PM
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Chris- You lucky girl having all that property in Greensburg!! I'm jealous. :) I've updated my blog with more photos from our weekend. Please take a peek and see what fun we had.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
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LunaTheFarmLady
True Blue Farmgirl
448 Posts
Luna
Rineyville
KY
USA
448 Posts |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 4:29:22 PM
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thanks cheryl .. oh do come visit any time .. and 'think spring' .. and perhaps another gathering here! i'm already 'conjuring' it up!
lunaaaaaaaaaaa .. i was in town TODAY! had an eye doc appointment .. eyes are great .. jus' my 6-month regular 'glaucoma' check-up .. i've tested 'borderline' for about 20 years! all is FINE .. NO signs whatsoever of diabetic retinopothy .. thank you good lord! kathy called me while i was there .. she's packing up for one of her big OHIO shows this coming weekend! soon's i'm all fit as a fiddle .. we'll all 'do lunch' ..and mayhaps a 'chick flick'! and good luck with that upcoming trip 'back home' .. you'll be in my prayers!
ohhhhh CHRIS .. how wonderous is your beautiful farm .. LOVE the window!!!! can hardly wait t'il you live here full-time .. we'll do lots of 'road-runnin' and 'creatin'!!!
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 4:35:47 PM
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karin .. i loved your tour of greensburg and tellin' some of the fun stuff we did. lordy ... looked like i was 'bawling' in that picture where i was hugging nan ... (but then .. my heart truly does overflow when i gather with the gurlfrenz!) thanks for sharing! i hope to get to my photos of 'luna's place before i hit the bed tonight.
oh .. kathy's wonderful log cabin sits in her very front yard in 'rhineyville' .. she closed out her bardstown shoppe a few months ago .. the 'ride' back and forth was a 'killer' with the gas prices!
think spring gurlfren! xo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 4:39:03 PM
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gurlfrenz .. i want to re-post this thread here .. cuz' this concept is near and dear to my heart .. and i'm hoping that we can share our 'progress' in learning to complain a little less with each passing day! oh ha! i got TWO THWAPS by that bracelet TODAY! i'll tell ya'll about them at the end of this posting:
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oh gurlfrenz .. i heard a man being interviewed the other day .. and LOVE his idea! it's all about NOT COMPLAINING .. AT ALL!!! i so often see posted on forums and bulletin boards on the internet (sadly ... including our very own farmyard).. lots of what i call "'whinin' and complainin'" ... i'm going to get his book (i already have the BAND) .. and see how long it takes ME to go 21 days without even ONE complaint! why don't we all do the same. and if you watch the 'threads' here .. and see 'complainin' .. then perhaps 'switch YOUR wristband for the gurlfrenz .. and mayhaps your love and energy and good 'vibes' will go out to them. at the very least, if we read our words carefully BEFORE hitting the POST button .. and if we see we are COMPLAINING .. perhaps we might be reminded to 'switch our words' .. so we don't have to 'switch our bracelets'. it truly would be a more wonderous world.
The Rev. Will Bowen, a minister in Kansas City, encourages people to wear a bracelet that he hopes will remind them not to grouse or gossip for 21 days.
the name of the book is: A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted .... by Will Bowen (Author)
Kansas City, Mo.
The Rev. Will Bowen never intended to launch a worldwide movement. He simply made a suggestion to his parisioners one Sunday about how they could improve their lives with the help of a wrist band. Today he's sent out more than 5 million of them to 80 different countries – and has unwittingly unleashed one of the biggest self-improvement crusades since Dale Carnegie.
Not that he's complaining, mind you. And that's precisely the point. Mr. Bowen has given up complaining – well, mostly – and he wants the rest of the world, all 6.6 billion of us, to do the same.
Bowen believes there is a direct correlation between an excess of global grousing and why the world is not the way we would like it to be. He thinks what the world needs most is for people to stop griping and start focusing on the way things should be. "I strongly believe that our thoughts create our lives," Bowen says, sitting in his tidy office at Christ Church Unity in Kansas City, Mo., where he is the senior minister. "Our words indicate what we're thinking."
When Bowen first made his suggestion in that now-serendipitous sermon in July 2006, he simply urged his congregation of 250 to shift their focus from lack to abundance by giving up complaining for 21 days. It's the length of time, he said, that it takes to break a habit.
To reinforce his message, he handed out purple silicone bracelets stamped with the word "Spirit." Those who accept the challenge wear the bracelet, moving it from wrist to wrist whenever they catch themselves complaining. Those who manage to keep their bracelets on the same wrist for three straight weeks are issued a "certificate of happiness."
Countless positive thinking techniques and self-help programs have come and gone in the decades since Norman Vincent Peale launched a cottage industry in the 1950s. Maybe it was the purple bracelet, which was Bowen's own twist, that attracted millions around the world.
"The real magic of the idea is the switching – taking it off, going back and forth," says Bowen. "Complaining is like bad breath. You notice it when it comes out of somebody else's mouth, but not when it comes out of your own."
The no-complaining idea struck a chord. Word of the initiative spread and the church began getting requests for bracelets from around the world. Bowen set up a nonprofit group, A Complaint Free World, separate from the church, and recruited volunteers to fill orders. He started giving dozens of media interviews, appearing in People magazine, and hobnobbing with Matt Lauer on national TV. One day after Bowen appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show last March, he received orders for more than 2 million bracelets. Today, requests are holding steady at about 25,000 wristbands a week.
here's a REVIEW that i read .. it sounds like a WORTHY read and advice!!!!
The author does a tremendous job of gently pointing out all the things about complaining that are both negative and futile:
+ complaining is about what you cannot have or get--get over it
+ avoid chronic complainers, the disease spreads
+ Takes 4-8 months to move from unconsciously incompetent to unconsciously competent.
+ Complaining traps you in a constant state of "something is wrong."
+ Complaining is a form of manipulation
+ Instead of complaining seek alternative language or BE SILENT
+ Silence is mature self-possession
+ Commit to what you want and go after it--WITHOUT COMPLAINT
what a happier world and more peaceful people we would all be!
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 4:40:24 PM
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i 'think' i've not complained today (so far) ..
Actually, when Rev. Bowen was interviewed (i think it was by Dr. Oz on the Oprah radio talk-show) .. he was asked if pointing out to people that they are 'complaining' is considered a complaint.
He replied it is in the 'true intent' of HOW we point it out. Which i guess is pretty much true about most of what we say. There is usually a kind way to express our feelings on an issue .. and there is a 'frustrated .. un-kind .. jus' plain GROUCHIN' way we can go about it!
POINTING BLAME is one of the first signs to look at when we say something to see if we are indeed complaining ... Dr. Bowen advises.
RETRIBUTION OR PUNISHMENT TOWARDS OTHER HUMAN SOULS .. what WE would do (judgement) is another.
Is it hard to be TRULY 'good and kind' in this lifetime? He says (like so many other uplifting things i have read and heard) It is simply a way of learning a 'new pattern' and way of looking at things. DOES IT MAKE US TRULY FEEL 'GOOD' .. when we say something? If not .. yup! it's probably GRIPING at it's finest!
I'll confess to ya'll if (ha! WHEN) i catch myself COMPLAINING about something today! (honey hunk and i are going to E-town to dinner and a movie tonight. We sometimes want to see DIFFERENT movies .. i'll watch my words closely to see if i "complain' about not wanting to see the one he wants to see .. and SNAP! switch that 'complaint bracelet' on my wrist if i do!
Gonna' pick up Dr. Bowen's book at Barnes & Noble today too! I want to read it with honey-man .. i'm curious to see what he says about our ability to ALWAYS know WHEN we are 'griping'!!! AND .. HOW we go about letting someone we love KNOW that we believe THEY are complaining ... without it being a COMPLAINT we are making!
I surely would LOVE if all of us here would have at least ONE day of promising ourselves NOT to complain .. at home .. or here in the forum .. then we could all go for TWO and THREE .. and if we love how we feel about ourselves .. we could shoot for the 21 days!!!
Anyone wanna' do this with me? xoxo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Edited by - CabinCreek-Kentucky on Oct 16 2008 5:03:33 PM |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 4:43:47 PM
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I ordered this book tonight from Barnes and Noble and won't judge what it does or does not suggest. After reading it .. i will choose what is important and relevant to me. I do believe that working towards POSITIVE change .. and DARE I SAY .. I SAW THIS DONE SUCCESSFULLY IN POWERFUL WAYS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ... and as the good reverend says .. it is the INTENT of our words .. which will decide whether we are truly working toward something 'good' .. or just 'beee-otching' out of thoughtlessness, .. which does NOT help us or our world.
Many years ago, I had the blessing of meeting Dr. Gerald Jampolsky (google him and learn all about him and his Center for Attitudinal Healing .. he is a POWERFUL teacher!) He came to my daughter's school in Denver ... to talk to children about the 'advice' they would give to the world's leaders about 'peace'. My daughter's words were captured and used in his book "Children As Teachers of Peace" .. along with children from all over the world. A few years later, he visited Annapolis, Maryland where we were living ... and brought with him several of his "special children" .. all had cancer and all had faced their fears. It was truly as if 'angels' were in the room. I remember a man in the audience raised his hand and COMPLAINED (i can't even remember about what .. but i'm tellin' you .. he was on a ROLL!!!) Dr. Jampolsky invited this gentleman to come to the stage amidst the children .. they surrounded him and hugged him with loving smiles on their faces. The man burst into tears and said that he realized that he complains about so many 'little' things compared to what these dear children were bearing in their lives. It's the 'silly' .. 'hurtful' ... thoughtless .. things that i believe we should release from our lives.
Don't be confused gurlfrenz ... THIS is very different than working towards making changes for good in our lives and in the world. AGAIN .. as Rev. Bowen says .. it is the INTENT. When we all discover what that is for each of us .. I believe we will understand what this is TRULY all about.
I'd like to share this from Dr. Jerry:
The Principles of Attitudinal Healing
1) The essence of our being is love.
2) Health is inner peace. Health is letting go of fear.
3) Giving and receiving are the same.
4) We can let go of the past and the future.
5) Now is the only time there is and each instant is for giving.
6) We can learn to love ourselves and others by forgiving rather than judging.
7) We can become love finders rather than fault finders. (COMPLAINING)
8) We can choose and direct ourselves to be peaceful inside regardless of what is happening outside.
9) We are students and teachers of each other.
10) We can focus on the whole of life rather than the fragments.
11) Since love is eternal, death need not be viewed as fearful.
12) We can always perceive ourselves and others as either extending love or giving a call for help.
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 4:47:13 PM
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ohhh .. and i have a 'good thang' to report .. NO COMPLAINTS about either our restaurant choice tonight (yummy chinese) .. OR ... our movie choice .. we BOTH wanted to see the same movie! sure makes for a lovely evening.
xoxo
Will Bowen's book A Complaint Free World is an engaging, enjoyable, easy-to-read reminder that the only permanent, constructive changes you can make in the world are the changes that you make in yourself."
—Gary Zukav, author of The Seat of the Soul and Soul to Soul
i'm really excited to be getting this book .. to understand the 'concept' of not 'complaining' ...
about the book:
In this book, you can learn what constitutes a complaint, why we complain, what benefits we think we receive from complaining, how complaining is destructive to our lives, and how we can get others around us to stop complaining. You will learn the steps to eradicating this poisonous form of expression from your life. If you stay with it, you will find that not only will you not complain, but others around you will cease to do so as well. In a short period of time, you can have the life you’ve always dreamed of having.
A SIMPLE PLAN... A LIFE-CHANGING RESULT...
A HAPPIER LIFE
·What exactly is a complaint? (Chapter 1)
·Why is complaining destructive? (Chapters 2-3)
·How can I get others around me to stop complaining? (Chapter 3)
·How can we affect social change if we don't complain? (Chapter 5)
·Why is it so hard to stop complaining? (Chapters 4-6)
·What happens once I no longer complain? (Chapter 8)
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Your thoughts create your world and your words indicate your thoughts. When you eliminate complaining from your life you will enjoy happier relationships, better health and greater prosperity. This simple program helps you set a trap for your own negativity and redirect your mind towards a more positive and rewarding life.
A Complaint Free World, inc. is a non-profit organization.
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 5:02:25 PM
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well .. i'm back home. went to my eye doc appointment (i get 6-month 'pressure checks' .. cuz' i've tested 'borderline' glaucoma for about 20-some years .. NUTHIN'!!! and NO diabetic retinopathy either. OH YAY!!!
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then i headed for Barnes and Noble and 'breakfast' .. had a yummy quiche and coffee and sat and looked at a pile of books on my 'to buy' list! today i got: AS A MAN THINKETH written by James Allen in 1902!!!
says this on the back of the book:
"The Book of Proverbs (23:7) proclaims, "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he." This adage reaches out to every condition and circumstance of human endeavor. Each of us is literally WHAT WE THINK, our character being the complete sum of all our thoughts." (James Allen). (i'll quote some passages from it as i read it).
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THWAP! THWAP! yep! that's me flippin' my 'NO-COMPLAININ' bracelet from one arm to the other .. and BACK again! i had a hankerin' for a 'taco' .. soooo .. i stopped at TACO HELL (ooops! i mean BELL!) ordered one of those fire-eatin' ones .. and oh buddy was it ever HOT! and a large unsweet iced tea. The tea was $1.60. now .. i'm used to Micky D's (McDonald's) DOLLAR iced tea .. and it's a BIG'GUN! sooooo i 'inquired' of the little 'money-takin' gurl' .. WHY is Taco Bell's Tea more than McDonald's?) She, of course, (most likely not making a 'career' or $15.00 per hour) .. looked blankly at me and replied: "I dunno'" ... i jus' smiled and paid my extra 'sixty-cents'! BUT .. when i got to the pick-up window .. i was greeted by a darling round-faced young man with a big tooth grin .. and i asked him the same thing ... only THIS time .. i also asked "how come Taco Bell doesn't compete with McDonald's DOLLAR price" .. i swear .. his answer had me laughin' so hard .. i almost couldn't drive off after gittin' my food! he jus' smiled REAL BIG and 'sang' a 'rendition of McDonald's themesong: "WE'RE NOT LOVIN' IT!"
When i did stop laughing and stopped to eat my taco .. i thought that perhaps that might qualify for one .. no! TWO! THWAPS of that bracelet! (oh .. by the way .. right now i'm using my elastic-band 'diabetes bracelet') .. gonna' git me one of 'them thar' PURPLE SPIRIT ones though!
how'd you gurlz do today?
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ran by the movies on the way home .. decided i wanted to see "BLIND" ... lordy! i only lasted 20 minutes .. it was soooo depressing! sooo .. i upped and walked into "My Best Friend's Girl" .. cute .. no academy award winner .. but i do like Kate Hudson.
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honey-man fended for himself for dinner since i was late .. and his beloved RED SOX are on TV now .. sooo .. i think i'll go start reading my new book!
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what did you gurlz do today? xo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Edited by - CabinCreek-Kentucky on Oct 16 2008 5:04:37 PM |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 5:55:20 PM
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The only thing I complained about today was stepping in chicken poop in the back yard. Other than that, I think I did ok! :) I will correct Kathy's shop location to make sure anyone visiting Rineyville can go see it! Thanks, Frannie.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
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Across the Fence: Frannieville, Kentucky |
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Frannieville, Kentucky
