Coming from a farming background Twyla and I decided from the start that we wanted to raise our family in a rural setting. This was not because we thought farming would make us wealthy, we knew better than that! This was a choice of lifestyle, not riches. And now, all these years later, even though we did not become prosperous land barons, as suspected, we can say with certainty that we actually did find treasure on our farm. Richness, it seems, comes in all shapes and sizes.
The primary goal of our farm was to raise cattle.
Over the years while we were concentrating on doing just that, we found we were soon growing so much more. We grew grains, gardens, pets, children, recipes, friends, stories, and memories. It has all been quite the journey. There can be a lot of chaos at our home but if you take the time to navigate through the confusion there’s usually a laugh or two to be had and a pretty good story to tell to friends at the end. We hope you enjoy hearing about our farming adventures as much as we do telling them.
When folks think of the rural lifestyle they often picture these smooth rolling green pastures dotted with beautiful aspens and pines, late summer flowers in blossom sprinkled about, with all sorts of farm animals standing here and there enjoying the scenic majesty of sunny mornings. Not far away will lie abundant fields of grain beginning to ripen looking forward to the fall’s harvest. And there, in the middle of it all, you will find a perfectly manicured lawn and in the middle of that, stands a beautiful white storey and a half weathered but wonderful farmhouse. Just a few steps from the house grows a lush weed free garden, bountiful fruit trees; apples, cherries, plums all lining the garden’s edge. And still a few steps further is this mighty red with white trim giant prairie barn complete with hayloft and horse stalls. Finally this whole package is framed with perfect white painted fences and a young girl skipping along the path to the barn, milk bucket swinging in hand and humming her favourite Walt Disney theme song. Sounds nice doesn’t it?
This does exist and you may see it…sometimes.
But usually life isn’t all nicely wrapped up for us like this. There are times when those rolling pastures could use a little more rain and that grain could use a few less weeds and a lot less grasshoppers. We all love aging barns but still, it’ll need some paint and a nail now and again. Let’s not forget that garden. Constant attention to that and the orchard is needed if we plan to have plenty of good food for the winter. Have I mentioned fences? Fences are in constant need of mending. Without good fences your livestock will soon put themselves on a first name basis with the neighbouring tribe. Not good. Farming is rewarding, for sure, there’s not a doubt in my mind about that, but it takes a lot of work and of that I’m just as certain.
We have strived to create that picturesque farm we have all imagined and we will share with you the stories that grow with us as we try to reach that goal. So keep an eye out for all of the ‘sugar coated’ farming experiences we plan to send your way. They are fun. But keep in mind life isn’t always like that, so we also plan to share with you those little things that don’t always go to script. In our world, we tend to experience the latter far more.
I guess we can say we’re doing ok.
Most times we can drive the road of life pretty well, but of course sometimes we do end up swerving or sliding a bit and then there are those times we end up completely off that road and right through one of those nice white rail fences we’ve chatted about. But almost always you can find something in the whole experience to laugh about…or at least to share. Ok, I guess that brings me to the end of my very first post. In closing, let me say this – Welcome to our little slice of rural imperfection and the tears and the laughter that have come with it.
