So, where did we leave off....?!?

Ah yes, I had wandered off (in the literal and figurative sense) for much needed
muddling, mulling and mucking my way thru a great deal of non-life-threatening

but heart wrenching angst, longing for a sign of some sort or another....

The back story?
Short and sweet (or as sweetly as I'm able right now, lol)
is that for a very long time when my paint brush was still and my heart was open

and amid the moments the farm hasn't been a whirlwind of calamity, lol
I've poured my heart and thoughts, observations and reactions into a manuscript of our story.

The story she and I share. Of how this old farm and I saved each other.

She and I and a cast of many, many others. It's a simple, funny, somewhat (hopefully) insightful tale of how life will sometimes go miserably wrong thru no fault of your own.  Events beyond your control will leave you helpless - short of starting over & beginning a whole new life from the ground up. The series of kindnesses, heartaches, victories, and coincidences that occurred again and again. Each a piece of the story with so many surprises along the way.

A tiny little book that I never (ever) intended to be 'significant' although it mattered greatly to me. I think that for years it has been my therapy (as much as the farm itself), my journal, and my solace. I hoped that perhaps my little book would encourage or cheer or amuse a handful of other like minded souls. I thought some out there would be interested in what it was like to rehab a hopeless old farm. And barn. And tractor. Or maybe there were others that, like me, had their life-plan destroyed and left in need of a rebuild because of unbidden changes. On my more self-critical days I thought maybe someone would decide to read it just because they liked its odd title or the still-only-an-idea-in-my-mind book cover lol.  Best of all I was on track for sending it out into the world to share with others.

But a new footnote was added to the story when a couple of weeks back when I learned that a verbal commitment and a confirmation of intent do not a reliable commitment make....

As it was explained to me: the current dynamic shift in market & sales from print publications in favor of e-publishing (which we currently do not offer) has forced us to re-evaluate all pending & intended but non-contractual commitments (which was, of course, very much within their rights).  So within steps of the finish line, amid typing out the last chapter and edits, the door was closed. And how foolish of me not to have forseen this possibility. How naive. Sad, frustrated and I admit, angry, I found myself left with nothing but the closing words:
"As we continue to feel your work holds merit we encourage you to pursue e-publishing your manuscript thru a suggested e-publisher or personally "

Ah yes, indeed.
Do I seek to re-sub to the 'suggested e-publisher' and begin that dance once again?
Or self publish?
And if only I had the vaguest notion or any experience of how to e-publishand then e-market, and then, and then... 

(well you see where all the pondering came to be necessary).

Many walks, much research, more walks and ok I confess a tiny little bit of
feeling sorry for myself with a side of feeling stupid for not requiring a firm commitment ensued for a couple of weeks. All the while wondering what was best, right up to and including scrap heaping the little book all-together. No option was off the table.

And then....

Then the almost funny 'sign' appeared one day in the old farmhouse laundry room.
The wind was WILD that day, from an odd direction. The curtain flapped and sailed in the relentless wind as tho it were intent on battering me. It was in the 90's and far to hot to close the window. I have no curtain retainer hook or pull back on this huge curtain as it seldom moves so I had no way to restrain it as it pummelled me! lol.  As I employed an 'alternate solution' I saw my signal, my sign.
And I took a picture to show you, even as my mind was saying
When the unexpected happens, the best solution lies in what you can do for yourself

So, as of this writing I have to once and for all decide if this tiny book of mine about a little farm in a little valley that has taught me so much about life and myself and has made me laugh and cry and grow is worthy of pursuing. Worthy of learning how to e-publish on my own, so I can hold the reins.  

The farm and I have learned together to do many MANY things I never thought I'd be able to do in my entire life. The question is, should e-pub-pursuing the little book of 'our story' be one more????

*Thank you SO much for each and every comment/email of encouragement and concern shared yesterday and
before. Your input, thoughts and caring have been (and are)  of more comfort and value than I could ever tell each of you!*

Soon!

I'll be back with a post tomorrow!
Many thanks to everyone who's sent along words of encouragement

concern and cheer as I've muddled and mulled.

I count myself lucky x a million for each of you
for each comment or email.

Especially considering it was a crisis of the heart and not a life crisis.
I'm amazed and grateful for your kindness.
The cloud is an amazing place (for a 'non-place'! lol)

Thank you

More soon!
(and it's a back to cheerful more soon)   :-)

Intensity

My apology for having missed Monday Muse-Day this week

I won't lie. Recent days have been intense and unsettling.

Decisions to be sorted, approaches to be considered.
Actions, re-actions and emotions to be

evaluated, bridled and reined in, down to a functional gallop
(rearing and snorting render no progress down the trail).

  I wish there were 'signs'

direct, straight-forward indicators

advising me of the best course at such

times...

I'd love some indicator(s) to assist as I choose

 direction, action, words, tone, bonding, severing

facial expression, solutions(s), bribe, threat? (lol),

commitment, abandonment, encourage-discourage-ment.
Rally the forces, go it alone, stop, proceed, turn 180, turn 360,

scrap an idea, an entire project, scrap the naysayers, scrap some relationships,
confront, avoid be angry, annoyed? Be relieved, released.

Refocus? Redirect?

Re-Invent?

Responsibility? Resolution? Reconstitution? 

Revolution?
 (as in the personal variety)

You know, I need only a subtle sign from the universe...
That would be astoundingly helpful.

 Because there are times, there are situations,

there are dynamics vectored in such a way

that it is simply impossible to even guess the 

the correct choice - in both practical terms

and karmic terms...

A low-key straight-forward

sign from the universe.

That's what I need...

So, if I'm a bit absent from 'woman seeking' it's only due to the fact

 I'm out walking, pondering, considering, 'sign-seeking' ...
Amid the woods and fields, within the old barn timbers.
I'll seek a word with the sparrows and crows.

Excellent consultants, one and all....

Wish me luck

**nothing health related or dreadful afoot,
so to those who would worry don't.
Tis all life/work/interaction/decisions related.
Maddening but (happily) not threatening

(except to my sanity :-) **

Elements Of Visual Texture

Cities, towns and suburbs are defined by certain

visual elements. Concrete, glass, asphalt, plastic wood.

Linear, geometric, precise, angular.

Farms and ag districts are defined by wide array of ever changing

visual elements. Without doubt concrete, glass, wood are major aspects

of many old farm houses and barns. Yet there's also softer

visually random rubble stone, cobblestone and dry stack stone in walls
and foundations. Far from linear, geometric or angular - tho precision

of skill and placement is essential if they are to survive.

So even at 'ground level' the visual input on the farm differs.

 The true sirens' song of ever changing visual textural beauty on the farm

belongs to the fields and woodlands. Alongside livestock and crop planting

nature creates her own vignettes. Painting the paths with grasses tall and soft

or waxed and shining in the sun. Wildflowers that mock my efforts to 'garden'.

 Rock strewn paths that have been part of this farm since the 1800's are the work
of nature and time. Color, texture, depth of contrast ~ mossy rockery, species mixes abound. There are hundred and hundred of variations on these acres. Shape and color variants are too numerous to count.

From a vibrant splash of color in the wild berries to deer runs. Varied shapes of animal tracks, domestic and wild decorate the stream mud and the sheltered woods. Deep and verdant green in the tree and rock moss. Endless shape, size, types of large rock along the paths, amid the wood lots.

Some moved, located by those who farmed or grazed the land generations before my time. Some randomly arranged in ancient glacial days and never (ever) touched or altered.

Magic

In the years I've walked, worked, rested, explored, sought center and dreamed on this farm I've discovered that time is another 'texture' that is a visual element on the farm....

Less angular, geometric, reflective.
More soft, swaying, seasonal.

Always changed, yet ever the same.

Flowing yet static, stable.

Perhaps, all combined, what I see here is the visual texture of time?

Something-ville

Drippingly hot temperatures yet again today led me to take a

drive along the shady country back roads. There's no lack of shade
at the farm, but windows wide open at 55mph provides a

much higher volume of air movement. And depending upon how

strong or weak willed I am there's the possibility of stopping for

ice cream on the way home from such a drive....

Zipping along I noticed a simple sign - nothing more than sale today
with an arrow. On a whim I followed and arrived within moments

at a tiny but charming 'town center' - a town whose name ended with

"ville"

Isn't if curious (and lovely) how many towns are something-villes?

Shortsville, Mechanixville, Bartonsville

Always rings warm, friendly, pleasant to me.

A bit down the road I found the sale ~ under ancient old maple trees

the shade and treasure beckoned, come hither.  The gentleman in charge

was charming, talkative and happy. We exchanged a bit of banter and then
I strolled the tables overflowing with interesting bits.

My favorite spot was the 10 cent table

Indeed, perfect items for ten cents each

He shared stories about several of the items I'd chosen

his weather worn face smiling, he's eyes alight with memories.

With my arms around a dusty old cardboard box overflowing with

wonderful 10 cent items I headed towards home. I thought how truly

grand it was to have come across someone smiling and friendly. 

I thought how nice it was he'd shared the memories of the pieces
he was passing on - those items & their stories now mine.  

Windows all down, driving back to the farm from something-ville

content and with treasure, I decided to skip the ice cream.
I'd already found  my 'treat' for the day.....

Hope your day held something 'treat-ish' too  :-)

It's Been One Of Those Days....

1) The toilet filler valve was leaking - replaced

2) New one fills so slow seasons change between tank fills

3)Replaced again with another new filler

4) See two

(no, I'm not kidding)

All set to paint and now, just as I have days free to paint

it's going to

rain

Sort of a twist your shorts day for certain

I'm going for a walk in the low pasture

amid views like this

(how they've survived this drought I know not)!

And whilst I walk
I'll re-re-re-re-remind myself of the difference

between real problems and simple knicker-twisting annoyances

The toilet will fill properly eventually

More paint will be put on, just later than  I  had planned

 I'm off to the low pasture now ~ taking my camera
(for more pics ~ would you like to see)?

PS *I'm now officially done whining, lol*

Thanks for listening :-)

August Evening Sunlight

Monday Muse-Day #2

Last week was such fun!
Shall we go again?!??
If so, here's #2

~~~

Three random pictures

from the farm I chose today
Do they whisper something to you?
Will you share here what they say?!

Just a bit of wool gathering, a bit of fun really :-)

If you'd like to join in, share a single word

(the first that comes to mind or otherwise)

that you think of when you see this picture....

Just One word.

A single word from a book or poem title?

One word snipped from a memory, or an impression?

Easy Peasy - Just One Single Word.

I hope you'll join in and leave your "word" in thr comments

on this, the next Monday Muse-day at the farm!
(PS Subscribe to comments to see everyones word, including mine)

Monday Muse-day

Three random pictures
 from the farm I chose today
Do they whisper something to you?
Will you share here what they say?!

Just a bit of wool gathering, a bit of fun really :-)
If you'd like to join in, share a single word

(the first that comes to mind or otherwise)

 that you think of when you see this picture....
 Just One word.
A single word from a book or poem title?
 One word snipped from a memory, or an impression?
Easy Peasy - Just One Single Word.

I hope you'll join in and leave your "word" in thr comments

on this, the first Monday Muse-day at the farm!

An Oft Forgotten Skill

Recently I found an email in my in box ~ I love hearing from readers by the way! ~ with a question. Within her lovely note she wondered how it was I am so happy ~ every single day cheerful and upbeat?

There are questions that come via email that give me reason to ponder to think - excellent!  Many I answer privately, leading to periodic wonderful e-versations (email conversations) Some queries I reply to but do not (for various reasons) answer the specific question(s) within. What I've not done before is to share any of the queries and my responses here.  Would that be of interest? (let me know and if so, email me questions.  I make no promise that I'll answer every question for my own and various reasons in either email or here. But no doubt I oft WILL email reply to you or share it here - again if of interest??!!  I'll leave that to you - let me know, yea or nay  :-)

Now back to her question.....



One of the farms woodlands

To be honest, there have been, are still and ever will be days I would not (by a long stretch, lol) be described as cheerful. Oh no, not in the least, lol.  Let me admit, declare, decree and confess there have been/are dark days.  There are worrying days. There are run of the mill annoying days. Silly-stuff-that-happens-days.  Days that I thought had no escape, no hope. Days that are made right by a beer  or two (or four, lol) on my porch safely off the road in the company of singing frogs.  Days that are set right by a good nites sleep. Days that are fixed because they end and become tomorrow and I try again, I try harder or smarter or from a different direction.  Some days are repaired by finally admitting I am being an ass and deciding to stop being an ass. Or stop being stubborn. Or realize I don't have all the answers roflmao.

So the farm, and life, and events and I are not as perfectly happy as it perhaps seems.
Life is messy.
Life is hard.
Life is uncontrollable in both large and small ways at times.

And for the record I think it both important & good that we share problems, issues & worries with others in person & online

But....

Betwixt and between all of the scrapes and bruises, falls and failures, there is a lot of 'happy'.  An abundance of good. Days of 'it worked!' Stretches of contentment. The difference, in my small and humble slice of life experience and even more humble opinion is that you have to learn, and then value and then struggle to CHOOSE to see the positive.

I'm not sure when I (or the world at large) first forsook the ability to decide to see the up side of things. I don't know when it became more common to wail and complain than to share stories of success or progress. I can't tell you when it became common to omit discussion of good happenings, warm happy events, share a joke, a smile, say thank you. 

At one point after my life turned itself upside down and I'd wailed until even I was tired of hearing my own whining I leaned or re-learned that I possessed the ability and the skill and the choice to focus. I didn't have to ignore my problems to also see the positive. Problems, mine and yours were/are real.  I will always feel fear, dread the unknown, be annoyed when things break, et al  But I came to see and understand that I decide every day, each hour, each event, how much of my mind, heart soul and time I give to every single thing that crosses my path in a day, any day, every day. Good or bad I decide what I'll give it of myself.

I decide what I send out into the world - inside my farmhouse, in my car, on my blog, in my emails, at the coffee shop, grocery store. Let me tell you my discovery - always or often being angry and negative is exhausting and changes very little. Being cheerful is uplifting (to me) even when it's not mirrored. Best news? Often it is returned in kind. There are days (oh there are days) when the best I can muster is to simply be quiet, keep the mouth zipped, lol.  But even that is a step above negativity.

All you have to do to have a happier life is to choose, then WORK (hourly) at setting your focus on the good, the funny, the warm. Decide who you want to be, for yourself, for those you love, for strangers, for the community you are a part of. And that is true for real life and online life.

I understand self discipline is hard and not greatly in vouge these days. I know there's SO much sadness for so many. In fact tho more for some and less for others, I finally understand EVERYONE has problems, heartbreak. What I don't understand is when we lost sight of the fact each of us chooses and takes responsibility for what we focus on, what we talk about, what we say, how we say it, how we live.  It's an oft forgotten skill, deciding to 'be happy'.  It's a choice much like what we eat, what we wear. Think of it as an every day decision. It's out there - some small thing that is good in your life ~ most every day even as other things go spinning wildly wrong.

See? That question really made me ponder, make me  think, made me sort 'the threads of why' out a  bit!

PS remember, let me know if you'd like to see more 'questions answered' posts of this kind...
PSS I daresay  not all the replies will be this lengthy, lol