kindness

I have come to believe that the greatest character trait is kindness.
It is compassion & help & support & empathy all packaged with a simple bow.
But what a gift it is.  Indeed.

For 6 years, we have found an anonymous gift left at our roadside mailbox to mark
the return of spring.  This year, a robin's nest was tucked into the egg basket on our
mailbox with one sweet lettered egg that said, "spring".  I sense that I may know
the giver from my Barn Sale days...and that she travels from far on a journey homeward.
This tender act of kindness truly touches my heart.  Thank you! 💚

❤️🐱❤️

I live in this sweet world of kittens & baby goats & vintage charm.

It truly is my beloved haven.  When the world talks back too much,

I know I am blessed to have a safe place to retreat to.  A place where

kittens follow you and goats call to you across the farm yard. A place

where I can try to make sense of things.  A place where kindness

always wins & compassion is the law.  ❤️

spring kindness

For a number of years, "kindness" has been anonymously left at

our roadside mailbox to commemorate spring.  This year was no 

exception.  We arrived home to find this sweet vintage watering can

tucked into the evergreens that winter at our mailbox.  

Thank you dear friend, whoever you are.  You make me feel ever 

so special...and you remind me that spring always returns.  You are 

like my extra special Robin.  I am touched!

I have this thing for hearts!

Valentine's Day is truly on the top of my celebration list!

Such a sweet day to remember that kindness matters...

pardon me as I climb upon this soapbox

A fashionista I am not.  I have always thought it would be cool to be stylish

or boho or professional chic...but at the end of the day, I don't have time

for that - it is just not a priority to me.  So I usually find a comfortable pair

of shoes, a roomy top, a comfy pair of pants and wear them out.  

So, with rare form, Friday night I went shopping.......for clothing.  Now I 

wish I could say it was because I had just shed extra weight or had been

invited to a Whitehouse gala, but it had more to do with a new job

around the corner.

Carefully picking out some comfortable & "cute" looking tops ~~ I headed to

the mirrors we all love in the dressing room ~~ and that is where this story

actually begins.  There were clothes strewn all about, every hook taken, piles

on the floor - even empty make-up boxes in the mix (theft).  I was stunned that 

women did this!  When I went to the dressing area nearer the "older women"

area, it was no different.  Seems manners fall away behind closed doors.

I grew up learning that we pick up after ourselves, just what you did.  As a teacher, I 

always made sure the kids knew "there are no clean up elves".  

When I went to check out, I asked the clerk if the dressing rooms were always

so thoughtlessly left.  She said that it was actually part of her job to pick them up

& on that Friday they were left better than usual by customers.  Wow!  Just wow!

So it may not be a big deal, but for this young women that probably spends a 

few hours a day picking up after pigs...I mean others, kindness starts behind

that dressing room door.  It is where we, as women, accept ourselves for who we

really are.  

finding the right words

In 2014, my year was blessed by a gift I received just about 

every week...a handmade postcard from Nan.  As an artist,

Nan set a goal to create and send out a card each week.

From collage to stitchery to watercolor.....she designed & 

mailed.  

The cards were based on seasons, events, celebrations!

Whoever was on Nan's mailing list was in for some joy!!

Each card has been so special, both in the cover design 

and in the words on the stamp side.  Each card reminded 

me of the importance of words & sweet details.

Each week that a postcard arrived was met with surprise

and appreciation...."she thought of me....again!"

I am most certain my mail carrier came to wonder who 

Nan was and how she might get on this extraordinary

mailing list too!

These postcards will be paged through & looked at 

over & over.  They are intentional & meaningful!  They 

not only came from Nan's hand...but from her heart.

And just when I thought I received my favorite one...a new 

favorite one would arrive.

I find myself at some loss as to how to express my

appreciation to Nan.  So, I have decided to spread

her words...to share her kindness.

Yes, kindness matters!

And so I will count my blessings...Nan, you are most

certainly one of them!

When the final postcard arrived in December, 2014...

I cried as I held it in my hands.  Tears of thanks 

sometimes takes the place of words.

Thank you dear Nan!

such kindness

I came home a tad early from work today...

to find this waiting beneath my roadside mailbox.

Yellow tulips in a vintage tin with a sweet rusty heart adornment.

No note or name or card.  Just a sweet gift.

This is kindness, packaged in care.

To whomever left this sweet sweet gift, 

you have touched my heart.

Kindness matters.

call me kind...

or call me thoughtful, or helpful.

I aspire to this every day, every moment.

Sometimes it is easy, sometimes not.

When my son was first born...

I wished for him that his life would be

seasoned with kindness.

And as he got older,

I expected that he would be helpful without judgement.

So each day, I try.  If there is a door to be opened in some one's life, or a kind word that may be meaningful, or a "thanks" that may be unexpected....I try to offer my kindness.  In small ways, without expectations, kindness can make a difference -- I know it has in my own living.  But it isn't always easy -- I once worked at a Food Pantry, helping to organize & get food out to those that needed it that day -- another volunteer turned to me in line & with a smile shared these unexpected words regarding someone at the pantry that day, "you should see the car they drive -- they don't need this food".  My heart just hurt in that moment -- makes me cry to this day.  But I do understand, kindness is hard, helping without judgement is hard...because it is an act of selflessness.  And I also can attest to the fact that I am no Mother Teresa -- I do have a German gene coursing through by blood that can get out and out feisty or defiant at the smallest indication of, shall we call it, yucky behavior.  But in the end, I would like to be remembered as both -- strong & kind.  An advocate & a helper.  Someone who might call you out or reach out a hand. 

So -- here is my list of what I know I can do:

1. Help those in need....bird food in the winter filled daily, a dollar or two given to the bell ringer, a "here let me help..." offered without expectation.  If you are a parent, model this for your children...cause in the end they do what we do, not just what we say. 
2. Offer kindness...sometimes it is a smile, a word at just that moment....those unnoticed, no thanks needed, times when we show that this is indeed our own "better angel".

Call me kind -- most of the time

(and that is far better than none of the time).

apples

17% up this year -- that is what they say about apple production.  And, one look at our little orchard confirms this.  Several of our trees have branches so laden with apples, we have to prop them with "I mean business" pieces of wood.  Mowing the orchard under heavy branches becomes a riding mower version of doing the Limbo.  And just keeping up with the tree fall apples takes care of any need for toe touches or squats. 
All of our tree fall apples are taken in wheelbarrows to the edge of our driveway - they become our community donation.  Given to an Elk Reserve, a chicken farmer, a pie maker, or for the deer.  It is with a mix of joy & pride that we watch a car or truck stop at the end of our farm drive to take apples in the boxes, bags or truck bed that awaits.  They wave with a "thanks"...for our apples.

Do you look forward to orchard fresh apples

 at this time of the year?

compromise

I've been thinking a bit about this word lately...wondering if in the end, the only way we ever ever have "win win" is with compromise.  We each do the "give & take dance of life" -- standing firm sometimes, bending with the wind sometimes, saying "sure" sometimes.  It is really what we do - right? 

My two male unfixed tom cats - brothers mind you, have had a little debacle over who is the king of this farm.  Don't let their sweet names (Marmalade & Cinnamon) or their sweet disposition when in my arms fool you -- this was a battle.  In the end, they both decided that they could both rule -- taking turns by day -- with Marmalade as King of Meadowview Farm and Cinnamon as Prince -- not Co-King, but maybe CEO -- which was fine with Cinnamon.  They both just wanted rights to the food & milk & the love of two would-be farmers and worked it out.  They compromised.

Dave & I will celebrate 30 years of marriage this October -- funny how this happened when he is still 13 at heart and I am in my 30s (wink wink) -- but it happened.  Our dance has been the dance of compromise.  We still own our own opinions -- but have become a better union when we work together.  Tree falls on our lives, we move it limb by limb out of the way together.  Road becomes rough, we fill the potholes with gravel side by side together, wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow.  When his knee gives out, I carry the load.   When my heart is too full, he carries me.

As an early childhood educator my mantra is "play well in the sandbox"....

If you want that truck right now, I could:

      a. smack you in the head with a shovel & grab it 

      b. scream or cry to get my way (called a tantrum)

      c. work it out -- maybe with the teacher's help -- but after all these kiddos are little

Hmmm -- if 3 year olds can compromise & cooperate -- wonder why it is so difficult at times for adults to do the same?

So anyway -- been thinking about compromise just a bit lately. 

Seems that if two tom cats can figure it out -- we adults can do so too. 

Just thinking....

My sincere thanks...

It has been a year since I started this "blogging thing".

I remember wondering, who will ever be interested in what I might have to say?

I remember thinking -- well, at the very least I will have a journal for my own posterity.

And so I started....with the little picture above and

the little post found by clicking HERE

I took my first step.

And, there you were - those that have provided such

support -- thru comments, thru visits here -- whether vocal or not...

your support has mattered,

and I thank you.

I have grown over the past year --

I have learned the pace & content & climate

of this little world of my blog.

I look back at my own year, smiling often, shedding a tear at times...

ever with you at my side.

Thank you...

Really, thank you.

Kari

My Cup Overflows...

Pardon me as I make my list -

the list of all the blessings I feel at this moment.

You see, the weather may not have been great --

but to all of you that brought your warmth & energy to

the Spring Barn Sale -- my sincerest thanks.

I will post pictures soon -- but for now...

My loving thanks to:

• Dave -- you always have my back -- just do.
• Sarah & Nan -- there, without the need for fanfare - working at my side -- there.

Were you there?

What was your favorite find?

P.S. the next Barn Sale is October 8 & 9...

And....Jani we missed you.

Hearts & Stars & a Rainbow or two...Thanks Flea Market Style -- You have made my day!

If I could reach up and hold a star

for every time you've made me smile,

the entire evening sky

would be in the palm of my hand.

Author Unknown

                                           

Happy Valentines Day!

And yea...took a quick look at my favorite blogs --
and I won at the Flea Market Style Count Down Giveaway --
announced today....so, extra special!
Find this great blog by clicking on the link below:
Flea Market Style Blog

Thanks Flea Market Style Team!!

Shelter from the storm

My plans for my blog today was to take a little walk thru tour of my dining room.

However, those plans changed when we stopped at Stockmans on Saturday to pick up goat food.

I picked up a copy of the magazine, "MaryJanes Farm" and found this on the very last page.

I share it with you...

This is written by Rebekah Teal from her column "Here's the thing..."

This is titled, Shelter from the storm

     This column never turns out the way I planned.  I was going to write about those underground storm shelters you see in front yards.  Yet here I am, writing about a different kind of storm and a different kind of shelter altogether.

     It happened when I took a friend for outpatient surgery.  I brought along my laptop to get some work done while I waited.  There I was, minding my own business, when a hospital employee pushed an elderly woman in a wheelchair into the room.  He parked her right beside me.  The woman's white hair was frizzy and wild.  She wore bright orange lipstick.  She was missing a foot.

     I smiled and said "Hello."  She said, "Hello, yourself" and did not smile.  I asked her when she expected her ride to arrive.  "My sorry nephew was supposed to pick me up an hour ago.  He's not worth a dime."  And she went on and on.

     I asked if I could get her something to eat or drink.  "I ate in the cafeteria, and it was awful.   I might as well have thrown my money in the garbage."  And she went on and on.

     Wondering about her missing foot, I asked her if she had diabetes.  She quipped, "No, do you?"  She then told me about her brother in Alabama who has diabetes, "I wouldn't care if the SOB died tomorrow." and she went on and on.

     Her eyes fell on the TV in the corner.  I glanced over as Kathy Lee Gifford interviewed a guest.  "I didn't know Kathy Lee was still on television," I casually commented.  "Lord but I hate that woman," she began.  And she went on and on.

     I decided I'd heard enough.  I told her I needed to make a phone call, and I packed up my computer.  I headed out to the hallway, sat on the floor, and leaned against the wall.  Whew.  Peace at last.  I turned my laptop back on and wrote these words:  "When you're an old lady, don't let hate and negativity consume you."  Then I opened a document and started my column about underground storm shelters.

     And that's when it came to me:  I reckoned I could do with less hating today.  So I turned off my computer, packed my stuff up, and went back inside.  I took my place beside the woman.  I listened as she complained about her bank and her neighbor's dog and the electric company and weather and her health and her doctors and the carpet in the den.  She went on and on until her ride finally arrived.  I smiled and said, "Bye, now."  She looked me in the eye for a moment and said,  "Bye, yourself."  As her nephew wheeled her out, I noticed a dingy teddy bear poking out of her night bag that hung on the back of the wheelchair.  And now I can't get her, or her bear, or our encounter, out of my mind.  I wish I had asked her name.  I wish I had done something other than just sit there.

Here's the thing...Sometimes we're the storm to people around us.  And sometimes we're the shelter.

I will ponder that in my heart.

To find your way to this wonderful magazine -- click on the link below:

MaryJanes Farm

Bunny, doll shoes, bear & Raggedy Ann...all compliments of my childhood (smile).



Just a smile...

I managed to bring out my Valentine's Day decorations

-- and between starts & stops all weekend (still not feeling well),

was able to put some out. 

I do love this celebration - and the red, white & bits of black...with checkerboard.

I still own many of the Valentines I received as a child -- there is

one from Cathy, from my dad, from Jainie, from Margo...

I cherish these sweet nods to childhood.

This celebration is meant just to make you smile.

And we need that - right?

On the third day of Christmas...

The challenge -- to photograph my version of the 12 days of Christmas

from vignettes already found in my home.

My true love gave to me -

three French Hens.

The gift -- pay it forward somehow based upon my interpretation of each day.

Today I will attempt to not "ruffle any feathers" --
and be thoughtful,

remembering that this is indeed the season of good will.

I might also take my son out for chicken fajitas (sorry french hens) ---

and attempt to try out a few French words thru the day (not really a gift to anyone).

On the second day of Christmas...

The challenge: Represent the twelve days of Christmas from items already present in my home.

The gift:  Offer out a gift based upon each day.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me

Two turtle doves.

Today, my gift will be kindness. 

Be Nice...

"You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout,

I'm telling you why...

Santa Claus is coming to town."

As a child, my family celebrated Christmas in a pretty traditional way.

(the little santa above is from my childhood)

I can still remember going thru the list above to make sure I was following all the rules...

Most important to be good, be nice.

After all, I had Santa watching.

And then we would add the nativity set --- so that sweet little baby in the manger was

likely keeping an eye on me too.

Really better be good.

Don't you just wish, don't you just want at the top of all of our

wish lists for that rule to apply all year.

Be Nice...

Better be good.

Oh my, if we could just offer compassion, understanding, empathy --

if we could just give a little more when there feels like nothing is left,

what a great place we would live in.

And so I resurrected a past post: "On doves & peace & kindness"

as a reminder.  This has been on my mind, weighing heavy on my heart for some time.

There is enough blame & judgement & anger in this world, let's offer

a truce --- an olive branch.

Be Nice...thanks!

I want a bumper sticker, a shirt, a tattoo, a yard sign, a pin that says that.

Maybe I just need to start me a movement...

Be Nice, pass it on....

On doves & peace & kindness...

In this McCoy Pot sits a vintage spun cotton dove.  It rests on a metal lamp holder given with kindness by my friend, Nan, from her mother's estate.  It is a simple statement of peace & hope.

On my wish list for our world is that people would be nice, that they would reserve blame & offer kindness.  That we each would set our bar high & hold our own self accountable.  That we would remember that gentleness is a worthy attribute, as is compassion & empathy. 

Last night my son, Ian, stopped by to meet the kittens.  We ran together through a down pour of rain to get to the barn.  Wet, side by side... it was pure joy on his face as I lifted Pumpkin up from the nesting box.  He wondered if Hope, the mom cat, would be O.K. if he held the kitten.  He had stopped on an almost 3 hour journey to his summer job to meet these kittens --- with pride I watched this kind 22 year old hold little Chippewa, rain pouring off the tin roof just outside the door.  And in that moment...all was at peace, all was right in my world.

So - to remind me of this spirit of peace, I think of doves.  I remember a visitor arriving at my roof...tired from a journey, resting for hours in the shade.  No matter if it was a pigeon or a dove -- it was white & beautiful and a gift when I needed it.

And on a table I keep this basket of doves...like a candy jar.  Take two -- pass one on..."peace".

In what recent moment did you feel at peace, that all was right in your world?