Every time antivirus ads pop up while I’m working on the computer, I “accept risk.” I don’t really think about it. Some part of me always gets annoyed that I’ve been too lazy or forgetful to look up how to make them go away, but I daringly click that box, every time. I did not apply that all the time in my life, I often stayed on the side of perceived safety. Sometimes that was the wise choice, and at others, I may have missed out on something.
I woke up happy and grateful this morning. It hasn’t all been perfect, the whole move to the countryside. It has tested my mettle and I know it will continue to do so, but wherever I go there will be bumps in the road. I am still happy that mine are now on a dirt road.
It took a bit to fit in, and as I’m still new-ish here, I’m still fitting in, but the process gets easier. I am blessed to be a city girl who gets to write for a farm newspaper and so I learn about farming all of the time. I am blown away by the consistency of farmers who tell me that they are always learning their trade. And equally surprised that so many have full time jobs in addition to running a farm. I am still dazzled by seeing where our food comes from.
I am blessed by our tiny garden. I battle all manner of insect and watch the weather and enjoy the fresh veggies. I am starting to learn how to mow with a tractor. My best plant that I tend with ease is chives. I am pretty good at throwing tomatoes far into the woods when I don’t get them right and hope that at least some critter will have a happy meal.
The friendships have humbled me. My old friendships that have survived the distance and time, as well as the new ones that keep me going. It was easy to look at folks here, the ones from here that know all the back roads and where to find the hard-to-find goods and services, and be envious to see them coasting along. But as we became closer friends, the human condition is the same. We all have our struggles and we all need people.
It was another summer of barbecues and fish fries, catching up on each other’s lives and beautiful sunsets. I dabbled in attending a welcoming church. I’m not all in, but I like it. I said goodbye to a friend who passed and another who got lost.
I get to post my adventures and learn about websites. I get to write.
The Guinea fowl are still passing through the yard and occasionally roosting on the front porch. They are ridiculous and panicky, run to me and away from me and almost never fail to make me laugh. The crickets are singing me to sleep on September nights and sometimes I hear the great horned owl. I’m going to bed grateful.
I am grateful as well that we have maintained our decades-old friendship across state lines. It is a joy to witness your metamorphosis from the confines of classroom teacher to your long-time dream of creative writer (I mean, you always were, but now it’s public!). Here’s/cheers to growth opportunities, technology, and tomato pie… <3
I appreciate your unending and multi-layered support. Here’s to making the world a more beautiful place, one friendship, garden and meal at a time.