What A New Pair Of Boots Can Do...

I am kind of in between the rough and tumble, and a bit of a priss. I don't mind getting my hands dirty, and working up a sweat doing honest work, while being truly grateful for indoor plumbing and the occasional latte. I've worked in a seafood processor (Icicle Seafoods, Inc.) during tanner crab season (3rd from the right, 3rd again,), and that specific job gave me a real appreciation for hard work and drive (as well as a hot shower after working in a freezer for 10 hrs!). I think the fact that I've given birth, fearlessly three times (okay, maybe there was a bit of trepidation with the first) is further proof that I am quite capable and strong. Still, the transformation that our family has been going through, getting this farm up and running again, has amazed me.

It truly hit me, when I traded my girlie Sketchers in, for a pair of Danners, and I was excited about it. I wore them all day after bringing them home, and love them. I had gone in looking for work boots, to protect my feet and shins and was so disappointed in the selection for women. I mean, they were "pretty" and hardly serious! I looked towards the men's department, certain I wouldn't find a pair less than 10 lbs and ugly. Luckily, my husband helped me try a few on, and I walked away with these:

Now, I am ready to go hiking, stomping through the brush, get down and dirty doing yard work and gleaning material from the old homestead.... of course, that brings up something else I am working on... the ick factor of spiders and cobwebs in dark dusty places. I can push through for a while, before having to retreat to madly slap and brush off real AND imagined bugs. Hey, love me for who I am! Or you can show yourself to the door!

Now, when the morning comes, and my soon to be 8 year old asks, "What are we doing today momma?" I can say with confidence, "Adventuring!"

How Do You Know Your Farmer Loves You?

Montana American Gothic

I went out to water the garden yesterday, while my husband and two of my boys were gone working at one of the grandmother's. Earlier, my husband had asked me not to forget to water it around 3pm. I put Lachlan in his pack, and went outside. It was pretty hot and humid, but luckily there was a good breeze going. As I went down the rows, carefully watching the hose so it didn't drag through, I noticed something in the dirt. A lovingly drawn heart, still holding a little water in the lines, in one of the paths between the rows of veggies. THAT'S how you know, your farmer loves you. ♥

Organic Expressions of Love