It's been almost ten years since I wrote my first post on this blog. . .I had no idea what I was doing. . .What I did know was that I wanted to share with you our very unique cotton farm as we brought Granddaddy's dream back to life. . .We had pretty much renovated most of the farm buildings and were already giving tours of the farm by appointment. . .School children enjoyed living history on their visits. . .Older groups reminisced. . .Donations were coming in by the dozens. . .All that had to be finished was our Country Farm Home. . .As with the cobblers children's shoes, we had saved our own needs for last. . .John and I decided it would be fun to document our progress with the Country Farm Home blog. . .and so. . .here we are ten years later. . .Our 1930s farm manager's home has been finished for several years. . .We have been so surprised at the response and interest in it. . .It has been featured in magazines, on Arkansas PBS, and other media. . .
But our home wasn't the only thing we shared with you. . .There were stories of my amazing cat Boo, who fought Addison's disease for many years and was on a special research project to find a cure. . .There were the rag rug looms that suddenly became a cottage industry--we sold them all over the world. . .There were holidays and lazy days and special days featured. . .Open hearth cooking. . .Numerous family recipes shared. . .We dressed in about every era costume from the 18th to the 20th centuries. . .We even had a wedding or two here. . .One blog became three. . .It just went on and on. . .Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think any of this would happen. . .My only wish from the beginning was to share our life on this Delta farm. . .I wanted you to come in and sit a while through my photos and writings. . .to feel the warmth. . .the love. . .the history. . .family. . .maybe even inspiring you a little along the way. . .'from my farmhouse to yours. . .'
As with so many things in life, blessings mostly come unexpectedly. . .One such blessing that has meant the world to both of us, was in a surprise comment written in February on the GONE TO THE FARM post. . .I almost missed it and so glad I didn't. . .It brought tears. . .
Winnie, I hope you don't mind me sharing your heart-felt blessing to us. . .
Dru, I have been following your blogs for years but never really comment. I am also a subscriber to Country Rustic Magazine and have been loving all of the articles you provide! I want to thank-you for the many wonderful ideas, thoughts, recipes, bits of history and the details of what it is like to be the Farmer;s daughter of the Delta. I would be remiss if I also don't mention that your story of kitty, Boo, was near and dear to my heart, and when you lost him, I had recently loss my kitty Bump. Your story and memorial that you did on Boo was the dearest and most beautifully said tribute. I cried at every word that someone else knew how it felt to lose a special Kitty and you were able to put in words what my broken heart only felt and knew. Today, I rush to hear more about M. LaShay and his reign of your homes. He is a blessing to me because I get to hear about what moving on looks like and the joy that comes when a new furry friend takes over. So, thank-you again for your sharing of Kitties in your many articles posted on your blogs. This new post really tugged at my heartstrings because of it's simplicity. I am a lover of the American story from Jamestown(I was born and raised in Charlottesville, VA.) in 1607 through the next 400 years. Of particular interest lately has been from 1900-1970 since my parents were born 1902 and 1914. Their lives included huge changes in technology and difficulty. Both parents were raised on farms and carried forth those values of hard work, simple living, and just enough income to stay afloat. Your recounts of life on your Delta cotton farm rings bells in my head of life spent in summers on my Grandparent's Indiana farm. The lifestyle that was sometimes firmly back in the 1920s with what sort of technology was available, mixed with proximity to more modern machines and amenities that made life easier. Each decade saw newer and newer ways to farm, travel, and manage everyday homes. The fact that you had the chance to experience the transitions with your grandparents and parents , and then own the property is a story that is both wonderful and culturally important. You and your talented John have saved and created this slice of history for generations now and to come. All of your hard work is a testimony to the preservation of history and all of it's lessons and stories that deserve to be kept alive for future generations. Yes, who ever knows when the smallest and most unexpected thing will lead to a true blessing? Enjoy the safety of your farm as the nation works to end the pandemic. Soon, the time will come that green shoots will push upward and an entire new cycle of the year will unfold. I am thinking your farm must be quite beautiful when that change gets going!
Friends. . .that's why we do this. . .It's because of people like Winnie. . of people like you who have been so devoted to us all these years. . .From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you Winnie. . .and all of you. . .for boosting our spirits and sending so much love yourselves these last ten years. . .Let's see where the next ten take us. . .
I don't know if any of you noticed, but recently this blog has been down. . .labeled a 'high risk site' and not secure. . .Even I couldn't get into it! . . not until I found a backdoor. . .I am no tech, so it took me a while to figure it all out and get back up and safe. . .But we're cleared now as being secure and thank goodness, we can continue. . .although it may not be as often, since I spend most of the summer months in Missouri. . .John remains at the farm to mow and do repairs. . .I told him he could continue my writings and photos, but he passed. . .(grin). . .I will be back and forth some and will be sharing posts then. . .After all, I am really a Farmgirl at Heart. . .and I treasure the moments spent there. . .and with you. . .
