(me with my 1967 Ford Mustang)
Where to start?
The beginning is good but that was such a long time ago so I’ll just jump in now and play a game of catch-up. For some time, I’ve been working on a new look for my blog and hired Gretchen Louise to both migrate blogspot (which was begun in May 2005) to WordPress (September 2018) and put in a new theme (Restored 316) with Genesis as the parent. (If the terminology is incorrect, it’s due to my ignorance.) Gina, a former neighbor in Tazewell County, did the logo with tweaking input from Anita (Did You Bring Your Camera blog but I can’t remember the address…note to self: ask Gretchen where my “Cozy Visits” list is hiding) and Gretchen.
I attended two conferences: She Speaks (writer’s conference) in July and Activate (bloggers conference) in September; both were outstanding and hugely instrumental in pushing me forward. I’ve mentioned before I wanted to change blog direction and it’s important to me to delve into that decision a tad more.
It’s been said when an old person dies, a library is lost and that’s true. I remember some of what I learned from Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Ray, Aunt Esther, Uncle Clarence, my parents, grandparents and so many others but it’s a drop in the bucket to what I’ve forgotten and what they never got around to telling. Uncle Ray took me ramp hunting and taught me how to find the earliest ramps, teasing through the early spring growth, stretching for the warmth of the sun. We’d bring them home where Aunt Bonnie would fry them with sausage and potatoes and, sometimes, throw in a spring green onion or three (after all, if a thing is good, why not make it great?) They would drink sweet ice tea or hot coffee while I’d have a glass of cold milk, fresh from Belle, the Jersey cow just milked that morning.
Good times, good times.
(Daddy, about 7 years old, with his twin black lambs. Yes, there are several stories behind this photo.)
Uncle Clarence started Daddy in beekeeping when Dad was only twelve; last month, Daddy turned 90 so he’s been at it for a while. Aunt Esther taught me how to make short turns of apple butter in a crock pot and how to hunt morel mushrooms. At age 13, Mom started me canning when I found a vine of Fox Grapes and brought them home. That white grape jelly tasted so good when, as Aunt Rena used to say, the snowballs flew.
Dave and I in Russia, 2004 (“The room was always too crowded until you walked in, love as strong as death.”)
If you want to read the real beginning, how Dave and I met in Richmond, VA, click here. Fast (haha) forward six years when Dave and I bought the Appy Mtn farm in May 1995; he moved there in June, I followed in July, we married July 22 and hit the floor running. We slaughtered hogs (mercy! what a l.o.n.g. day that was!), processed them for the table but the first two “livestock” we actually bought were two Pygora (Pygmy and Angora crosses) goats for my first birthday on the farm then I moved to American Curly horses, Shetland, Romney, Merino sheep with some crosses there as well. Those sheep were used strictly as pets and for wool production, no one had to worry about ending up on the supper table (except for one ill humored ram who couldn’t get it through his thick skull that butting was totally UNacceptable!). After Dave died, I tried raising Black Angus beeves and four rescued alpacas also found their way to the farm.
(with my pals, Abigail, Grace, Shadow and my Romney ewe and her lambs)
During those couple of decades I was richly blessed so I tried to be a blessing. We hosted The Appalachian Heritage Festival in the Cove and thousands came to see life on an Appy Mtn farm and watch as various artisans made things the old fashioned way, one at a time, with their hands. We opened the farm for Sheep Shearing Day (here, here, here) and farm tours for school children, seniors, special needs and anyone who wanted to visit a working farm. Click here for a short history of Thistle Cove Farm and what Dave and I were up to, although, truth be told, it was more me as he usually watched from the warm/cool side of the window. When we bought the farm he said, “You can do anything you want, just don’t lose too much money.” He was as surprised as I when I began making money!
My booth at the 2007 Richmond Virginia Folk Festival when I was part of the Virginia Folklife Program. The quilt is circa 1800’s, the batting is wool.
The Lost Arts Guild was started to showcase those heritage arts of a by-gone day when folks made their own baskets, their own music, their own clothing, brooms, spun yarn, churned butter, blacksmiths had a shop, men worked in wood and so many more. “LOST ARTS GUILD Mission Statement ~ “To provide a nurturing atmosphere in which crafts-people and artists, using natural and/or organic materials may expand their areas of expertise and have a market-place to sell their wares. Further, to educate others by teaching our arts and crafts.”
Concord University allowed me to become Adjunct Professor and actually asked, “What do you want to teach?” I said, “How to Increase farm and Small Business Income with Agri-Tourism” and they said, “Okay. You start in fall semester.” WHOA! I scurried home, developed a syllabus and am working with a publisher to turn that course into a book for homesteaders, farmers, small businesses, etc. My students learned how to make money by partnering and networking together to bring low impact tourism dollars into an area and increase profits for all involved. It was around that time, I was asked to go to Russia and teach the same…fabulous, fabulous trip!
This blog, predated by an actual typewritten (note: not computer generated but typed) newsletter entitled Thistle Cove Farm Epistles was started in Summer/Autumn 1995 and morphed into this blog in May 2005. (What a long, strange trip it’s been!)
me, at Field Day of the Past
Now, it’s a different time, a different season and another change is by necessity and choice. Some of you may remember how I’ve written Dave was going to do a “brain dump” into my three-ring notebook which was our way of preparing for what we’d been told were his “remaining days, perhaps as much as eighteen months”. Those eighteen months turned out to be only weeks and I was thrown into trial by fire, learning so much about finances, wills, living trusts, stocks, how to prepare (albeit as best you can) and so very much more. I’ve bought and sold several properties, traveled to far off places solo and with others. I’ve made life changes I never contemplated nor expected but have survived it all and now, in this new season of life, want to continue to be a blessing but lately, prior to this blog post, I’ve felt, “Why bother? What could I possibly have to say that would be of any interest to anyone?” Then I look back on the last almost quarter century and think, “Not everyone is interested in all of it but some might be interested in some of it”, so, toward that end, my new blog direction will be focused on Money (how to make, save, spend, finances); Encouragement (quotes, stories…because it’s all about the stories!); farm (Thistle Cove Farm Epistles beginning to now with arts/crafts, animal husbandry, garden,); Sabbath Keeping (because who would turn down a mini-vacation every six days?); Home (wonderful eats, the sound of a chiming clock, laundry and everything else that goes into home) and anything what all else comes to mind.
This year, it’s been my pleasure to meet some incredibly interesting people. People like Rebekah Brown of My Town Events Calendar; Kimberly Barfuss of Bearfoot Mama (a great focus on Cesarean sections) Esther Ribbey of The Jubilee Homestead (homestead and homeschool) Sarah Titus (an incredible homeless to beautiful home story); Ruth Soukup of Elite Blog Academy, Living Well Spending Less (another incredible story of debt to such a successful business her husband quit his job to become a stay at home Dad) Tanya of Run to Radiance (a fun quiz); Wendy at My Words For Him and so many more lovely women. And a few men (smile).
It’s been a great life but it’s now time for a new direction with new information and, just for fun, a new giveaway. Each month, beginning in November, I’m giving away “something”…it could be a piece of McCoy or Halls pottery, a tea pot, journal or book, a mug rug, something made by me, hand made bar of soap or something totally silly. A name from my e-mail list will be drawn randomly and I’ll send an e-mail to the winner. Should you choose to not receive that month’s gift, that’s fine; your name will go back in the pot but you can only do this once in a twelve month time frame. Subscribe to Thistle Cove Farm by signing up for e-mail.
Hopefully, something, or some things, are of interest. Just yesterday I spoke with a young woman who didn’t realize how desperately she and her husband need a will. She thought, “We’re young, children are little, we don’t have much.” She didn’t know should she and her husband died in a car crash, without a will, their children could, by law, be taken into custody by social services and put into foster care. It is imperative plans be put into place for your wishes to be made directives in the event you’re not here to implement them.
But. I digress (what’s new, eh? -smile-). I hope you’re still with me; I hope something is of interest. Mostly I hope you find Thistle Cove Farm to be a place of cozy hospitality where you may find sanctuary if only for a while.
“Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.” ~ Henri Nouwen ~
You’ve had quite the life, Sandra. I have enjoyed looking in on you now and then. So much to learn and do. I think your blog looks lovely, fresh, and clean. All the best to you as you settle in to fall and winter.
It’s been a good life, for the most part. Some good, some bad but kept safe in God’s hand. Jody, thank you and praying for safety this winter for you and yours.
I like your way of telling a story and paying a tribute, and I like the new look of the blog, very pretty.
Amalia
xo
Amalia, thank you for visiting and commenting. Gretchen has done a wonderful job on the blog and I’m still finding my way.
I’m having a really hard time seeing all this light on light. I think it’s hard on those of us with old eyes. I’ve enlarged it several times on my computer so I can it better. Been a long while, but we used to visit back and forth a lot. I’m always disappointed when people leave blogger and head to WP, makes visiting harder; but am happy to have stumbled across you again after such a long time. I’ve been making way through my reading list which is terribly outdated and a few names have popped out on mutual friends blogs….and bingo…here you are and here I am. Hope things are going well for you, looks like it from your pictures.
Sandy, the font is dark and set at 110% on my computer; wonder why the difference on yours? Yes, moving to WP is a huge challenge but necessary for what I want to do with the blog. It’s also necessary in that I wanted to keep my information…with the other blog host, they could delete at any time (which they did with one of my other blogs!) and there’s nothing to be done. With WP I OWN my site, my material, photos, etc. A big challenge, a big change and much better overall!
Oh, Sandra, I’m so happy to have found your blog! Thanks go to Gwen Yost for sharing this lovely entry! Your story of meeting Dave has me in tears and encourages me in God’s timing for our lives, in every little moment, some of which become the big moments. Thank you for sharing your story! I will be reading much more over the coming cold, wet, and snowy days, and there’s just nothing, excepting the Bible, that makes a better read than someone’s own story!
Love and happiness to you!
Hi Vicki, Gwen is a dear, isn’t she? Thank you for visiting and commenting, hope to see you again.
I love your new look and am happy you are here on WordPress 🙂 Am looking forward to the up-and-coming posts about so many interesting things. God bless you more and more! XO
Gretchen, there is SO much to learn on WP! I’m finding it slow going but I keep plodding forward.
You constantly amaze me at what you’ve accomplished so far and now I learn there is much more to the story than what I already knew. You must have the heart of a teacher and a desire to pass it on. Your “library” is already huge and does not need to be lost. I do find hospitality at Thistle Cove Farm. You remind me of another blog friend, although your circumstances are different. She’s a young mother who homeschools 6 children but loves gardening with a passion and she and her husband moved less than a year ago to Sister Bay, Wisconsin to build the kind of life they envision for their family. Do you know Angela of Parisienne Farmgirl? Perhaps I should say that she reminds me of you!
I admire you both so much and pray for God to continue leading you both in visions for your blogs,
Dewena
Hi Dewena, it’s a new adventure and direction and it’s slow going but I’m giving it a try! Yes, I do know Angela, she’s a marvel! She was on the cover of one of Stampington Press magazines and it was a lovely article.
There’s so much of this I didn’t ever know. This is very exciting. I am enormously looking forward to all that is coming our way- such treats, such larks! God bless you in this new chapter x
Mags,thank you and it’s frighteningly exciting! lol
Sandra, at a time when I’m trying to cut down on emails, I certainly don’t want to miss out on yours. You constantly inspire me. All the very best from dry old Australia. Carol xxx
Carol, thank YOU! If there’s anything I have to write about that inspires you, that makes me happy. We’re all in this life together, best to hold hands and pray, one for another. Australia…one of these days…in the next five years…that’s my goal. xoxo<><
Sandra, you are a hard working inspiration! God bless you with your new endeavors!
Ellen, in this last season of life, I want to help folks with what I know. I’m constantly amazed at what i consider trivia is NEWS to someone else…lol. What’s commonplace to me is amazing to someone else…and vice versa.
I have always enjoyed stopping by for a visit on your blog and I noticed your new format a short while ago. It’s nice to change things up now and then.
Lenora, you’re always welcome here…I’m still about halfway as far from your part of the state as I was when I lived in the Appy Mtns.
Have followed you for a while and always enjoy what you’ve written. Looking forward to your new adventures!
Hi Carol, come to the farm, grab a pitchfork and let’s muck the barn!
Just kidding.
Sorta.
lol
Sandra,
I love your blog and am so glad I found you and your words of wisdom and encouragement.
I love the Henri Nouwen quote at the end about hospitality.
With regard to wills, they really are important.
When we did our wills… when our sons were small… I had three couples listed (two for backup !)
for their care if need be.
In some states, you can write your own basic will and have it witnessed and notarized. It is different in every
state and you must be very specific about everything.
Some banks have clinics about this.
Sandra, I am so glad you will be bringing this up… it is so often left to those left behind and as you said… children and pets and possessions can go to the state and to lots of places you would not want them to be given to.
And if the will is not clear things can be held up in court for several years creating chaos !
Also, be sure the beneficiaries on any insurance policies or trusts or pensions or IRA’s etc, have a current beneficiary listed. Sometimes we get them when we are young and leave things to a friend … and you may be married and want things to go to your husband or wife and children. I try to review my finances and related things such as the above twice a year. It only takes an hour or so to check and be sure all is in order !
Hi Bonnie Jean, a holographic will is legal in Virginia and doesn’t have to be witnessed nor notarized. It simply has to be hand written from first pen placement to finished signature. My will and trust are up to date…btw, it’s imperative to have a lawyer who specializes in wills and trusts. A plain Joe, run of the mill lawyer isn’t good enough. One MUST seek out council that receives continuing, ongoing, annual certification in those specific areas. (Ask me how I know…wry smile.)
Incomplete, inaccurate wills and trusts are what keep probate lawyers in deep cash flow and there’s absolutely no reason to have either incomplete nor inaccurate documents. Who among us likes to contemplate our end days (although I’m deep in process of leaving instructions for possessions and animals) but if we don’t tend to those hard questions, someone else makes those hard decisions. As stewards of what God has entrusted to us, we are bound to do these things.
I set aside one day a year for review; after, I reward myself with some kind of treat.
Love what you are doing, Sandra. You touch lives without even realizing it, even in the words you write and the stories you share. Your gracious spirit spreads love and goodness in everything you do.
Blessings of love and joy to you….
Sue Saubert
Hi Sue – how KIND you are and thank you! Once, I told Dave, “Honey, I’m TRYING!” And he replied, “You certainly are” then we both laughed.
Your kind words are honey to the soul…and I’m grateful.
What a great post Sandra! Once again you have inspired me and I thank you for that. I look forward to your upcoming posts.
Happy Fall ~ FlowerLady
Hi Rainey – loved visiting you earlier today; great bed…great back story! This whole new blogging journey is mind bending and there are a LOT of times I think, “I’m too old” but then…GOD sends someone to encourage or give a word in season and I plod on. It’s so easy to get caught up in the here and so difficult to remember it’s all about the hereafter.
What a wonderful choice you have made-although I will say the thought of switching to WordPress would terrify me!!!!
I have loved following your blog-mostly because you write from the heart and are “real”. There is no “let’s make this pretty just for show” (although that certainly has it’s place in blogland, too). You share your soul here and those of us that have followed along have watched you pick yourself up by your bootstraps and move forward through the tide of life.
God bless you- I am looking forward to your new journey. xo Diana
Oh Diana…thank you. Thank you so much! I’m a big proponent of purty is as purty does and life is, generally, beautiful and messy. I bought my WP site more than a year ago and was too afraid (read stupid) to do anything other than the Intro. The Lord loves me and led me to Gretchen, a gem if ever there was one. She was expensive but a workman is worth her hire and I don’t regret a penny.
I really do want to do a “brain dump” and help folks as much as possible. My parents named me well, meaning “Happy Helper” -lol-.
Hi there! Lovely pics and very nice post! I like the style of your blog.
Melissa, thank you for visiting and commenting.
Please don’t think of closing your blog, even though I live in England, I find your posts so interesting….and there is always something to learn.
Barbara, you are a dear and thank you! I adore England, all of Great Britain although I’ve yet to visit Wales. No, I’m not closing the blog but have moved and updated to WordPress. It’s a steep learning curve and I’ve had help or it wouldn’t have happened. Take care, thinking of you both and tucking you both in prayer.
Sandra do you know if I will still see you in the Blogger reading list? Or do I have to do something else to follow you?
So complicated!
Barbara, I don’t think so. I’m no longer with Blogger but with WordPress and the two co-exist side by side but never interacting. If you sign up for e-mail updates, you’ll get posts as they are published and be entered in the monthly drawings.
Yes, it is horribly complicated; my old, tired brain simply isn’t “hard wired”. I’m wired to churn butter, quilt, spin yarn and live a quiet, simple life! lol
Even though I follow your posts through Blogger’s dashboard, I added my email to your subscription list because who can resist a giveaway? Ha! When we had our son I started pushing for a will for the very reason you gave; I wanted our son to go to a loving Christian home of OUR choosing should we both die. And for me, that was a very real possibility because it happened to friends of my uncle and aunt and I grew up with the resulting blended family of eight cousins. It took a bit, but Rick finally cooperated (after admitting that he didn’t want to do a will because he didn’t like thinking of his mortality; this from a man whose dad had already died). Then having my own dad die this year without a finalized, legal will…what a mess.
Michelle, there is such a steep learning curve for me…I’m glad I moved to WordPress but I understand almost nothing! Then again, I was at Blogspot for more than 13 years so had a while to learn that system. -smile-
I remember we talked about a will and the struggle you had but am glad you finally had a will made. It’s a horror, what the government can do so best to prepare. Not sure if it’s still legal but, used to be, in Virginia, if husband/wife died in the same accident, it was legally assumed the wife died first, the husband second and his will stood. There are some *crazy* laws on the books!
Sandra,
I visited friends in Tazewell many times and found the area so beautifully rural. I guess that is why I felt a connection to you….loved hearing your stories about life on your farm. I was really happy when you finally sold the farm as I was concerned that it was becoming a huge threat to your health. Your new environment sounds perfect and I can feel a much lighter spirit in your writings.
Your new blogging will be a challenge and quite different from previous musings….best wishes and
my God bless your endeavors.
Hi Pat – such a STEEP learning curve…thought i’d responded. Yes, Tazewell is a beautiful county, especially the Cove and Burkes Garden. It’s anew season of life, thus the move but I believe it’s God’s will for my life. Thank you for visiting and commenting; hope you’ll return.