Saturday, December 22, 2018

Merry Christmas and I'll take a Chance on You





Greetings friends!

A couple days ago I went to a retirement party of a colleague.  He talked about how he had started his long career.  It began when he walked in and asked for a job, and the man behind the counter said “I’ll  take a chance on you” and started him in a temporary hourly position.  From there on out, as he advanced, again each person of authority said the same, “I’ll take a chance on you”.  And when my friend had advanced to a position where he could be a source of help and guidance to others, he stayed and excelled in his role.  And his parting words to us, his well-wishers, were to reach out and keep trying until you find your niche, and remember to take a chance on others and help your fellow man anytime you can.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Words, Kindness and a Blessed Thanksgiving

Any time I can play outside on the farm, is a great day

I write for a living.  The words I put down on paper in my work life world are well, nothing short of boring….. but they document important actions taken and are referenced for years to come.    What I really love is writing for Home and Harvest Magazine and blogging.   Life has been good and full, but so many distractions pop up that I find myself writing blogs in my mind…. and usually the words rarely make it onto paper.  My passion is to share real life as I see and feel it. For example, this morning I walked outside and smelled the scent of wood smoke which in my mind is a comfort smell that “says home”.  Then the earthy smell of leaves floated up and I felt the warmth of the sun as it radiates not only on my face, but as it seeped into my soul.  I see the clouds resting on the tops of the pines trees and can see the freshly turned soil in the farm fields around me.  Nature has such a calming effect. And if you can’t experience it for yourself, then maybe my words can re-create the scene in your mind’s eye.   These simple things in nature help keep me grounded and sane in an often crazy and chaotic world.
 
Oh the beauty of  a frosty morning
As I navigate in my own world, I am keenly aware of how words spoken and actions taken are mental records that will live on in the memories of other’s that I come into contact with.  As hard as I try, I know I fail and sometimes I am not as gracious as I could be. But I think I have a fairly high success rate in relaying kindness to other too.  When you go through a difficult time that is when you see who your true friends are.  They are your special earth angels.  They are the ones whose actions are the balm to a wounded soul and they offer kind words of solace.  From going through my own difficulties, I know who those people are, they are the ones who daily, weekly or even monthly reached out to me, and they still do six years later.  They are my champions, as I am theirs and our friendship and love have no bounds.  From them I learned to ensure that your good intentions of reaching out to others doesn’t get put aside.   I have learned the difference between true friends and those who are the “fluff kind” of friends, where there really isn’t any substance and their words are empty.    After seeing what true friends look like, I take my role of being a good friend very seriously.  As my oldest daughter and I were talking just  the other day and we both feel we are “works in progress”…..  Ever continuing to improve, while never perfect, we make strides each day to create a better version of who we are.  When you are a healthy version of you, then you have the ability to be able to help others.

And I know that I am truly blessed.  I am thankful for good health, a wonderful man in my life, the love of my family and a few really good friends.  And the other day I came across this saying and have it posted on my work bulletin board to remind me to show compassion when I get weighed down by life….
.  
Today is a blessing from Almighty God
Today will never come again
BE A FRIEND. BE AN INSPIRATION
Encourage someone
Be a Blessing to others
Take time to care
Let the words you speak bring healing and not pain or hurting

And as Maya Angelou said “people may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel”  ~  
 
Simple pleasures in life with someone you love, can it get any better?
Each day we have the opportunity to reach out to family, friends and even strangers and show kindness and caring.  This will be recorded in a person’s mind forever.  Do what you can for them, but remember to take of you as well.

Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving.  All my best, Gayle

P.S. A special thank you to those who take the time to comment on my blog, you are a special blessing to me and thank you for taking the time to reach out =) swheatfarmlife@gmail.com

Friday, September 28, 2018

It's Time....


The house is quiet, the beauty of the last glimmers of a warm September afternoon have faded into darkness.  I arrived home from work just early enough to pour myself a glass of wine and take a walk around my little piece of heaven.  My heart is thankful.  I also know it's time........

My mini version of Green Bluff, apples, pears, plums

A favorite view, an iconic barn, farm fields and mountains

I remember this day and this past week from six years ago.  September 23, 2012 was the day that started a catalyst of events that changed the landscape of not only my youngest daughter’s life, but mine as well.  Whether it is someone who left this world due to being unable to cope with depression or in my case, his desire to leave a marriage, the chain of events within that 2 week period would forever alter the paths that Kaitlyn and I were on.  And it pushed us to limits we didn’t know we could survive.  Fast forward six years,  we are both in a good place in our lives now, we are strong, we are happy, content and we each have found a very special someone that complete our lives.  Geographically, we both have different physical landscapes now with me moving to Moscow and Kaitlyn moving to Maryland, but our bond is close no matter the distance.  (Luckily my other sweet earth angel, daughter Jen lives close by -another saving grace)

This was my evening just a couple days ago, Rod cooking dinner for us
As weird as it seems, I've been avoiding writing for a few months, and until this week when a sweet thing happened, I now feel the story has come full circle.  I've had this idea for a book on life, living, cooking, healing ........ but to be honest, I really didn't want to go back to those dark days.  So I put my computer under my bed.... but I guess the Universe has other plans . And this week, I know my journey has ended and I know this is where I needed to be.  I also know  that I can use my words to help, it's time to write. 

With that, I invite you to send me a story of a special life lesson that was pivotal to you. I need to hear other's stories. Feel free to email me at swheatfarmlife@gmail.com.  Plus if I have your permission, I may add these to the book. 

Happy Fall my friends. 

All my best,  Gayle

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Happy Independence Day America


Happy 4th of July!  My truck has seen lots of photo ops from random people stopping by.    Guessing that they like my decorations for the holiday


Red, white and blue greetings


A vintage red tractor with a flag next to my iconic red barn... just a piece of rural beauty
Happy 4th!


It’s a beautiful day here in Northern Idaho and I’m hoping you and yours are enjoying our Nation’s birthday.  As the next few weeks are packed with fun getaways and mini adventures, this  girl is planning on staying home and puttering about in the yard and house.  A good day to work and reflect how truly blessed I am living in America, free to choose how I live life and enjoying the freedom hard fought by  brave men and women.  A heartfelt thank you to all our military, law enforcement and firemen. 

Life has been crazy busy with lots of landscaping projects underway which I’m looking forward to sharing the completed projects. 
Take care!  More to come in the next few weeks….. =)  All my best, Gayle