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04
Jul 13

What is The Fourth of July?

4thWhat is The Fourth of July? Is it just another day off from work for a party and the first holiday of summer? In the past it was always called Independence Day and there is a reason for that. Independence Day celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by delegates from the 13 colonies in 1776.  The Declaration of Independence changed the course of history. It celebrates the experiment of a new kind of government. For the first time in history, the people, not kings or conquerors, would rule a nation.  Elected delegates would vote; representing the will of the people, because they declared it is a natural right for man to be free.

After the vote, John Adams writes to his wife, Abigail: “Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which never was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony ‘that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States might rightfully do…’ This . . . Day . . . will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. . . . It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

So on this day, July 4th 2013, Independence Day, have a party, celebrate, have fun, just remember what should be celebrating for. I am celebrating the fact that I have the ability to live my dream, be independent and own my own business making our healthy skincare products! What about you? What are you remembering and honoring about the fourth of July?

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03
Jul 13

Barn Chore Surprise

pileated-woodpecker-Two girls, eleven-year-old twins, help me with my weekday morning barn chores. The girls love to help and all the barn residents love them too. It is nice to have help and what little girl doesn’t like horses! I very much enjoy their company; they are so sweet and fun.

On weekends I do all the barn chores by myself, I enjoy the solitude of weekends too. Everybody gets a little hay and then I clean the stalls. This particular Saturday morning, after I had picked up the…well… you know, out of the stalls I was emptying my wheelbarrow, and I was startled by something big moving behind the manure pile that is at the edge of the woods!

It was a pileated woodpecker! If you don’t know what they are think woody woodpecker, alright I know I’m dating myself but I’m sure he is still on TV somewhere today!  Anyway they are the largest woodpecker and always have reminded me of some kind of prehistoric bird. They are big, up to 20 inches long with a wingspan of up to 30 inches! They are black and white with a long neck and a bright red crest on their head. They have a loud distinctive call just like from the song “Wipe Out” (ok, just dated myself again…lol) and I enjoy hearing them. I hear them much more then I see them.

This wonderful bird mates for life and the pair has a territory of up to fifty square miles. Sometimes I hear them calling and look up and see one or two flying overhead. But I had never seen one on the ground before. We have some old dead trees in that area so I guess that’s why he was there. I think we might have startled each other. I watched him in awe as he flew almost silently away into the thick woods, quite a feat I thought for such a large bird.

I will take these kinds of surprises over barn chores any day!

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28
Jun 13

View From My Window – July 2013

The View From My Window – Too hot too soon

The view from my window clearly shows our weather has been living up to the saying, In the northeast if you don’t like the weather; wait a minute!  Late May was cold and rainy and then suddenly Caddyrecord breaking heat. Even though my helpers have been grooming the animals everyday they had not completely shed out when the heat wave came. I felt the worst for our poor pony Caddy, he grows a thick winter coat and was so hot still wearing it when it was in the 90’s for several days. And now we have another rainy period. So half shed out, half shaggy he looks happier all soaking wet.  I have a most interesting view from my window.

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19
Jun 13

Who Is Creative

Soap Cutter3I have always had an artistic creative bent. I remember a picture I drew when I was about 4 of our dog. I showed it to my mom and she asked me what all the little dots were and I told her they were the fleas. When I married Dean I didn’t think he had a creative bone in his body. He was stuck at the stick figure stage of art that honestly weren’t as good as the dog I drew when I was 4. But over the years I have realized how wrong I was.  The director of the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild had a tour of our shop and was so impressed with all of the inventions Dean had made she asked Dean to speak at their annual conference. When I looked at all the gadgets Dean had thought of to solve problems, that I thought were roadblocks to our growth, I realized just how creative he is. I had always thought of creative as making something pleasing to look at. But looking at a problem and visualizing a tool that you can put together in a way to make it work is way more creative than just looking pretty. Thank you Dean for being a visionary and always proving me wrong when I say it cannot be done.

Who is Creative?  I discovered much to my surprise that Dean is very creative!

Checkout the 3:45 min video of our soap making process.  It  shows many of Dean’s creations.

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31
May 13

View From My Window – June 2013

Although I feel blessed to live where we do and watching the seasons and wild life right from my office window, it doesn’t compare with seeing our twin grand babies and our son’s wedding. It was a little overwhelming to have it all happen in ten days, but we are very blessed just the same.

twinsOur grand daughters are, age 4 and 2 are very proud of their baby brother and sister and very loving with them. Faith tells me they are cute.

 

Hal & Jordi 1a

 

We had the pleasure of getting to know our son’s wife Jordi before their wedding. She is sweet and country and a perfect match for Hal. We wish them a life together growing in wisdom and love.

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