A Cow On My Calendar

A Cow On My Calendar

A February calendar picture of a big black calf stared back at me from the wall on my office.  I started to chuckle because anyone who knew me in high school or thereafter would know that is the last thing you would have ever seen on my wall or anything else. 

I remember in Sunday School getting invited to a friend's small acreage farm in Rapid Valley. I experienced a comforting emotion I had never felt before (I still can't put a name to it today). Or, the time my father won some baby chicks in a giveaway and I received them for Easter, only to have to take them to a farm out in the county. That was a bummer! 

A Life Lived Rurally

When I met my husband, his "calling" was clear to him, just not me! We would be living life rurally; as a rural Pastor and his city wife.  There would be no changing this guys' mind.  In case you did not pick up on it, my husband is a rural pastor. 

Living it

Agriculture takes on a whole new meaning when you live it.  Looking back, I basically think I was kind of a snob towards county kids as an adolescent and growing up in the city.  I never really felt I belonged to any particular clique in high school, but there were those country kids that all met outside at one end of the block waiting to load the school bus, and then there was "us".  We would maybe interact in the classroom now and then, but I do not remember much else.  How interesting to look back on it all now.

I have lived rurally now for 36 years. Since then I have seen a cow pulled (with a chain I might add), a few born on the plains of Montana (right out in the open!), and twin lambs born in rural Kingsbury County SD. I have even had my name show up in the local paper's column as having gone to a women's house where I quilted all afternoon.  Me Oh MY. 

Now as I've gotten older, I look and see things so differently.  I've talked to farmers who are serious "stewards of the land" and it's not just a "cause" or lip service.  I watch how the weather can make or break crops and the growing season. I've hear how difficult it is for the young farmer to have the option of start farming on his own.  I've learned and seen much; too much to list here.  But watch for further blogs! ;) I love rural.  

The End of The Road...

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(A MUST READ - click here) 
Two Sparrows Farm and Dairy
PLEASE GO and take a few minutes and read this story by clicking on title and follow the link.  It's outstanding and gives a great view of what has happened over the years and what continues to happen. The landscape of rural has changed over the years and continues to change.  It's an amazing story that a friend of mine shared, that I hope you take a few minutes to read.  

There is so Much to Love About Local

Whether you live rural or city we do need to fight for "local" in all it's forms. My life, my employment, has taught be so much and I have so much more to learn. 

I'd love it you would share my blogs if you like them...in some manner.  My mission is to promote local and small business.  When you share or tell another about Travel Backroads, you are collaborating with me and "saying it forward".

Joan
​Travel Backroads