Lost Lessons from Life on the Farm

If my brother heard you say I’m a farm girl, he would laugh and there’s a good reason. I never really worked on the farm and my brother did.  I was a mama’s girl and I didn’t like hot weather or manual labor. Yes, I was spoiled…rotten.

Just because I didn’t work on the farm doesn’t mean I didn’t love it, or grow to love it.  I loved it so much that when I read about an opportunity to contribute to a book about farms called Lost Lessons From Life on the Farm, I couldn’t wait to submit a story. I did, the book was published and my story is included!

You can purchase the book online at Barnes and Nobles or for the same amount plus postage you can have a signed copy. Just email me and we will work out the details.

I’ve read all the stories and if you have a soft spot in your heart for family farms, I promise you are going to love this book.

 

 

Love Those Blueberries!

Today was a beautiful Sunday in south central Kentucky. The sky was picture perfect blue and the air was crisp and cool. For weeks I have been hauling a sign for our blueberry farm around in the back of my SUV. Today I decided was THE day it needed to be in the ground.

Nick, Justin and Rachel do the work while I make pictures

We planted in March and they have kept us busy this summer!

Putting on the finishing touches

This farm has been in my family for several generations and I couldn’t help but thinking as we placed the sign today that my grandparents and parents would be very pleased to see my children working together there.

Sam (the dog) approves of the sign

To read more about our blueberry adventures visit us www.bellviewblueberries.com

The Blessing of a Farm

It’s been so hot here in Kentucky that it’s hard to talk about anything other than the weather (and gas prices). Earlier this week the humidity and heat were so unbearable it was hard to breathe outdoors. A friend of ours has chicken houses (they raise them by the thousands to sell) and even though they had fans in them ten thousand chickens died.

Just because the temperature rises doesn’t mean farming stops. Our blueberry bushes are still demanding attention. This week it’s been fertilizing.

I am the official water girl for the crew.  Believe me, I’m not trading jobs with these guys!

I found this poem and wanted to share it with you. As the daughter and granddaughter of a farmer, it expresses how I feel.


Farmer’s Prayer

Lord, bless the land You’ve given me,
And may I always know
As I tend each crop and creature
You’re the One who helps them grow.

Grant me the strength and wisdom
Please protect me from harm,
And thank You
For Your gracious gift-

The blessing of a farm.

-Robin Fogle

 

 

 

Go Big Blue and Grow Big Blueberries!

Weird title? Not really. I have been watching University of Kentucky basketball since I was a toddler. For the first time in 13 years the Cats are back  in the Final Four! Houston, you have a problem….thousands of Cat fans are about to take over your city! So (cover your ears) GO CATS!!!! This house bleeds blue!

cats

BLUEBERRIES

I told you a few weeks ago that we are starting a blueberry farm.  The plants are little now but our dreams are big.  Here are some more pictures from our blueberry adventures…..

Grow Big Little Blueberry Bushes!

Here come the bushes!

Here come the bushes!

Getting ready to plant!

Getting ready to plant!

Brother and sister taking a hug break!

Brother and sister taking a hug break!

Oldest son and Poppa Smurf (aka hubby) getting ready to plant.

Oldest son and Poppa Smurf (aka hubby) getting ready to plant.

Mulch, mulch and mulch some more!

Mulch, mulch and mulch some more!

Some handsome blueberry boys!

Some handsome blueberry boys!

Look out Dr. McMurtrey (chiropracter) here we come.

Look out Dr. McMurtrey (chiropracter) here we come.

I wish my dad were still alive to see Bill driving this tractor on the farm. The tractor has been around awhile, come to think of it, so has Bill...his birthday is April 5th! Happy Birthday honey!

I wish my dad were still alive to see Bill driving this tractor on the farm. The tractor has been around awhile, come to think of it, so has Bill...his birthday is April 5th! Happy Birthday honey!

Love this photo!

Love this photo!

This was most of the crew the last day we planted. I almost didn't recognize my daughter...camos? Really?

This was most of the crew the last day we planted. I almost didn't recognize my daughter...camos? Really?

The Blueberry Adventure

My husband works at a hospital and I work in education.  You would think our jobs, five children and one grandchild would keep us busy (and they do!) but evidently we needed a hobby because we are about to plant ten acres of blueberry bushes. (If you know anything about blueberries you just fell out of your chair because ten acres is definitely more than a hobby!)

It’s a family venture and the whole Kindred clan is about to be up to our blue, brown and hazel eyeballs in blueberries.

Actually, this year it’s just bushes. It takes awhile before the bushes establish a good root system, bloom, and produce berries. But when we are up and going we will be….

BELLVIEW

The best thing about this project (besides the fact that we are all working together as a family) is that the land we are planting them on is the farm where my mother was born.  Last year we were able to purchase 46 acres of what was once my grandparent’s farm.  Our oldest son is renovating my grandparent’s house. When it is done he plans to live there.

I can’t explain all the warm fuzzies it gives me to see the house become livable and the farm getting ready to produce again. Such a blessing! Thank you God for this wonderful opportunity!

Photobucket


Photobucket

Watch NanaHood for more Blueberry Adventures this week when the bushes arrive….7,600 of them! Can you say, “Oh my aching back!”

gratituesdaynov094

Farm Boys

My grandfathers were farmers and so was my dad. Some of my favorite childhood memories were spent on the farm, riding with my grandpa in his jeep to salt the cattle. I’m sure grandpa looked at it as work, but for me and my cousins it was a way to have fun. We took our shoes off and waded in the branch. We bounced around in the jeep like popcorn in a popper. And we always came home tired and dirty.

This picture is of my cousin Daniel and his son Brock. Daniel grew up on the farm where we salted cattle but he now lives in Huntsville, Alabama. Recently Daniel and his wife Lori, took Brock to see some baby calves. I hope Brock gets to go salt cattle someday and I hope he has as much fun as I did all those years ago!

brock and calf