My corner of the World

 Hello from Kellie and Herbs & Things 

 

If nothing ever changed, there'd be

no butterflies.

~Author unknown~



 

~MY VIEW FROM THE VALLEY~
 

Ahh what a nice feeling, walking out to the barn, especially in the morning, with no snow or ice on the stairs, sidewalk or driveway!

I can't believe the Killdeers have been back about a week already. Way earlier than usual. Nice to hear though. All the birdie songs are nice to hear. It's funny the birds were kind of quiet this winter, more so than usual, but they are back early and singing up a great song of Spring. 

It seems as we get closer to opening up, moving on from the lock-down, living a 'normal' life again, that things are getting crazier in our world by the minute.
Lucky for me, I've always lived on this corner, and often refer to it as my little corner of world where peace and sanity reside.
As a child and then as an adult, I had plenty to do, places to go and people to meet and see, It didn't  bother me to not keep up 24/7 on the goings on beyond my sacred little place; only accessing the news when and if there was something really important to know.
This living a simple life, even when I worked outside the home, has worked well for me, only gathering  enough outside info to keep me well informed and not in the dark.
Then came the last year or 2 where all kinds of things were going on. For reasons I don't understand, even I was pull out of my own little world and in to the  world winds beyond my sacred placed.  I found I was almost frantic in I HAD to know what was going on, through outside sources, instead of my own 'inside' sources that have always served me well, or so my mind was telling me. 
However my body, senses and soul were telling me other wise and thankfully, I  think my body, senses and soul have won. 
Because even after a year of  lock-downs, being away from people, things getting crazy and out of control, I find it interesting, that my senses are wanting to again to just stay in my own little corner of world, with no interest to venture out to far beyond to see or hear all the hysteria and weird things going on out there.
I just want to spend time in my gardens, get another horse, a couple cows, spend healthy time in the barn with the animals, manure, hay and serenity.
I want to Spend time in Nature, walking, hiking, riding my bike, in my home; making it better and spend time with those that like me, want to do the same; those who like their own corner of the world and enjoy coming to mine and living simply, digging in the soil, shoveling manure, picking up stones, walking in the creeks, spending time with Mother Nature, family, Creator, talking to the birds, smelling the flowers, picking the fruits of my garden labor, a place where the angst, anger, greed and stuff from the outside world is not allowed... unless it is a need to know thing that would make life better or safer.
To much of the outside world of late,  brings in strife, angst, bitterness, and anger, and the sad truth of it, is so many are frightfully out of touch with what's important and frankly how the real world really works.
The bright side of looking out from my corner, is there are  those like you and me, that in our own way, can bring many back to what's important; simply by us doing and setting examples. Our keep on keeping on,  will work like a ripple on pond waters, where the energy will extend out and reach  many and show what it's like outside of the center of confusion, busyness, control, and wanting it all.
So the next time you try to get a hold of me, you'll know where to find me, in my office(s), which could be in the garden, or in the barn shoveling manure. You might find me out picking flowers, smelling the honeysuckle, walking,  loving the fruits and flowers in the gardens, the moon in the night sky, the sun shine on my face. You know... out in the real down to earth world that has every thing we've ever needed.

Nature Always Wears the Color of Spirit 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

with much love and blessings
BE safe, be Well
Laugh often
Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way
Kellie
+
Herbs & Things

Do not see all the wrong things of this year and how different it is. See instead all the things that are good in spite of 'all things' 2020

 Happy Blessed Thanksgiving from, Rick, Kellie and Herbs & Things

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. 

~Thornton Wilder~

~MY VIEW FROM THE VALLEY~

I've notice, over the past few weeks, it's like many want to by-pass the idea, or event of Thanksgiving, as visual and audial moved the focus from Halloween right into Christmas. 

I do get it though. To many small businesses are still trying to recoup after shut downs, people are still trying to get back on their feet, only to have the rug pulled out again. Some are still coping with losses of family, friends, a pet, jobs, homes,  the American way of life. Far to many can't afford to buy groceries, pay their mortgages or bills and the list can go on. With out question this is a sad thing to see or experience. Thus many can't see what there is to be Thankful for amidst  all of this, other than 2020 is over soon and 2021 will be better. So for many, if we move right into Christmas and maybe skip the thankful season it will diminish the fear, angst, and frustration we are feeling and our expectations won't be deluded again

But...2020 a year and a Thanksgiving like no other, in its frustrating manner, can bring in a new level of thankfulness, even though it may be a Thanksgiving accented with depleted expectations, worries, and even anger.

Being thankful in the midst of turmoil, loss, anger and sadness, is good for the body, soul and mind. 
This does not mean you cannot be sad, angry or frustrated, it's OK to feel all of that, but because being thankful brings a whole different perspective that sheds light on so much, ultimately the moment spent in thanks can find the good within the bad.

2020, if you look close has taught and made so many of us see how much and what there is to be Thankful for; lessons we should not dismiss or throw away because it's been, to say the least, a difficult year in more ways than anyone could imagine.

Because this year is do different in many ways, maybe if we start reflecting on what Thanksgiving originally was suppose to be about and apply this to the year 2020 it may give more light on many things.
as quoted by the Farmers Almanac, 

Thanksgiving is rooted in the autumnal harvest celebrations held for centuries by indigenous peoples to celebrate the season’s bounty, or After European settlers arrived in the early 17th century, communities in Massachusetts and Virginia separately came together similarly to give thanks for their continued survival and the fertility of their fields. The “first” Thanksgiving is typically attributed to the feast shared between the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the people of the Wampanoag tribe. A feast lasting 3 days between 2 very different peoples.

With this in mind, often our thanksgiving feast  and celebration forms around the hustle bustle of baking, cooking, who to invite. the making of the perfect dinner, most of which is purchased at a store. When we finally sit down to eat, thankfulness is dimmed and dinner revolves around eating turkey, pie and watching football and sometimes forgetting the real meaning of it, which is giving Thanks of what we have at this time; blessings, big and small, even though they may be speckled within the obstacles, we've received through the year. Giving Thanks is shedding light  on those speckles  amid the obstacles.

Then comes the year of 2020 and the way you prepare for Thanksgiving and giving thanks is very different. Maybe for the first time in a long time just the way you look at  your Thanksgiving dinner is seen in a whole new perspective of Thanks.

Such as, maybe in your 2020 Thanksgiving, some of what is on your dinner table is from your garden or something you learned to can or dehydrate; a special something to be thankful for?
As you look at your table you remember the joy of your garden and the gifts off the vines, the suns warmth and breeze that touched your skin; were you able to share some of your harvest with someone? This is something to be thankful for.
Were you at the receiving end of this garden sharing? This is something to be Thankful for.
Maybe the turkey, chicken or ham in the center of your table is what you raised; something to be thankful for? 
Are the herbs and spices used to make this dinner tasty and aromatic, grown with your care and love? Something to be Thankful for.
Is the bread, pies or desserts, on your table or you are sharing, home made because in 2020, you learned to make bread from scratch or make pie crust like grandma did, or create that very different dessert that Aunt Nelly made; lessons you learned this year? Something to be thankful for. 
Maybe you are having a smaller dinner but still with some family...still something to be thankful for.
Maybe all of your family and friends, so far have been safe from Covid, or if some one did get it they survived... something to be Thankful for.

Maybe you've decided to dine alone or with just a couple people and have chosen not have or attend the big traditional family dinner and even though you may not be able to spend the day face to face, around the table, you can still be thankful that you can still let your family and friends know, in  a big or small way, that you love and are thankful for them, because of modern technology. Whether via Phone,  Zoom,  Face-time, Texting, Emailing,  Skyping, in a Prayer, or what ever, looking at the bigger picture, you'll find you really do have something within this chaotic year of 2020 and at this moment to be thankful for.

Today, tomorrow, next week, next month and next year, set aside your worries, or frustrations of 2020, and look back over the year, the obstacles and what and where ever it brought  you,  the good and bad and be thankful for what you have learned, the wisdom you have gained, and the new deeper appreciation of so many things you may have taken for granted before. 

When giving thanks in this 2020 Thanksgiving, do not see all the wrong things of this year and how different it is...see instead all the things that are good in spite of 'all things' 2020.

Me...I have much to be thankful for. Beyond my husband, home, gardens, family and friends, what I have to be  most thankful for is YOU.
All of YOU.

Thank YOU for reading my ramblings. Thank YOU for trusting me enough to allow me into your world. Thank YOU for stopping in to Herbs & Things. Thank YOU for helping me and others in keeping the light of hope, faith, healing alive in the heart and soul of you, others, and Mother Earth. Thank you for staying  connected to Mother Earth and working to keep yours and others Divine source in tact.

Thank you for my bountiful harvest of love, insights and earthly, spiritual, and starlit energy I've received over the years from all of YOU.

So I say, Love to you all, and may you all be blessed with many things to be thankful for, all draped in health, love and happiness as well as a little snarkieness, just to let 2020 know it did not get the best of YOU and try as hard as it has, you are still thankful. :)

Nature Always Wears the Color of Spirit 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

with much love and blessings
BE safe, be Well
Laugh often
Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way
Kellie
+
Herbs & Things