Observations of a night-shift Milk Maid

I took a moment to listen to the lackadaisical whippoorwills. Their sweet, monotonous call was the only thing that betrayed their hiding places from under the cloak of dusk.
There was hardly a cloud in the sky as the moon rose brightly on the dark earth. What few stars that were sure enough, to compete with the waxing moon, shone dimly around the horizon's edge. I wondered, in my ignorance, just how far the moon's eerie light stretched. I imagined that it was beaming down upon all my beloved friends and the ones that I hold dearest.
I was curious as to how such a steady figure in the heavens, could contend with the lazy evening. How it could patiently await for the unpunctual night to arrive, later and later as the summer solstice drew near, I did not know.
The crickets, who had been out in the early evening, had long since risen up in chorus; each cricket to his own syncopated beat.
On the fragrant breeze were damp earthy smells one could not find anywhere but beyond the limits of a foggy city.
As the moon climbed higher into the indigo sky, I could hear a small gathering of coyotes sing. They crept from their posts in the benevolent forest of pines to offer their tribute to the almost-crescent-less brilliance of the moon.
Dark hills arose in defiance to gravity, giving birth to a jagged line separating Earth from Heaven.
I beheld the marvelous night.

To Go or Not to Go

My grandma was over for dinner a few evenings ago and my mom was happily telling her, "I'll have you know your granddaughter signed up on FastWeb [a website that helps you get scholarships and grants for college] today and is looking into collage degrees..." (or something like that). My Grammy said something about all the different degrees you can take now, and my father remarked, "there are about 50 degrees outside...."
Leave it to my dad to say something funny. Nevertheless he had some truth in his jest. I've been thinking about life and careers and the more I think about it the more a 'career' or going to school for a career seems unappealing to me. I have a desire to learn and there are numerous 'fields' I would enjoy going into.
My first question in considering college was, "how do I decide what I want to do?". No doubt a common question. But even if I were to buckle down to a few different options, what would I do with what I learned or a degree?
The truth is this: I don't want a career. Going to college means debt... and you have to have a good job/career to pay for what you learn. I don't like debt. I do like work though.
Being in school for all of high school I've spent a lot of my time sitting at a desk or on my bed studying. Therefore, during school, I get out of the habit of helping around the house as much and working around our farm... which makes me less content.
I've realized that for what I want to do with my life, a college degree is unnecessary. I am the happiest when I'm helping my mom tend to normal life chores and tasks.
The #1 job I could ever have would be my service to my family (present and future) and someday I hope to be a helpmeet and a housewife. I don't think there could be any more noble occupation for a woman in God's eyes.

This of course doesn't mean I won't go to college if I get the choice. But I'm not going to just go because that's what everyone else does.
So we'll see what the future holds.

Wine

It all started last night at dinner when I was looking at a No Greater Joy article on survival (and if you don't get the magazine you can get it for free and it's definitely worth your time). It was going over some of the common "weeds" that are really quite edible. It mentioned the dandelion and the different things you could use it for and I thought, "I should really look into making dandelion wine!"
I've heard that its a very delicious sweet wine, and a great energy booster on a hot summer's day, but I've never tried it myself.

So I looked up dandelion wine making on Google and found this website.

I also stumbled across Wine Library TV. Even if you don't drink wine you'll enjoy Wine Library TV's host, Gary Vaynerchuk's energetic, flamboyant descriptions and analyzation. G.V. is a bit eccentric but adds a bit of pizazz that is always entertaining.

Anyways, with my parents (and pretty much for them) and the rest of my family we'll attempt to create some dandelion wine. If you're interested in the results come see me in 6 months or this time next year. ;)

Third Saturday

Today is going to be crazy. We're hosting the monthly "Second Saturday" party on our farm. It should be very exciting seeing that this is the first actual warm month and we might even have the first bonfire of the year!!
On top of that though, our Hmong friends stopped by on Thursday to say hi, and invited us to a party today at their farm in Baldwin!!!
Sooo... we're going to leave in just a few minutes for Baldwin (about an hour & 25 min. away) and then try to make it back here by three!!!! I have a feeling that we won't make it to our own party in time because our Hmong friends are so nice and my parents always procrastinate when it comes to leaving. =S
Anyway... here goes.

a snippit

Life is beautiful. The world is turning green again. Summer is getting closer every day. Spring can stay as long as it wants.
The other night it was so warm. The stars were out and I had the privilege of milking cows for two hours. I wish I could describe the sweet, damp aromas that were drifting on the night breeze. It made me reminisces other times in the past... good memories. It took me back to my childhood and early teen years.
I thought of Vault. Yep the soda-pop that is way too sweet... but it reminds me of freestyle soccer with friends, summer escapades, secrets and stories... and milking cows. Always milking cows.
So I have decided that I'm going to buy 2 Liters and put it in the fridge in the barn so whenever I have a longing... it will be right there. ;) hehe

My Lovely Family

These are the family pictures we took before my brother Daniel and his family moved to Arizona.
They were taken sometime in the beginning of March.

♥ My wonderful parents. ♥

My oldest brother Jedidiah and his lovely wife and daughter, Kendra and Meadow.

My second oldest brother Daniel and his lovely wife and son Jacqueline and Bradford.

My lovely older sister Emily and her handsome husband Jacob.


...and since Daniel was moving away, we took one of all the boys with Dad.

The original clan.
Back Row: Patrick, Channing, Isaac, Jed, Daniel, Mary Ellen
Front Row: Janelle, Douglas, Melissa, Emily

The whole extended family!!!

Back Row: Isaac, Jacob, Jed
Middle Row: Channing, Mary Ellen, Emily, Kendra, Daniel
Front Row: Patrick, Janelle, Douglas (Dad), Melissa (Mom), Meadow, Jacqueline, Bradford

Although Jed and Kendra do have a baby boy on the way,
so this picture will be 'out of date' by August!!! =D

A Novel in 100 Days

Writing a book has been something I've always wanted to do. I've thought about stories I'd like to tell, messages I'd like to share, convictions I'd like to encourage. Writing is probably the most powerful tool that is available to man kind. Therefore what better way would there be for me to get a point across to someone, than by writing a book?
And so today I typed into my Google search engine: "how to write a novel".

This is what I found... and if you're a writer or even a wanna-be-writer, you'll find these links interesting:
How to Write a Novel in 100 Days or Less
How to Write a Novel
....and for some contrary ideas (which made me laugh):
hoW To writE A noveL

If you're dreaming of writing (just like me) then I'd suggest looking online. The answers, comments, and questions are all there.

Who knows.. maybe one day you'll be browsing through a bookstore and you'll recognize my name.

April Fools!!! Mwahaha!

Sooo... the first day of April. The day when we all try to trick each other and pull funny pranks (or at least we thought they were funny). In all reality we're only doing the same things we do every other day of the week. That's probably why they chose one day to celebrate how foolish we all really are. ;) lol
Of course here in the North, the last thing we want is snow, and so usually it snows on the first of April (or at least it should... cause that would be a good trick right?).. but no. This year, today, it reached 81 degrees outside!!!!! Incredible!!! Everyone spent the day in shorts, skirts, summer dresses... who knows what.
But alas... it shall be 50 tomorrow for a high. Terrible.
That was a good trick.