Brookvalley Farm was a part of the show!! Click below to check it out. One note: the website listed for Brookvalley Farm should be www.brookvalleyfarmpa.com (sorry for the confusiont Brook Valley Farm in Montgomery County, Maryland).
The Hilton Scranton & Conference Center
Monday, January 27, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2014
Day 6 of 2014
One of these days I'm going to sit down here and write something interesting. I don't mean for this to be like a diary - that's the last thing I want. Who wants to read about what I do everyday? Isn't that what Facebook if for?
We got some new chains for the Rat (the name my husband affectionately gave my Nissan Pathfinder that has now been relegated as the official farm vehicle), and for the tractor (I gave it a name once, but it escapes me right now - something to do with the color green since it's a John Deere - it will come to me). No excuses now for not getting things done around here (snicker)!
I keep thinking that one of these days my life will slow down and I'll actually get my train of thought around something other than what happened five minutes ago, or what I'm doing right now, but for the life of me I'm coming up with nothing. They say (I've read) that when you hit a mental block, you should just write. Anything. Whatever comes to mind. The weather - which is quite unusual these days. Today started out at 50 and has steadily dropped since. The low overnight is expected to be -10 or so and tomorrows high is anticipated to be +3. My aunt and uncle are coming in from Minnesota tomorrow too; I think they're sending this stuff ahead of themselves so they don't feel out of place.
Whatever comes to mind. Family. A peculiar bunch. I don't think I feel like writing about them right now. Nothing wrong, or bad, or anything. Just not the topic I'm searching for.
Work. I should probably leave that one alone for now too. We just went back today after a more than two week hiatus for the holidays. I'm very thankful for the time off, but this time more than any other I really wanted it to last longer. We've got so many plans for the farm and house that I wish I could afford to just stay home and make our dreams a reality. The addition is coming along nicely, and I have so many ideas for the bed and breakfast rooms; I can't wait to start decorating.
Pink line with warning: ERROR. Hmmm. What could that be? Better find out. I'll pick up here tomorrow. Or maybe I'll pick up somewhere else. Maybe I should start setting a time limit for myself. Somehow writing for 10 minutes doesn't seem to be fulfilling. I need more. I need to get my brain off of numbers and back into the land of creativity and creative thinking.
We got some new chains for the Rat (the name my husband affectionately gave my Nissan Pathfinder that has now been relegated as the official farm vehicle), and for the tractor (I gave it a name once, but it escapes me right now - something to do with the color green since it's a John Deere - it will come to me). No excuses now for not getting things done around here (snicker)!
I keep thinking that one of these days my life will slow down and I'll actually get my train of thought around something other than what happened five minutes ago, or what I'm doing right now, but for the life of me I'm coming up with nothing. They say (I've read) that when you hit a mental block, you should just write. Anything. Whatever comes to mind. The weather - which is quite unusual these days. Today started out at 50 and has steadily dropped since. The low overnight is expected to be -10 or so and tomorrows high is anticipated to be +3. My aunt and uncle are coming in from Minnesota tomorrow too; I think they're sending this stuff ahead of themselves so they don't feel out of place.
Whatever comes to mind. Family. A peculiar bunch. I don't think I feel like writing about them right now. Nothing wrong, or bad, or anything. Just not the topic I'm searching for.
Work. I should probably leave that one alone for now too. We just went back today after a more than two week hiatus for the holidays. I'm very thankful for the time off, but this time more than any other I really wanted it to last longer. We've got so many plans for the farm and house that I wish I could afford to just stay home and make our dreams a reality. The addition is coming along nicely, and I have so many ideas for the bed and breakfast rooms; I can't wait to start decorating.
Pink line with warning: ERROR. Hmmm. What could that be? Better find out. I'll pick up here tomorrow. Or maybe I'll pick up somewhere else. Maybe I should start setting a time limit for myself. Somehow writing for 10 minutes doesn't seem to be fulfilling. I need more. I need to get my brain off of numbers and back into the land of creativity and creative thinking.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Day 5 of 2014
Well, it was an interesting drive home - ice, freezing rain, sleet. The ice build-up on the car was unbelievable. Peddler's Village actually shut down today because keeping the ice off of the brick sidewalks was proving impossible. I was looking forward to doing some browsing, if not shopping, in some of the great shops there, but, alas, it was not meant to be. I'm glad to be home though, safe and sound.
Despite still being under construction, I found a temporary home for the new computer, and tomorrow night I will type on a keyboard with a functional 'O'. I can't wait!
As we drove through Bucks County on Route 611 on our way home, I was once again reminded of the incredible buildings and charm of the area. I so wish that I could relocate some of the barns to our property here. The cobblestone rustic charm is something that I wish could be replicated, and I'm sure, at a cost, it could be, but somehow it just wouldn't be the same. By the time I decided that I wanted to start taking pictures of some of the barns, we were pretty much done seeing any. I managed to get one, but next time I'll be more prepared - and, hopefully the weather will cooperate more. Rain and ice don't make for very easy photography!
Despite still being under construction, I found a temporary home for the new computer, and tomorrow night I will type on a keyboard with a functional 'O'. I can't wait!
As we drove through Bucks County on Route 611 on our way home, I was once again reminded of the incredible buildings and charm of the area. I so wish that I could relocate some of the barns to our property here. The cobblestone rustic charm is something that I wish could be replicated, and I'm sure, at a cost, it could be, but somehow it just wouldn't be the same. By the time I decided that I wanted to start taking pictures of some of the barns, we were pretty much done seeing any. I managed to get one, but next time I'll be more prepared - and, hopefully the weather will cooperate more. Rain and ice don't make for very easy photography!
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Day 4 of 2014
It was a busy day, and I don't have much to say today. I'll be sure to post more tomorrow when I have time to sit and reflect and get my thoughts in order.
We spent a great day in New Hope and then at Peddler's Village at the Cock 'n Bull Restaurant for the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater - I even won a mug for figuring out who the murderer was!
More tomorrow!
We spent a great day in New Hope and then at Peddler's Village at the Cock 'n Bull Restaurant for the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater - I even won a mug for figuring out who the murderer was!
More tomorrow!
Friday, January 3, 2014
Day 3 of 2014
I'm sitting here watching the news and listening to them go
on and on and on about how cold it is, and how we need to dress warm and cover
every possible inch of exposed skin, etc., etc., etc. But then in the next
segment, we see their reporters standing outside sometimes with gloves,
sometimes without, faces fully exposed telling us that we shouldn't go outside
if we don't have to. Seriously?
Ok, so it's cold. It's NOT the end
of the world. Maybe it's a bit dangerous to go outside if you're an idiot and
don't dress appropriately, but otherwise it's no reason to hide under the
covers and stop living. Dress in layers (cold gear, thermals, pantyhose, stockings,
windproof and/or water-repellent pants, whatever you've got to create a good
foundation layer). Put on a coat. Put on a hat, gloves, and good boots. And go
outside! Grab a sled, or some ice skates, or just take the dog for a walk.
If we didn't go outside, who would take care of our horses? And, what about other farmers, road crews, snow-removal companies, and any other worker who has no choice other than to do their job - OUTSIDE. This is Northeast Pennsylvania people! It gets cold and snowy and icy here. Do you think people in Alaska, Minnesota, North Dakota, Canada and other northern areas stay inside all winter? NO! They bundle up and live.
Oh, and trying to keep Harlee from going to the barn with Steve would be torture for her. She loves being outside, and has a really warm winter coat that nature has provided for her (granted some other breeds are not as hardy and would not fare well in these conditions, but she's a black lab/border collie mix). We are mindful of her behaviors and whether or not she's been out too long, but as long as she asks to go out, we'll let her out.
Sure, you have to be careful, but you have to do that in 100 degree heat too.
When did cold and 6-10" of snow become cause for widespread panic and drama?
If we didn't go outside, who would take care of our horses? And, what about other farmers, road crews, snow-removal companies, and any other worker who has no choice other than to do their job - OUTSIDE. This is Northeast Pennsylvania people! It gets cold and snowy and icy here. Do you think people in Alaska, Minnesota, North Dakota, Canada and other northern areas stay inside all winter? NO! They bundle up and live.
Oh, and trying to keep Harlee from going to the barn with Steve would be torture for her. She loves being outside, and has a really warm winter coat that nature has provided for her (granted some other breeds are not as hardy and would not fare well in these conditions, but she's a black lab/border collie mix). We are mindful of her behaviors and whether or not she's been out too long, but as long as she asks to go out, we'll let her out.
Sure, you have to be careful, but you have to do that in 100 degree heat too.
When did cold and 6-10" of snow become cause for widespread panic and drama?
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Day 2 of 2014
Well, I'm already off to a better start than 2013 - I don't think I even started writing until about day 7.
I spent most of the afternoon clearing the clutter off of the old desk. Not so I could set up the new computer that I trudged through the snow for because I messed up on the delivery address and had to go to the UPS warehouse to pick it up, but so that I could move all of the files to the new filing cabinet that hasn't made it to its new home in the attic as yet. Now, instead of wholly unorganized chaos, I have neatly boxed and piled chaos. I came across a couple of papers that I had written for my undergrad degree, and I have to wonder what it was the Wilkes University Creative Writing Program staff ever saw in my writing - it's quite questionable at best. But, hey, it got me the A's I struggled for!
Although it may not seem so, I have greatly improved since then, and if I keep at this daily promise to myself I may get even better. I can't wait to set up the new computer though - the 'O' on my laptop is missing its key cover, and I'm hitting the little rubbery nub that lives underneath which is not an easy task. I wonder if I should try to fix it? Ah, this is a challenge, I'll keep at it. I c uld always try t write with ut using the letter ' ', I w nder if any ne w uld have tr uble figuring ut what I was saying? Ha, ha.
Ok, I'm getting silly now. Time to retire to reading and try this again tomorrow!
Night, night.
I spent most of the afternoon clearing the clutter off of the old desk. Not so I could set up the new computer that I trudged through the snow for because I messed up on the delivery address and had to go to the UPS warehouse to pick it up, but so that I could move all of the files to the new filing cabinet that hasn't made it to its new home in the attic as yet. Now, instead of wholly unorganized chaos, I have neatly boxed and piled chaos. I came across a couple of papers that I had written for my undergrad degree, and I have to wonder what it was the Wilkes University Creative Writing Program staff ever saw in my writing - it's quite questionable at best. But, hey, it got me the A's I struggled for!
Although it may not seem so, I have greatly improved since then, and if I keep at this daily promise to myself I may get even better. I can't wait to set up the new computer though - the 'O' on my laptop is missing its key cover, and I'm hitting the little rubbery nub that lives underneath which is not an easy task. I wonder if I should try to fix it? Ah, this is a challenge, I'll keep at it. I c uld always try t write with ut using the letter ' ', I w nder if any ne w uld have tr uble figuring ut what I was saying? Ha, ha.
Ok, I'm getting silly now. Time to retire to reading and try this again tomorrow!
Night, night.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Welcome 2014
Last year, with very good intentions, I made a resolution to write everyday. I failed.
Miserably!
This year, I will try again, but vow to make a much more valiant effort to do so...I think.
Late last summer, we started building an addition on the house - I say addition, but it's much more like a second house - and the progress has been, for an over-excited artist and writer, slow. Not slow in the contractor's speed, ability, or even time frame, but slow because as much as I'm ready for "a room of my own," I'm not ready for a room of my own. We did manage to buy a new computer for the almost-existing writing alcove, as well as a desk, and I fixed the printer that has long sat silent under a heap of last year's bills and paperwork otherwise unfiled, but I'm not sure that I'm ready emotionally. I should be. This is what I've dreamed of. A private space to carry out all forms of creativity. But, what of creatively creating my creative space? When will I do that? What will I do? How will I do it? What color should the walls be? Carpeting or laminate? Custom shelving or run-of-the-mill cabinetry? How can I sit down and craft in any form if I don't have my space appropriately crafted?
Does it matter? Probably not. But, maybe. But, it can't. I have to do this. For myself and my sanity, I have to write and get this aggression, stress, art, creativity, rambling, ranting, nonsense, philosophizing, and otherwise out of my head so I can fill it with more. Day one. Complete. It's not much, but it's a start. Maybe I'll even work in some editing. I have a manuscript that I've sorely missed, and very much needs some attention!
Miserably!
This year, I will try again, but vow to make a much more valiant effort to do so...I think.
Late last summer, we started building an addition on the house - I say addition, but it's much more like a second house - and the progress has been, for an over-excited artist and writer, slow. Not slow in the contractor's speed, ability, or even time frame, but slow because as much as I'm ready for "a room of my own," I'm not ready for a room of my own. We did manage to buy a new computer for the almost-existing writing alcove, as well as a desk, and I fixed the printer that has long sat silent under a heap of last year's bills and paperwork otherwise unfiled, but I'm not sure that I'm ready emotionally. I should be. This is what I've dreamed of. A private space to carry out all forms of creativity. But, what of creatively creating my creative space? When will I do that? What will I do? How will I do it? What color should the walls be? Carpeting or laminate? Custom shelving or run-of-the-mill cabinetry? How can I sit down and craft in any form if I don't have my space appropriately crafted?
Does it matter? Probably not. But, maybe. But, it can't. I have to do this. For myself and my sanity, I have to write and get this aggression, stress, art, creativity, rambling, ranting, nonsense, philosophizing, and otherwise out of my head so I can fill it with more. Day one. Complete. It's not much, but it's a start. Maybe I'll even work in some editing. I have a manuscript that I've sorely missed, and very much needs some attention!
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