*Life is in the journey!* ~ Barefoot Farming

 ♥

Life's Inspirational Valiant Endeavors

~ The Joy of Organic Gardening ~

***

We don't call it Barefoot Acres around here for nothing. Spring hasn't quite sprung round these parts, though this weekend past I certainly found ample motivation in our seventy degree weather to take care of a few farm chores. Mud and manure threatened to pay the inside of my boots a visit with all of the rain that's passing through, but I'm not complaining. I'm ready for Spring! I've already ventured outdoors in my bare feet on frosty mornings to sweep the porch and shake out the rugs in the sun. By mid-May I'll be cussin' those weeds and ankle deep in the cool, moist earth of the vegetable garden. I'm a feet-in-the-dirt kinda girl. Barefootin' it is how I roll.

It was my grandfather that first introduced me to dirt. Not the, "Sittin' in the honeysuckle makin' mud pies," kind of dirt. I'm talking about the, "Grab that hoe and that floppy hat and let's get to work in the garden," kind of dirt. As a kid, I helped pick beans off the bush, plucked tomatoes from the vine, and searched for potatoes alongside my grandpa digging for gold in rich, organic dirt. That good, clean, earthy-smellin' kind of dirt. Dirt that was made nutrient rich with chicken and cow manure and compost; not with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Work never tasted so good, as it did when my grandmother placed supper on the table at their house. 

As the saying goes, 

"We call it organic. They called it food." 

I call it...
 Barefoot Farming!

My garden

Spring is most definitely flirting on our doorstep here in Missouri. Just a few more weeks and I'll be outside more than in every day of the week...

Hauling Horse...

and Pony...

 Chicken...

...and Bunny Poo

...from one place to another; turning over the dirt in the garden, weeding, planting, mulching, and praying for sun and rain... not too much or little of either. Admittedly, I'm not always the most successful farmer, but I've seen more good seasons than bad. It's kind of like having babies... by the time the next one (season) comes along you kind of forget all the crap you had to go through to bring in that good crop of strawberries and beans. You do it 'cause it tastes good, and it's so good for ya.

Well, and 'cause the jars sure look pretty sitting on the counter tops.

Organic Gardens

The joy of organic gardening comes from the knowledge that you're feeding yourself and your family Nutritious and Healthy Food...not serving up residuals from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
I don't know about you, but
 I prefer what's on our family's table to not be doused in poison. 

If you're looking for what constitutes Organic, 

check out Alan Henry's article, from lifehacker (dot) com,

 "What Does Organic Really Mean, and Is It Really Worth My Money". 

And here's another great article by Darya Pino, of Summer Tomato

 "Is Organic Food Really The Same As Conventional."

"How do I get started," is generally the first question that comes to mind when considering a garden. Composting is the answer, even if you're not going to keep a vegetable garden, and is a great way to start living a greener, more self-sustained lifestyle. We (our family of five) live on five acres here in rural Missouri composting everything from manure, to grass clippings, to fall leaves and kitchen scraps. I first tried my hand at it when we lived in a small one and a half story in town, on no more than a half acre lot, collecting egg shells and coffee grinds, and even hair clippings from my attempts at pet and kid grooming at home. Just about all of your kitchen scraps, except raw meat scraps, should go into your compost. If you've got something to grow and a small piece of ground to work it into the soil, then you have ample room to start composting.

~ The Joy of New Beginnings ~

 How to grow an organic vegetable garden

 ~ The Joy of Composting ~

 Setting up a "Backyard Compost"

~ The Joy of Composting, Part II ~

"The Turn"

~ The Joy of Worms ~

 Vermicomposting: You've got worms!

 ~ The Joy of Barefoot Farming ~

 Gotta Love Jeff Poppen, The Barefoot Farmer!

 ~ The Joy of Another Season Ending ~

 How to prepare for the coming winter

For all kinds of information regarding 'the best time to plant', or if you're 'searching for a new recipe', or you'd like to 'consult this year's weather report', by all means, check out this website at the  

Old Farmer's Almanac. 

I look forward to my hard copy every year in the store!

You can also visit Gardenerd

"The ultimate organic gardening resource for garden nerds"

for all kinds of cool ideas.

***

GRANDMOTHER POEM

Sometimes in my dreams
I still see
my Kentucky grandmother
thin, strong, and hungry
holding her egg money
out to me
saying:
buy land, Mary
buy land
buy land while it lasts
they stopped making it

© Mary Mackey, both poems from "Split Ends" by Mama's Press, Oakland CA, 1974

***

  Joy My Friends

... and happy Organic gardening!

“The best way out is always through.”

~ Robert Frost

 

*Life is in the journey!* ~ The Wings of Life

♥

Life's Inspirational Valiant Endeavors

~ The Wings of Life ~

 

 

 

 

"A Love Story That Feeds The Earth"

We, in our attempts to keep our children safe, 

our own bodies relatively free of painful venom and mad dashes to the ER, 

our lawns immaculate,

and our homes, literally, from falling in around us,

have become accustomed to guilt-free, justifiable extermination.

 

I will be the first to admit,

 my number one priority on my Spring Cleaning list is 

to stock up on Wasp, Hornet and Ant spray!

There is no love lost there, nor really, blink of an eye. 

I'll step over an ant hill in my front yard...

"Live and Let Live", I preach to my kids,

taking a knee for further investigation and awe.

I'll shoo a wasp out the back rather than swat them into oblivion

as they stumble indoors, effectively dazed from the Spring thaw.

I'll even show the appropriate amount of respect for the tenacity of a yellow jacket,

having arrived at the watering can first, waiting patiently for him to move on.

But...

(and Behold the Underlying Truth)

 by the time the dog days of Summer arrive

and the little tiny ant army has set up camp on my kitchen counters,

and those confused little wasps have begun an all out attack

on any human body part waving about the water's edge of our pool...

and that lone, thirsty, insignificant little yellow jacket

has laid claim to that hole in the ground beneath the Redbud tree,

all jacked up on hummingbird nectar 

and hanging out on the corner with his no good warrior-ing friends...

Well then, the kid gloves come off!

 

Even those pesky little honey bees are obnoxious

with their cute little fuzzy butt stingers,

 and their super sweet golden honey,

and their unnaturally industrious work habits.

 

I mean, whichever one of those little over-achievers

 came up with the genius marketing ploy 

to Save The Earth One Flower At a Time...

well, maybe they should rethink their strategy of World Domination.

  

Who needs flowers anyway?

And all-natural sugar in a cute little plastic bear... who needs that?

And pollination, 

And protecting 1/3 of our world community's food resources...

Yeah. Who needs that? 

 

Why should I have to wear shoes in my own backyard?

I'm hopscotching my way, barefooted, around the clover

to get to the clothes line and the garden and the mailbox!

It's a wee bit ridiculous, don't ya think, 

worrying over mowing twice a week,

and all to save the cute little bees and the cute little environment?

Who needs the environment?

Ummmm... yeah.

 

I'm having to think twice about spraying my roses and my lawn with pesticides.

And now, 

in addition to feeding the hummingbirds and songbirds, 

and keeping the squirrels busy with ears of corn on a stick,

I have to be picky about the plants I choose to plant in my flower garden.

Why should I care about planting 

to conserve our water resources or feeding the starving bees? 

It's just not right.

Right?

 

Now... C'mon.

( I remind my bad habits, my melodramatic tendencies, my inborn traditions...)

Where's the love for our planet, for our future?

Seriously, how hard can it be 

(pun intended)

to pour a little milk on your roses to cure black rot and other mildew,

or soapy dish water on aphids and Japanese beetles and slugs and spider mites,

or to simply ask to see the *Native* flowers section in your local nursery

to cut down on the need for watering, 

while also providing the most beneficial flowers for your bees?

Where's the hard in that?

 

We can all stand to take a closer look this year at how we're harming... or helping.

The simple truth is... 

We *Need* Bees

and

Bees *Need* We... The People!

So, look into your heart and your garden sprays

and see what you can do about saving the little Bees knees!

 

Want to Build a Bee House?

 

Want to Plant for Pollinators?

 

Want to join your world community in doing your share?

Well then, take a look at:

 

The White House

'Do It Yourself Pest Control'

 

Louie Schwartzberg,

the award-winning, cinematographer, director and producer of 

"Wings of Life"

and see what he has to say about "rediscovering your sense of wonder".

     

And when you've found it...

Don't stop there. Please. 

What's "Easy", isn't always what's Right.

*YOU* 

Can make a difference!

Wisdom, Honor & Passion 

My Friends!


"The best way out is always through."
~ Robert Frost ~

 

 

*I Cook Barefooted!* ~ Sopapilla Cheesecake

Barefoot Love!

Sopapilla, literally means, 'bread soaked in oil'.

 

Gluttony Meet Heart.

Heart Meet Gluttony.

Enjoy it while it lasts!

I know it's not good for you.

But, that's just not the point here!

*looks over shoulder for any cardiologists in the room* 

Sometimes... and I do mean, SOME times, a little gluttony is good for the soul.

Everything in moderation, I always say...

 except Brussels sprouts and Lima beans, 

but that's just me.

My son introduced us to this sweet and creamy confection a while back.
I love it when my kids LOVE to cook!

When we showed up with this Heavenly dish at a gathering of friends,

grown men wept in anticipation (not really).

Well, they did set the beer aside, 

if only long enough to grab a big spoon with which to shovel it in!

Look, I don't have all the answers!

Sometimes we eat bad things, because we're just built that way.

But what's a ball game without a hot dog and nachos?

Where's the fun if you can't drink a beer at a BBQ?

And, why the hell CAN'T we indulge in a little sugary treat once in a while?

My advice: 

Eat it! Because it tastes SO good.

Walk a little further...
to your mailbox, parking spot or to the second floor
 ...every chance you get.

And for cripes sake people, 

Take your vitamins like your mother told you.

Life is short.

Eat cheesecake!

It's all good.

☮

Sopapilla Cheesecake

 

16 oz. cream cheese

2 cans crescent rolls

1 cup white sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

½ cup butter, melted

½ cup cinnamon sugar

Line bottom of a 9x13 baking dish with one can of crescent rolls.

Mix together cream cheese, white sugar and vanilla extract.

Spread over top of the crescent rolls.

Unroll the other can of crescents and place on top of cream cheese mixture.

Pour melted butter over top and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mix.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

*Cut into pieces and drizzle with honey, if you like.*

***

 You want reviews?
    How 'bout, 
~ Oh, My God! ~ ヅ

(In the voice of Chandler Bing on 'Friends')

How 'bout You?
Have a recipe you want to share on 
*I Cook Barefooted!*?
Show some Barefoot Love and...

Send it here:  scarlettcolleen@yahoo.com 
Want to include a photo? Fun!

What's on your table?

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions.

All life is an experiment.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


 *Barefoot Love*Airbrush By, Colleen 
2012

*Life is in the journey!* ~ "You Can"

 ♥

Life's Inspirational Valiant Endeavors

~ “You Can” ~

 

This is the story of Rick and, his father, Dick Hoyt.

Born without the ability to move or speak, Rick is the inspiration that has moved his father to run for him for over two decades. Among the oldest, out of thousands they have competed against, Dick Hoyt has pushed, pulled and carried his son in over 950 races, 60 marathons… and 6 iron man competitions (That’s a 2.4 mile swim, carrying his son along with him, a 112 mile bike ride with his son leading the way and a 26.2 mile run, ending only when they crossed the finish line.)   

“I may be disabled, but I live a very fulfilling life.”

~ Rick Hoyt

Hero, defined by Merriam-Webster, might lead one to believe in fairy tales.

a: a mythological or legendary figure

often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability

b: an illustrious warrior

c: a man (or woman thank you very much) admired for his/her achievements

and noble qualities (Okay, getting warmer.)

d: one who shows great courage (…warmer still)

 I like to think it is the man, woman and child who show great love, respect and devotion every day for their son and brother. 
Dick Hoyt is a Hero by most standards.

He loves his son.

So he runs.

What defines this father as, Hero, in my heart is this…

Rain or shine, he shows up.

Life is in the journey!

You Can!

~ Life is in the journey! ~

 

Joy My Friends!

"The best way out is always through."

~ Robert Frost

*Life is in the journey!* ~ Choosing Peace

♥

Life's Inspirational Valiant Endeavors

~ Choosing Peace ~

I have yet to meet another human being who *doesn’t* live with worry, a modicum of regret or feel the steady downward pull of stress in their daily lives. If I could sit down to a cup of tea or even a warm doughnut, and discuss *The Journey* with the Dalai Lama himself, I would be most appreciative and humbled. I am amazed by his culture’s resilient spirit and their chosen path to peace and tranquility.

I, however, spent much of my twenties and thirties practicing the shadowy art of denial. My suffering eased, eventually, thanks to my younger brother’s keen intuition and love for me, when he suggested way-back-when, that whatever it was that I had been doing was apparently not working out so well, and that I might do myself and those around me a giant favor ~ and just do something about it already. Only, I didn’t quite understand what he was talking about at the time, because I was standing on the edge of that river, Denial, soaking wet, a deafening noise in my brain and furious with no one in particular.

Counseling seemed the answer in my early teens. The right someone (someone other than those closest to me, and whom I considered the source of my pain) listened to me for the first time in my young life. I see now it was on that therapeutic couch, literally speaking, that I first began to believe in the existence of my own voice.

Then Life happened. I grew up. I found my voice, but didn’t have a clue how to use it. Like a child with a new toy, I thought it was mine to covet. And rather than feel the uncomfortable process of self-actualization and accept peace into my life, I buried my head deep in the sand, eyes open for effect, and indulged my fears through self-preservation. Food, and the quest for love became my drugs of choice. I married my high school sweetheart. We had a baby, then two, then three. I, and my husband, lived relatively uncomplicated lives (outside of the pain still brewing inside of me, in the form of anger and resentment) on an artist’s meager but gloriously consistent salary, with a dog, two cats, a house full of kids, car payments, and a mortgage.

It was no Shangri-La, but looking back now, it was ~ Everything I always knew I wanted.

*Big Sigh*

Remembering the taste of sand 
between my teeth, makes me want to eat cake.

Here. Now. I am forty-three! My three children are immersed in those pivotal stages in their young lives, where I first entertained low self-esteem and self-deprecating behavior and attitudes ~ 13, 15 and 18 years old. And There, but for the grace of God, go they! It seems, one of my more modest life goals, has always been to try to live in a place of peace ~ without the aid of cake. Somewhere in my mid-thirties, (Yep, it only took me thirty-something years to access that part of my brain, folks.) I felt, for the first time, the irony of Life itself.

No longer drowning in the day to day monotony and the illusion of Life itself, and feeling reasonably confident that my voice would be heard by those closest to me, I lay my heart out on the table and took a leap of faith that no one would stomp on it.

And that is when I woke up. 

"A long time on a crooked road."

~ Joe, "Joe Versus the Volcano"

I awoke to the realization, that “Life is pain. You’ve got to scrape the joy out of it.” I was no novice, no stranger to pain. No one is. “Aye, there’s the rub!” (There, my friends, is the irony in Life. It is with little shame, that I just quoted Rod Kimble and William Shakespeare in practically the same breath!) 

Life IS in the journey! It’s a slow walk, naked, barefooted, and as if that weren’t enough of a lesson for us, bearing the weight in the struggle of those we love and those we despise as well, through ten-thousand miles of our own fear-driven conscience and consciousness. Hallelujah! Pass the gravy!

We are on one great, life-altering expedition into the unknown the moment our little hands and feet, and cheek, meet our mother’s breast, our father’s arms; and if we’re lucky, a warm blanket and a healthy sense of adventure.

Peace lies within, like a flower eager to open itself to the sun.  It has always been there inside of you. It flows through the life blood in each and every cell in our bodies, before we are even aware of the world outside of us. Its purpose ~ to teach us something profound, something we cannot live and thrive without. To teach us how to love ~ ourselves, and others.

It is my wish that, *Life is in the journey!* will serve all those who visit, as a most important and profound reminder, through Laughter, Tears of Awe and Joy, and through Peace... that there is comfort to be found in this journey we share.

We have only to choose to live our lives, "...awake and in constant, total amazement!"

~ 

 

Alexander Tsiaras’, “Conception to Birth” is, perhaps, one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring stories we, as humans, have to tell. A mathematician by trade, Tsiaras shares his expertise and his talent for minute detail, with humility, in a lecture given ~ Here. 

~ Life is in the journey! ~

 

Peace My Friends!

“The best way out is always through.”

~ Robert Frost

☮It is not my wish to debate in this forum,
when *Life* begins.

It is my intention to celebrate *Life* in all stages and all forms,

here in this place among friends, and with a healthy dose of humility.

~ Thank you!

 Love!

Joy! It's complicated.

Joy is found in the little things. Is that true? ‘Cause I would like my JOY in the form of a Krispy Kreme doughnut, please. Smothered in a sugary glaze. And just off the line warm. I understand this request is only temporary joy, but I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth – especially if it comes with a glass of milk.

Finding JOY is, something akin to, Yukon Cornelius taming his Bumble. Sometimes you just have to wrastle (yes, I said wrastle, auto-correct) this Life into submission, knocking out those sharp teeth, that would just as soon eat you as greet you. If you’ll recall, Bumbles are BIG, not little. There was great JOY, if not an eerie sense of merriment, to be found in that raging, toothless, fluff of white – after our perky little prospector helped him out with his anger problem. “Didn’t I ever tell you? Bumbles bounce!”

Sometimes, I feel like a Bumble.

Finding the Joy in that?

Well, it’s complicated.

Joy is found in the little things.

It’s in that extra few seconds of sleep you begged God for this morning.

It’s in that moment of terror when you found the mouse in the toe of your boot.

It’s in the humor you found today, that escaped you yesterday.

It’s in a friendly wave and a nod from your neighbor, and that unexpected phone call from a friend.

It’s in the smack warm hug you witnessed between two brothers.

It's in your kids and every last bone-headed thing they do.

It's in a song. Not just any song. But, Your song.

It's in the spelling of your name, with your butt, to hear the birthday girl laugh.

It’s in the look you shared with your husband when he danced in his underwear.

It’s in the funny bone you hit on the corner of the shower this morning.

It’s in that look the dog gave you when she caught you drinking from the carton.

It’s in every last twinkly light and handmade ornament hanging from your tree.

It’s in that cup you're drinking out of now. You know, the one that says, JOY, on it!

It is in our desperate search for Serenity, Courage and Wisdom in our lives.

And, It is in all of those things we forget to look for when our eyes are looking down.

JOY!
Is inside of You. 

May you Find It and Wield It with Reckless Abandon!

                                              

                                                             The Joy of Tree!

                                                         

                                                             
                                                     The Joy of Baby Love!