Bee~ Journal of then...

[FarmerDenise]

Yes you can, Bee!. You already have a lot of it written up on this forum anyway. So you are certainly not starting up from scratch!! Sorry to hear about the nasty at work.

 

[lorihadams]

Here's a suggestion that might help you out. We did this with my great grandmother when she was still alive and it was wonderful. Make an audio copy of an interview with your mom. Think of a list of questions and just talk while you record. Just sit down with your mom and have a conversation about the "old days" and growing up and you'll be surprised what will come out when you just sit and talk. We can all help you come up with questions. Here's some to consider from me....

1. What was it like to live off grid with no electricity? How hard was it?
2. What was it really like to have to use an outhouse in the dead of the summer and winter? (I've done it myself, so I know but lots of people are curious)
3. How hard is it to kill an animal that you raised?
4. What did you do for entertainment with no electricity? Did you ever get bored?
5. What are some of your favorite recipes from your childhood?
6. How do you deal with predators?
7. How do you decide what kind of housing to build for your animals?
8. What is your favorite thing about living this way?

 

[Beekissed]

Thank you, lori, for those starter questions! I've been talking to Mom about it and we've decided to start jotting down ideas as they come to us (Son #2's idea, really) so that we can organize our thoughts.

The way you have done it seems as good as any....questions that most people used to ask us when we lived this way, with more that folks want to know now.

Today was a cleansing and a healing day....I always seem to have those after reading Chicken Soup for the Soul books Some of my book will have a little bit of inspirational or touching moments as well. Stories about strong women usually do.

I really get to take a second look at myself when I read those types of stories....and I usually boo-hoo through the whole book! I was reading the CSFTS book today and crying~right there in a restuarant....thank goodness there were no other patrons!

 

[Up-the-Creek]

Awww Bee,.. Your spirit is needing tended to. I get like that at times,..I go into our big field and set right in the middle of it and just gaze at the mountains. The mountains bring the tears for me,....its just the amazing beauty of it all I guess.

 

[Beekissed]

Yes, C....these blue mountains have healing properties for me also. I do the same thing as I drive the country all day....just look at those blue mountains and let my heart fill up with the beauty of it all.

Aren't we blessed to live in a place this beautiful, with air that is still this crisp and clean? Sometimes I just lie out and watch the stars, talk to God, feel comforted and assured that He is waiting for me.

Oh...guess what? One of the Toxic Trio is now a member on BYC.... :/

 

[FarmerDenise]

Bee, it takes a strong woman to cry about those stories in a public place. It's because you care!!! And that's what makes you so wonderful and precious to us.
PS. you need the mushy stuff too, and then you can go out and do the tough woman stuff again.
I am woman, hear me roar, right after I had my good cry

 

[Up-the-Creek]

Oh...guess what? One of the Toxic Trio is now a member on BYC.... :/

ETA: Yes Bee, we are VERY blessed to be here in these beautiful mountains. I understand why many people refer to our state as "almost heaven".

 

[MorelCabin]

Do tell!!!

 

[Occamstazer]

Do tell!!!

2nd!

 

[Farmfresh]

There is a way that we are very different my friend. When I see mountains it makes me sick to my stomach and queezey scared inside. I am OK with rolling hills. I can see a mountain far away, but get me in the mountains and I am scared stiff!!! It is fear of heights - just kind of misplaced.

On vacation a couple of years back we went to Colorado. I was telling my hubby how I am and he was trying to be considerate, but he had a real desire to get into the mountains as well. He planned the route very carefully. We only took roads that followed gentle rises in elevation and basically skirted along the mountains - until... we crossed the great divide.

We went through at Scumgullion Pass it was not too bad coming from east to west until we hit the pass then man oh man. DOWN AND DOWN AND AROUND AND AROUND. I was a TOTAL wreck. I was shaking, pukey, hysterically crying ... A MESS. I could not get control of myself. We finally stopped at the first camp ground we got to, Lake San Cristobal (which actually was beautiful after I got control of myself) and I made him go to the lowest point we could find before stopping.

The next day we went up and out after I took a muscle relaxer and I STILL had problems.

Give me a nice WIDE FLAT grassy prairie and THEN I feel the peace and God's comfort. I am definitely a Flatlander!