Pumpkins from last years garden
The summer has flown by and as is so often the case, time does indeed heal all wounds. Or at least it dulls the pain. I've missed my little homestead and it's been a painful loss. I've avoided thinking about it as much as possible. No gardens, no animals, no daily chores outdoors mending fences or building housing. No babies to fuss over and enjoy. No cheese to make or harvesting to keep up with. I've hated driving by farms with goats because it just made me miss my girls. I wasn't even able to respond to the many kind emails encouraging me to hang in there. I hope you all forgive me....I just couldn't talk about it.
Today, when I was out driving, I went by a farm I've loved and then hated and realized I didn't dread seeing it. And then I knew I would have my homestead again. The urge or need I have to grow things has been with me all my life. It's been a difficult year but one bad year can't end a lifetime of dreams. This dream has been with me since my age was a single digit.
So today I have started the mental process of planning for next spring. I learned so much the few years I had the animals. I know what's stressful to me and what's just plain too much for me. I know I need to take things easier than I did before. But geez, what a great place to be...it's Sept. and I have 4 - 6 months to plan it all out this time. I have a mini barn already set up, an almost completed greenhouse, all the goat panels and electric fencing I need. And mostly, the knowledge I didn't have before.
So with a notebook, all my Hobby Farm and Mother Earth magazines, homesteading books, pictures from when we did have the animals and gardens and the property survey I'm going to plan it out. I think it's going to be a fun project. One day at a time.
