Yep, I was out for some time. I was here, on the farm working and developing ideas and projects. But it took me some time to find words to explain what had been going on in my mind. The whole idea of a "Happy Woman" living close to nature and in harmony with society just didn't match with the emptiness I felt inside.
When I decided not to be "liberated" I had to accept the fact that there is no ready-to-applie image available to replace that of the modern, independent, emancipated woman. I had to search and re-build my values and life-purpose.
A task that will go one for a while I guess ...
But I guess I'm back to share some of my humble ideas and of course to tell you what goes on on our farm here in the good old South of France.
One of the biggest changes in our daily activities is the vegetable production. Yep, we now grow organic vegetables on a somewhat larger scale then before. 1500 square meters of different and rare varieties. Tomatoes, aborigine, lettuce, beans, leaks, celery, onions, peppers, cucumbers, aromatic herbs and many more.
It's Hubby that does most of the hard work but I try to help wherever I can to plant, harvest, take out weeds and water the plants.
Hard work and not so easy to commercialize products of which people don't know what they are. We have to explain how to cook some of the vegetables and share recipes. But we have clients and they seem to be happy and satisfied so that's great.
In the next posts I will publish some pictures of our tomatoes and pumpkins.
Good to be back, hope to hear from you all!
What can I do for you?
During the last 8 weeks I have done more talking and thinking then ever before in my life. It is true that everyone can think about philosophy and the meaning of life, but ... for some of us it's easier then for others. For me thinking about the purpose of life is a big effort and it takes tons of energy. However, it's more then worth it as in times of crisis and rapid changes it is more then ever important to know why you're here and what you're gonna do with your life.
As the social and economical problems persist we are confronted with a real demand for energy. In order to survive and prosper we must gain access to the stuff that really makes us go for it every day. Not "just" to earn money or to have fun but to satisfy our physical, emotional and intellectual needs. So me and Hubby have talked and talked and talked about past and future in order to find out what we really and profoundly want in our lives.
For me it is now clear that for a very long time a have lived to fulfill my personal desires. I saw my future life as it would be in a "country-life" brochure. But is that my vision or is it the vision of those who'd like to sell me all the stuff that goes with it?
I guess you know the answer ...
But how do you create an image of your life if you don't want to look in glossy magazines? Yep, you have to dig ... dig in the past, go back to your childhood memories and try to remember what made you really happy back then. What made you feel strong and proud? What were you extraordinary good at?
I discovered that I was very persistent in realizing my goals, even if all odds were against me. Riding a horse or a bike as a partially sighted kid was not a piece of cake. Nobody really believed that I could but I wanted it so badly that I never gave up practicing and getting up after every fall.
Preparing food and cakes has always brought me a lot of satisfaction. Even if things in the kitchen went totally wrong I would start all over again until I got it right. And I was so proud when people liked what I had made. That made me feel so good!
Being aware of this quality helps and supports me in difficult times. I know that I can work long and hard and never give up.
Another thing I found out is that being part of a bunch of people that belong together is very important for me.
However, the so-called freedom we were given since the glorious 70's has resulted in very "loose" relationships. Friend and family bonds can be broken at any time and for any given reason, legitimate or not. We have not learned ways to manage differences and do efforts to establish and maintain long-term relations. There was no "need" to stick together so instead of having people around that you know very well and can count on unconditionally you have to "manage" your relationships over and over again. Asking yourself if somebody deserves your time, friendship, effort etc.
This is not a good way to live.
What is "your best"?
The best is what we love most and are good at. The secret to prosperity lies not in wanting to live a consumers dream but in asking what you can do for the people around you.
Do I sound religious? Well, perhaps I am. But I'll come back to that in my next post.
As the social and economical problems persist we are confronted with a real demand for energy. In order to survive and prosper we must gain access to the stuff that really makes us go for it every day. Not "just" to earn money or to have fun but to satisfy our physical, emotional and intellectual needs. So me and Hubby have talked and talked and talked about past and future in order to find out what we really and profoundly want in our lives.
For me it is now clear that for a very long time a have lived to fulfill my personal desires. I saw my future life as it would be in a "country-life" brochure. But is that my vision or is it the vision of those who'd like to sell me all the stuff that goes with it?
I guess you know the answer ...
But how do you create an image of your life if you don't want to look in glossy magazines? Yep, you have to dig ... dig in the past, go back to your childhood memories and try to remember what made you really happy back then. What made you feel strong and proud? What were you extraordinary good at?
I discovered that I was very persistent in realizing my goals, even if all odds were against me. Riding a horse or a bike as a partially sighted kid was not a piece of cake. Nobody really believed that I could but I wanted it so badly that I never gave up practicing and getting up after every fall.
Preparing food and cakes has always brought me a lot of satisfaction. Even if things in the kitchen went totally wrong I would start all over again until I got it right. And I was so proud when people liked what I had made. That made me feel so good!
Being aware of this quality helps and supports me in difficult times. I know that I can work long and hard and never give up.
Another thing I found out is that being part of a bunch of people that belong together is very important for me.
However, the so-called freedom we were given since the glorious 70's has resulted in very "loose" relationships. Friend and family bonds can be broken at any time and for any given reason, legitimate or not. We have not learned ways to manage differences and do efforts to establish and maintain long-term relations. There was no "need" to stick together so instead of having people around that you know very well and can count on unconditionally you have to "manage" your relationships over and over again. Asking yourself if somebody deserves your time, friendship, effort etc.
This is not a good way to live.
Sharing a vibe, a flow and a mutual purpose is essential. In order to achieve this we must offer the best of ourselves to others.
What is "your best"?
The best is what we love most and are good at. The secret to prosperity lies not in wanting to live a consumers dream but in asking what you can do for the people around you.
- How can I help YOU?
- How can I make YOU feel good?
- What can I do to make you flourish and prosper with my gifts and talents.
Do I sound religious? Well, perhaps I am. But I'll come back to that in my next post.
X-mas was great!
Today it's freezing but before that we had some really mild and sunny days. The X-mas days where wonderful and I enjoyed the time with Ronny and Hannah, the horses and some dear friends.
I hereby wish all the visitores of this blog a Happy New Year! Hope to see you all again in 2009!
I hereby wish all the visitores of this blog a Happy New Year! Hope to see you all again in 2009!
These are some pictures we took during the last magical days of 2009. We worked in the garden, on the pictures below Hannah is planting beans. Ronny is covering up with fertile compost.
We're working in the little house, we've been living here the past 4 years but by this summer it should be ready to be rented to tourists. Hannah is helping her father finishing the bedroom walls.
Me and hannah took one anothers picture when we having a walk with our horses. It was great and I hope we can do that again soon!
This is the Challah bread I made for New Years Eve. I promise you, it tastes as great as it looks ...
Not everybody is working here all the time ... some "folks" can enjoy the afternoon sun!
What would you call this?
Guess what we found in the wood ... Yep, this huge "cèpe", a delicious mushroom. Actually we found lots this year but this was definitely the biggest specimen! I said "we" found but I should say Hubbie found cause even when they have this size they are so well camouflaged between the dead leaves that I don't see them even if I'm standing on one ... However, by no means, this spoils the pleasure of eating them! By the way, they have no side-effects, totally legal!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
