Tractor Tracks, Cowboy Boots & Glamin' it Up on the Farm!

A few years ago when a female farm friend, Caroline  and her farmer- husband Mark divorced, I remember giving her what I thought was the best advice ever.  And what I told my girlfriend was “now that you are single, you can paint your whole house PINK if you want to!”  (and she did just that!) But what I was really conveying was the fact that beginnings and how you choose to shape your new life are just like a farmer’s Spring work, in that what you sow is what you will reap, and the method of how you do that, will not only affect you, but will also affect  those around you.  

Note - my "pink shop door". Love my little tractor too!

My Red Boots!

A chandelier in my farmhouse kitchen. As I "girly up the farmhouse"

And this blog is again what I have learned from a wheat plant and what I am discovering about me and my new beginnings.  I had the title of this  blog for 3 or 4 months and  didn’t know how I was going to integrate  Tractor Tracks, Cowboy Boots and Glamin' it up on the Farm … all I knew was that one day I would  know what to write, and then… it all came together yesterday as  I took an early morning walk.....



Welcome to the  S-Wheat Farm

Enjoying the quiet beauty of the fields, I started noticing the tractor tracks in the fields all around my farmhouse and ideas started forming.  Farmers leave all sorts of tracks in their fields from the initial seeding of the fields, to doing the maintenance of the crops, and then there is a flurry of many tracks when it is harvest time, and again ending with more tracks when seeding winter wheat in the Fall. The tracks left in the fields are necessary.  Depending on the stage of the plants, usually they will recover from being heavily trod upon, but sometimes not and their growth will be affected.  It depends on much they are driven on.  If it is often (say for  a road through the field) then the plants will die out, but if it is once or twice, they  will usually  produce a good wheat head but their size may be stunted and the difference between rows of hard use and untouched are markedly different.   Just like in life,  people all leave tracks in our hearts and souls, sometimes tracks are barely noticeable,  sometimes deep rutted tracks get left when going through a trouble spot (just like our personal lives) and then those kinds of tracks leave deep impressions,   other times the tracks are noticeable but not problematic. 

                                                          Light tracks in the field

 

A trouble spot in the field where deep tractor tracks (or ruts) are made. 

 

                                         Tracks in the wheat field, noticeable, but not problematic
I want to tread lightly and leave only the tracks that leave good imprints in the minds, hearts and souls of people I come into contact with. And as I pull on my cowboy boots each morning, I realize some of the tracks I have left on people were not the ones I intended, so sometimes I have “repair work to do” to mend those ruts, but hopefully the tracks that I leave are ones that will evoke fond memories of life and laughter from family, friends and those I come into contact with knowingly or unknowingly.   And speaking of cowboy boots, I have never worn any (really) in my entire life until last Fall! And.....well I have become a boot collector… and I have black boots, brown boots,  a pair of gray boots and my favorite, my red boots.  I now think I need to get some PINK boots as well as turquoise boots.  Then maybe my boot collection will be finished.  And I LOVE cowboy boots and was almost sad as I have had to replace my boots with sandals for summer  (but living in Idaho, summer really only lasts about 2 months- so I will survive).  

 

 YUP a very PINK front door           PINK Flamingos go well with the PINK flowers

As for "Glamin' it up on the farm"… well I am changing up the house and grounds for me.  I have never really been a “Pink kind of girl” but I am starting to really LIKE Pink and I painted my shop door PINK, and then I painted my front door PINK and I planted PINK FLOWERS all over.  So in a sense, I am taking my own advice!  I am in the process of painting and distressing my kitchen cabinets (that are NOT pink) and I put in a green chandelier that took the electrician  and I about three hours to put on all the doo-dads and crystals & stuff…. And he seriously was begging me not to tell anyone about this job as it was way too feminine for him!  Ha ha ha.  So now you have the story about Tractor Tracks, Cowboy Boots & Glamin' it up on the Farm.

 

Plus I have some new recipes to put on the Cake of the Month page.... 

 

Carmel Nut Pound Cake 

 

Did I mention I LOVE to bake.... all these cakes are found on my Cake of the Month page

 

Lemonade Cake,  Coconut Lime Cake, Root beer Cake &

Carmel Nut Pound Cake 

 

On a personal note... well after a couple of false starts, I think I am ready to start dating again, but apparently I must be sort of, for lack of a better word... socially inept when it comes to flirting...  And how do I know this? Well after I related a minor interaction with someone of the opposite sex, I got the same reaction from not only my youngest daughter but the other girlfriend who was present... and  it was the slap the forehead, roll the eyes and have them blurt, "I can't believe you said that!"  Geez, now  my girlfriend from Spokane is coming down to spend the night, as she says "she misses me", but she has never come down in the middle of the week in the 12 years she has lived in Spokane, so all I can surmise is that I must be in serious need of "Girl 101 talk"  (my words not hers).  So when she arrives, I will invite her to come sit on my deck, we will drink beer and I guess I will get lessons on how to flirt.... Lord help me! =)  ha ha ha...  I guess when it comes to talking to the opposite sex, there are other topics other than tractors, weeds, crops and insects! =)  I will listen and take notes as I really do not want to be the "Erma Bombeck of the dating scene"... although it could be an amusing chapter in my upcoming book. 

 

And  with that, I hope all the "tracks that you leave in others lives" will be the ones that they cherish and are  happy that you were there, just as I will forever from here on out be mindful of the kinds of tracts that I leave in other's lives.  All my best, Gayle 

P.S. you can always email if you have questions/comments at idahofarmwife@gmail.com .



Getting from Point A to Point B, a Life Journey

  “You should write a book about what you have gone through as a way to maybe help other women heal from bad situations” is what my wise friend, Jacie told me not long after those life altering events occurred last Fall.  And you may have noticed my recent blogs have had a different feel and tone, as I not only try to paint with words what farm-life looks like, but I have started painting with words how this farm-chick’s  heart & soul sees life in general.  A sort of weird combination….. the healing process and my lessons learned from a wheat plant or farm-life on how to try and live a better life. 

And from what I can see  readers seem to like  the new  format too as my statistics on readership have increased.  And this is a small taste of what the book will be about, plus lots more…. So I do have to thank you for being my unintended guinea pigs.  Currently I have a title to my book and a basic outline, of which I shared with Jacie and she loved it!   Now all I need to do is get myself marooned on a quiet island somewhere with Internet and a well equipped kitchen to finish the book. Cooking is such a big part of my life.... that it has helped me heal and become whole again.
 

With increased stats, this blog has started getting noticed by other companies wanting to promote either their products or advertise on my blog.  And while I will not let the blog be used as a tool to promote a company or product, I will, however, share their products and do give aways  if I feel they have a value to you.  I will also do a link to the company if you want to check them out, but other than that, this blog’s purpose is and will remain a way to connect the consumer to the farmer.

And here is my “Wheat / Gayle’s Life Lesson”…..From its inception, the wheat plant knows what its purpose is. And unless outside factors strike it down, it will grow and fulfill its life cycle with the end game being a fully filled wheat head.  

 

And like a wheat plant, every person has their own path and purpose with many choices of how to go down their life’s road.  Watching the new wheat shoots coming out of the ground and making the rolling hills a non-stop look of a huge lawn... I felt connected to the land and to the new wheat coming alive after being dormant for winter. 

 

 Looks like a really big newly planted lawn



Kaitlyn and I have been experiencing the same thing, meaning that we are coming alive again after the cold spell in our lives, and now we are  enjoying much brighter days filled with hope and joy.  It in no way means we didn’t value our previous lives, it just means that we have chosen to take the path towards the sun, a warm and sunny place in life.  We all have seen others who chose the not-so-sunny paths in their world, clinging to the bitterness of events that suddenly presented itself in their lives, unasked for, unwelcome, but still a change that shifted the world that was familiar and loved.  Unlike a wheat plant that only has one path, we can choose our paths. Happiness is a choice.

 

This is what the new wheat will look like in a few

more weeks, a sea of green, blue sky, white clouds.  I just realized my bedroom

colors are this exact theme....guess I love Spring!

 

Recently a publishing company wrote and asked if I would review a book, call “A North Country Life” written by Sydney Lea.  This book is  about the author's view of his own path in life and the lives of those he connected with, and I said yes ...  To be honest, it took me a bit to grasp where the writer was coming from as his writing style was unlike any I’ve read…. But by chapter 3 I began to love his views and he tells stories about paths in his life from a very different perspective.  It is almost like being inside his head and hear him talking to himself as he is walking along and comes across a familiar place he loved while as a young man, or that a sudden memory of a loved one who passed away, but left such an important stamp in his heart and soul. And for me, I believe the view from everyone's road of life has scenery that is special to him/her and we all have our own viewpoints. The publisher has offered to give me some books to give away and I want to share the book with you!  So all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog about what you like about the blog (deadline is May 15), and I have a panel of un-biased people who will select the 2 winners.  When you leave a comment, please email me  your contact info so if you are selected, that I can send you the book! 

As for what is happening on the Anderson Farm??  Well last Fall, Cody, our young hired man choose  a new path in his life and the bright lights & big wages of a big city lured him to Las Vegas.  And taking Cody’s place is Vaughn,  a longtime friend of  Farmer Joe’s, a recently retired mechanic for the State of Idaho DOT.  Vaughn's expertise in the mechanical area will be an asset.
 

Spring work is well underway and the crew moved their parade of farm equipment up to the Genesee farm, wherein hard white wheat is being planted along with garbanzo beans.

Improvements to the barn have been made to put a new concrete floor and pad out front for ease of working on equipment.  (Gotta keep the hired man a happy camper)   Can't view this video? click here.

 

With that, I am only a click away and hope you will always feel free to ask any questions about what is done on our farm and how it affects your dinner plate at Idahofarmwife@gmail.com.  And a final personal thought from me to you is that I hope the path you choose is filled with goodness and grace of a life well lived (and if you have time,  Rascal Flatts says it better than I ever could in his song," The Wish").    All my best, Gayle. 

A New Season in Life... Spring!

Farming the rolling hills in Northern Idaho is sort of like life, you have hills to climb up or climb down or go around to get where you need to go.

We all have those "hills" in our lives and it just depends on how you decide to view your walk in life.  I've been reading some amazing books that talk about keeping a positive mental attitude no matter what.  Sometimes it is hard to figure out which direction to go, and yes, the struggle to make it to the top of the hill isn't so much fun, but very much worth the effort in experiences and lessons learned along the way. 

And so.... if you've read the past blogs about both my daughter and I suddenly finding ourselves single, well here is a brief update.  Kaitlyn bought a cute new (but old-looking Craftsman like) farmhouse in a neighboring town and moved into it the last week-end in February.  She is settling into her new life and home pretty well and is doing quite well in her MaryKay career.   But to be honest, she (as well as myself) will trip over a poignant memory or a what should have been....and a wave of sadness will splash over us,  but after shedding a tear or two both of us will usually end up laughing and once again brushing off the sadness and moving forward.  As for me, well I have been focusing on "Girly-Up House Projects" & started a new page on some how-to projects found on the page "S-Wheatie Pie Projects"  My other daughter, Jen and I are working to do a S-Wheat Farm Chick Vintage sale this Fall, so mostly I am found with a paint brush in my hand working on various projects.  I even am taking Country Swing and 2 Step dance lessons to prepare myself for a cousin's wedding in Montana this summer.  Just doing that all by myself  was a big step out of my comfort zone and I have found it is really fun. Plus I get to wear my red cowboy boots!  I also agreed to be a Marketing Committee Chair for Chicks n Chaps, a breast cancer fundraiser for an upcoming rodeo. In short, I keep myself pretty busy.

Both Kaitlyn and I  realize that we continue to be so blessed with the wonderful readers who offer their love, support and sometimes their favorite quote to stay strong,  such as, "Strength does not come from a physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will". Gandhi.  Which was sent to me by blog friend, Cheryl.


The Rolling Hills of  "Palouse"

And now for what is happening on the Anderson Farm.... well a couple of days ago as the ground was being worked, I finally "smelled Spring in the air" that heavenly scent of fresh dirt.  Yup, I am a total farm-chick nut who likes to smell the smell of dirt over anything else, just wish I could bottle that smell....

Farmers Jay & Joe have finished planting Spring Barley and Soft White Wheat down at the southern Tammany farm, and have now moved up to the Genesee farm.  This picture below is volunteer wheat from last harvest.  As the field rotation will be garbanzo beans, the farmers need to prepare the fields by spraying out the volunteer wheat and any weeds. 

Volunteer wheat from last year's harvest

And this is what was being done to the field.  I wanted to share what it looks like for a tractor in the field as it goes up the hills, down the hills or around the hills. 

Guessing this to be  a 45 degree slope

Cresting the hill

Starting the decent of the hill

The decent and moving to reaching the other side



Being on top of the hill



Even though I share what a farmer does, we are all American Heroes who go about our lives and jobs. mostly unnoticed.  So in my view, we are the great American workers, as we all do our jobs in different work forces, and here is a very worth while contest that I wanted to promote.  The Great American Worker Contest by Brawny. So hats off to all of you who do your job, just as I do mine.  Together we are what makes this country great.  P.S. if you are a reader and win this pick-up, please share the news with me!  And with that, MAKE TODAY COUNT!  All my best, Gayle 

Today is National Ag Day and I wanted to share the following YouTube video.
if you can't view the video, click here)



And as you gather around your dinner table tonight, whether or not you personally know any farmers or ranchers, say a prayer for those of us in the business of growing America's food.  And should you see or hear something that concerns you about how your food raised, go to your State organization and ask them the questions or ask them to put you in touch with a farmer that is in your area.  Believe me, local and State organizations would welcome your questions.  For a listing, you can check out my other blog, Farmer, Inc The Real Story. that has many blogs of the real life people who raise our food, plus a link to the local, national or state agencies that can give you the true information.

Again, thanks for stopping by and I am always just a click away at idahofarmwife@gmail.com   All my best, Gayle

"How to Talk to a Farmer" 101

Reading your blog is exactly like talking to you in person... was the comment from good friends, Eric & Karen, of whom I dined with the other night. Both were raised on farms, and although no longer are involved in the farming industry, they still like to stay connected via my  blog.  And they are not the only ones who want to stay connected with those of us who raise America's food.  So while I am working on my next blog, I wanted to share the following that I received as this is the exact reason why I take my passion for blogging and telling the Ag story, because I farm, you eat and want to know if what I grow is OKAY and SAFE.  (As always, thanks for stopping by & if you have questions/comments, I am only a click away at idahofarmwife@gmail.com )  All my best, Gayle

And so... I am happy to share the following:  

As much as we love food, less than 2 percent to the population is connected to the people who grow it. But, talking to your farmer is not as difficult as you think. Farmer marketing pioneer Michele Payn-Knoper offers five ways foodies can spend 15 minutes a week engaging with farmers.

HOW TO TALK TO A FARMER

Five Ways to Spend 15 Minutes a Week Engaging the People Who Grow Your Food

LEBANON, Ind. – March 14, 2013 – Do you know a farmer? If the answer’s no, you’re not alone. Research shows we’ve never been more disconnected from the people who grow our food. Less than 1.5% percent of the nation lives or works on a farm, with the majority several generations removed from first-hand farming experience. But, farmer marketing pioneer and author Michele Payn-Knoper suggests it’s easier than ever to connect with a farmer.

According to a recent survey by the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, “three in five Americans would like to know more about how food is grown and raised, but don’t feel they have the time or money to prioritize,” said Payn-Knoper, author of the recently released book No More Food Fights! Growing a Productive Farm & Food Conversation. “But in reality, technology can help fill the chasm between farmer and foodie.”

As the growing season begins, Payn-Knoper offers five ways to spend 15 minutes a week on average engaging with farmers:

• Find them on Facebook. “Farmers are just as prolific online as the population in general, and many are active on Facebook. Like their pages, ask them questions and share your thoughts. They want to hear from you,” Payn-Knoper said.
• Read and comment on their blogs or websites. “Similarly, farmers have active websites or blogs they frequently update. Many offer opportunities for comments.”
• Twitter up. “Farmers also are on Twitter and frequently engage in tweet-ups with each other or consumers.” Twitter groups like @foodchat and @agchat facilitate the conversation.
• Plan a visit with three types of farms. “Farmers increasingly offer on-site tours. Check their websites and take every opportunity you can. But, mix it up. Visit a small farm, big farm, produce farm, dairy farm, or ranch.”
• Visit a farmers’ market during off-peak hours. “The proliferation of farmers’ markets makes it easier than ever to literally reach across the table to shake the hand that feeds us. But, plan your visit for either the beginning or end of the market – when farmers have the most time to talk one-on-one.”

No More Food Fights! is the first-ever book to speak to all sides of the food movement. One of North America’s leading farm and food advocates, she wrote the book after continuously witnessing the growing divide between farmers and eaters that she believes is causing confusion in the grocery aisles and placing the future of farming at risk.

No More Food Fights! is available in print for $16.47 at www.CauseMatters.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other fine bookstores. Digital versions are available for iPad, Kindle and Nook. Learn more at www.CauseMatters.com.

 

A Portrait of Idaho and its people

Idaho and it’s people are as diverse as its landscape, and when traveling to Boise in mid-February for the Governors’ award luncheon, I took a few pictures to show you what I meant. 

But first I have to share a very sweet and funny (I thought) story that I had happen to me as I was trying to explain about the different race of people…. I had volunteered at our church to help the 4^th grade Sunday school teacher in making chocolate chip cookies.  I can’t remember the exact reason I was pulled into this or what the lesson was supposed to be, but as I was lugging my extra-large Kitchen-aid mixer, all the ingredients for the cookies to the church kitchen, I had an inspiration!   As I love to bake I had all the various kinds of baking chips on hand, not just chocolate.  So as the kids and I were adding in the ingredients, I explained sometimes when mankind needs to do something really cool and good, that it takes all of Gods people to do it, and with that I produced chocolate chips that I compared to the darker skinned people, the butterscotch chips and peanut butter chips that I compared to the various browner skinned peoples, and the white vanilla chips that I compared with the Caucasian people.   The kids listened intently and one little boy walks over to me, picks up a white vanilla chip and solemnly says, “these could be Norwegian people”!  Oh my gosh!  It took every ounce in my body to not laugh.  And yes there are quite a few Norwegian/Scandinavian people in Idaho, especially up North where I live, but we are not all fair haired, and blue eyes…  we also have a few  American Indian reservations in Idaho and there are the Basque population down towards the Southern part of the state and we tend to have dark eyes, dark hair and more of an olive skin tone.  Our colleges also bring in many foreign international students, so we have a bit of international culture that gets added to the mix as well. While Idaho may not be a melting pot of different cultures, I think we are a fairly friendly State.  Below are some stats on our population. 

 
2010 resident census population (rank): 1,567,582 (39). Male: 785,324 (50.1%); Female: 782,258 (49.9%). White: 1,396,487 (89.1%); Black:9,810 (0.6%); American Indian: 21,441 (1.4%); Asian: 19,069 (1.2%); Other race: 79,523 (4.2%); Two or more races: 38,935 (2.5%); Hispanic/Latino: 175,901 (11.2%). 2010 population 18 and over: 1,138,510; 65 and over: 194,668 (12.4%); median age:34.6.

Read more: Idaho: Map, History, Population, Facts, Capitol, Flag, Tree, Geography, Symbols | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108207.html#ixzz2MEcFZeG9

And now the pictures will show that from where I live you will leave the rolling hills of good farm ground, drop down to follow the Salmon River as the road snakes through the mountain valleys, then climb up in elevation towards scenic McCall, Idaho and once again drop down in elevation as you reach Boise and the landscape changes from high mountains to sagebrush in the high dessert. All different, but beautiful each in its own way. Just like the people in Idaho.  So hope you enjoy the Idaho tour. 

The "rolling hills of the Palouse area" where I live

 

Heading my house, about 60 miles is the White Bird grade, en route to Boise.The original grade was steep with hair pin corners and you can still opt to drive it too.

On White Bird grade is the site of an Indian battle site.

Below, this river is a fun one and attracts many rafters that like to float the river. A world class adventure. The town of Riggins boasts several whitewater businesses that cater to the tourists needs to play on the river. 

Once past White Bird grade, you drop down and follow the Salmon River. 

 

The as you climb up in elevation, the land scape changes once again to mountain, trees and
 snow as you get closer to McCall, Idaho

 

Another view of the highway heading to McCall

 

Very scenic

 

 

McCall's lake frozen over

 

The annual Winter Carnival, with amazing snow sculptures

The  town swells to around 10,000 people for this fun winter carnival

 

Heading towards Boise, the land becomes more sage brushes and high dessert

Boise landscape, sagebrush is the normal site in Southern Idaho

As always, glad you dropped by and feel free to email me at idahofarmwife@gmail.com or leave a comment.  I always love to hear from you.   All my best, Gayle

 

A Guest Post on Young Farmers

Not too long ago, I was thinking about the number of "farm kids' in my kid's class, and here is what is happening not only in my small farming town, but across America.  In the 1970s the farm kids made up about 2/3 or more of the class (based on Farmer Jay & Joe's class make-up).  When our daughters were in school in 1999 and 2006, it was about 1/3 - 1/2 of the kids in the class were farm kids, and now that my grand-angel, Miss B is in 1st grade, well .....she is the only one out of a class of 21 that is related to a farm!   The class below hers has 2 whose young daddies are full time farmers..... sort of scary... as our numbers are shrinking, but the demand for food is not.  With that I had this amazing press release and YouTube video sent to me and I want to share it with you.  So while I am writing my next blog, grab your favorite beverage or snack, put your feet up and take a moment.  All my best, Gayle. idahofarmwife@gmail.com
click here if YouTube is not visable

Young Farmers Mobilize For Their Industry

Farmers feed your family, then take a second job to feed their own. It’s a sad, but true, reality for those trying to make it in arguably the most noble of professions, as over 70% of young farmers work more than 40 hours a week off farm to support their operations.
 

“When did feeding the world become a pastime?” said Sarah Wray, a board memb
er with the FarmOn Foundation. “Nobody would expect a restaurant owner to run his establishment, not even break even and then take a second job in the oilfield, just to make ends meet for his family. But this is exactly what is being expected of farmers. “
 

No more. Farmers feed this entire planet, and it’s time the world paid attention! The FarmOn Foundation is calling on young farmers to stand up, tell their stories and show people their own farming reality through the Farm Voices project. On April 22, Earth Day, the organization is rallying farmers to use the power of social media and post a photo and a thought to Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter about their experience as a farmer, attaching the hashtag #FARMVOICES.
 

“Young people have been at the forefront of every great social movement in history,” noted Wray. “The power of social media means that we now have the opportunity to effectively and powerfully speak for our own industry, directly to the audience we’re trying to engage.”

Too often, the agriculture industry has sat back and allowed others to have a more powerful voice with the public, rather than stepping up and telling their own story in a way that will truly speak to others. With the launch of Farm Voices, FarmOn hopes to mobilize a movement led by young farmers to create change and awareness with consumers.
 

“Currently, 80% of the content found online about agriculture is not favourable,” said Wray. “That’s ridiculous and has a lot to do with the fact that farmers are not speaking up and being vocal about the industry they love. That has to change.”
 

While farmers have proven amazing stewards of the land, they have left the story of their industry for others to tell. But it’s truly critical for sustainability and success that this trend does not continue.
 

“I don’t know about other farmers out there, but I’m sick and tired of groups like PETA trying to tell my story,” said Wray. “We take pride in our operations and the handling of our livestock, treating them with the utmost respect and care. It’s our turn. The world needs to hear the reality of the family farm.”

Stories & a Lesson Learned

My role on the farm evolved from being the rookie truck driver to turning our everyday life into a story.  As all stories go there are beginnings  and endings but they almost always contain a lesson. And as this blog is a story in progress of how one farm helps to feed America, I again extend my offer to email me or leave a comment on topics or interests  that you would like to see on this blog. But to get back to the story and lesson.... the thing that I learned about a wheat plant can be applied to humans, so let me explain....

Looking out the window of my farmhouse a few weeks ago, I saw the snow protectively covering  the wheat that was planted last October as it is in a semi-dormant state waiting for Spring. And it struck me that there were a few similarities of its growing season and how we all grow (emotionally) as people.  The wheat responds to the outside factors such as the sun, the right amount of moisture, & nutrients to help it grow and reach maturity.  If the Spring conditions are perfect wherein the plant gets ample rain & nutrients, the roots don’t have any reason to reach deeper and develop.   So if weather conditions turn harsh, then the plant suffers, sometimes fails to thrive or grow to its potential as roots haven’t had the hard times to develop a good root base to seek out life sustaining nutrients (especially in our clay based soil). Through  the hardships that have come along in our lives,  hopefully we have all developed a good root system to help each of us seek out what helps and nourishes us.  Would I rather have it easy?  Well yes, because I’m human, but I wouldn’t have had to grow and get out of my comfort zone had I been given everything on a silver platter.   The recent series of adverse events have made me reach even deeper to ground myself and what I have found is that my friendships with our family and many women friends have grown to a much deeper level.   Together we have opened up more than we ever have, shared some brutally painful insights and we all know that none of us leads a "perfect life", but our “roots systems” are strong and deep.  And this strong support system is what helps Kaitlyn and I get through each day as well as surviving the first major holidays or special days.   While it wasn't easy to get through the first few months, we are finding we have a new zest for life and getting on with the business of life.

As I was telling you about some of these amazing women in my life, well some of them accompanied me to Boise as I accepted the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Ag.  It was a bittersweet experience, being recognized for my work in Ag advocacy, but doing it as a newly divorced farm spouse.  None the less, still a bright spot for me! =)

 

In the event you are unable to view, click here

Here is the presentation from the award ceremony & I must say rendered me speechless, literally!



And as the snow protectively has covered the wheat plant, the kindness shown in comments, emails and acts of kindness from so many have been my "protective cover" during this winter in my soul. 

 

 

 

 

So I’ll leave on this final note that the lessons we learn we on a daily basis, are that we all need to honor the past, live in the present and create a future  no matter what life has in store for us.  As ultimately whether the lessons that come along in life are good ones or hard ones, each offers the wisdom of how to grow and survive.  My motto, Grow Strong and Live On!

All my best, Gayle

And as a side note, again thank you to all who have left heartfelt comments or sent me an email and called me, as they lifted my spirits in a way that I can't find words to describe.  Drop me a line at idahofarmwife@gmail.com .
 

Idaho, Home Sweet Home

Recently a kind  blog reader asked that I write about Idaho and my perspective of it.    And so this blog is dedicated to Karla who said even though she lives in New York City, that when she reads my blog, somehow she feels a "connection" to Idaho and the land. If that isn't the best compliment ever, I don't know what is.  Blogging has helped me slow down and focus on the amazing kinds of things that are within reach of my fingertips ....everyday. As I began this special blog, I realized  there is so much to show, and so I will do a blog on Idaho each month in hopes of capturing its true essence.  But for now this will be an overview.  Writing not only helps me, but hopefully helps foster a picture in others of what farm-life and Idaho looks like, feels like and smells like. And when I can't find words to describe it,then I use photographs and with that..... Idaho as seen through this farmerette's eyes:

Blue sky, white clouds and green fields

In 1969 I came to Idaho from Montana and it March.  The day we left Montana, there was still several feet of snow and ice, so when we reached Moscow, Idaho 7 hours later, I remember it was a beautiful sunny day complete with blue sky and white puffy clouds, and even though I was a young girl, I fell in love with the gentle rolling hills that had a glimmer of green.  I didn't know what the green fields were, but I knew I had arrived in a place that I would forever call home.

Karla went on to ask if would I share what was my favorite and not-so-favorite things about Idaho, from its landscape to its people.  So sitting in my cozy chair by my fireplace in the deep chill of winter, I will attempt to paint with words what I live each day and every day.  Because for me, it is where my rainbow ends and where all the riches I seek in life are family, friends, faith and life-style.

Photo taken one evening in 2012 on "the Palouse"

The basic facts about Idaho is that Northern Idaho is vastly different from Southern Idaho and halfway down the State the scenery changes from farm fields to sage brush and more desert looking landscape. We also have a mountain range that is breathtakingly beautiful and that probably explains why some of the movie stars have a home around the Sun Valley area.  I have had the good fortune to raft down the 3 branches of the Salmon river, which is a world class adventure. We are a rural state and one that is mostly Agriculture based.  During certain times of the year, I can guarantee that you will come across a combine or a tractor on the highway.....

Traveling to get to get it's destination point during harvest

Up North where I live also called "the Palouse", the farms rely on Nature to provide the timely rains for crops and the kinds of crops raised are the cereal grains (wheat, barley, oats) and legumes (garbanzos, lentils or peas). In the Southern part of the State, mainly potatoes and sugar beets are raised and those are irrigated crops.  Idaho has seen an increase in dairies too.

Around here, we don't really have a rush hour, more like having to sit occasionally through a stop light during a busy time is more like it.  I like to think we have a slower pace of life and a better work/life balance and for the most part, I find my fellow Idahoans friendly, helpful and kind.  But as in the past two blogs that I have written about, life in a rural area is not perfect in any manner. We have the same kinds of concerns/problems that others throughout the USA have, but on a much smaller scale.

Today as I write this, it is January 19th and it was a spectacular day with a bright blue sky, white snowy fields that sport the occasional tracks of wildlife and the cold temperature has left the snow with a rough texture that sparkles in the sun.   A sunny day in winter is a gift as most days are gray and sometimes it is hard to distinguish where the sky ends and the land begins. The air has a crisp smell though, but not much in the way of a scent, just clean and cold.  In the country, winter is quiet. 

Springtime is sort of elusive and regardless of what the calendar says, I know Spring has officially  arrived when I catch the first heavenly scent of the earth.  Usually it is mid March - late April, and as the days grow longer, the feel of the sun is stronger- it is when the  farmers start getting the ground ready for planting.   When I breath in the smell of freshly tilled dirt- there is no other smell like it on earth and one that I have always loved.

Seeding Spring Wheat

Summertime will find the non-farmers camping, fishing or playing in the many rivers or lakes.  Many Idahoans are out-doors enthusiasts who like their toys (campers, 4 wheelers, bicycles, motorcycles and boats).  Farmer's however,  don't get to play as much because this is our busy time, but we will squeeze in a fun week-end if we can.  Humidity is not an issue here and we can always count on nice warm weather right about the 4th of July, but it seems like mid-August the nights will cool down and I always keep a sweater handy.

Mid-summer to early Fall on the Palouse is marked by harvest  and pre-harvest has a smell to the air .  I guess it is when Mother Nature says to the farmer, your crops are done and ready to be harvested!

I do love most aspects about Idaho, but there are a few things that are not so great

• Our  main highway that runs through the state is still mostly a 2 lane road.  (I remember overhearing a truck driver talking to his dispatch and swearing that he was sure the back of his trailer was going to touch the front of his truck on some of our nasty curvy roads.)
• I do not like the small  group of white supremacists who sometimes spew their ugly propaganda, and give the rest of Idaho a black eye, as the majority of the population find their actions reprehensible and in no way do we condone what they think or do
• I do not like Indian casinos that are sprinkled throughout Idaho.  I feel any kind of gambling industry is unhealthy and that does more harm to our state than good.

As I like to end on a positive note, the good of our state far outweighs the negative and I have put together a short snap shot of Idaho and some of it's people.  I hope you enjoy it.  This doesn't even cover the other parts of Idaho, so I will try throughout the year to capture more of the essence of Idaho. (click here if unable to view the video)




I again, extend my invitation to tell me what you want to see on the blog and I'll do my best to make it happen, so drop me an email or leave a comment.  All my best, Gayle.  idahofarmwife@gmail.com.

P.S.  Thank you to all who left those wonderful and heartfelt comments on my blog or who emailed me directly.  The love and hugs felt through those messages were felt and were so appreciated by me and my family. =)

Endings are a New Beginning

Sometimes there is a rare occurrence that happens with wheat, and one year our farm had a beautiful field of golden wheat.  It was “picture perfect”, the wheat-heads were flawlessly formed, uniform and lush looking.   All the right things were done, such as obtaining good quality seed, planting it in the rich earth, getting the proper nutrients on it, welcoming Mother Nature’s timely rains, it should have yielded well....

 

But when the combine pulled into the field to harvest it, there was nothing in the wheat- heads.  They were empty as the wheat kernel didn’t form due to something having happened in the development stage.  So while it looked perfect to the outside world, it was not. 

Sadly, I have had to compare my marriage to this wheat phenomenon, where it looked picture perfect, but when tragedy struck our family with our new son-in-law’s untimely death last September, I leaned on the strength of my marriage and it crumbled.  Somewhere along the line, I guess the magic faded and I didn’t know it.   I thought I had tended to the marriage by doing the right things, saying the right things, nurturing it, but despite those efforts, my farmer husband didn’t get the right dosages of what it takes to keep love in a marriage and has opted to end it.  Looking back, I can see where perhaps I should have done a few things better or differently but it takes two to keep up a relationship and I have my faults and farmer Joe has his, so I am not placing blame on anyone.  The sudden turn of events shortly after Andrew’s death as well as the death of Joe's dad just 13 days later seemed to prompt this action and it could have been that when the grief is so raw and devastating that it made farmer Joe realize just how short life is and it made him yearn for a different kind of life and/or partner.  All I know is after almost 28 years of being a farmwife, I have found myself single.  As I pen this, I will be the new sole owner of my own small farm and will lease it back to farmer Joe and farmer Jay.  So I will still be reporting on the Anderson Farm activities, but it will be different.  In case you are wondering why I am sharing this with you,   well let me explain that when I talk to my urban friends & readers,  they tend to "idealize farmers and our farm life".  While the picturesque setting of country life looks effortless and perfect, farmers are not exempt from life's ups and downs.  And that is the “why” that I am sharing my personal pain, not to garner sympathy, but to share that we are not immune to some of the hardships that come along in life.

Through all this I have found that I am stronger than I thought and  I have the good fortune of having supportive family and friends who have been at my side during these hard times.  Our daughter, Kaitlyn, moved back home and lives with me in my farmhouse.  She is an amazing and strong young woman as well, and together we have shed tears, drank red wine and vowed that  while difficulties may impact us, they do not define us.  We have picked ourselves up, brushed ourselves off and are moving on.  And so a new chapter begins in both of our lives.  As 2013 will be a year of new beginnings, I wish everyone the best!  As for me, my personal goal is "living an ordinary life in an extraordinary manner".    All my best, Gayle.

 

A recent Mom & daughter get away

P.S.

I anticipate I will start featuring other farm families and this blog will be a “work in progress” as I fine-tune what I want to convey about how food is grown in the Northwest. I do love to blog and connect with the outside readers, as it is a way for me to paint with words what farm life looks like, but I also blog for you. With that said, I welcome suggestions of what you would like to see on my blog as well. So please take a moment and send me your thoughts either by comment at the end or to my personal email at idahofarmwife@gmail.com , either way, just drop me a line or two.

And to show that I am on the road to recovery, take a peek at a new recipe I created.... Cranberry Chocolate Cake.

Cranberry Chocolate Cake

 

As always, glad you stopped by and last but not least..... you had better check out the other newest yummies on the OMG Desserts page.  Plus I am getting the recipes slowly converted to being printable!    Yahoo.

Note:  You may have noticed that the blog has a new title, but it will still be located as www.idahofarmwife.net as this is how it is registered.