Trail Bling
Ten Things I Would Tell My Young Self if I Could Go Back in Time
Rainy days make good thoughts. Sometimes, I go back in time and observe the younger version of me, through my memories. I can truly detach and see her with kinder eyes, every step, dreams, goals … through good times, not so good times, and even scary times. In times of wisdom, confusion, loss, fear, naiveté, and even doubt, of happiness and growth … In moments of pure bliss and in times of desperation but always striving for more. Then I think, if I could only go back and tell her; hence, the title of this blogpost. Although there is much more that I would tell her, here are ten things (me-truths) I would definitely tell her (in no particular chronological order).
You are never too little or too much; God made you with value for Him.
Life is not a race against time; it is a celebration of time, slow down a bit.
What you truly think of yourself is more important than what other people think of you; really, it is.
It is perfectly ok not to achieve the ideal of perfection because it is a lie.
Most so-called experts make it up as they go.
One day, you too will be old, in the blink of an eye.
Evil-intentioned people do exist in real life.
Religion is man-made, but Jesus is not.
Never hand off your agency to another; never!
God will never abandon you, no matter what.
What would you tell a younger version of you?
Fixing Up an Old Farmhouse Garden
Following up on the previous blogpost about sprucing up the front entrance. Although there is much more we would like to do with the entrance area as far as adding more color with plantings, it has proven to be a bit challenging due to being a shaded area; however, we have managed to transform it from a messy and unruly, full of weeds area, to a rest area with a little bench, a few plantings and garden decor, as well as solar lights. It has taken some time and effort, but I am loving the result so far. One thing that I needed to add to this area was a sign with the name of our home, Black Crow Cottage. My husband recycled and repainted an old metal sign that I thought had no more life to it, and I was able to use it in a new way. I am so glad he did. It adds charm and sweetness to the entrance.
The front area of the property was covered in tall grass and some overgrown bushes intertwined that we had to remove. I was able to plant some free trees from The Arbor Day Foundation and after a few years they have grown well and are beautiful. To get the trees, I sent a small donation, and they sent me 10 dormant trees suitable for my area. Here is their website – Arbor Day Foundation. When I first saw the dormant trees, I did not know what to expect, and I thought these were dead sticks. After reading the instructions, I learned that these sticks were actually dormant trees that would come to life when planted properly. I planted them and watered them for the first two years, and they are lovely now. Of the five planted, I only lost one, the Dogwood tree. I gave five to my sister, which she planted in her previous home. The Crape Myrtle was the first one to bloom and the fastest to grow. The other grew at a slower pace, but steady. This year, the Hawthorn bloomed for the first time, and so did the Redbud tree. The Lilac bush has not bloom yet, but I read that it might take 5-6 years for it to bloom. Here is a picture of these lovely trees.
For those new to this website, here is a picture of the front entrance area when we first bought the place.
I wish to be able to see these trees when they become majestic and full grown. It will take years, but I am willing to wait. I hope you enjoyed this update.
Family Greed
As a writer, I like to explore all kinds of topics for future works. Greed is a common theme found in many novels. Family greed reaches another level and depth. I once heard someone say that money reveals what is already in your heart and amplifies who you already are. I think that is true. I have seen families “change” once there is an inheritance pending. People will do many unexpected things for money; however, this behavior is not created by money, only revealed. Whether backstabbing, stealing, lies, and even murder, it all originates from a greedy heart. The generous and kind person will continue to be such and able to bless others in new ways.
Family dynamics are complex by nature. There are no perfect families, but family greed revealed by money will change the most “perfect” of families, and once someone’s true character has been revealed it is hard to see them in another light. As writers, when approaching the topic of family greed, we might consider all the layers and choose to unravel many via different characters or focus on just one being amplified by one character. Family greed is a very deep and interesting topic with great possibility.
Fixing Up an Old Farmhouse – The Front Entrance Area
There are a few farmhouse projects that have been on hold, but we managed to complete one, sprucing up and beautifying a bit the front entrance to the property. This area used to be overgrown grass and weeds. Although we want to continue improving it by adding a few more plants, we will have to select plantings that do well in the shade. So far, the ones we selected have been thriving. It is a challenge to add color to this area because most flowering plants like the sun.
I am very happy with how the garden has been growing and developing over the past few years. It keeps growing stronger and seems to be established. Here is a picture of a lovely floral arrangement I made from its offerings. Eventually, I would like to develop a small rose garden.
Nature heals the soul. Even the simple things in nature bring joy and peace in our hearts.
Hope you enjoyed reading about this latest project.
Love and Light
An Update to the Proposed Power Plant/Data Center (Balico)
I feel I owe an update to a previous blogpost (Never Faithless) written on November 21, 2024. As I wrote before, my neighborhood was recently challenged by a proposal by Balico, LLC. to build a mega compound of data centers and a large power plant, that would have engulfed an entire community and caused irreparable damage, in my opinion (please, visit previous post for the details). After much opposition by local and county residents (and tons of prayers), Balico decided to withdraw its modified project, thus resulting on a denial of rezoning by the Board of Supervisors, and after the Planning Board did not recommend the project.
Now, Balico is considering other development options on 750 acres of land. The company has expressed the desire to utilize such land for the future construction of a very large housing development project. Assuming the use of the 750 acres, current zoning would allow two dwellings per acre (1500 dwellings). In my opinion, each dwelling can house more than one person, of course, and I think that this number of dwellings would more than double, possible triple or quadruple, the population of our small town, which as of the latest 2020 Census has around 1232 people. With a small population, our town lacks the infrastructure to accumulate such an influx of people; we simply don’t have the resources. It would add a strain in our country roads, schools, mail delivery system, water consumption, and much more. Small towns grow slowly into smaller cities and so on, not overnight.
I see a company that does not care at all for the footprint that it leaves behind but cares only about fast profit without regard of how it is made. Although Balico is in the early stages of exploring other development options for the land, and it has not rendered any concrete plans as of now, one thing is very clear, Balico does not understand us, our values, our way of life.
Reflections: One Day at a Time, One Step at a Time
One day at a time, one step at a time.
Life would be much more pleasant if we would live in that way. This is a lesson I learned later in life. In my younger years, multitasking and the idea of a “superwoman” who thrived on a crammed schedule and did everything to perfection was idealized. Many of us, gender aside, followed that way of living in our everyday interaction. I remember feeling “guilty” if I had “free time” to myself and even worrying that I were to become lazy if I indulged on even an hour of “unproductive” being. The years passed by, and I had become entrapped in one of the biggest lies Society sold me. When I think about it, that way of life was very materialistic in essence, even when I never saw myself as a materialistic person, on the contrary.
Today, I repeated this question, what is truly important to me? Throughout the years, the answer has been narrowed to include the issues at the core of my true values and loves. Today, I finally understand the meaning of living one day at a time, one step at a time, and from that realization, a sense of peace within that recognizes that life is not a race, and I don’t need trophies or crowns to validate my existence; God has already done so when He made me. It is beautiful to achieve dreams and to celebrate our achievements and of others as well, but not at the expense of living. The mere existence of achieving without the joy and beauty of living is contraindicating. Maybe Hans Christian Anderson understood this well.
“Just living is not enough, said the butterfly, one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” Hans Christian Anderson
Love and Light
In the Garden
Spring is here, and with it the garden chores that come with it. We have been cleaning up and sprucing garden areas while deciding what to improve, change, or add to the garden. As the garden continues to mature, it looks better, that is, taking into consideration that there was nothing on this property, mostly weeds and an overgrown mess when we started. If you would like to see where we started, you can visit older posts under the category of fixing an old farmhouse or restoring a farmhouse. Little by little, we have been shaping this place, one project at a time, on a small budget. Although there is much more we want to do, the rhythm continues at a slower pace for us because we are doing the projects ourselves. It has been rewarding, and it makes us appreciate the place more, and even, the challenging process. Some areas have been more challenging than other areas, but we have taken our time and enjoy it, no instant magic here. Each year, we add a few new plants to the garden, mostly perennials that will continue to thrive and multiply with the goal of adding color and variety to this once barren and abandoned garden.
Here are photos of two new projects, and a few of how the garden looks today, as it has matured and change over the years, and of course, and old reference picture for the new reader.
For those who are new to this blog, here is a picture of what the derelict and abandoned property looked like.
A few photos of how the garden looks now. It continues to evolve. Over the next few weeks, the garden will be in full bloom, my favorite time.
We are working on developing a few areas in the garden, and improving other areas, such as the faerie garden, which is mostly a shade area, thus plantings are a challenge, including shade loving Hostas. Also, we are developing an area by the front entrance, and a smaller garden at the back, both shaded areas, which I will share on a future blog post. Hope you enjoyed the photos.
The Joy of Selling by J.T. Auer
I am re-reading The Joy of Selling by J.T. Auer before I let it go. It is an oldie (1989), an international bestseller. I read it in my younger years. Although a book for the professional salesperson, its principles can be adapted and applied to many areas of living, working, and interrelationship with others; after all, we are always selling or being sold something in our daily interactions with others, whether we realize it or not. We “sell” ourselves every single day at any moment, our opinion, point of view, values, desires …
Although an older book with its dated technical jargon, this book is written in a simple, down to earth approach, and its principles are what makes it still useful today. Whether you are in the sales profession or not, it is still relevant.
Leaving Winter Behind
For some reason, this winter felt so long and cold. I am dying for sunrays and flower blooms, garden projects, birds chirping, and even wasps flying around. The robins have come back, so to me this means that Spring is here. I see more of them arriving in large numbers every day. Robins are one of my favorite birds, along with owls, and sandpipers, and of course my beloved crows. We will be working on cleaning up the garden to receive Spring, now that we have finished the tedious work of cleaning up all the fallen trees that the last storm left us. In the meantime, I will share a few pictures as a farewell to Winter.
Goodbye Winter.
Inkspeare 