Thursday, December 9, 2010

Since Last We Spoke

Since last we spoke, much has happened and not all of it good. There have been family dramas that are left unspoken, a death in the family and the news of a person in our wider circle being diagnosed with cancer. My brother-in-law wondered out loud, "Is there no end to the difficulties rolling down the hill in our direction?"

Sometimes you wonder.

Since last we spoke, it has snowed.

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Not enough to bury the vehicles or cause us to plow the driveway more than once, but enough to frost the landscape nicely.

I love waking up to discover that it's snowed during the night. For those of you who don't live in snow country, you realize the snowfall as soon as you open your eyes. The light is different, soft with a blue and pink tinge, and it's quiet. Sounds are muffled and dampened by the fresh snowfall.

My mission yesterday was to complete some urgent errands that had gone undone as I shuttled back and forth to help my sister deal with our mom's medical emergencies. (Yes, plural!) By habit I grabbed my camera on my way out the door and soon your advice was ringing in my ears.

"Take time for yourself. Don't forget to relax and rest."

And many more wise admonishions, both here and via e-mail. For those reminders I thank you so much.

Driving along in the rural countryside I felt the stress melting away. This is my element, the wide open spaces, the farms and outbuildings, crumbling slowly to dust. They're soon to be gone, a thing of the past. But until that time I enjoy their form and remember their function.

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It's about 12 miles to Sycamore and each quarter mile means more mental peace.

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Small town America. I love it. I could easily hit the road and write stories about every little place along the way. Would you read something like that? A journal of discovery? I bet you would.

I heard recently from a reader who said that she discovered my blog through a friend, and that he loves to read my blog. I'm always mystified by this and I'm sure that almost everyone who blogs wonders what it is that people find in their words.

Certainly the "really big bloggers" are in the minority, which means there are millions of bloggers out there hitting the keys without any thought of book deals or 15 minutes of fame. Don't you love those little blogs?

I'll apologize for not mentioning my new job!! You see, with all the recent chaos it's hard to remember what I've mentioned and what I've not talked about.

The job.

Hmmmmmm. I told the Farmer that I'm just going to keep getting jobs until one sticks! I think this one will stick. It's working with a company that demonstrates food and other products in local stores. That's right up my alley. I love food and I love talking about food (and other good finds), so I think that's a good match, don't you?

It's not alot of hours which will allow me to continue with some creative efforts and time to blog. I'm not bothered with book deadlines and such so this should create a nice balance.

Thanks again for taking time out of your day to read my blog. It means alot to me that you are out there checking for updates. I feel like you've got my back.

19 comments:

Thirkellgirl said...

I always read your blog! I don't always comment because I don't have anything to say, so I understand the challenge of keeping a blog going. :) Thank you for doing it, I feel like I have a friend in the frozen north. :)It appears we will be making four round-trips to northern Wisconsin in the next two years. We have to hook up on one of them. :)

Kat said...

Beuatiful.
And by the way, I'd totally read your book!

Blondi Blathers said...

Your entry today speaks such true words, for me, Suzanne. The open rural spaces and how soothing they are to the heart and mind -- the surprise and delight that others care enough to read about our "little" lives -- the changes that snow brings -- the hard times that are inevitable in a life -- I identify deeply with what you have said.

The new job sounds just right and I look forward to hearing all about it.

bv said...

wouldn't writting that book be a adventure? I hope you can do that one day. I want a signed copy. When we were young ~ 100 years ago~~ I demonstrated Mattel toys...It was a roit and I got samples for my kids. This job sounds like it will take you out of reality a bit....and that's a good thing.

Terri said...

I don't know why I read your blog... but yours is one I look forward to reading. I think you just have the talent in chaining together words that calm at the same time as keep the interest of your reader. I don't care what subject it is either. I just enjoy your thoughts. Thank you for being here. <3 Terri

MelissaD said...

I completely understand about the rural countryside being calming - I love just driving around in our area to see barns, horses, birds or whatever else is there to enjoy. Hoping I can save up for a good camera next year and get back to taking photos of it all before it's gone.
Hoping your family will continue to provide each other with strength and support.
Put my name on the book signing list please :)

Anonymous said...

I read your blog every day. It's rather like a friend to me talking about a little of this and a little of that. Good luck in you job sounds like a good mix to me. Harriet

arlene said...

Girl, I follow your blog and love the way you write. I just don't comment very much, sorry. I too am in a rural area and, yes, it is so very peaceful. Unfortunately I do not live in the actual country, but our town has only about 1,900 residents. Small, thankfully. The nearest 'large' town is 30 minutes away and has about 25,000 residents.

Thanks for writing about the horrible experiences of your Mom. The very next day my boss was talking about his dad's strange actions and it turns out he is taking Aricept. I printed your blog entry for him and found some other sites with more information. His family has been checking it out. Thank you very much for the heads up. Take care!

StefRobrts said...

I enjoy dropping by your blog and I especially enjoy your pictures. I would read a book like that.

I wish my blog would be a book deal someday, but it's just my blog. A place for thoughts and pictures.

chocolatechic said...

I read the really big blogs, and while they were nice in the beginning, somehow they are beginning to get...shrugging...to commercialized????

Anyway, I love reading the blogs that come from the heart, and that is why I read yours.

Farmhouse Soaps said...

Suzanne,
So very sorry to hear of the mountain of sadness you are currently going through. We will keep you in our prayers. Good for you to take a drive and bring along your trusty camera. Isn't the countryside just wonderful and calming. I just had an e-mail last night from a friend wanting my opinion if I had to do it over again, would I still buy our farm and live the life we do. (They are contemplating such a move). I wrote back to her a resounding YES!! There is no better life in my opinion.
Wishing you peace and God's grace during this time.
Breath well and drive often!
Love,
Marianne from Belvidere!

Vee said...

So much left unsaid...

Okay, taking a deep breath and carrying on. I like your blog because you seem like a real person to me. A really interesting real person. :D

Still saying a prayer every time I visit or whenever the Lord brings you to mind. I'm sorry about your mother's multiple medical emergencies...praying...

Lisa D. said...

So very often our circumstances do not bring calm or peace. There is only one constant source for peace and calm, and I pray that you would find strength in Him over the next while!
I love your new job description. That sounds like my kind of job, too.

Lisa D. said...

Oh, I also wanted to say that I love reading your blog because you are a talented, interesting writer and you make a real connection with your readers. Here I am in northern Canada connecting with someone's life in Illinois. That is just very cool. There were a couple of the bigger blogs that I used to enjoy, but as they got bigger they were less about connecting with readers than about being commercial. Not that I blame them, because if I could make a living just by blogging about my life I'd be all over that.
Anyway, enough of this drivel from me, I love you - keep writing :)

Yolanda said...

I know what you mean . I just wanted to let you know that I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts . Stay safe and warm.

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Seems like tough times for so many--everywhere I turn, there is change. It's so comforting to know we aren't alone--that others are "out there" listening, understanding as much as they are able, and praying.
Yes, I'd read your stories--Congrats on the job--I'm seriously thinking of cutting back- maybe working part-time so I can have time at HOME! Hope things get better for your family! Enjoy the snow, but don't send it down here til January! lol

Jody Blue said...

Thinking of and praying for you and yours.

Millicent said...

Suzanne, I love your blog. I have one friend who blogs. When I'm checking blogs, I go to yours first to see if you've posted. I think if we lived closer we'd be likely to be friends. I love to hear what you have to say ;)

Anonymous said...

I check your blog daily, so I don't miss something. I enjoy reading about what is going on with you. Its nice to see what real people are up to.
Your book idea is a good one.
I sometimes make parts runs alone and enjoy them when I am not rushed so I can take the back roads home, I live in mid Michigan, so I think the scenery is some what like yours.
The ideas for celebrating Christmas may be taken to heart here, as it seems more difficult for us to gather as a family these days.
thanks for your continued writing, and enjoy the new job!
Pam