It has been far too long since I posted regarding the Mountain Farmlet.
So here is why…
- Due to our health issues we are no longer able to do the work that needs to be done to make it livable for us there.
- Also due to our health issues we have no money to pay someone else to complete the work for us
- We are planing to sell the property.
Bob and I are realizing that our little acre here is about all we can manage. We are making plans with the folks who own the property behind us to lease it so I can have my pygmy goats, but that is at least a year down the line.
Bob has greatly improved since his diagnosis of COPD and resulting treatments, but working wears him out entirely. He still enjoys it, but needs more breaks.
Me? Since my knee surgery my arthritis has taken over my life! Thankfully, my knee has healed enough that I was able to get some of my raised beds planted this spring. Going out there each day puts a smile on my face to be sure! However, some mornings find me hitching and lurching just to get out to take care of Polly, Fredric and the chickens.
Due to an old *injury to my thumb when we moved here eight years ago, I am now having to go in for surgery on the 22nd. to remove bone and build a replacement out of restructured tendon at the base of my left thumb and just above the wrist. The swelling and pain find me dropping things unexpectedly throughout the day, and also limit what I can do in the studio, ergo fewer posts about my quilting and sewing.
I find it hard to believe that at the time we decided to buy the property in Tuscumbia we were both in seemingly great health and now we realize that we just have to let it go.
Anyone want to buy 25 acres with an antique home that needs lots of TLC? It has a new tin roof! 🙂
So I am certain that most of you know this old joke, but I’ll post it anyway:
know how to make god laugh?
just tell him your plans.
Today will be spent unpacking the boxes I packed three years ago when I thought we were moving, and the rest of the week will find me busy with setting the guest bedroom back to rights.
are we sad?
yes, who wouldn’t be,
but we are also realistic about what we can handle.
Last week Bob was off work all week and we put another 13 Stay-Puffts into the freezer. I got smart this time and cooked down all the bits and bones to make soup starter for this winter. So now that too is all packed and waiting for us when the weather gets cold. We now have plenty of chicken for the next year (meaning the next 12 months). We also purchased bulk lamb (for Armenian sausage) and pork butt to make sweet Italian sausages for this next year . It was a joy to be able to season them with mint and herbs from my garden!
Our freezer is full and we have a roof over our heads.
Life is good!
OK, lots to do before the 22nd. I am going to get to work now.
These were taken this morning. As always, please click for better viewing!
-
- Cucumber futures
-
- Winter squash (lots of them!)
-
- Chicken tractor! (we made this!)
-
- Tomato thieves!
-
- Okra blossoms remind me of hibiscus.
-
- “Are you my mother?” I don’ think she is, but she certainly is a good surrogate!
*When unpacking the moving van a 45 pound box of books fell onto my hand and pinned my thumb down onto to my arm. It took several attempts before my brother-in-law and I could manage to dislodge it. 😯
Life on the Farmlet 
First, … !
But boy, do I ever understand and feel your pain; did something eerily similar skiing decades ago, only it was me on top, pinning my thumb to my arm, against the hard pack snow… ):): Thinking of you both. Hugs, Deb
Thanks, Deb.
I hate to hear about your health issues and prayers for both of you are being given. Love your blog and hope to still hear from you occasionally.
Rita
Rita, now that we have ‘let go’ it is far easier to talk about everything else going on here. It is a relief to us to know we are not going to be so overburdened in our future.
I’m so sorry for your health problems which make it doubly difficult to deal with other problems. I admire your strength and ability to cope. Keep going on, going on.
Thank you, Lillian, we will. The hardest part of all of this was just getting realistic about our limitations. Once we faced the problem letting go wasn’t so hard and was very liberating!
Beautiful photos, Lynda. I wish you both well. 🙂
Thank you, Karenlee.
We’ve been wondering what your plans for the mountain farmlet were. None of this surprises me, I think because of how we’ve had to redo all our plans over the last few years. We all at an age where something always seems to be happening! Our saying is the old one “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.” Love you and sending Bob and you lots of hugs!
You’ve hit the nail on the head, Kathee. We all feel like were still in our 20s between our ears, but a periodic, physical reality check keeps us honest. 😛
So sorry to hear your plans have had to change 😦 Realists perhaps live better and they sure sound like they’ll eat better!
Annie, it was a dream we needed to realize 15 years sooner. But, then again, we do OK here. You have no idea how grateful we are to be living just far enough into the boonies to be able to do what we can here on our little acre. So yes, we do eat well. 😀
You have been missed in the blogosphere… I’m so sorry that life’s handed you this about face. I have some idea what it’s like; plans we made when we bought this house are not even on the back burner any longer and have had to be abandoned because of health issues (mine, sadly, the Husband’s doing OK), and I had to give up a previous Mountain Farmlet of my own when I was single because I could no longer cope with the heavy work. I have my fingers crossed for you that surgery will provide a good result, that your arthritis will be slow moving and that Bob will continue to reap the benefits of diagnosis and treatment.
Thank you, Kate.
I am scared spitless about this surgery. The pain, yes, but also the results. I am really hoping for a good outcome. It will be nice to know that I can once again hold fabric, match seams and edges, etc. without pain and the nuisance of dropping everything. I get the job done, but it is frustrating… 🙂 The surgery is surprisingly long, and the healing will take 4 to 6 months of temporary cast, solid cast, and then physical therapy. Thanking God that we have met our deductible and that we now have 20/80 coverage! There will be no fancy bone jewellery, as in your case, but some major reconstruction will be happening in there. (Taking a deep breath!) 🙂
You can do it. You need to do it, and afterwards (OK, quite a long time afterwards), you’ll be grateful you did it. I’m with you on the dropping and painful hands bit, but thank heavens no one is suggesting surgery, I’ve had enough of that for a while. Are you well supplied with aids for while you’re in the cast? Grabbers, telescopic magnets, bottle and jar openers, etc?
Supplies? Aids? No! But now that you have brought it to mind I will be doing some prepping for the aftermath. Glad you brought it up. 🙂
It seems like a very sensible decision but no less annoying for having to make it rather than just choosing to make it.
Yes, Tom, it is more fun when it is a choice and not a demand. But I must say that having made the decision it has taken a great weight off of us. Sad to do, but we just have to face facts. 🙂
I am glad that it has been a relief.
so sorry about your health issues. I’ve been wondering about you and hubby. Now just where did that young person in my mind disappear to all of a sudden? Wasn’t it only last week I could do so much that I can’t do now? I find I’ve slowed considerably.
Anita, that is exactly it! Between our ears we are in our twenties, but our bodies are the reality check that slows us down. We are doing better and I have hopes for this bone surgery to help me with small motor skills in my left hand… like holding onto cloth, matching seams, etc, etc, etc!
I just took a deep breath, and was happy for you. There are times in life when everything we’ve always wanted, or thought we wanted, or achieve and enjoyed, suddenly becomes just too much. For me, it was sailing. I loved it. I miss it, The years I did it were wonderful, and shaped me in wonderful ways. But I’m much older now, and sailing is hard work — particularly the offshore sailing I’d want to do.
When I decided to let it go, I was surprised by how much of a relief it was. It opened up space in my life for new interests and new activities, and in its own way, it broadened my world. Sailors tend to talk only about sailing, and I began to feel constricted by that.
So, be of good cheer. I’m glad to hear you’re doing fairly well health-wise, and I think you’ll begin to feel even better as time goes on. I’m rambled on long enough — but I do hope we’ll see you just a bit more now. Ordinary life and ordinary challenges are refreshing to read about. Sending much love to you!
You said: “When I decided to let it go, I was surprised by how much of a relief it was.”
Linda, that is exactly how we are feeling right now. It is a release. And yes, part of that release is lifting the sadness at our inability to cope with the property, so you should see a bit more of me. Well, after my hand heals a bit, that is!
I haven’t been posting or keeping up on my reading. I’m glad I dipped in tonight long enough to catch your post. I sympathize with you – I know at this point in my life, having a little homestead will not happen. It’s hard letting go of dreams, but even harder to hold on and know they will not happen. I’m glad you have your acre and a place for the goats. You’re working on solutions and that’s a good place to be.
Nancy
We have been battling this decision for over a year. It just feels good to let go. I feel for you on that front too, Nancy.
I’m sorry you have to give up your farm, but it is wise to know what you can and can’t do and act accordingly. I’m sure someone will be blessed to have it. You’ve put so much into it already.
You said: “I’m sure someone will be blessed to have it.”
I am hoping so, Patti!
sorry to hear that health issues are going to make you change your plans, but better now than later.
Good luck on 22nd!
It is sad, but also a relief to have finally made the decision to sell the property. Thank you, Claire!
Re: “Are you my mother?”
She might be an Eastern Flycatcher; but “it” is most likely a Cowbird offspring. Such a despicable way to parasitise other birds’ nests… ):
I looked up pictures and you are right. 🙂
it’s heartwarming to see so many comments, all with tenderness in your behalf….
i’m not sure what sites work well for selling up there, but here, the viviun site brings more people to the ‘property website’ than any other option….
i join you in the crippled-hands club.. my probs are thanks to the lingernig side effects of chikungunya, and i hope that in time, the rheumatism-type probs will get bored and go elsewhere.
sending you strong cyber hugs
lisa
Lisa, thank you for the cyber hugs, and may I return the favor? I do hope you find healing too. Smiling as you have reminded me that my Grandfather Beverly (also a painter; oils were his choice) used to rub turpentine into his hands for his rheumatism. He said it worked, but that is not a recommendation! 😀
WAIT-A-MINUTE!!! I just looked this up and maybe he was using turpentine OIL? Read this: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-508-turpentine%20oil.aspx?activeingredientid=508&activeingredientname=turpentine%20oil
He did say it worked for him.
that made me laugh, and i needed a really good laugh..
the past few weeks, the devil seems to be trying to write a new chapter of job .. starting with, ‘what can i do to frustrate lisa today?’
most likely the property is about to change hands, and since the owners are not in the country, i’m being their legs.. and the glitches in communications are frustrating..
dashed to quito via bus this morning and now am heading back to the property… hopefully what i started trying to do yesterday will be finished tomorrow!
thanks again for the smiles! and the advice!! and the hugs!
You are welcome, Lisa!
I am sad with you. But at the same time I think it’s good that you all have the wisdom to know when to back off and slow down. It’s a long journey we’re all on, and we need to preserve ourselves for it. All best wishes as you work through this and transition to a joyful future. peace…
Lynda, I have worried about all of the work. Even if there weren’t money and health issues, it was a ton of work!
I’m hoping that along with the sadness, there is a sense of relief because the decision is made. and some peace, too.
Your photos are lovely.
Thinking of you and Bob!
Lynda I’m sorry to be getting to this so late. I wondered how you would manage the Mountain Farmlet when both you and Bob began having so many health issues. I think your “plan B” is a wise one. I am beginning to realize that I will need to cut out some of my work here as well. And my next blog post (if my editor – FD – would get to it!!) will touch on giving up some of the wildlife rehabilitation due to issues with a neighbor. Nothing is meant to remain the same and much of the time we look longingly at what we had or hoped to have, and lament giving it up. Your thoughts and plans for the future are upbeat and positive. I am proud of both of you for doing the best you can to see through to your dreams, and make it all work.
I hadn’t heard the old joke you quoted. It certainly seems apt, and I’m glad to see you’ve preserved your sense of humor in the current circumstances, Lynda.
I completely understand where you are coming from.
We had a crazy dream ten years ago, but all the goalposts have changed. What was once going to be only the starter-chateau may well be the only French place now, Or maybe we will have to sell it, after all this hard labour.
I don’t know what the accronym for your husband’s condition means, but Trevor nearly died from a cardiac epsisode in 2014 and I nearly died in 2006 so our perspectives have changed big-time.
It is really brave of you to ‘fess up and admit that you have had to give up your dream project . That’s very honest and pretty rare; We all want a happy ending don’t we!?
If we have to give up our French dream, I will be back to you for some moral support I think!
Meanwhile if you ever want to rant about the general unfairness of life, you know where I am.
Gill
I honestly hope you don’t have to give up your dream. You’ve come so far! We are still considering other options, but won’t get our hopes high until Bob’s retirement and we see where we are financially. As for the acronym, COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. He is light years better now, but will never be capable of sustained or heavy projects like are needed on the little farmhouse.
Yes, after I worked it out and realised.I guessed it was something related to heart or lungs. Trev has to be careful too, though his fitness levels are improving he aged ten years in as many days back in ’14
Gill, it is always a shock the the psyche when we realize we still think as we did in our 20s, but our bodies can no longer keep up. And much worse when we see the resultant effect in our soulmate. We, both you and I are the fortunate ones. We both have our soulmates and a dream for the future and wherever our dreams may take us, or leave us off, we are not alone on the journey.