In earlier American rural life, communities raised barns because many hands were required. These events occured in a social framework with a good deal of interdependence. Members of rural communities often shared family bonds going back generations. They traded with each other, worshipped with each other and celebrated with each other. Barn raisings were an integral part of life and socializing.

In our modern American life, communities don't mean nearly as much as they did back then. It is our family's goal to bring a sense of community back to our lives and those lives that touch ours.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Wonderful World

Wednesday Wonder is here again! This week our paper brought nothing humourous to share. Which is really a shame.
On a side note, one thing that made me laugh out loud came unexpectedly from my firstborn. He usually has such an amazing grasp on the way things work. He has understood things from toddlerhood without me having to ever explain in great depth. He just gets it. So tonight at the dinner table what came out of his mouth caught me offguard and I lost it. I mean, there were tears. Although that could have been partly due to my total lack of sleep last night with having the other two be sick and them sleeping in my bed. Anyway, we were talking about pickling and how I want to try my hand at that this year. Some of us were eating pickled okra at the time and trying to convince S to try a little bite. I said, "You like pickles, pickled okra tastes just the same." He said, "But pickles are just cucumbers that have shrunk." I know I'm crazy but like I said, I lost it. My mom had to explain pickling cucumbers while I doubled over. Maybe that's not as funny to you now that I have written it out and you have had to read it. But forgive my Mom moment, because I promise they won't happen too often. Just sometimes.
On to our Wednesday Wonder. We truly live in a beautiful place. I'm sure you do, too. If you think you don't just wait until sunset and listen to the birds while the light fades over the horizon. Or after the next rainstorm, take a deep breath and absorb fully the cleanliness that lingers. Run your hands over a trees' bark that has been warmed by the sun. Sink your fingers into some rich, brown earth. Even if you live in a great big city full of traffic and noise and grime, stop and watch a parent play with their child or a couple holding hands as they walk down the street. Be aware of the flowers as they start to emerge this time of year. Look up at the sky, do I need to say more? There is beauty everywhere. The beauty here is more apparent. But I have seen grasses wave in the heart of Chicago and loved the mix of nature and metal. Open your eyes and your heart to it and try not to fall over when you finally realize it. Our world is a Wonder.


Chicago above the grasses



Wild grasses in Fort Collins


Rocky Mountain National Park. Do you see the Bighorn Sheep? 





Above Ouray, Colorado in May
 



Somewhere in Utah


View of our Barn from the road between
the ranch and Fruit Growers Reservoir


2 comments:

  1. Love it - thank you for the reminder to look around and be grateful for all the Wonder. :)
    And I snorted when I read what S said - I can hear his tone and see the look on his face, which only made it better. And I can hear Mom's amused tone while she tried to explain pickling.

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  2. Love the images. Love this post. I forget to breath sometimes and enjoy all that I have, and all that surrounds me. Thanks for the reminder.
    Sux about your leg. Hope it feels better soon.

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