December 30, 2007

Someone painted pictures on my
Windowpane last night --
Willow trees with trailing boughs
And flowers, frosty white,

And lovely crystal butterflies;
But when the morning sun
Touched them with its golden beams,
They vanished one by one.

- Helen Bayley Davis, Jack Frost



t is funny sometimes. I get all these emails and handwritten letters mailed to me about how I inspire you all and how so many of you have made the leap into this homesteading thing due to my magazine and blogs. But on the flipside, I also receive letters of inspiration from you people as well, which keep me going when things get rough on me too. I got two of these such letters last night that I would like to share with you all, as I do from time to time.

Hi tenzi,

I just visited your DTTR site today for the first time in a couple of months. (I have neglected checking in--am very sorry for not being more attentive.) I was shocked when I realized your recent blogs were all about you doing everything alone--no boyfriend, no teenagers, etc. So I tracked back--read through two months worth of blogs to find your announcement about your split with your boyfriend. I am SO sorry to hear that.

I know this is late (2 months late), and I apologize for that, but I wanted to let you know that I wish you the very best. I am so happy to see you continuing on the homesteading path--even if you have to do it alone. Somehow, I think there is someone special out there for you--maybe in a few years after you have had a chance to heal.

I know things are tough right now--you don't get over a 4-year relationship in 2 months, so I will be praying for you--that God would meet all your needs, financial, emotional, spiritual, physical. You are not alone.

Hugs and God bless,

Brenda (artistmama)
Zone 6, Boise, Idaho



Hi tenzi,

I want to wish you a very Happy New Year. 2008 is going to be a good year, I believe! I still want to order your magazine very soon. Got to get past the holiday spending.....

You are a neat person and one that I am glad to call a friend. Talk soon. I still have a very "little something" to mail you....call it a very belated Yule present.....

Take care!!
Cheryl in South Carolina

ooooo...to have a few icicles!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thanks you two (and everyone else who sends me emails/letters). I am feeling kinda 'sucky' (which is a Canadian term apparently) with being sick, so it lifted me for the day.

It got to -12C last night. Not too bad. Dogs kept me up all night and I had about 2-3 hours of sleep. There must have been something up behind the barns as the guardian dog kept wanting to take out something in that direction. I wanted to put the pillows over my head to sleep, but I couldn't, as I had to listen to any other kafuffle going on.