Comments on: Some rural Iowa simple pleasures……

By: simplyaltered

simplyaltered — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:13:52 +0000

I agree Jesse, you like too much action going on!!!

By: jmerk

jmerk — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:21:16 +0000

Not sure i’d make It on a farm! so far away fromtown!

By: simplyaltered

simplyaltered — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:16:09 +0000

oh Lana, thank you for the BEAUTIFUL visual you just created for me and all my readers!!!! you have SUCH a way with words!!! maybe I do want to live on a farm afterall???

By: Lana Schippers

Lana Schippers — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:21:45 +0000

I totally agree…we are lucky to have sprawling fields and oh…don’t even get me started on old farmhouse…if I won the lottery tomorrow Kelli I’d probably be stupid enough to build a million dollar farmhouse that looked like it belonged right out of a century farm photo…there is nothing like a farmhouse…the front porch in the evening sun…just beckons you off the road to stop and have a glass of ice tea. The funny thing is the reason you maybe think it’s an almost untouchable dream for Madison is because the family farm is becoming as extinct as natural habitats of Bears and Monkeys and other creatures that are losing their home to the wastefulness of the world….things are simple in the tall grass, no matter how close to town…you can just stop and forget what is beyond the bent mailbox.

By: simplyaltered

simplyaltered — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:57:09 +0000

this is a perfect example of what makes us feel proud. Such simple pleasures that small towns can give, that the big metropolis can not. We all know, that works both ways though. Some days I want to be big city as well, but am not so, I have to see what is around ME and feel my own sense of the American Dream . Many different reasons for each person in every part of America!!!
Yes, you have a very supportive area you live in, and can feel your roots planted very deeply there. More than enough reasons to feel very proud of your community.

By: simplyaltered

simplyaltered — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:54:20 +0000

Welcome Doris. So glad you are liking everything, and of course, there is ALOT more to come!!!!

By: simplyaltered

simplyaltered — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:53:43 +0000

Oh that is a very nice story and I will let my daughter read it when she gets home on the 12th. It will give her hope. not sure where she gets her farmgirl personality from as I am NOT one bit that way, or my husband. LOL
Your last paragraph is very touching and exactly the point I was trying to drive home. Look around and see all the many things you have to appreciate……however “small” they sometimes seem!!! thank you!!!

By: LaVonne

LaVonne — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:24:08 +0000

I will spend most of my Independence weekend working for my 2 favorite charities–Hospice and Ministerial Alliance. My husband and I will devote alot of time to these causes, as our small town has a large celebration with many people coming home for it. I am very grateful to live in a small community, where people are very friendly and generous. Where we can have successful fundraisers to support our causes that help so many people in need. And this is all possible because of our independence, and the many people who have fought to keep us this way. God blessed me when he put me in a small community. And I can’t think where I’d rather be than small town Iowa.

By: Doris Medlin

Doris Medlin — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:38:44 +0000

Kelli, Just wanted to let you know that I love your website. I am trying several of your ideas and love them. Thank you!!!!

Doris Medlin

By: Pam O'Donnel

Pam O'Donnel — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:03:22 +0000

Funny that I would be reading your note this morning about your daughter yearning to live on a farm some day. That was my greatest dream as a child – stemming from annual summer visits to my father’s home place in Ohio some 50-plus years ago. Theirs was a VERY simple life, including the use of the old outhouse, as well as the need to draw water from the well. I don’t recall as a child thinking anything odd about having to use the outhouse, but remember that going to the well for water was a real treat. Letting down the bucket (being carefull not to get struck in the head with the handle!) and then winding it back up. And a sip of that cool fresh water was the best refreshment ever!

My love of the farm became so strong that I vowed that one day I would grow up to marry a farmer. I tease my husband that it’s a good thing he met the first requirement on my list! Our lives are still quite simple by many standards – no garage/shed full of “toys” we think we have to play with in order to entertain ourselves. We (like your daughter) can find satisfaction and fullfullment in driving around surveying the crops, viewing the countryside and looking for wildlife – as long as they don’t become hood ornaments!

We live on a farm which has been in the family for over 100 years – in fact, we own the century farms from both sides of my husband’s family. Yes, we have indoor plumbing – they did make that upgrade before they passed away. And (sadly), one by one many of the old outbuildings have come down, some being replaced by steel buildings. Somehow, they just don’t have the character that the old block barn and hoghouse had!

Sitting out here looking at the vast countryside, we feel very independent – and very grateful for that independence that was won for us over 200 years ago. Our appreciation of this land and the way it has allowed us to lead our lives however we see fit is a daily celebration of that independence.

Have a great 4th!

Farmwife