I love so many things about my family and some days, when making mental lists and observations, I can get a good cry going just with gratitude. But I don’t have time for tears these days. We are building a barn, and that leads me to the thing I love about my family right now: none of us is afraid of hard work.

A few months ago, we all put in a hard three days getting a start on this pole barn on my parents’ property. They breed and raise Charolais cattle and after building a new fence around this space on their acreage, it was time to put in a barn for storing vehicles and hay for the cattle. We worked another 3 long days recently to complete the next stages and it was a family affair. We shared some photos of our initial ground breaking work in a previous post here.

Finley J. Farm

This bit of the property is named after their grandchild – our son – Finley. Crazily enough it was almost exactly this time last year that we built the fence. My parents, plus my brother in-law Stephen, Ryan, Finley and I, have all thrown our weight into this project, just as we did with the fence. WHY we cannot find a cooler time to do this work should be the subject of a blog! We have been sweating, you guys, but it’s worth it. Not only is this an important project for the farm, but the memories we’ve been making are priceless.

My job was to learn to use – and then fully operate – the telehandler. Not only did I do it, with the help of my favorite sidekick, I got pretty good. Finley was having an absolute ball and was so proud of his mama. I too had a blast helping us move things along. The place is named after him, after all and he’ll always know that we each did our part to see it come to life.

Because there are so many moving parts and there is an order of operations to building a barn that will last, it took every hand we had. My father spent time up a ladder; my mom and I had Ryan and Stephen lifted up for the high work. We just moved through each step and saw progress.

Mini Down Time

I say, “mini” because we took only a few breaks, being weekend warriors and all. And mini, of course because of Finley. Watching him interact with farm life gives ME new life. I love seeing the world – and remembering things I’d forgotten – through his eyes.

This little McGoo is living his best life; I don’t care what he’s saying down at the barber shop. Stay tuned! More to come on this project.

It’s not so much a dream, as several waking dreams fulfilled now that we are back out in the world and able to see friends and family. We are cautious, but roaming about the cabin if you will. I thought it high time to share some notes from my personal journal with you all. Isn’t that what strengthens community? A sense of sharing?

I’ll start with a couple of birthday photos (mine! I’m happily still 32) and then images from my niece’s wedding. She was married in Asheville and we were the photographers and our son, Finley was the ring or ringlet bearer.

Finley enjoyed another year of swim lessons and we three, itching to get out, had some fun local adventures. It was just so good to be silly outside and less stressed than this time last year.

We took a vacation break and went to Wilmington. It was Finley’s first beach trip and the weather was perfect. Great sunsets and wonderful time with family. You forget how much you love the salty air and feel of sand (everywhere!!) until you’re back there. We are true lovers of both the mountains and the sea. And now, so is our kid.

We also had a ball visiting Savannah as a family. Putt putt RULES, and is Finley-Approved.

Back at our beloved home base, we have occupations that I never think of as chores. One of those is gardening. Squash with their gorgeous blossoms, garlic, herbs and beans all end up picked, washed and in my kitchen. I love the air and the mindfulness of gardening and we love eating what we grow. I hope my son feels this too. Right now, the play time and horticulture Q&A between he and I is plenty.

We’ve also been busy with building a pole barn on the family farm. This is decidedly NOT gardening and zen like. This requires measuring, focus and moving under your own steam even when you’re tired. It feels good to see progress and know that we also had time together working toward a common goal.

It’s only mid-July, you guys. We’re hip-deep in summer, and I love it. I’m reminded that a summer day has the same number of seconds as a day in late November. The question is – how am I to use each second?
Right now, I’m feeling lightening bugs. I’m going to go outside and look at the lightening bugs. How bout ya’ll?