Kindred Spirits

I recently read a post by Kathleen from “Eggs In My Pocket” that made me laugh so hard that I immediately ran to Mom’s room to show it to her.  “What could be so funny?” you might wonder.  Kathleen had taken pictures of her cookbook collection for her post entitled, “I Love Cook Books---" , and you will see why I found it so amusing in just a minute.

When we remodeled our kitchen, Robert decided it would be nice to have a breakfast bar along the outer wall.  I asked that he not use plain legs at each end of the bar; instead, I thought it would be a good idea to have cubes holding up the countertop.  Why cubes?  Well, here’s the support for the left side of the breakfast bar:

And here’s the support for the right side of the breakfast bar:

Do you see the humor now?

Kathleen’s blog is just one of many blogs that I have discovered and enjoyed.  I not only enjoy these blogs, but I also have found that they have helped my self-esteem like nothing else.  You see, when it comes to loving squirrels, chickens, cook books, compost, and wanting to live in the country, I am the oddball in my family.  This has led me at times to question the wisdom and validity of my own desires and dreams.  I lived over 40 years as a city girl, and I was perfectly content.  Why, all of the sudden was I morphing into an animal-loving, learning-to-quilt-and-sew, earth mother? Was I losing my mind?  Was this one of those horrid side effects of pre-menopause?  Was I just a nit-wit?

The blogs which I have discovered and enjoyed have let me know that I am not alone.  As I read the experiences of others, those experiences are always good for a chuckle and a lot of inspiration as well!  The ties that I feel toward people whom I have never met constantly amaze me.

I initially was not into reading blogs, nor was I interested in writing blogs.  I am a practical girl with lots to do, and therefore everything that I do has to have a purpose.  Then I became the “Emergency Preparedness Specialist” for my congregation at church.  There wasn’t enough paper in the world to give out all of the neat information that I was finding, so I began my blog, “The Gan-Green Thumb”.  In addition to articles about food storage, flood insurance, 72-hour kits, etc., “The Gan-Green Thumb” is also a chronicle of my misadventures in gardening (an essential part of self-reliance).  I try and fail and try again, and then I report on my experiences.  This blog was a worthwhile venture for me because it was a tool to help others find resources to help them in their quest for self-reliance.  It had a purpose.

I had no desire to have a personal/family blog.  However, two people changed my idea about that.  My friend, Kim, and I had just reconnected via Facebook after losing touch for several years.  I absolutely LOVED being able to check in on her and her house full of rescue dogs via her blog, “Life at Golden Pines”.  Talk about connecting!  Also, my daughter has a blog, “Lackey Antics”, and through her blog (as well as Kim’s) I began to see the possibilities.

Thus, “Woodbury World” was born, and it wasn’t long before I was blog surfing to see what else was out there, as well as reading the blogs that many of my new friends had listed on their reading lists.  I have found treasure beyond belief!

Maura at "Lilac Lane Cottage" was kind enough to make a comment on my chicken post and let me know that she also kept some baby chickens in her house for awhile.  Her love for her chickens lets me know that I am not a looney tune.  Oh, and her blog is absolutely beautiful.  I would so move in to Lilac Lane Cottage if she would let me!

I recently found a new smile or two over at “Life on Sassy Cat Hill”.  The picture of the three baby squirrels (click here) brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye as I thought of my sweet  Chewka Marie.  Also, seeing rabbits and cats hanging out together brightens my day!

As a practical girl, I am often at war with myself when it comes to taking out time to do crafts.  There’s always a little voice in my ear whispering, “You know, if you have all this time to cross stitch, you could use that same time to clean the bathroom or rake those leaves.”  Many thanks to Kathleen and her blog, “Yesteryear Embroideries”, for helping me to give myself permission to take time to create.  Also, “Crazy Mom Quilts” and the lady over at “Muddling Through” make me want to lock myself in a room with my sewing machine for at least a couple of days.

One of the first blogs that I found was “Lallee’s Cottage”.  I think that it was when reading her blog that I realized that there are some kindred spirits out there.  Her love for her animals really shows, and I enjoyed reading about her remodeling her guest room awhile back (we are always remodeling something in our house, so knowing that other people are busy, too, kind of helps).  I have often laughed and told my mom that Lallee is who I would be if I had a nicer house!  In fact, my “grandma” name is “Lolee”, and although it was not planned nor patterned after Lallee’s name, I kind of like being in such good company.

I could go on forever:  pretty much every blog that is listed on my reading list is there because I found either inspiration or kinship, or both (and all of the recipe blogs are good for a couple of pounds or so!).  I am so grateful that I have the chance to find “kindred spirits”.  Thanks to ALL who share of themselves so that others may have a smile or two!  You often make my day!