Modern Day Poets

Music has to be the one thing in this life that we all can connect with.

A song, poetry with a rhythm, words that hold fast and forever.

A connection on a personal level.  A universal connection with each other.

Song writers I would have to say are the modern day poets.

The lyrics they write can hit a cord with us.

What makes a good song?

The song writer writes it and the singer tells the story. 

Makes it into a classic.  Tugs at our hearts.  Makes us think.  Bring back memories.

Take for example Elvis.  Could that man sing a song.

His deep soothing voice could make your heart skip a beat.
Have you found your Graceland?

 

 Some music make a political statement or address a social issue.

John Lennon's classic Imagine.  Martina McBride, Concrete Angel, every time I hear that song my heart aches.
The Boomtown Rats, I Don't Like Mondays, school shootings.  My hearts bleeds for such a useless act of violence.
Garth Brooks, The Thunder Rolls, spousal abuse so very disturbing.

The most haunting song of all time would have to be Ode to Billy Joe.
What was it she and Billy Joe were throwing off the Tallahatchie Bridge?
Bobbie Gentry has stayed mum about this ballad.  Was it based on a true story?
We will never know,  she will go to the grave with the truth about what happened on the bridge that day.

Some artists can make a romantic song.....well romantic.

A breakup song, falling in love, finding true love or love at any stage in a relationship .

No matter how fast or slow it goes, if the words are written right it can bring on a love frame of mind.

Some songs can make you laugh.  I think of Toby Keith.  He can make you giggle with a song, but when he sings a romantic song, the man can really sing a romantic song.  

Look at  It's A Little Too Late.  A man's viewpoint of dealing with the breakdown of a relationship.  Something a bit different from your classic woman left man, man leaves woman country song.

My very favorite song and probably my own personal theme is  Pam Tillis', Let That Pony Run.

A no good cheatin' husband come cleans with his affair.  What was she suppose to do?  So once the shock wears off she moves to West Virginia, buys a barn with an old hay loft and a couple of  ponies.

That is pretty much my life's story, except I didn't move to West Virginia, although I do like the State!

It may have taken a decade, but I am finally getting my pony and a barn with a loft.  I only wish I had bought this barn 12 years ago when my husband left us, but I was so not the woman back then that I am today.  It has taken me 12 years to find myself, make mistakes, pick my battles, balance a cheque book, rise above the smoke.
Find the strength I never knew I had.
I am so very much glad I waited until now to let my pony run.

See how much one song can relate so much to your own story.

"Let That Pony Ride" video

Can you write the book of love?  Don McLean
When I said I needed you, you said you would always stay.  Elvis
She needs wide open spaces.  Dixie Chicks
I feel like I'm knocking on heavens door.  Bob Dylan
How long gone are you goin' be?  Brooks & Dunn
She's going to leave you with a smile.  George Strait

Modern day poets.
What is your favourite tune and what does it mean to you?

Diane

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 I will be joining
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Hobby Farm Update

Hope everyone had a nice weekend.

Mine was a busy one, did a bit of shopping and got caught up-to-date with my shows.

What a shocker on Downton Abbey.  What a shocker on The Walking Dead.  Great shows! :)

Anyway, as you know I am in the market to purchase a small hobby farm. 
I toured my first farm.
I regret that I did not get any good pictures with my camera.  I forgot it!
I was so mad at myself I could spit!!  Not only did I want to show you guys, but I like these pics to use as references.  So I am using the pictures from the Realtors website.

Of course I fell in love with the farm immediately.

Wide open spaces.  Beautiful home and grounds.  I would have bought it in a second.

That is, the old me would have bought it in a second.  The new me, is not quite so spontaneous.  

I spend about two hours touring the house, grounds and Quonset (thank you Elizabeth for the correct name of this outbuilding).

I was loving every minute there.  In heaven.
But there were a few things here and there that I knew would have to go on my con list.
So I went home and slept on it.....well slept on it for a few nights.....big decision.
As much as I loved the property I thought there was just too many things I did not like.
For one, the rooms were too small.  Every room, except the new addition where the family room was.

family room

Try as I may, I just could not strategically place my furniture in each room without it looking all squished. 
Too many windows. 

living room

While most of the time that is a good thing, there were just too many windows and not enough walls to put furniture against.  I know furniture can be place in the centre of rooms, but in these particular rooms it would only block entrance ways.

living room

Bedrooms may have had a spectacular room with a view, however getting a queen size bed in the largest of the rooms would be impossible, and it would be hard to move around.

master bedroom

The kitchen was nice, but by no means a country kitchen.

kitchen

The farm boosted a huge Quonset.  Excellent idea for a horse arena.

Quonset

 However on the property was a very large drive shed (sorry no pic) belonging to the present owner.  A building not included in the sale.  This particular building would be busy each day with farmers coming and going, and with trackers and other large machinery coming and going.  Not exactly what I had in mind for peace and privacy.

foyer

So as lovely as this was, I think I will move on to hobby farm #2. 
I am looking, but so far have not seen anything that I wish to tour......at this time anyway.

front deck

Will keep you posted.


Diane

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥



A Simple Sort of Life

The Hobby Farm

Update 

Billy Jacobs

 Last week, I talked about my goal to purchase a hobby farm.

I talked my hearts dream of a "forever home".

As the week progressed, I have been able to give a ton of thought to what it is that I want in a hobby farm.
The realistic costs, pros and cons and a lot of other random thoughts here and there.

I am very excited about this new journey in my life and can't help but yak away to anyone who will listen!

My son asked me the other day what kind of farmhouse style am I looking for?  Two story, bungalow, back-split?  

I told him I would love, love, to get a house exactly like Hershel's from my fav TV show,  The Walking Dead!  

Of course, me and a million other people would love to have that farmhouse!

As most of you know I am a huge fan of the TV show.  I fell in love with the farmhouse last season instantly.

Hershel's farmhouse - The Walking Dead

 

What am a looking for in the hobby farm?

I am looking for a simple farm.  

Affordable.

A few acres - don't want a lot of grass to cut.

A decent space for a horse pasture.

A nice house and in good shape.

A good, sturdy barn would be nice.

That is it in a nutshell, a simple sort of farm.

Now, onto what I am looking at this week.

So up for review are two farms.  I did have five, but in the end, narrowed it down to the two.

But let's first have a look at one of the farms that got away.  I fast fell in love with this sweet thing, but alas it has an offer on it and is likely sold, according to the agent.  

But I thought you might want to have a look at it anyway.

These pictures are from the Realtors website.

Sweet barn!

But unlike Hershel, I will not be keeping Walkers in mine (giggle).

 

Just a little The Walking Dead  humour for those out there that watch the show!

Anyway, let's move onto the house I am seeing tomorrow.

These pictures are the Realtors.

Tomorrow I will bring my own camera and bombard you guys with a ton of them!

The barn.

Or whatever they call this type of outbuilding.

I am excited about touring the farm tomorrow - like a kid at Christmas!

Diane

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Happy Thanksgiving

To all my fellow Canadians 

Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

Diane

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

And I Think To Myself....

For a few years now, I have been budgeting for and planning to purchase a home.

Not really seriously though, I have had so many irons in the fire in the last few years, that I think of it on and off. 

However when I do think of this new home, I think of it as my “forever home”.

I think forever, because as I age I like to think security. 

 I want a little bit of money nestled away and I would like an investment that is my home.  

 I am a woman who saves and invests and I think I have done not so badly in these last years.  

As some of you know, I do own a heritage house, but rent it out (here and here).

 You might think that I should move into this house, but I kinda like this monthly money coming in.
  It is serving me well financially. 

 

You all know how I like to save, not always in the most conventional ways, but it a method that has worked for me over the years.

Now let’s talk about this “forever home” and what I have so far.

Up until now, I have always and only thought about buying a cute little house in a subdivision somewhere. 
 A cute little home to welcome my family for holidays.  A cute little garden.  A nice quiet neighbourhood.  
 So forth and so forth.

Well, the other day, my equally financially savvy son and I were talking about things we are saving for.  He is set on buying a vintage car.  He went on to show me a vintage car listed for sale on Kijiji.  As I read over the description I noticed that the car was not finished and was a “project” car – buy it and fix it up.  When I asked son about it he said that is common lingo for those that are in the market for vintage cars.  He would buy it and fix it up over time.  
 A project......I liked the idea.

Then I got to thinking…..

I want my forever home to be a "project" hobby home. 
A small farm.  A project hobby farm – buy a few acres and build it up over time.

Now you all know how much I love my horses.  But I have never considered buying a small farm as a single woman.  I always thought it would be too much for me.  Not anymore.  I can buy a small farm and add outbuildings and such in time.  Brilliant.  I am very excited about this and have even started to look at real estate listings. 

I like this idea, gives me a great goal!

Maybe something under eight or ten acres.  
So,  I can still have that cute little house.  A cute little garden.  A quiet neighbourhood.  Only now I changed it up a bit.  I can add some horses……two horses at least, to keep each other company.  A few chickens for some fresh eggs.  A couple of dogs.  Some barn cats. 

Now, I am a woman who does not rush in.  To me, it is all about baby steps......and time.
I will take my time.  Do my homework.  Shop around.  Look at the pros and cons.
You get the picture......invest wisely.
But it would be nice to finally buy my forever home within the year.....I like that goal as well.

These days, I read and watch real estate listing for anything that sounds interesting.  When I do, I will contact the realtor, bring my camera and take you guys along for the tour. 

Diane

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

So You Think You Can Rodeo

Cowgirl Up

Series #3

As my sunkissed days up at my summer trailer are ending for the season, 

I find myself slipping back into my normal everyday living.

Horses, the barn and the country.

The best days are when I visit the stables and the beauties that reside there.

This past summer I found the days flew by so fast, I realized I didn't even get to a rodeo fair this year.

No worries, I have been enjoying these pics and images of the sport I love so much.

A firm partnership.

Man and beast.

Once a cowboy, always a cowboy.

  Once a cowgirl, always a cowgirl.

Eight seconds, can be over in a blink of an eye.... or last forever.

The roar of the crowd.

Rain or shine......or mud.

Heals down, eye front, stay focus.

A unique way of life.

Hours, days, years of practice, all for a buckle.

I wouldn't in a million years, give up my love of horses, hay and the rodeo.

picture source tumblr

Diane

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 I will be joining the Cowgirl Up party with fellow cowgirls over at Cedar Hill Ranch