Are sea monsters troubling you? Keeping you from venturing out into unknown waters where are deepest dreams are yearning to come alive?
I invite you to pull up a chair and join me here in Vermont as I find inspiration from Celtic saints who modeled for great faith and how we can trust an unknown future to a known God. (I also find some wonderful greenery along Lake Champlain in which to deck this old 18th-century home for Celtic Advent, which began Nov. 15!)
Click on the video below, and then share with me how you banish your “sea monsters.” And blessings to you as the Thanksgiving preparations begin!
Why I Stopped Being a Grinch About Early Christmas Decorations
It’s been happening more and more — Christmas trees appearing soon after Halloween. I used to roll my eyes at that, but lately I am becoming one of those early Christmas decorators, and not just because studies show those who decorate early are happier. I think we all need a little more light in the world. Come to the farm as I share with you why I stopped being a Grinch. And let me know your thoughts. Have our holiday traditions or views changed? Comment. Like. Share with others! Blessings!
The Remedy for Election Fatigue (hint: it’s furry!)
I’m so tired of the political rhetoric, and I know I am not alone. And so, I invite you to step away from craziness of the world for some election fatigue relief as well as to hear the announcement I promised I would share with you. As always, thank you for coming to Old Stone Well Farm. Your support means a lot to me — and the chickens. Click on the video below. Share. Subscribe. Like. And drop me a note. I love to hear from you.
Friends, just a quick hello on this Sunday morning as my husband and I are away this weekend and are getting ready to head out for an Amish breakfast, complete with scrapple. Yum!
But I will be back in a few days with an announcement. So stay tuned!
Many of you know I love early American history, so when I discovered a scary story in Manchester, Vermont, I just couldn’t wait to share with you.
So join me at Old Stone Well Farm where I explore not only Colonial America’s views on Halloween, but vampires as well. Yes, you read correctly. Vampires. But that isn’t the only scary story I share. There is something that frightens me more than things that go bump in the night.
Pull up a chair and gather around the hearth. Bring your friends. Share. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments. And if you haven’t already, subscribe to Old Stone Well Farm’s YouTube channel so that you never miss an episode.
Click on the video below…and remember, this year’s pumpkin message will be revealed as well — with a little help (more like a challenge) from the cows!
I am excited about the next episode of Old Stone Well Farm as I share a fascinating piece of Vermont’s dark history with you. It’s a story that will get us all thinking. And of course, this year’s inspirational message in the pumpkins will be revealed — along with some behind the scenes video of how the cows were having fun with the pumpkins. Video will be available Oct. 30. Till then, click on below for a sneak peek. Blessings!
I just have to say how much I am enjoying my week’s staycation!
I am away from deadlines for the week and I didn’t realize how much I needed the space and freedom to be me — to create, to dream and to write on things that I am passionate about. I have even revisited a book had begun outlining some years ago — a scary tale of a young pastor in a rural area where old headstones introduce her to a family secret. (Cue eerie music, thunder and howling wind!)
But research on this book aside, this staycation has really been a blessing because those close to me have known that lately my creative spirit has been dampened. Better yet, I think the image of my creative spirit being suffocated is more appropriate. There have been so many changes in my “day job” that have been debilitating. Every idea and project now has many steps and countless meetings to go through before actually getting to the work. While these changes are not good or bad — they just are — I have been quietly observing how this “new way” of doing things is impacting creativity. I see it in the faces staring back at me in those Zoom boxes. Once passionate writers are now uncharacteristically glum. Once vocal writers are silenced. I know this too shall pass as change brings a season of transitions, but that’s another story for another day.
For today, I actually jumped out of bed at 5 a.m. filled with eager expectations for the day. After doing my chicken chores, I sipped my coffee and read the Bible. I then got to the gym where I realized how that time was a key role in having a healthy, positive outlook. It felt good to catch up with others, to laugh, to move our bodies to music and to work up a good sweat. And something amazing began happening as I pushed the lever up to increase the resistance on the bike during the spin class. I began having ideas — again. I began getting hopeful. I began dreaming. I began feeling like the old me, which was a wonderful feeling because she was missing for quite some time.
I know this staycation will come to an end and I will be back to a front row seat of a really bad play called “power plays and grabs.” I will be hearing the “dings” remind me that the next Zoom meeting will begin in 15 minutes (enough time to brush my hair and take off my chicken poop covered Mucks). I will be back to writing deadlines and spending many fitful nights worrying about the stories assigned that are MIA from writers who are AWOL.
Soon I will be back in the “real world.” But I wonder? Is there a better reality in which to live, work and play in than the one that masquerades as “real”?
I’ll continue to ponder, and as I do, I want to remind you that this Sunday, October 30, Old Stone Well Farm continues its Pumkinfest tradition, lighting the back hill with an inspirational message.
I can’t believe how fast October is flying by. We are past peak season for the leaves, but there is still so much beauty to be found. As I walked into the forest I noticed an ancient tree that invited me to sit and reflect, and as I did the wind kicked up the leaves and reminded me of a Mary Oliver poem. So come and sit with me for today’s visit at Old Stone Well Farm…and think back to the song the leaves sang to you when you were a child and how perhaps the world would be a better place if we never lost the innocence of a child. What has been your leaf song? I would love to hear from you.
The wind has been blowing the leaves all around, but I discovered something startling about myself the other day as I watched some leaves trying desperately to hold on to the safety of the tree limb: I am also holding on tightly to what I know and what seems secure.
I realize when I look up and open my eyes, there’s nothing to fear. God’s grace is all around.
Have you been holding on to what you know lately — what is comfortable and seemingly secure? Are you ready to let go and enter a new season? What do you do when you need a bit more faith on the journey?
Come, join me here at Old Stone Well Farm. (And if you haven’t already, subscribe to the YouTube channel so that you never miss a visit.)
Welcome to a special midweek gathering at Old Stone Well Farm, where I have finally caught up with all my chores and rested from leading a women’s retreat followed by a Sunday in the pulpit.
Now it’s time to once again breathe in all the God moments, and today I share with you how I am observing Michaelmas this October.
Yes, the feast day of St. Michael is Sept. 29, but I like the idea of being mindful all throughout this month of how God’s angels are there for us. Frights and fears might abound, but God’s goodness shines.
Come! Join me. Click on the video below. And if you haven’t already, subscribe to this growing channel — and share with others. And let me know how you might weave in some Michaelmas celebrations this month! And who perhaps have been the angels in your life who have walked alongside you in trying times?
accidental country pastor 