For some reason your words today moved me to tears. The tension between the real and the curated, the formal and the casual, bumps up against ideas I've been tossing about regarding truth and transparency and how to recognize them both. This tension is also a reason my own substack has languished.
As someone new to this homesteading bit, I've spent much of this first year also in the weeds. Thank you for the much-needed reminder to look up, watch the trees, the mountains, the sky. The horizon.
Now that I finally have internet (!) I am excited to explore your YouTube channel. Nothing to improve here... continue on, please! Peace....
Thank you so much for sharing this! As a one person band myself, I've often felt overwhelmed with a need to compete with all the fancy Insta reels, and perfectly shot You Tube videos (complete with high quality audio,) that drown out my tiny space in the online universe. The only thing I have to shoot videos and pics of my walks on is an ancient Samsung phone (which urgently needs updating as I no longer have any memory space for the sort of apps that can help make this kind of magic happen,) However, rather than buy a new phone or invest in more tech, I'd way rather spend my hard earned cash on a nice relaxing weekend break or an antique table for my kitchen. I just don't have the time or the resources! Does this mean that my content won't get the attention it deserves after all the hard work I put into researching it just because I don't have all the fancy gear? Do I need to upgrade at the expense of enjoying other things I'd rather buy like old books and picnic baskets? Thank you for giving us all permission just to BE OURSELVES. It's way more authentic, endearing and REAL. I'm taking a leaf out of your book and just posting what feels good (even if it is rather messy around the edges :) I'm sure the lovely folks who read it won't mind :) I adore your content and feel your authenticity shines through all your lovely photos. Onwards!
I found your blog in a search for a jelly recipe, and have been so happy I did! You have an easy way of explaining that makes sense. I've subscribed to the YouTube channel, and look forward to following all the things--real life stories are the best way to show what you do. I'd love an updated tour of the garden spaces. I'm in the process of putting together a large fenced space, so far two 32" high metal beds and a few low board beds left by the previous owner. It's quite a project at my age(66), but it keeps me busy!
Thank you for this beautiful post! I love all the pictures! Your cow is so cute! Also, at the top of your post you wrote 'leaf pepper season' instead of 'leaf peeper season'. I thought you may want to know. ;)
We are visiting Door County for the fall colors you have. It's beautiful as usual and makes you breathe in deeply to take it in. We being older as with way grown kids can and do take it all in. We aren't busy like you and some day you won't be as much and will be able to take it in.
Thanks for all forging info. Though I've know my 'weeds' for a while you've give me creative ways to try them. If you can them please do a video on that too
I thoroughly enjoy your articles, they are written in a conversation style that has made me a "warm friend" and admirer of both your writing and photography.
I appreciate the "off center imagery" as much as the overall composition and selection of friendly subject matter.
Wow! Thanks for sharing all that beauty you’ve got where you live! I live in Marin County California and it too is breath taking, BUT jam packed full of people.
I long for a place far away from other people. People are Dangerous. 😂
Or at least they have been the most Dangerous thing I have experienced in my life, time and time again...and again... and too many other agains. 😶
It was much to late for me and My Family once we realized that all our problems were stemming from nosey people who like to be all up in our business and cause problems.
Eeeek. (That’s when I no longer noticed the Beauty I am surrounded by and only saw too many people and the Danger the bring.
Stay casual dear Ashley. I love it! It is very hard to find the real in the reels of today. I shy away from any form of curation because it demands perfection and shuts down the true expression of my heart, which I struggle to share as it is. Keep on being you, as is.
I will drop by that YouTube channel but won't be able to interact there. Ashley, I hope you start a Rumble channel. People don't have to worry as much about ever changing rules there, and I think monetization potential is decent.
Absolutely love your blog. Today’s really hit home. So tired of big production stuff. Your real and down home approach is not only refreshing, it’s, well, real!!!
Beautiful Ashley! It will be peak foliage here in so Indiana in another couple weeks. I'm at the age now where I slow down to watch the birds and bees in summer and the colors of autumn. I used to think my mom was kind of boring for doing that stuff. But now I get it.
For some reason your words today moved me to tears. The tension between the real and the curated, the formal and the casual, bumps up against ideas I've been tossing about regarding truth and transparency and how to recognize them both. This tension is also a reason my own substack has languished.
As someone new to this homesteading bit, I've spent much of this first year also in the weeds. Thank you for the much-needed reminder to look up, watch the trees, the mountains, the sky. The horizon.
Now that I finally have internet (!) I am excited to explore your YouTube channel. Nothing to improve here... continue on, please! Peace....
Thank you so much for sharing this! As a one person band myself, I've often felt overwhelmed with a need to compete with all the fancy Insta reels, and perfectly shot You Tube videos (complete with high quality audio,) that drown out my tiny space in the online universe. The only thing I have to shoot videos and pics of my walks on is an ancient Samsung phone (which urgently needs updating as I no longer have any memory space for the sort of apps that can help make this kind of magic happen,) However, rather than buy a new phone or invest in more tech, I'd way rather spend my hard earned cash on a nice relaxing weekend break or an antique table for my kitchen. I just don't have the time or the resources! Does this mean that my content won't get the attention it deserves after all the hard work I put into researching it just because I don't have all the fancy gear? Do I need to upgrade at the expense of enjoying other things I'd rather buy like old books and picnic baskets? Thank you for giving us all permission just to BE OURSELVES. It's way more authentic, endearing and REAL. I'm taking a leaf out of your book and just posting what feels good (even if it is rather messy around the edges :) I'm sure the lovely folks who read it won't mind :) I adore your content and feel your authenticity shines through all your lovely photos. Onwards!
Definitely for the soul. Thank you so much for sharing with us. It is endearing to know that places like this really are still in nature.
I found your blog in a search for a jelly recipe, and have been so happy I did! You have an easy way of explaining that makes sense. I've subscribed to the YouTube channel, and look forward to following all the things--real life stories are the best way to show what you do. I'd love an updated tour of the garden spaces. I'm in the process of putting together a large fenced space, so far two 32" high metal beds and a few low board beds left by the previous owner. It's quite a project at my age(66), but it keeps me busy!
You just saved a bunch of garden snakes' lives. I had no idea that they subsist on slugs.
Most snakes are a benefit. I offer to move the rat snakes and others for people so they don't get killed.
Thank you for this beautiful post! I love all the pictures! Your cow is so cute! Also, at the top of your post you wrote 'leaf pepper season' instead of 'leaf peeper season'. I thought you may want to know. ;)
We are visiting Door County for the fall colors you have. It's beautiful as usual and makes you breathe in deeply to take it in. We being older as with way grown kids can and do take it all in. We aren't busy like you and some day you won't be as much and will be able to take it in.
Thanks for all forging info. Though I've know my 'weeds' for a while you've give me creative ways to try them. If you can them please do a video on that too
I thoroughly enjoy your articles, they are written in a conversation style that has made me a "warm friend" and admirer of both your writing and photography.
I appreciate the "off center imagery" as much as the overall composition and selection of friendly subject matter.
KUDOS AND MORE
Don.
Wow! Thanks for sharing all that beauty you’ve got where you live! I live in Marin County California and it too is breath taking, BUT jam packed full of people.
I long for a place far away from other people. People are Dangerous. 😂
Or at least they have been the most Dangerous thing I have experienced in my life, time and time again...and again... and too many other agains. 😶
It was much to late for me and My Family once we realized that all our problems were stemming from nosey people who like to be all up in our business and cause problems.
Eeeek. (That’s when I no longer noticed the Beauty I am surrounded by and only saw too many people and the Danger the bring.
Sorry for the typos
Stay casual dear Ashley. I love it! It is very hard to find the real in the reels of today. I shy away from any form of curation because it demands perfection and shuts down the true expression of my heart, which I struggle to share as it is. Keep on being you, as is.
Good blog post by Charlotte Grysolle on the benefits of shifting into panoramic vision:
https://www.charlottegrysolle.com/a-simple-visual-technique-to-trick-your-mind-into-relaxation/
I will drop by that YouTube channel but won't be able to interact there. Ashley, I hope you start a Rumble channel. People don't have to worry as much about ever changing rules there, and I think monetization potential is decent.
I read this post as warm, thoughtful short story, Thank you.
This was such a lovely reflection, Ashley, and it touched my soul. Thank you.
Laura
Absolutely love your blog. Today’s really hit home. So tired of big production stuff. Your real and down home approach is not only refreshing, it’s, well, real!!!
Beautiful Ashley! It will be peak foliage here in so Indiana in another couple weeks. I'm at the age now where I slow down to watch the birds and bees in summer and the colors of autumn. I used to think my mom was kind of boring for doing that stuff. But now I get it.