A Day on the Farm
We call it the Ponderosa. Almost 300 acres in the middle of nowhere.
That’s what my dear hubby and his brothers recently inherited at the passing of both parents. It is a beautiful spread, farmed for years with various crops and cattle. Now subdivided among the ‘boys’, it is morphing into 4 estates instead of one. One brother retained the old farmhouse, rich in family memories. In need of repair and renovation, it is nevertheless a gorgeous portrait of a bygone era.
We recently made a visit to the farm and it is pregnant with spring! Trees are budding, as are camellias… and the jonquils are craning their necks toward the sun. All planted and cared for primarily by my mother-in-law when she was alive…
In it’s heyday, this home boasted the prettiest rose garden in the county, if not the state! Many a prize-winning bloom was entered at local, regional and even national rose shows. The garden was featured in state newspapers and magazines, and strangers would often drive by, and sometimes stop, just to get a glimpse of this landscaping wonder! What remains today is the birdbath that graced the center of the garden that featured hundreds of well-manicured rosebushes…
Going back now, with our children and grandson, is bittersweet. Their grandparents are gone and it’s a new day for the farm. But it’s good, too. The brother who inherited the house is living there now, and planning some renovations. One of the other brothers is building his retirement dream home on his portion of land. The farm will remain in the family for another generation. And it’s SO beautiful.
We had a wonderful day there, riding tractors and enjoying the wide open spaces. Our grandson even got his first tractor ride at 8 months of age!
Do you have a farm in your heritage? Many people do, but the farming lifestyle seems to be diminishing. How blessed we are that we can still enjoy that legacy!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
