My Obsession with Tasha Tudor. A Lesson In Living Your Truth.

Posted by Barbara Techel

My obsession with Tasha Tudor began only a little over a week ago. I’ve checked out just about every book from the library eager to learn more about her.  I keep wondering how it is I never knew of her before—this woman I am now utterly fascinated with.

She was quite eccentric for her time, but the more I read about her the more I understand it is why she illustrated and wrote such sweet children’s books.  She truly lived her stories in a sense and recreated them in her illustrations. She seemed to somewhat live in a world of fantasy of the life she envisioned she wanted hers to be.

She lived a self-sustaining life and died at the age of 92 in 2008.  The photograph to the right is my favorite photo of her.  She went barefoot often. Well as often as one can when you live in Vermont with the changing seasons.  She had goats which she raised for goat cheese, chickens, fifty or more birds, doves, a cat, and corgi’s– having up to 13 or 14 at one time!  Now change them to dachshunds and that would be right up my alley!

What fascinates me about her is how she lived a lifestyle of the 1830’s even though she lived in the 20th & 21st century.  She was always seen in frocks of which she made herself, her hair tied back with a scarf and if she could help it, no shoes.  She told people that she was the wife of a sea captain from the 1830’s and when she died she planned on going right back to the 1830’s.  I have no doubt she did.

It is a lesson in living your truth and it’s why I know she intrigues me.  She loved being surrounded by her stunning garden, her animals, her art, and nature… and she did just that.  No matter what.  She simply lived the life that made her feel best, though it was not always easy.

I’m so glad to have discovered her.  She is a mentor I’ll never meet, but someone who will continue to inspire me.  And I can’t wait to visit the museum dedicated to her, which just opened in 2010.  Its only an hour from where we are staying in Vermont.  I’d just have to say this was all meant to be.’.. and how  I love when things like this happen.

Keeping the Faith When the Journey Seems Uncertain

Posted by Barbara Techel

Frankie loved to “help” with fall clean up 

Keeping the faith in your journey when things seem uncertain is when you are yet again called to trust the process. I discovered that this past week as I finally wrote the afterword to my book, Through Frankie’s Eyes: One Woman’s Journey to Her Authentic Self and the Dog on Wheels Who Led the Way.  A big part of me was struggling with having to write it.  I knew I was still resisting because it wasn’t what I wanted it to be. I had other plans for what the afterword would be.  I knew I couldn’t change the fact that Frankie has passed, but oh, how I wanted my book to have a different ending.

I was reminded once again of my individual process and how I work.  I stopped pressuring myself to get it done, understanding that I had to have faith in myself that when the time was right, I would write the last chapter. That day came this past Monday when I knew this was it. I was ready. The stars had all aligned and I was ready to finish this part of the journey that Frankie and I had begun. It all fell into place as my complete focus was on spilling out the last words of my book.

As I wrote the last chapter and reviewed the copy a few more times, I suddenly felt a WHOOSH of emotions flood through me.  Happy, sad, loss, pain, joy, proud, grateful and blessed, just to name a few.  I felt myself wanting to reach down and hug Frankie, to thank her, to smooch the side of her soft face- my heart ached knowing I couldn’t do that.  But then my heart smiled as I realized she was here, she helped me write this last chapter as the beautiful spirit in a world I can’t see, but trust is there- that we are only a thin veil apart from each other.

In the days since, I have realized very strongly that my work with her truly does continue… just in a new way. I’ve also realized once again to trust myself and to know I won’t let myself down. Whatever it is I begin, and know I want to complete, I will.

If you find yourself in what seems like a “stuck” place give yourself time to really think about it.  How do you work best?  Don’t judge yourself on how others work or what is right for them, or how society says we should do things, but what is best for you?  Then trust that— and know you too will come to the place where you need to be at just the right and perfect time.

There is still time to get your limited edition t-shirt & help us celebrate National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day on Sept. 22, 2012


Available through September 12th only!  Orders your today!
To date, t-shirt sales have raised over $1,200 for the Frankie Fund!!  This will help three more small dogs get wheelchairs who otherwise may not have been able to.  A huge thank you to those who have already helped with this effort!

If you haven’t already, please do follow us on Facebook!  We will be announcing a dog photo contest soon and you don’t want to miss it!  Fun prizes to be given away!

Be sure to also stop by our website and check out some of the recipients of the Frankie Fund. They will steal your hearts!