jenna woginrich

In a Former Life I Think I was a Farmer and a Homesteader.

Posted by Barbara Techel

indexI’m really beginning to wonder and ponder, that I may have been a farmer in another life. Maybe you didn’t expect me to say this. I sometimes wonder what goes on inside of this head of mine too, wondering where in the world these thoughts come from?

Right now I’m reading Cold Antler Farm-A memoir of Growing Food and Celebrating Life on a Scrappy Six-Acre Homestead by Jenna Woginrich. I’ve also read two of her other books, One-Woman Farm: My Life Shared with Sheep, Pigs, Chickens, Goats, and a Fine Fiddle and Barnheart: The Incurable Longing for a Farm of One’s Own. I’m thoroughly enjoying her new book as much as I loved her last two.

Last night as I was reading Cold Antler Farm this is when the thought came to me that I may have been a farmer in a different life, just like Jenna. I love that she calls herself a farmer, as well as, a true homesteader. She owns the titles beautifully. Maybe that is part of my attraction to her.

She is in her early 30s and there is no question when you read about her life on her small farm that she is a woman determined, committed, and strong in the skin she was born in.

But I also know it is the animals I’m attracted to. The two working horses, the goats, the sheep, the pigs, geese, rabbits, bees, and her border collie, Gibson. If her brood included donkey’s, a Labrador, and a dachshund, I just might have to build a tiny home right on her property and live there!

Her descriptions of her gardens and her daily chores calms me for some reason. Maybe it is in the routine and solitude that I like of Jenna’s life. But I can say what I wouldn’t like is being a true farmer in the sense of having to dock new born lamb tails, send pigs to slaughter, and the muck and slop of spring thaw. I’m also very allergic to hay and since many of the animals need that to eat and bed down in, well, I’m afraid I’d have an inhaler permanently attached to my mouth for my asthma.

Pondering all this I think perhaps I’d still love a hobby farm with two miniature donkey’s, some chickens, and a goat or two. Maybe this will be in my next life.  I hope by that time I’ve either let go of the asthma I have or they make allergy free hay.

But for now I live as a farmer and homesteader through the writing of Jenna as she celebrates and embraces life to the fullest on her scrappy farm. And dream of wearing dresses and perwinkle rain boots while brushing my donkey’s, milking my goats, and gathering eggs from my chicken’s on the little hobby farm in the next realm of my life.

Staying Positive By Building Your Tribe

Posted by Barbara Techel


Living with more joy and being positive is a path I’ve been on for a little over 10-years now. Staying positive in a world that can seem to thrive on negativity can make it challenging for me to stay positive. It’s a choice I make to look for the good out there. It’s a choice I make to find joy in each day. Am I always successful? Do I fall back into old patterns? Yes, I do, because I am that one thing I can’t escape, which is being human. But I also know that what I am seeking is to be a more spiritual person, winding my way back to which I came from.

I’ve got so many people in my life that keep me on my positive and joyful journey. I am very grateful. I call them my tribe. But my tribe really began because of a chocolate lab named Cassie who made me stop and think about living more fully. I carry her with me in my heart daily. Then, of course, my biggest lessons learned to date have come from my dachshund, Frankie, who was diagnosed with IVDD in 2006 and was fitted for a doggie wheelchair after losing the loss of her hind legs.

My tribe has grown immensley since then. As Frankie ages (now 12) and we have slowed down a bit in our work together, I feel this new transition taking place inside me. I can’t quite name it or see what the next path ahead is… but I feel something new wanting to blossom. I know in time I will know. I’ve learned to trust that process more. And I get excited about it even though I can’t quite name what it is I’ll be doing next.

My tribe also expands as I find myself seeking deeper meaning. One connection that has been helping me in my expanding, as well as in my writing is author Jon Katz and his farm journal entries on his website, Bedlam Farm. I’ve followed him for years and see a new transition in him, which most days has me awash in tears (good, not bad) and saying, “Oh My God” because something he says sends off a spark of resonating in my heart.

Another newly discovered blog is Mary Muncil from White Feather Farm. She’s given me many joyful goosebumps lately. And another new one is Jenna Woginrich and her blog is Cold Antler Farm. Jenna is a young woman in her 20’s who went after wanting to have her own farm. Her courage and zest for living her dreams is so inspiring. Her new book, Barnheart had me eagerly turning the pages and then sad that I came to the end. I wanted to read so much more about her. I have no doubt though that she will continue to write books.

When we connect with our tribe there is no doubt that it helps to keep us in balance, to think deeper, to live more fully, and to share that piece of ourselves in the world, hopefully setting off a spark in another. We may not always know who we touch, but if we live into who we were truly meant to be, the universe takes care of the rest.

So today I’m making a choice to make it a good day- to find joy no matter what- to expand on my thoughts- and live more deeply from my heart.

Thank you, Mary Muncil of White Feather Farm for sharing this TED video which was the start to my joy today and making it a good day. I hope others will take the time to watch and listen to this thought provoking 10-minute video. Stop the to-do lists, the worrying, the hustle and bustle of the season, kick back… and “just be” as you watch…

Barnheart-the Incurable Longing For a Farm Of One’s Own

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

I enjoyed every page and every moment of this new book by Jenna Woginrich. So maybe some of you thinking, gee Barb, are you thinking about moving to a farm? By all means, no (though I’d love some donkeys and chickens)! But I what I loved about this book is that at Jenna’s young age (early/mid twenties) she knows what she wants for her life. And she was determined to get and have a farm. And she did. And she did it again when she lost the farm she was renting. Her determination and spirit is something for all of us to aspire to.

After reading this book I believe it is young farmer’s like Jenna who will bring farming back in their own, new and rejuvenating way.

Jenna’s authenticity and humor come shining through, as well as the hard work she pours into her quanitfarm that is at the heart of who she is.

Through the ups and downs and the very real threat of losing what is most precious to her, her farm, Jenna believes with all her heart that if this is the life she is meant to live, she will be looked after and all will fall into place- no matter what obstacles.

Jenna, a girl living her own truth is a girl after my own heart. Bravo, Jenna.

Order Jenna’s book today for a quick, inspiring and delightful read!