Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Tuesday 28 April 2020

I like love stories

So a “few”years ago I went to a party for a friend. While we were there setting up (because that’s what country gals do) another friend, Sam showed up. He said “I brought you something “ and held out a case of beer.He also said this is Martin, pointing to his friend. I said hello and put the beer in the fridge and carried on helping to set up. It wasn’t until much later in the evening, having danced with Martin and talked to this very sweet and shy man a few times that Sam said “I brought him here to meet you“ it’s probably important to know that you should never shock me with this type of new information in the middle of a polka. We nearly had a wreck. The evening carried on and I was mildly uncomfortable with the fact that I had been set up on a blind date but I rolled with it. That was nearly 21 years ago.
We had a little bit of a slow start, with a couple of conversations that just about had a “Sherry sized hole in a plate glass window” because I was a bit gun shy. But eventually this sweet quiet man got my attention and held on. He seemed to take my cavalier smart assed attitude in stride, and I found eventually instead of turning away he was who I turned to. This is the man who on the day after I yelled and swore at him while watching my beloved first golden retriever, Tucker struggle and pass, me t me after work with some fuzzy pink slippers complete with glittery toenails, and an engagement ring tucked inside. Like I said he takes all that I am in stride. ( By the way I said yes obviously)
The rest is as they say history. We have had some wonderful adventures, and some sad scary times but ultimately he is still who I turn to. Today we celebrate 19 years married, and I look forward to all our adventures to come. I am still a smart ass and he is still taking it all in stride.
Happy Anniversary to us!
Tell me your love story
 As always , stay safe friends 


Tuesday 14 April 2020

The Confidence game


The Confidence Game
A long time ago, I started this blog, you may remember it ( I guess if you are here you do remember me, and I thank you for coming back), it was about horses, and farm life, then poetry and just my life. It still exists and I am feeling very called to come back to it. I love the freedom of writing and sharing the parts of my life and heart that I share here.
But here is a secret, I had another blog, (called the Confidence game) a quiet private one that I shared with very few. This one shared deeper thoughts and insights, and parts of my story that I wasn’t open to sharing with the rest of the world. That is where, my fears, and insecurities lived. I shared experiences and insights into where I felt my confidence was lacking or undermined
Also where my darker side showed, the anger I felt and sometimes judgement of others and my response to their judgement of me. I have long since walked away from that blog and those feelings.
They were right for a time. Healing, but not healthy.
So why now am I talking about it? This time in the world is very strange, there is fear and anger, confusion and judgement around every corner, and a lot of those insecurities and inadequacies that I felt have sprung back. Especially in thinking that I wanted to come back to blogging. 
I have tried so many times and I wonder if anyone would still read, but then its about  writing , even if no one reads I can still write.
I re watched Brene Brown on shame and vulnerability and I had a sudden moment of, I don’t know how to put it “DAMN! I FEEL THIS”
I have felt fear and shame about many things and have given power to other’s judgement of me. Even those who sincerely think they are helping or trying to. I feel like they are somehow trying to “fix “or “shape me to their will” maybe some are, but I suspect it is more about my reaction and  connection to old feelings .
So am I going back to that old secret quiet blog? Nope, like I said it was healing but not healthy long term, I felt the feelings, and wrote them out and now it is time to let it all be.  
I looked at my FB feed (grid view)  and I was pleased to see that in the face of all of the negativity out there, all I see on my feed is smiles honesty and joy. Does that mean I never get down? No but I have found my lifelines and I am holding on tight.
Will there still be judgement and pushback in my life? Probably, I am not able to change others, but I can change how it affects me. So I will go on sharing my story, my journey, with oils and with all I am, and I will share my joy
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”


Stay safe and well friends

Hello friends, its been a minute

I haven't been a good blogger now for years it seems, I start and stop, and somehow I always "mean to get back to it" and suddenly its months later and I am still missing you all yet still not posting.
I feel like my muse has left me, but really I think I have neglected her . SO here is to trying again.

Right smack in the middle of a pandemic!
Social distancing isn't hard for me, I love people, don't get me wrong but  I also love my space.

Hoping to do more than just pop on here and there.
Hope you are all staying well