Tuff Enuff?

So, I don’t know. This is one of the things I struggle with.
Big Time.
Am I tough enough to live on a farm?

Continue reading

  1. Sherry says:

    When I run into black snakes…I don’t kill them..I relocate them. Now I can kill a snake that is threatening my animals….(think cute little chicks) but mostly the benefits outweigh the annoyances. I catch ’em put ’em in a big bucket and move them about 2 miles away by a creek. But then I am not afraid of snakes…just don’t like to be surprised by them. I can’t kill chickens either…but that doesn’t mean you are soft…we just aren’t hungry enough here in the good old USA.

  2. Maureen says:

    You’re so funny and honest! Meat is supposed to come wrapped in cellophane and Styrofoam! Right? My husband big game hunts and the closest I come to any of the butchering is wrapping after it’s all done. I don’t want to see anything with it’s head and feet still on, and clean the fish at the lake. It has to lose it’s personality, like the prepackaged stuff from the store, before it crosses the threshold.

    I must have blanched when I was at the wool market. I love to spin yarn and one of the vendors was selling sheep as well as fiber. I said my HOA didn’t allow them when asked if I wanted to purchase one. "Not to keep, to eat" was the response I got. I looked at that little sheep face and ran in the other direction.

    I too am a marshmallow when it comes to animals. It’s a good club to belong to.

  3. Joan says:

    Oh my dear ‘farm girl’ friend – having, living on a farm is different for each of us – each farm setting is different so each farm girl is too. You will make it Rebekah’s (of Sunny Brook) for sure. I am proud of you for doing this. God Bless and hope the move is spot on.

  4. meredith says:

    Don’t worry! My family and I raise Hereford Cattle and I am exactly the kind of farmgirl you are going to be- caring for animals and the land, and making the best life for my family I can!

  5. Pat says:

    Like my granddaughter says, "you will find your groove." This is very true. It is a little frightening leaving familiar territory behind and moving on to something new. I have done that a couple of times, once when moving out of state following a divorce, and then several years later after my children were all grown and on their own, deciding to move to Hawaii because I had wanted to experience life in the tropics for a while. It is a little scary leaving family behind and striking out on one’s own, but it is an experience I will cherish always. I learned, however, I am not the tropical type–missed the changing seasons too much, and I missed my family, so after 10 years of living in Hawaii, I moved back to the mainland to be closer to children and grandchildren. And, I have found my "groove" so to speak and you will too.

  6. Adrienne says:

    Good for you, Rebekah! I’m looking forward to reading your stories about the crops you grow, the recipes you create from milk and eggs, the fun you’re having redecorating, and the critters you rescue.

  7. Pamela says:

    Wow, this was like reading about me!
    No worries, you’ll be fine. Remember, it’s your life, no one else’s.

  8. Elaine says:

    I live on a small ranch in southern AZ and have had to do so many things I never thought I would do, or could do, but who else would do them? To care for my animals and myself, I’ve had to be tough on myself so that we would be safe and comfortable. It’s good to know my limits, yet I know that my limits will be pushed back as my life continues in this chapter. I am a tenderhearted cowgirl who has had to kill critters and put down beloved animal friends, who cries when I do it and who asks for forgiveness, and then does the hard thing I must do. My heart goes out to you, new farmergirl. You’ll be fine and as tough as you need to be.

  9. Diana henretty says:

    Closing the door and opening a new one is exciting!
    Years ago we packed up our 3 and 5 yr. old, sold all we had and left the city to move to the mountains of Montana.
    No job, no home, we just left.
    I think back on it now, almost 30 yrs. later and think of how crazy we were, but we were determined to leave the crime and grime of the city and head into the mountains to raise our kids.
    We did just that, bought a 100 yr. old farmhouse, hunted, fished, learned to garden, can, bake bread, make yogurt, made homemade Christmases and lived the best life.
    No regrets at all, our children are grown and have families of their own, once again living in the big city, but talk of their childhood with a sweetness
    and love for it.
    May all your dreams come true…..hugs….Diana Henretty

  10. World Star Farm says:

    I’m with you. I’ve lived in Los Angeles my entire life, moved to Texas 6 years ago and now moving to our 5+ acre farm in rural North Texas. All my family is in Santa Barbara so they’re a 4 hour plane ride away. I will have everykind of animal, but butchering them, I can’t do that either. I have 24 chicks and 8 keets in my bathroom right now, we’re moving to our farm in two weeks, still fixing up the farm house and I’m working on the coop!! I grew up with my Bama Grandparents so I’m a cowgirl at heart… just have to get used to all the country thingy’s…. 🙂 Good Luck, I know I’ll need it!

  11. Linda Petersen says:

    Hi Rebekah! I have been following you for quite a while now & I must tell you how much I love your posts! Love the recipes too~~~really good~~~thanks for sharing:0). The move to your wonderful farm will be the beginning of another chapter in the diary of your life journey. And~~~you ARE tuff enuff! I agree with your feelings about animals~~~I have some & they are family~~~they have names & personalities & we love them. My husband & I live on seven acres of land that is mostly dry & dull in Arizona but, we have taken step by step for the last five years building a dream. My dream that my husband has gladly joined me in fulfilling. Our home,the chicken coop,the garden,the herb bed,the planting of trees & on & on. There is nothing like it!! I was born in Chicago but half of me is pure Southern red dirt girl, my Daddy’s family came from cotton mill workers. The family home had a huge garden & my grandma put up everything~~~! The turning point for me came when MaryJane’s Farm magazine appeared before my eyes & I KNEW exactly where I belonged~~~pure & simple. I am so happy with my life & I said all of this to say to you~~~~buckle on your red maryjanes & tie on your cutest apron & give your family & your new home all the love, joy,& heartfelt care you have inside you. You are a Farmgirl!!
    XOXO,
    Linda (sister #971)

  12. Shery says:

    Rebekah, The move away from what you’ve known will be the harder part. Adjusting to soooo much that is new — yea, it’ll be a challenge, no doubt about it. Yet, I betchya every day will bring blessings that are just as fresh and different as your new life. They will be blessings that you would not see in any other way.

    I’m a rancher’s wife. I’m not tuff – at least I don’t see myself that way. I have butchered chickens with a friend before. Couldn’t cook a chicken for about 6 months after that. Hated every gruesome minute of it. Not doing anything like it again unless I am starving. I have killed foxes that slaughtered my beloved hens. Trust me, it wasn’t that hard to do after witnessing the carnage. If you gotta, a person can bristle up in a heartbeat and take care of what needs to be done. Don’t under estimate the deep reservoir within. You don’t really have to be any tougher in this sort of life than in any other lifestyle … it is just a different set of circumstances and you’ll adjust just like someone moving to the city from the country.

    Milkcow. It is like marrying again. If you think a man and children are a committment, square that if you have a milkcow. You can have friends watch your dog or cat. You can even have neighbors watch over chickens, horses and other small livestock in your absence. But, precious few are the people nowadays that know how to milk and do the follow- up required … every day of every week during the time of you that you might like to go places, vacation & such. My farmgirl pal has a milkcow. She can go overnight somewhere and her husband could. But not together … ever … not from the time the cow calves (April) until November. One of them has top be home so that the cows are milked every day.

    You can enjoy as much of the farmgirl life as fits your personality and family. Have fun and make your own trail. Shery

  13. Tammie says:

    Rebekah I totally understand your issues here. I would love to have the same opportunity you and your family now have to move to a farm and I share the same feelings you have toward animals. I respect the farmers and ranchers that deal with what it takes to slaughter the meat we eat. I couldn’t do it, on the other hand I have never had to do it so it isn’t in me.
    I lived in Puerto Rico for 8 years when I was in my early 20’s. They make a home made chicken soup called Asopao (I’m sure spelled that wrong… sorry) but it includes the feet. I know it is more nutritious and healthy to eat a home grown chicken, but I couldn’t eat something that when I called it came running like a puppy would come when called. They tried to tell me it was store bought chicken….hmmmm, really? Feet and all? Just couldn’t do it.

    On the other hand I am sure there are avenues open where slaughter would not be a necessity. From chickens come eggs. From milk cheese, milk, cream… from sheep come wool… (but then of course you already know that… lol) No matter which way you go there will be hard work, but there is satisfaction in hard work. I hope you find your nitch! Plus, you always have your camera as well. Go hunting with that and write a book filled with the wonderful pictures of renovating your loved farm.

    Don’t forget the cats to take care of your mice and a farm dog to help with the other critters… lol

    Good luck! I’m sure you and your family will do fine.
    Tammie

  14. donna d says:

    "You wiLL find your Groove"…i lika that !!! And you wiLL, just be who u r, u r adorable and funfunny too !!! The Farm is AweSome, what a GrandPlace…Have Fun, thanks for letting us n on "Your Groove"…LOL

    donna d FL

  15. Mary Frantic says:

    You are a better woman than I. I grew up in West Virginia with 4 rooms and a "path". I could not get away from it fast enough when the time came. My kind of ideal living would be pink lemonade, a shade tree and a good book. Camping is OUT for me. Hubby and son dragged me through that experience years ago. I ended up going to a nearby motel while they finished their experience "in the wild"! … Different strokes…..

  16. Debby Carrico says:

    That’s me to a tee. I never could kill an animal. I take spiders and bugs out via a cup and paper to the outdoors. I could raise chickens for eggs, but not to eat (the chickens, I mean). My Mother did that for years when we moved away from the farm (though she had killed them previously) and lived near a lake. She raised cochin hens as well as anacondas which lay small eggs (green in the case of anacondas) which we loved as did my boys when they were growing up. Chickens are a wonderful group of beings alive and clucking or crowing. Have fun being yourself.

  17. Nicole White says:

    Echoing your words! I have the opposite question of yours – I’m moving from my small farm to suburbia. Scary! Am I tough enough to handle close in neighbors, traffic, light pollution, and noise? Add to that the 1/3 acre expanse of lawn with just a few rose bushes and six small trees, no chicken roost, no garden plot, only lawn, sprinklers, vinyl fence, cement patio and a shed. I’ve been reading up on the practice of permaculture and envision a yard alive and buzzing and tweeting and shading. Big plans for a small space. Like you this can be overwhelming, but I’m starting small and creating one usable corner, near the front door, pretty and editable and bug and bird friendly. One corner at a time and over the years a lush retreat. I may even sneak in a few chickens a bee hive or two and some angora rabbits. Here’s to change, adventure, and courage to built our dreams where ever life takes us. (ps- a company move took us from wet, cool, cloudy Oregon to sunny, dry Utah)

  18. KimberlyD says:

    When I was little my family and my Aunt & Uncle and their family was camping up north at Jones Lake, Mich. My dad and uncle went fishing and my dad was cleaning a female fish for when he cut it open it was full of eggs and I about threw up! Than a few years later my dad was at the local Eagles club and they was roasting a whole pig and it had its head still and I about got sick again! But I do kill bugs..sorry but don’t want them in my house. I have taken care of dead mice in a mouse trap. Also I can give you a foot story aslo. My friends and I was running around the driveway jumping in mud puddles and I stepped on a garden rake and had to go get a tentnus shot! Boy that ruined my summer! No more doing that or swimming till it was healed! So just grow what you want, raise the animals for what you want, just do it your way.

  19. carol branum says:

    Becka,Oh How funny!I had to laugh,last night,I went to my farm directly after work,in a long cotton skirt,I did not have time,I thought to change,I had to feed one of my goats,and he got loose and ran wild,here I was trying to chase a goat in a ankle length skirt,boer goats eat down to stubs,and leave stubs u can fall on,well,I fell,luckly I was able to get up in time before he ramed me,it took se3veral atemps to get a rope back on him,luckly a male friend showed up!It took time,but,after I got him back into the pen,I walked over to a peach tree and picked him several peaches,as I did that,I got sticktites all over the bottom of my skirt!It will take hours to remove hundreds of sticktites all from the skirt by hand,or,I will have to just throw it in the trash!Daddy laughed at me,and said told ya so!but,I learned a lesson,that I allready knew,and had forgotton!Your so right,I could of gotton hurt so easily,and I wonder myself,am I tough enough!It was so hot last night too!I wondered too,what the heck am I trying to do,wrangling a goat in one hundred degree heat!This morning,I was talking bout this in the salon and my ladies were just a laughin,and just think they said ,one hundred years ago,women wore those long dresses all of the time,and I bet they picked a lot of sticktites off too!,have a great day! carol branum,Lamar MO.

  20. sharon says:

    Good Luck with your move Rebekah! This type of life change takes a lot of courage and a lot of love. Luckily you have plenty of both to see you through it. I am looking forward to hearing about all of your adventures as you settle in.
    Sharon

  21. bobbie calgaro says:

    ME too. I could never do the animal thing either. There was a black snake on our porch last week. I sent my husband out to do battle with it. He lost but the snake left about an hour later. I was absolutely frozen with fear. Now, I look carefully when I am in my front yard garden near the house for fear he is there. Hopefully, Jim annoyed him enough with the 1×2 that he’ll think twice before coming back. Can’t deal with snakes, couldn’t deal with killing animals or fishing. Just wanted you to know you are not alone farm girl. I’m suburban farm girl. Love the country just not sure I can deal with what goes with it.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

My Truck, My Elvis

Tell me about your truck and I’ll tell you about mine.

I’ll go first and then it is your turn. Share in the comments, via email, or post a picture of your truck on Facebook (here I am). We want to see your truck, real or fantasy!

Continue reading

  1. Emily says:

    I love this story…will have to say in this family I am the BMW girl and my husband is the Toyota truck four-wheeling guy! Crazy too but great match! Have many more fun miles drivin’ n smilin’….

  2. Cathy says:

    Honestly, when my husband first brought our truck home (he had purchased it online and drove from Missouri to Texas to get it!) it was in need of a little work but the minute I laid eyes on it I had a ‘crush’ on that truck! It was so big and powerful looking with it’s lights across the top and the big beefy cattle guard, custom made, across the front. I feel so special and protected in that big beast, lol. I understand your feelings for ‘Elvis’.

  3. Nancy Hilder says:

    I love this story!!! I laughed all the way through, you are brave, my little white GM sunfire with dual exhaust larger engine and a sunroof would be so upset if I traded her in. (her name is Finn) but I’m looking at trucks all the time around the farm and one day, I’ll just HAVE to have one to haul things too! Good for you for finding your Elvis 🙂 Nancy.

  4. Joan says:

    I totally love your story – and I for sure know Elvis would be so pleased to have ‘THAT’ truck given his name. My truck – 54 Ford – red – not jacked up – just plain n simple – except that it would have the power of the ‘hard body’ – just think what fun to go out on the dirt roads and RIDE (Sally) RIDE. Thanks for another great posting.

  5. Amy says:

    Love this story!!!!! I am dreaming of my dream truck right now, but I will have it soon, soon, soon! I do Haul Things too in my 4 Runner now, so I know I will get good use out of my truck when I find it:) Thanks for sharing!

  6. sue says:

    The love of my life was George.He was named after the Bugs Bunny line "I will love him and hug him and call him George." He was a Chevy Silverado, white with pale blue trim. He had over three hundred thousand miles when he finally died. We sold him for parts. A young guy bought him, used his body and the guts of another Silverado to make a complete truck. I still see George around town.

  7. Raynita says:

    This is just great. Thanks for the laughs. Love Elvis. I am going to have to look for a pic of my old truck, a 1956 Chevy, color…Primer Grey/Bondo….I loved him and we worked on him for a while, almost wrecked him a few times, dang old brakes. But we had fun with him, then of course, life happens when your kids are little and we needed cash. Bye Bye, Dream Truck. He became the dream of someone else but I still think of him often:)…….Raynita

  8. lauren says:

    1970 ford bronco. Red body with white removable hard top. She’s lifted 7" or so and has a full roll cage for when we’re feeling crazy…
    Husband and I have been building it for the last 5 years. We’ve put in a manual tranny, did the lift ourselves, put in a new 351… Now we just need to get the new axles our of the garage and actually under her, then we’ll be set for a good long while, able to just enjoy Flirtin with Disaster (her name, we rolled our first one on black ice)

  9. karen says:

    I drive my Dad’s old truck all the time. It is a 1986 tan Maxda B2000. He passed away in 2001 and I love the connection with him. People stop by the house all the time & want to buy it.

  10. Brenda says:

    Don’t have a truck. Have wanted one in the past but right now I have just bought a newer something, not sure what you call it. It is not a mini van (think goodness) and not a SUV I think you call it a cross-over but it will sit all seven of my grands, but no other adults….Not sure if that is good or not. I have owned a jeep and I loved to drive it. Probably as much as you love to drive your truck. Keep on hauling the stuff you need to haul. Because I expect the hauling is going to be more frequent since you acquired your farm.

  11. Miranda says:

    July 4, 2007, was unusually wet. It had been raining since June 1st and had not stopped. And, no, I do not live in Oregon. I live in Texas.

    I was living with my parents at the time, I didn’t drive (I was 27, but had basically a big girl’s permit. That is a long story I won’t get into). Daddy got up that morning and walked into the dining room, and said "I was thinking we could go to Henna and see if they have your truck there.". It confounded me, since I’d had the exact same thought, but didn’t tell anyone. What else was there to do? I was about to get my license, I had no vehicle, and it was raining. Still. All… day… long.

    So, Momma and Daddy and I lazed around for a while, then piled into Momma’s Tahoe to go see the folks at the Chevrolet dealership and see about getting me a Trailblazer. Now, everyone argues with me up and down that Tahoes and Trailblazers are SUVs. I grew up riding in a big, steel bodied Chevy K5 Blazer and it was a TRUCK. SUV is a modern word that is strictly forbidden in my vocabulary.

    I wanted a Trailblazer after sitting in my best friend’s truck. It wasn’t as big as my mother’s Tahoe, but still big enough. I could haul stuff (and as Rebekah says, what kind of stuff, I didn’t know) and I wasn’t sitting in Austin traffic, looking at the undercarriage of the Freightliner next to me. I felt safe.

    So, they found one on the lot that was a lease vehicle, less than a year old with 1800 miles. I immediately hated it. The body style had changed. The driver’s side dash looked like a cockpit. I didn’t even want to drive it! I was afraid of it! So, I made Daddy do the test drive. He tried to convince me that it was okay, but he finally realized, I am his daughter, and I don’t need all the fancy buttons. The buttons cost 2000 extra dollars I couldn’t afford, anyway.

    So, the salesman drove around the lot and finally found one that had JUST been taken off the truck and wasn’t even in inventory. He swung around front like a bat out of Hell…. in a GREEN Trailblazer.

    "It’s… green," said Daddy with a sour expression. He had a thing about green vehicles… a racecar driver had been killed in one in the 1970s, and apparently green was unlucky. I had heard this my ENTIRE life, and my very first vehicle was going to be green.

    "I don’t care, I like it, let’s go!" and headed for the passenger side. Well, that irked Daddy who pulled over at one point and MADE me drive it. I just knew I was going to destroy this truck.

    Then… I hit the accelorator. VROOM!!!

    "What just happened??" I exclaimed.

    "It’s just because it’s an inline 6. This engine has a lot of torque, so it’s going to get away from you if you’re not careful."

    He saw the smile on my face and the gleam in my eye.

    "I don’t want to catch you racing around in this thing," he made clear, knowing I wasn’t going to listen. He started laughing when I said "Okay", because he knew I didn’t mean it.

    A couple of hours later, we signed the paperwork and the dealership told me they had to inspect and detail it before I could take it home, so the next day, we went back and picked up Fred. I drove to and from work (with someone in the vehicle) until a month later, and I got my license. I even parallell parked for the very first time in that truck, and I aced it.

    Sadly, a couple of weeks after that, my father had a heart attack. For a week and a half, I drove Fred alone, taking care of house hold things while he lay in ICU, holding on while we planned for the inevitable. He passed away two months to the day after we bought that truck.

    I was only working part time, it was my first big installment loan, and Daddy had the foresight as my cosigner to buy Credit Life insurance. Two and a half months after we signed our loan docs, Fred was paid in full.

    I still drive Fred, and some times I go too fast. My fiance’s family marveled that I made it from Lubbock to Oklahoma as fast as I did… little did they know, I was going 90 most of the way through the panhandle. He’s taken me through mountains, plains, mud, checkpoints at Ft Hood (I got lost SEVERAL times) and even a haboob that made national news in Lubbock.

    Even if I get a newer vehicle some day, Fred stays with me. I was the one making my payments, but with the Credit Life paying off the note when my father died, I consider Fred to be the last thing my father bought for me – I treasure him.

    And it’s a fun little secret between us Trailblazers… that Straight 6 gets us ALL in a little trouble from time to time!

  12. Cindy says:

    My dream truck is either aqua or pink and it’s a 1950’s something…and now…I want a camper to match! And I think I’d look cool in my truck going to the farmers market hauling cut flowers and honey from my bees.

    About the shirt….I’m going to buy my Shug and I matching t-shirts that say, "WE DON’T KNOW WHEN WE ARE MOVING IN. DON’T ASK!"

    Cindy Bee

  13. Amanda says:

    My first vehicle was an 87 F-150. I named him Wild Willy. He was green and yellow, but soon changed to primer gray. He was missing his tailgate, but I made up for it by putting a got milk sticker on the back. I got a lot of strange looks pulling into the school parking lot each morning. I went to the "rich kid" school in the county. I was the only farm kid in my graduating class, and the ONLY girl who drove a truck. There were 4 other fancy, new trucks at school, all driven by boys. I never got grief for my truck (besides the looks), I got a reputation for being tough despite being small. I still have Willy, he’s blue now to match the Harvestore silos, but he sits around these days. I like to think I’m still tough in my SUV with two little girls in the back now. Thanks for the story!

  14. Deb says:

    I love this story. I, too, have a truck after being talked into cars and minivan’s most of my adult life. My truck is a 4 door Ford Sporttrak. A chick’s truck. Right now it’s hauling a bale of hay for my backyard chickens. During the day it hauls me to and from work as a paralegal in a law firm….(O:

    My truck is my truck and my dh is constantly trying to talk me into trading it in for something newer, better, etc…but I just can’t think of doing that. It’s been the best vehicle I’ve ever owned.

    When I bought it, my dh and I were actually shopping around for him a new car. Then, as we were perusing the vehicles in one car lot, a sight from across the highway drew our attention. A beautiful forest green Ford begging for me to come and take it for a test drive. That was all she wrote. It came home with me that day and has been my faithful friend ever since.

    Now my dh on the other hand, loves his luxury vehicle. Although he’s owned trucks (still does), he truly prefers his car.

    Thanks for letting me share!

    Wonderful post on Elvis. For some reason, I just haven’t ever wanted to give my truck a name. Nothing ever stands out about it to create a name for her.

    Debbie..,(O:
    ><>

  15. Carli says:

    Never seen a betetr post!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking For Mayberry

oh no….
Farmgirl Diane just let me know that Andy Griffith died this morning. 86 years old.
So sad.
______________________________________________________
“Daylight’s precious when you’re a young’un.”
Andy Taylor, father of Opie, Sheriff of Mayberry.
When you’re an old’un too, if you ask me. Yep, summer’s long hours of light are precious no matter how old you are.
But first of all: thank you, thank you, thank you.

Continue reading

  1. Cathy says:

    The place we live was likened to Mayberry in a newspaper a few years ago. It’s a very small town in northern Missouri and everyone calls each other by name. I love the fact I can call the hardware store, talk to the person that answers, by name, tell him ‘this is Cathy’ and he knows exactly who he’s talking to. We moved here from a much larger place where everyone kept to themselves. We don’t have a lot of modern conveniences, but we have enough and plenty of ‘heart’ to make up for what we think we lack. After all, you don’t need a big city to sit on the porch with a glass of iced tea and wave at your neighbor’s as they drive by. I love Mayberry and also have the first and second seasons of the show! I love the story of Romeo and Juliet Andy tells Opie over the breakfast table! "I’m righcheer!" lol…

  2. Diane Van Horn says:

    Rebekah,
    You are so right, Mayberry is a state of mind. What a wonderful world it would be if we all tried to have more of a Mayberry state of mind! I actually see it happening. There is a movement that is growing across the country. To slow down, live simpler, eat locally and be nicer. I hope it grows and grows, maybe a little homemade compost would help!

    Now, for the little green and yellow bathroom. I think that the old tile and fixtures are quaint. Maybe paint everything else a soft white and use sunflowers as an accent. A pretty eyelet shower curtain and a vase of sunflowers would be cute. If you are going to keep the old floor and fixtures, you might as well show them off!

    I also think the Ernest T. Bass is the perfect name for a mule! You can call him ET for short!

    Now, back to canning! I have a 5 gallon bucket full of carrots calling my name.
    Your Farmgirl Friend,
    Diane (aka) Fiddlehead Farm

  3. Lois Schultz says:

    I will take that home Main street any day….

  4. Janet king says:

    good morning,
    Before I tote water to my square food garden I have a little advice about your 1/2 bath. What about embracing the other popular color of the 70’s -Orange. Make it a memorial to the time period and get a few decor items for the walls. Such as owls , cast aluminum figures and of course anything about the bi-centenial! Shoot just study those Partridge Family shows for hints..

    Best always- janet in Indiana

  5. Tina says:

    When I was in second grade we lived in a place just like that. Bucoda WA. We picked wild black cap berries and got a littler closer to the old mine pits than allowed. Ran all over town by ourselves, and Mom could send us to the store with a note to buy cigarettes for her. Years later I had a crush on David Cassidy myself. Swoon!
    Tina

  6. Alice says:

    I just saw the sad news about Andy Griffith. I am actually glad that I grew up in the 60s… I’m glad I got to watch black & white TV shows and cute cartoons such as Tom & Jerry, Casper, Bugs Bunny, Yogi Bear and my beloved Speed Racer and 8th Man, etc. I loved it when TV Land started televising some of those older shows such as Andy Griffith, I Dream of Jeannie, Leave it to Beaver, Gilligan’s Island, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Monkees, Green Acres, etc. While TV Land has changed its formatting a bit, I now get to watch some of the older shows on MeTV. If nothing else, it helps me to escape to a simpler time for a little while, a time when people were courteous and polite, not selfish, trashy and greedy like the reality TV shows they air today. Alas!
    Alice
    Farmgirl 12

  7. hobbit says:

    Sorry but can’t seem to concentrate on the bathroom. Was watching Matlock when I decided to check my mail and almost lost it when I heard about Andy Griffith.Love that man for a very long time now. Born a farmgirl and,despite my mothers attempts to cityfy me, still dreaming up a farm in my back yard.Your post have made me believe that it’s still possible for some people to attain that goal. State of mind is so right! Often find myself singing "In my mind I’m going to Carolina" Life is good

  8. Cindy says:

    Rebekah

    I can’t tell how much I love this post! I feel the same way. I have longed for Mayberry my whole life. But you’re right, and I’ve known it all along, it’s a state of mind. Yes, there are wonderful places to be found that have that air of Mayberry about them, but it’s what we bring to our daily lives that will determine our sense of community, neighborliness, and simpler times. I love you even more for being a Mayberry girl at heart! I am too, always will be. RIP Andy Griffith, you were such a huge part of my childhood! I had a crush on him, too!

    PS…don’t EVEN get me started on David Cassidy! *Uncle Peter, where are my smelling salts"???

  9. Barb Gordy says:

    I’ve been a fan of The Andy Griffith Show all my life. Well ever since it started anyway, since I’m a bit older than the show. I’ve also been a member of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club" since 1992. It’s absolutely the best show ever made and will never be beaten. If anyone needs to know how to raise their children in this modern world, just see how Andy did it and do the same. You can’t go wrong. I got to meet Don Knotts twice and both times he was wonderfully sweet and kind. The same with Betty Lynn. I never had the opportunity to meet Andy but he always reminded me of my Dad. God bless all those involved with the show who left us all with such wonderful memories.

  10. Lois Schultz says:

    Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

    TV icon Andy Griffith dies at 86 ·

  11. Adrienne says:

    My 1970 Travco motorhome had avocado green appliances (stove/oven, fridge, sink, counter, table top, plaid seat cushions on the dinette and couch), and as they said in the 70s, "Once you go avocado, you don’t go back." Embrace what you have and add hot pink to accessorize your bath. Orange would also work as would harvest gold (the color of the shag carpet in the RV). Have fun!

  12. Raynita says:

    This was such a lovely read, Rebekah. Thank you. I also live in the Mayberry state of mind (most of the time)….let’s face it 2012 can get to ya sometimes:) How sad to lose Mr. Andy Griffith…what class! His legacy will live on through people like us, isn’t that cool? Of course, so will the need to just touch David Cassidy’s perfectly feathered hair, but that’s another story…lol Okay, if your daughter hasn’t seen the Andy Griffith show where the goat eats the dynamite, then that one will reel her in. My Kamryn will watch that one over and over….can’t you just hear Barney saying, "Kablooie" or "Kablewy" sp? To your little bath now, love it. I’m like you, love the avocado color even the flooring. How about leaving as much of the avocado as possible with everything else clean, bright white? Still quirky color but simple, clean farm housyness. Did I just create a new word? Oh, I just went up and loved on my guy donkeys, Sam and Caspian. I took them watermelon. As much as Sam loves watermelon, he still would rather love on me:) I have a vision of your mule and Ernest T. Bass will be amazing!!! ………..Raynita

  13. MaryFrantic says:

    I just finished a book (on CD) that was so much fun it was hard to shut off. It was Allison Pearson’s new novel (new Feb. 2011), “I Think I Love You.” The story of a slightly mistreated, misunderstood wife with a lifelong obsession of DAVID CASSIDY. It’s so neat that I think you’d eat it up. You can laugh and sigh and cry and actually feel what she and her friends felt as they were growing up loving "him" from afar.

  14. Brisja says:

    Every time we drive through small town America, I feel a longing to have a small house with a front porch and a garden, do some canning, quilt with the neighbors, and recapture the feeling of being in the tiny town in Missouri where my grandmother was raised. I love the idea of a simple life, with people looking out for each other, being a part of the lives of the community as a whole. I know I would quickly miss everything I love about living internationally, the mix of cultures, the opportunity to see and try new things, which is why I love living outside DC.

    A place with more of a small town feel, with close proximity to big city life, is as close as I can get to Mayberry these days. But I am trying to teach my son why we can never lose that small town mentality. We watch the black and white shows, too, with Dennis the Menace being his favorite. I’m glad to hear you are sharing these feelings and ideas of a different way of life with your daughter. I think she will be a better person for it.

  15. Debbie Miller says:

    Simplify….. That is my mantra lately.. Sad to hear Andy Griffith passed away just today.. What a coincidence … I live in fast, crazy Long Beach, Los Angeles, CA. Desperately would love to go somewhere like Corvallis, Oregon….. Thank you for the brief escape…

  16. Pamela deMarrais says:

    Rebekah, you carried me right back to my childhood. I can remember having a few teen magazines with pictures and stories about Davy Jones and David Cassidy. I think that the Andy Griffith show was probably my favorite show of all time, and I loved small town Mayberry. I lived in a community with 2400 people in New Hampshire, and I was the school nurse, so I knew several folks. We all helped each other through our many snowstorms, as well as the everyday storms of life.
    As far as your little 3/4 bath, I agree that it has some charming features that you should play up. I am not a fan of glass shower doors, so I would put up a retro look shower curtain [maybe striped with orange, gold, and avocado], and maybe use a contemporary shade of gold for your walls to keep it simple. Kudos for planning to keep the cost down; that is what farmhouse living means to me. Simple, unsophisticated, homey.

  17. Mary Jane says:

    I’m no decorator so can’t comment on your half bath but love what you wrote about Mayberry.

  18. Rhonda Lane says:

    Hello again & happy summer Rebekah! I had some thoughts regarding your bathroom design. (I just finished re-doing one of my own!)I was thinking that if you have enough showers elsewhere in that house of yours, why not remove the shower in order to allow for a larger vanity/sink area, especially because this is the main focus of your view looking in? You could repurpose an antique piece of furniture by putting a sink into it, hang a beautiful vintage mirror above it and paint it all in varying shades of light pastel colors since it is a small area. This would effectively open up that small area. Removing the shower would possibly give you a little extra space for a cute little storage cabinet? There are also many new vanities on the market now that look vintage as well. Let me know what you think. Take care & good luck!

  19. Judy says:

    It is so funny that I read your blog this morning, because last night my husband and I were just talking about my touchstone (movie not a t.v. show for me) It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart. You remember it, they show at Christmas and I know how you love Christmas, it’s the slightly cheesy Frank Capra film about George Bailey who sacrifices his dream of traveling to help save the family business the Building and Loan. He is ultimately shown that although he thinks he has led a dull little life he has meant a lot to the people of Bedford Falls. He finds he has supportive friends, colleagues, a rock solid relationship with his wife Mary, played by the lovely Donna Reed, who all come together to show their love for him by saving him and making him realize that he indeed has a wonderful life. My husband and I have been married for over 22 years now and we are still crazy about each other. Over the years we have made the choice to have a smaller life that makes us happy and thus have developed similar circles of fiercely loyal friends and colleagues that would come out and support our family if we ever needed it. I was reminding my husband that in my previous life (a terrible marriage before I met him) I had told the therapist who was supposed to be helping me through a divorce, that what I wanted was to mean that much to someone where if I were to suddenly disappear, life paths would change course. She told me that didn’t happen and that it was a fairy tale, and I needed to get real. Well I got the last laugh because I do live in the warm and loving but slightly shabby house with the amazing family. I have friends and extended family that I can count on and my George Bailey is also a dreamer, with a good heart who makes a difference in many peoples’ lives on a daily bases and I love him more than anything, I have a wonderful life!!

  20. bonnie ellis says:

    Rebekah: Mayberry did exist and not just a state of mind then. I was only in the south once, but the farm I lived on in southern Iowa had towns around it like that. Just like that! Some still are. I know that I am still like that even though I live in the city in Minneapolis. There are chickens next door softly clucking against the traffic on the road in front. I patiently bake my bread and hang out the wash and enjoy talking with folks. I hope you find the Mayberry you’re looking for.

  21. Terry G says:

    Hi
    Thank you for this- I too have been looking for Mayberry my entire life – my father was from a small town in MS – that very much reminded me of Mayberry -and my dad both in look and action was very similiar to Andy Griffith.

    I will have to follow your advice and make Mayberry a state of mind in my life – in my small corner of the world and hopefully it will slowly spread, would be nice to turn backt time to a simplier, friendlier life.

    RIP – Andy you have made a HUGE impact on so many lives!!

  22. Millicent says:

    Oh, we just love Mayberry. My family has watched those old shows for years. My 23 yr old loves them. We watched a lot of Andy, Lucy and others like them. Good luck on the bath reno. Not sure what I’d do in there. Will put my thinking cap on.

  23. Brenda says:

    I think you are going to be very happy to have that 1/2 bath right by the mud room for those days you have been working hard outside and come in very sweaty and dirty. Can kick your shoes off and jump right in the shower. I would love that. Hubs and I have to track all the way through the house one way or the other when we come in. Get a shaggy throw rug for your bath and make it really 70’s. If you cannot find a shower curtain to match go to the quilt shops an make a patchwork shower curtain out of the greens and oranges that are really popular right now in quilt fabrics. Cannot tell if your shower has a door but if it does just fit a rod over it. I did that in our guest bath. Fluff up what you have! Already left my comment about Andy on the other blog. Have a great 4th! Stay cool! Blessings from Michigan.

  24. Nicole White says:

    Thank you

  25. Nancy Alexander says:

    Thank you….you brought back memories for me…my mom had Alzheimer’s …..I would sit with her in the evenings before I had to put her to bed. It was difficult to find something to watch with her and one night I happened upon Mayberry…I finally found something that sparked an interest in her…..we watched it every night before bed….it was a difficult time in my life, but those times together watching Andy and the gang made it all worthwhile. So, thank you Rebekah. I think I will watch the Andy Griffith show again…it has been awhile.

  26. Stacy says:

    I love your blog and the Mayberry reflection. My daughter watches those Andy Griffith, Dick Van Dyke, and Beverly Hillbilly reruns on DVD constantly. I think that Mayberry to Andy was the place he lived the longest, Manteo, NC. He even fought to keep Food Lion out of it to maintain the small-town feel.

  27. Rebekah, I love the little bath. We just bought an old 77 camper and are restoring it, and I have the exact same floor only in yellow and I love it. I just gave everything a fresh coat of off white paint and then a few accessories with daisies and chickens. I would accentuate the green sink and floor. Now for the sad news about Andy. I felt like I had lost my dad again. I love watching Andy and have watched him all my life. I always felt a connection to that show as I was raised by my dad. I am pretty sure I have seen every episode. It was a simpler life, and I watch while eating my lunch each day. Even my dogs know that when the whistling starts we are fixing to have lunch. lol. I am glad you have found your mayberry and that you are learning to take time to sip tea on the front porch, listen to the birds sing, and breathe in that country air. Take care and Be Blessed. Neta

  28. Patti Alexander says:

    Rebekah, I loved Andy Griffth and actually had tear in my eye reading your post. I was encouraged to learn you read your comments. So many times I think of commenting on a blog post, but always felt that it would not matter, with so many others commenting so I have become a peeper! I did want to tell you I saw an awesome bathroom a while back on the Ralph Lauren website. It was whitewash, with avacado sink and black enamel accents (doorjam, picture frames etc.). I could picture your bathroom as clear as day, as your floor would fit right in. Then you could still accent with orange, pink or yellow flowers etc when seasonal! Have fun in YOUR Mayberry! Hugs.

  29. meredith says:

    What a huge loss. I almost feel as sad over the loss of Andy Griffith as I did when we lost my grandfather- and that was SAD. My daughter is a huge Mayberry fan (guess who she got that from!) and at 13, I think that is pretty special. Thanks Andy! We are going to miss you in a big, big way.

  30. brenda says:

    we all need a little Mayberry . I love watching it. and your articles make my day too. as for your mud room white paint and leave the green for now till you find the right sink and old washstand would be cool.

  31. Denise says:

    I thought at the time how appropriate that you wrote about Mayberry right before Andy died. I loved that show and still do. Glad you are "teaching" your daughter to at least like it! I also loved what you said that your husband helped you to realize, to have a Mayberry frame of mind. I try to do that, I try to make my home to have a Mayberry feel to me, my safe and comfortable place. I now decorate my home with things I enjoy and if it looks weird to someone else well, it just doesn’t matter since I’m the one that lives there! On your half bathroom, I’d just keep it light in there, light colors to go with the avocado color! but just pick up that avocado color with little accents in pictures or a vase of flowers. Have fun with your farm house!

  32. Rene Foust says:

    The Andy Griffith Show was a staple in my house when I was growing up and I feel blessed to have lived during those times; time was slower, simpler and people were much more patient. I think the "Mayberry state of mind" is part of what drove me to by the old farm that I did and gave me the courage to take on such a huge project. Andy Griffith will live on in my mind and every evening when I get back to my old farm after the long commute I will sit and listen to that peaceful whistle in my mind. Thanks Andy!

  33. Ruth says:

    Rebekah, I live across the state line in Va and have been to Mt. Airy numerous times. The local TV station has continously aired Andy Griffith show since it began. Even though we are not big city, life sometimes get fast paced for us and we have to learn to s-l-o-w down and enjoy life.
    At work, we were always saying something from the show and understood that beyond the laughs was some good ole wisdom too. Miss all those characters! They will never be duplicated! Yes, I think "Mayberry" is a state of mind and
    we all would be better off visiting there every once in awhile. God bless!

  34. KatieB says:

    Great article, thanks! Bathroom: White pedestal sink, replace shower partition with glass brick and replace shower door with appropriate style curtain, or remove shower altogether and replace with antique buffet outfitted with sink. Avocado goes well with white and dark bronze fixtures. You can accent with blue. Two-tone toilet? Hmmm.. You may have to be creative and hand paint some designs on it to make it work, or spray the whole thing with Dupont Krylon. It will probably hold up at least for a little while until you decide for sure..

  35. Kara says:

    what wonderful memories this post brings back.

  36. Claire says:

    Everyone likes this blog!Because it so good!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *