Sam and I went on vacation last week with my entire family! We had a great time, it was so nice to get away. It has been years since I went someplace warm during the winter. Traveling to another country is an experience. Not to mention, doing it with your whole family is double the experience. With three different generations, there are a lot of things to…
When it rains, it pours.. …and even on the 4th of July, hiccups and clouds can come rolling in when you least expect it. That is exactly what happened this year for us. We had a triple threat this holiday week: A tree fell on the car, the refrigerator at the camp died, and it poured for all of our 4th of July festivities. Typically, the 4th of…
Memorial Day Weekend in New Hampshire. Nestled up near the Canadian border, Pittsburg sits unassuming. It’s crufty, worn, and strong like the old barns that dot its landscape. The old barns are a nod to the farming landscape that used to be abundant, vibrant, and thriving as a way of life. Every year I get to trek up to this country. I think about the family members I…
I have a royal confession to make. I am a card-carrying royal watcher. I receive notifications from People Magazine about the latest going’s on at the palace. And I OWN IT! (please don’t think me pathetic) This “interest” goes way back to when I was younger and visitted England. I can’t help myself! All those jewels, fineries, and stories, oh, the scandals! So, of course, I tuned in…
If you farm, you have faith. We have faith that the rain will spill over from the clouds when it’s dry. And understand Mother Nature is on her time, not our time. Faith. Farmers have faith that the baby calf is going to live. Praying that the sparkle comes back to her eyes, her coat shines again, and she jumps up at feeding time. If the calf takes…
Happy Memorial Day! We celebrated in true “Cilley” style, a trip up to Back Lake, in Pittsburgh, New Hampshire. It’s a family tradition. It was a bit different this year. It was just Sam and me, no Tyler or Jacob. Tyler is interning in Michigan this summer at a very large cucumber farm. Jacob’s high school lacrosse team was in a big sectionals game. So, off we went…
On Tuesday, November 5, 1985, my life and the way I think of goodbye changed, forever. Over the last few weeks, I have watched close people in my life suffer through losing people close to them. I have been affected. Loss is a trigger to reflect and go deep within yourself. And even though it may not be your loss, you can’t help but be affected watching people…
Once a day, once a week, or once a month. It’s an event to be marked, especially when performed with family members. Moving animals. Reading the moods ahead of time doesn’t seem to matter, as you know, dispositions are likely to change on a dime. It is nearly impossible to anticipate all of the loopholes that an animal or herd of animals will find. Some days it’s like…
Happy Holidays!!! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! I am writing to you to wish you and your family a happy “holiday season.” As much as it is fun, it is also full of stress. 🙂 Really, it wouldn’t be the holidays if it didn’t have its challenges. As I sit here on this 23rd day of December, an hour after my last Christmas present was purchased, I…
A week ago my middle sister sent me a text, “Who thought it would be a good idea to do picture books for Christmas??” Yup, here we are, AGAIN…December 12th and I still do not have them done, not even started! With every picture that comes into my phone, I feel reminded. And with every tick of the clock, I wonder how the heck am I ever going…
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