View from Cortona Tuscany, Italy May 2017 “Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.” ~Dorothy Thompson “Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves.” ~Carol Pearson “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” ~Lao-tzu
“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.” ~ Eleanora Duse
Originally posted on The Off Key Of Life:
Nothing haunts us like the things we don’t say. Mitch Albom This is not an elephant in the room kind of thing where the problem we all acknowledge keeps getting pushed under the carpet. This is more about an unspoken hug. It’s about the things we don’t say because we don’t know if the person we care about wants to hear them or if the words are just inadequate. It’s about love, and pain. It’s about hurt, and loss. It’s about moments that stay with us forever but never get acknowledged once we’ve moved past them. It’s about remembering, and forgetting. It’s about understanding, and learning. It’s about wanting to put your arms around someone you care about and tell them you can’t begin to understand their hurt or loss but you think about them everyday. It’s about wanting to let them know that you see past the smile. This is about learning to live with the kind of loss that is not openly discussed. It’s about what if, and never was. It’s about what you can’t get back, and what you can’t let go. It’s about remembering. It’s always about remembering. So when I walked over and hugged you the other day for no apparent reason , it was my way of letting you know that I remember, too. That I wish things were different for you. For all of us.…
Sunrise on Green Hill Farm “The Light” When traveling through a valley of shadows, Take heart— The crest of the hill is within sight. And, with a little faith and perseverance, Grace will be found…. By dwelling in the light. ~Tonya R. Hengerer
Before Christmas, I read an article along the lines of self-empowerment and jotted down some highlights that made an impression. I know I’ve heard much of this advice at one time or another, but seeing it all together resonated. I looked for the article the other day, but unfortunately, I misplaced it. I did, however, manage to find my scribbled notes. I thought they were worth sharing. —Be Bold. Go for what you want and don’t be afraid of hearing “no.” Embrace your choices and own them. —Know when to walk away. Cultivate a no-B.S. attitude. Never invest your time and energy into something or someone who isn’t offering respectable returns. —Communicate your needs and set boundaries. Never sit silently in front of someone who disrespects you. Set a boundary right then and there…and move forward. **–Bounce back from problems. Look for a solution. Learn the lesson, apply it to the future, and move on. Don’t waste time regretting. —Actions speak louder… Never rely on words. Only through actions can we gauge the true motives and feelings of others. —Know when to say “no.” Don’t be a pushover. And, NEVER apologize for doing things that make you happy. Never bend yourself backwards, forward (and backwards again) to please people who wouldn’t do the same for you. **–Don’t play the victim. You’re in total control of how you react to a situation. When things […]
“Remember, the entrance door to the sanctuary is inside you.” ~Rumi
“…love, it is a flower, and you, its only seed.” ~Amanda McBroom “Alas, There is no instinct like the heart.” ~Lord Byron Happy Valentine’s Day!
“Vexation,” 11 x 14 oil on canvas by Tonya R. Hengerer I started painting about a year ago, and I’ve probably painted fewer than 10 paintings—total. I am a novice. I always have a flutter of anxiety before beginning a new painting, worrying that my next endeavor will be terrible. When I paint, I usually use a […]
“There is no rational reason to remain a pessimist in a world full of so many miracles. If you don’t believe in miracles, perhaps you’ve forgotten YOU ARE ONE.” ~Karen Salmansohn
“Your mind is the garden, your thoughts are the seeds. The harvest can either be flowers or weeds.” ~William Wordsworth Green Hill Farm in Bloom
My name is Tonya, and I grew up on a 300-acre farm in rural Virginia that has been in my family for over 100 years. After graduating from college, receiving my master’s degree in speech and language pathology, and living and working in a small city for six years, I decided to return to the place of my childhood. Here, in this rural area, on this patch of green, where for four generations my family has farmed, gardened, and lived, I, too wanted to be a part of this continuity. As a fourth generation farmgirl, I have many interests that not only include, but also go beyond the basics of farming, gardening, sheep and chicken-keeping. It is all of this and more that I plan on sharing in this blog.
fourth generation farmgirl 