“The arts and humanities define who we are as a people. That is their power—to remind us of what we each have to offer, and what we all have in common. To help us understand our history and imagine our future. To give us hope in the moments of struggle and to bring us together when nothing else will.” ~Former […]
“You are the books you read, the films you watch, the music you listen to, the people you meet, the dreams you have, the conversations you engage in. You are what you take from these. You are the sound of the ocean, the breath of fresh air, the brightest light and the darkest corner. You are a collective of every experience you have had in your life. So drown yourself in a sea of knowledge and existence. Let the words run through your veins and let the colours fill your mind.” ~Jac Vanek
The song of the Whistling Tree Frog is one of the infamous sounds of a Bermuda night. These tiny creatures create a beautiful evening sound as they accompany the gentle breezes with their sweet symphony—all from the sound of a cent! “Gleep, gleep.” Only about the size of a thumbnail, the tree frogs are slight in stature but big in presence. If you’re lucky enough to see one, you’ll be surprised to discover that such a big noise can come from such a small amphibian. There are two species of Whistling Frogs (Tree Frogs) in Bermuda. The Eleutherodactylus johnstonei and Eleutherodactylus gossei, the first of the two is more common and smaller while the other has almost disappeared. Both are brownish, nocturnal, living in trees near the ground and by day hiding under stones and leaves. They are one of the most characteristic night sounds of Bermuda between April and November. They can be heard island-wide when the weather is warm enough (above 69 degrees) but are most common in the Parishes of Devonshire, Paget, Pembroke and Warwick. They are not indigenous – both were introduced accidentally sometime prior to 1880, most likely on orchids imported from the Lesser Antilles. They can be found elsewhere in temperate and sub-tropical regions, but mainly can be found singing loudly at night. Here’s a snippet of the enchanting Tree Frogs’ melody. Enjoy!
In May, Scott and I celebrated our 20th anniversary in Tuscany, specifically Cortona and Florence. We chose Italy, because it’s one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever visited, and the people are lovely and welcoming. From the breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside to the art, culture, and history of its towns and cities, Italy offers so much. And, […]
Last Tuesday, I mentioned that my friend, Rhonda and I were planning to see Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in concert on Saturday. Well, we set off from Virginia early Saturday morning and arrived in Philadelphia that evening. It was a long drive and day, but it was worth it. The concert was fantastic, and we had so much […]
Our garden has been really lovely this spring and summer. Actually, I think it’s the prettiest it’s ever looked. We designed and planted our flower beds around 2005, and every year they’ve filled in a little more. Of course, all the rain we had in April and May certainly helped to create such a colorful palette of blooms. Have a […]
I’m truly grateful for this place…Green Hill Farm. And, what I’ve come to realize is that no matter the challenges of living here, my love for this farm is constant and irreplaceable. I love it for its enduring ability to lift my spirits, fill my heart, and give my life direction. The very thought of it…is joyful. I hope these photos of Green Hill Farm bring a bit of joy to your day. Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
My good friend, Rhonda and I are going to see Tom Petty in concert this weekend. So, I thought I’d share a couple of my favorite Tom Petty tunes as well as the answer to a question that was part of an award from a fellow blogger. A while ago, the joyful and effervescent Ritu of the blog, But I Smile Anyway, nominated me for the STARLIGHT Blogger Award. She asked, “Which song would you use as the soundtrack to your life?” Here’s my answer. I don’t know if I could narrow it down to just one song. I’d probably choose a couple from the Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers album called, Anthology: Through the Years, namely: “Runnin’ Down a Dream” and “Learning to Fly.” I chose these songs, because they speak to me about the journey of life. I like how the metaphors of driving down a road, weather, and flying are used regarding life’s ups and downs as well as encompassing the lessons of faith and perseverance. I also really LOVE the note of optimistic defiance in the lyrics. I think most of us can identify with the metaphor of life as a road in the song, “Runnin’ Down a Dream.” We start out on a sunny day, believing in our goals and dreams and that “anything is possible.” And, as we’re heading down the road of life, we run into those people or circumstances that are stumbling blocks rather […]
I’d like to start with the fact that I don’t normally get emotionally involved or gush over dessert. Yes. I enjoy decadent treats in moderation: a piece of Victoria sponge or chocolate cake on occasion. I don’t, however, just lose my mind over sweet things…….until last week. It started out innocently enough. My dad is a fine gardener and always has a bounty of vegetables to share with friends and family. Every summer, he sends my in-laws squash, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, etc. from his garden; and, in an act of reciprocity, my mother-in-law bakes bread or makes a special treat for my parents. About a week ago, after receiving an installment of vegetables from Dad, my mother-in-law sent my parents fresh berries with a homemade “cream” topping. Bless her heart, she even sent some for us. Of course, Farmguy and I had no inkling this wasn’t any normal berry and cream combination. After dinner, we dished out some berries and dollaped the “cream” on top and proceeded to enjoy our desserts. After one bite, I exclaimed, “Oh my gosh–This. Is. SO. Good!! It’s not like any cream I’ve ever had! We’ve got to get the recipe from your mother!” The next day, I called Farmguy’s mom to thank her for this unexpected treat and to get the recipe. I went on and on about how much we enjoyed it, and how it was the best thing EVER. The memory is blurry now, […]
A big thank you to Scott (Farmguy) for capturing this beautiful sunrise on his way to work this morning. “Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.” ~William Wordsworth
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 