Green Hill Farm “Thank You” by Tonya Rieley Hengerer Taking an opportunity to Honor someone by Acknowledging Noble or Kind gestures… Your gift of this One small phrase of gratitude is significantly Uplifting to the spirit of the recipient. Wishing you many thankful moments this week!
Just having some fun with this cheeky, little acrostic poem, because….. you know we’ve all been there at one time or another. Here’s wishing you a whatever-free day! 😉 “Whatever” by Tonya Rieley Hengerer When a situation Has reached A perfectly and Thoroughly ridiculous state and Emoting or dealing with it further would be a Very tiring Endeavor, this Really great word just sums it up!
This sunflower inspires me. I’ve planted these cheerful blooms in my garden a number of times, and they haven’t come up—maybe, because the birds ate the seeds. I really don’t know. But, two summers ago, this little sunflower sprung up in the backyard of its own volition. It didn’t just grow….it thrived. To my surprise and joy, it bloomed and bloomed and bloomed…all summer. This eager little flower, in its simplicity and loveliness, grew into a flourishing plant. And, it accomplished this feat despite a lack of proper planting, no fertilizer, and without consistent watering. I admire this sunflower for what it symbolizes to me: determination, perseverance, and tenacity. “Tenacity” by Tonya R. Hengerer Tireless Effort to resist Negative thinking And overcome difficulties, while summoning Courage In spite of Tough times—never Yielding. “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” ~James A. Michener “If you fell down yesterday, stand up today.” ~H.G. Wells
I’ve always loved the late actor James (Jimmy) Stewart. I first discovered him in one of the many Alfred Hitchcock films in which he appeared. But, my favorite Jimmy Stewart film of all time is still the Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful life. Most people are familiar with Stewart’s work, but if you’re not, I hope you’ll enjoy this beautiful and moving tribute he wrote to his beloved dog, Beau.
Acrostic Poem “Songbird“ by Tonya R. Hengerer Softly vocalizing One Note at a time— Graciously Building Its song as a melody Resonates throughout the garden and Dances on the wind. Wishing you a peaceful Sunday.
“Vintage Watering Can,” 18 x 18 acrylic on canvas by Tonya R. Hengerer *Many thanks to my wonderful art teacher! “Mother Nature’s Helper” by Tonya R. Hengerer What one uses to Attack parched, arid Terroir, Eradicating dryness and Restoring an Ideal environment Necessary for Growing Crops, such as, cantaloupe And, especially cucumbers—Mother Nature’s helper.
As I Walked Out One Evening As I walked out one evening, Walking down Bristol Street, The crowds upon the pavement Were fields of harvest wheat. And down by the brimming river I heard a lover sing Under an arch of the railway: ‘Love has no ending. ‘I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you Till China and Africa meet, And the river jumps over the mountain And the salmon sing in the street, ‘I’ll love you till the ocean Is folded and hung up to dry And the seven stars go squawking Like geese about the sky. ‘The years shall run like rabbits, For in my arms I hold The Flower of the Ages, And the first love of the world.’ But all the clocks in the city Began to whirr and chime: ‘O let not Time deceive you, You cannot conquer Time. ‘In the burrows of the Nightmare Where Justice naked is, Time watches from the shadow And coughs when you would kiss. ‘In headaches and in worry Vaguely life leaks away, And Time will have his fancy To-morrow or to-day. ‘Into many a green valley Drifts the appalling snow; Time breaks the threaded dances And the diver’s brilliant bow. ‘O plunge your hands in water, Plunge them in up to the wrist; Stare, stare in the basin And wonder what you’ve missed. ‘The glacier knocks in the cupboard, The desert sighs in the bed, And the crack in […]
“Sea-Fever,” 11 x 14 acrylic on canvas by Tonya R. Hengerer Sea-Fever by John Masefield I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s […]
One warm day last week, while walking Bizou and Dash in our awakening garden—awash with budding lilacs and daffodils, a tiny, blue butterfly flitted by us. Bizou, our 10-month-old puppy, promptly jumped, chased, and frolicked after this unwitting insect—performing all manner of twists and hops to catch it. Anyway, it was such a joyful sight that I was inspired […]
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
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 