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 […]
Acrostic poetry by Tonya R. Hengerer “Snow” Softly falling– Not a sound, Only Whirling, whirling to the ground. “Winter” When Icy, cold weather Naturally interrupts The warmth Enjoyed upon Earth Radiated by the sun. “Shovel” Something with which one Heaves snow Out of the way; a Very useful, Everyday tool–mostly Languishing in a shed until winter.
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
“Sweetheart” by Tonya R. Hengerer Someone With whom loving Emotions Evolve over Time, and Hearts Endure All things—always Radiating love To one another.
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 our backyard of its own volition. It didn’t just grow….it thrived. To my surprise and joy, it bloomed […]
“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
“Barbara,” 11 x 14 oil on canvas by Donna Whitmore Tuten This painting of my favorite chicken was given to me as a Christmas gift by our sweet and thoughtful friend, Donna Tuten. Donna is a talented artist with a wonderful range of ability. She paints everything from portraits to landscapes beautifully, and I think she did a fantastic […]
That Still and Settled Place by Edward Monkton In that STILL and SETTLED place There’s nobody but you You’re where I BREATHE my oxygen You’re where I SEE my view And when the world feels full of noise My HEART knows what to do It finds that STILL and SETTLED place And DANCES there with YOU
Thank you to my mother-in-law, Lynn Burke for sharing this lovely photo of her bonsai tree. Bonsai is a Japanese art form using trees grown in containers. Buddhist monks viewed bonsai trees as a symbol of harmony, peace, and balance. “Civility” Caring about our Interactions and Valuing the Idea of Language that’s uplifting and Inspiring; thereby, bringing […]
Bermuda “Invictus” Victorian poem by English poet, William Ernest Henley 1849-1903 Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. Because….. sometimes, life is a little like a difficult relationship. “Knock me down it’s all in vain, I get right back on my feet again.” ~Pat Benetar
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 