As the new year begins, there is a lot going on around the Fogleman Funny Farm. Last year was hard for me. I finally broke down and saw a specialist to see what was going on. I've probably been dealing with Systemic Lupus for many years, but it finally made me stop and pay attention. The summer was miserable, but thankfully I'm getting back on my feet and feeling more human. Planning I've been wanting a big beautiful garden forever. It's something I've struggled with. We have house plants all over, but outside plants seem to hate me. Between the drought and unruly northwestern Oklahoma weather, it's just hard. I don't feel too bad because some of the best gardeners in our neck of the woods have been struggling as well. ​This year, I am planning to beat it and really get a nice garden going.

Preparing

Persevering

I may or may not be the kind of person to brag, "I told you so." I'm definitely not all-knowing, but... When it comes to young women wanting to learn basic, old-fashioned skills, yep. Here it is. I told you so! I'm speaking to Home Extension clubs in our area. (You know who you are!) While I love you all, I really do. I appreciate all I've learned from these clubs, you missed the boat. ​ I don't know how many times I've heard, "Young ladies don't want old ways, they want easy conveniences." ​ If 2020 taught us anything, it's these ladies want to know basic things. They've been posting pictures and videos of their homemade projects all over the internet and social media with questions.

Cottagecore

How to transition from a dream.

Let me help you with a few first steps.

Other posts you may like:

The meaning of preparation seemed to have changed from the turn of one century to the next. I don’t think most people in the early 1900’s would have thought twice about the need to be prepared. Few had electricity or a telephone. Gardening, preserving food, sewing and generally doing for oneself was the norm except in the most wealthy of households where tasks were either hired out or servants were paid to do them. Through the years, department store and catalog shopping became more part of everyday life. More and more conveniences became perceived as necessities until people are barely able to function without packaged food products or electric appliances now. For instance, washing and drying laundry is a necessity. An electric washing machine and dryer are not. Many items of clothing still suggest hand washing and hanging to dry.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:3-6

Since the Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas wildfires of March 2017, I have consistently gone back and forth asking myself, “What would I replace if the fire had burnt our house down.” If you missed my posts during that time, visit here, here, here, here, and here. Needless to say, it’s been one of the hardest years of my life. At the same time, my perspective has been refocused. For instance, our house is very… lived in. Okay, it’s messy. I’m generally a very organized person who likes things tidy but eight people live in this house twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. This is roughly 1800 square feet. That is about 225 square feet per person. Talk about tiny house living!

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:2–12

Over a week now and fires still smolder and threaten. Thankfully we can't see flame from our house now but the dirt, soot & ash are awful. Parts of the floor, counters, window sills & shelves around our house are covered in black grit. I've cleaned a few things but what's the use when the house is still in danger and it's all still blowing in? We were able to evacuate most of the animals so there's no use repairing fences until we know they won't burn again. We are going to have to get tires replaced on the trailer because the tires on one side melted. We're hoping the wheels are okay. When we do get fencing done the pickup tires will also need replacing. Farmers & ranchers all over are having flat tires from driving over the stubble & rubble.

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24