Rural Writer - The Blog

 Stories,  interviews and insights

from a country living perspective

 

Managing the Threat of Ticks While Enjoying the Great Outdoors Jul 11, 2023

My husband came downstairs the other night to show me something he found on his dog, Jake. My husband is like that. He can’t just tell me. He has to show me. I think he likes to freak me out a little.

Well, he did.

Crawling in the palm of...

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Jams, Jellies, and Preserves - What's the Difference? Jul 11, 2023

Fresh fruits are one of the delicious benefits of summer. Even though it’s possible to buy most fruits year-round, it’s not the same as getting them within hours, or even minutes, of when they have been harvested from the tree or...

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The Mind and Body Health Benefits of Gardening Apr 17, 2023

I recently took a five-day trip to visit my eighty-two-year-old mother. She is having health issues and I wanted to go with her when she had her doctor's appointment.

When I left home, I was worried that my husband wouldn’t remember to...

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The Decluttering Craze From a Country Living Perspective Mar 25, 2023

Being practical brings its own kind of joy.

Our first calf of the year was born right after a late winter snowstorm. The wind was howling and the weather was extremely cold.

We brought the newborn calf, still slick and wet from the birthing...

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Improve Your Chances for a Good Night's Sleep By Changing Your Habits Mar 11, 2023

A good night’s sleep has become an elusive dream for many of us. In the past, I found myself lying awake trying to figure out why I couldn’t sleep even though I felt sleepy.

There was no comfort in knowing I wasn’t alone in the...

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Do Country Women Practice Self Care Differently? Feb 26, 2023

The practice of self-care differs a great deal among women. What activities they engage in vary not only on their individual preferences but also depend on life circumstances including where they live and cultural beliefs or values.

Country women...

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What I Find Frustrating About Self-Care Becoming a Buzzword Feb 13, 2023

How a person practices self-care is a personal thing.

I like to arrive early to my classroom. It provides me time to collect my thoughts, prep my room, and feel prepared to start my day.

It also gives me time to sort through my emails and...

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Hitting the Wall: A Lesson in Facing Overwhelm Jan 30, 2023

(This story was first publish in July 2021 when my blog was on different platform. I thought it was a timely story so wanted to continue to share it.)

Let me start by apologizing. Seems I’ve done too much of that lately. Apologizing for not...

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3 Important Reasons Women Need to Step Out of Their Comfort Zone Jan 24, 2023

My mother-in-law is planning a trip to Hawaii next month. She’s never been there before and despite the drain on her savings, she’s excited about going.

She’s 81 years old and stepping out of her comfort zone.

I want to be like...

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The Dichotomy of Starting a Blog - Both Soft and Crunchy Jan 24, 2023

I am fortunate to know all the families on our six-mile stretch of country road. We have an unwritten code of supporting each other whenever we can.

Last summer, a couple of my neighbors needed to get their kids to swimming lessons, so I...

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