Saturday, June 12, 2010

Getting Back to the Garden


For the past three weeks, I have been trying to follow an adage my father often used, "Don't tell people what you're going to do, tell them what you've done." He was a big believer in not sharing plans or ideas prematurely, but keeping plans close to the belt while all the details were being worked out. I doubt he would have worded it this way, but it was his way of clearing the field of energy so that the idea could unfold naturally. My father, despite growing up in very difficult circumstances and with only an eighth grade education, managed to educate himself, picking up a great deal of wisdom along the way to his own version of the American Dream. I try to remember what he shared with me and follow that wisdom as I shape my own course in life. A growing enthusiasm for its unfoldment, and its nearness, allows me to share my big news with you today.

I have found my property.




My sons are referring to it as my  "slice of heaven"  and my own  "Paradise."  These feel like apt descriptions to me.

Taking this big step again is a bit scary. With owning this piece of land comes a responsibility to it. It has been lovingly cared for throughout the years and it deserves my utmost respect and dedication.

It consists of 5.77 acres of almost park-like grounds, with a house that may not be my dream house, but has the potential to be, either through refurbishment or, eventually, replacement. It is the land itself that drew me in and wouldn't let go, albeit it did this rather quietly and without a lot of clamoring for my emotional attention.


I first looked at it several weeks ago, before spring had sprung. I hesitated, uncertain whether I was ready to take the plunge. Three weeks ago, my plans for the day kept being altered and so, without becoming frustrated, I waited for further direction. That afternoon, I knew I was supposed to take another look at this property. I made the arrangements,  ready to ask a few more questions, look a bit more closely at the nuts and bolts of the place.


I wasn't prepared for its beauty. Spring had indeed sprung and the lushness of the grounds and  a new awareness of all it offered started to sink in and with it a closer look at the possibilities. While standing in the driveway, on a perfect sun-filled day, I made an offer. By later that day it had been accepted, and we close the sale this Tuesday, June 15th. I will share more of it as I go along, but for now let me just say, I feel I have been given an opportunity to steward a fine piece of Mother Earth and I intend to do so with a great deal of love. I am looking forward to spending my days in a quiet sense of duty to this land, getting dirty, getting tired, and getting peaceful at the hands of this little piece of Paradise.


This is the view from the porch of the 100 year old log cabin that also sits on the property. It's waiting to see how I will use its very cool space.

We are stardust.
We are golden.
And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden...

~from "Woodstock,"  by Joni Mitchell 




17 comments:

  1. Oh, wonderful! You didn't say anything until you'd found the place and made an offer. What a great surprise for your blog followers!

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  2. Wow. WOW. What a magnificent place! Your own little Utopia. Congratulations Teresa. What a beautiful place.

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  3. Congratulations!!! It looks wonderful. I'm looking forward to all you blogs on your new place. ...and more pics!!!

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  4. Teresa: That is a beautiful view from the cabin outward. It is a slice of heaven. Big leap to buy acres of land. Not small at all. When Brenda and I moved to Mingus in 1998, we bought only 2.4 acres that we loved. It brought us pleasure and happiness to mind the land.

    I read of your father's statement about not giving out your plans. Wisdom. I agree. When I say I am going to do something, I will do it. Otherwise, I stay quiet. Now, you've done it. Wise, to be still until you are ready to move or put down the payment. Congrats! Teresa!

    Yes, 'tis scary. So? You'll be just fine.

    What is your water supply? Local? A well?

    I'm with you on getting land. It is finite.

    (Sage to Meadow, Jack Matthews)

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  5. Teresa: I have wanted to tell you that your theme photograph from the stratosphere is quite unusual. Really cool.

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  6. Thank you all for your loving comments. It's going to be great fun. I look forward to sharing it with you through my blog.

    Jack, it is a drilled well. On my return trip I asked for a glass of water to look at and taste. It was cold, clear, and delicious.

    The header photograph is sunset over the Pacific Ocean, taken by a crew member of Expedition 7, from the International Space Station.

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  7. Teresa: A drilled well. I'm envious in a good way. Our water supply for personal consumption is from Barton Creek cooperative that is a surface collection. It's okay, but not like the water you have. Where we live, there is no drilling for potable water. We are in an area where surface water is the only source. And, springs, but we have none at the moment. Salt Creek running through our place is intermittent.

    I like your new profile picture. Beautiful and happy!

    Congrats again on the new land. Tell us more about the old log cabin when convenient. It does look like a park--well tended.

    (Sage to Meadow, Jack Matthews)

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  8. Thank you, Jack! I have more pix to share of the cabin and a lot more...one blog at a time... : )

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  9. Congratulations! This is so amazing. Beautiful property. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

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  10. Wow! That is a beautiful place to settle and make a future with your dreams. Congratulations on your new home.

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  11. LB and Ms Sparrow, thank you both for your comments and look forward to telling you more about it...

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  12. Congrats to you. Im happy for you. You will take good care of the land and the land will take good care of you.

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  13. Mystery Man Mark, thank you very much. It's going to be a lot of work, but good work and it's exactly what I need right now.

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  14. Im not really a "mystery man" I just play one in the movies. Im guessing Im close to you in age, a Virgo from 1953. Im the last born of a family of eight ( I do have a spirited twin sister named Mary) from southern Minnesota(Windom) who grew up in Iowa and made the journey back to The Land of 10000 Lakes. I consider myself a better than average weekend chef and I love to pair it with great wines. Im a great fan and historian of baseball, golf, and Triple Crown horse racing. I fish, canoe, kayak, and build rustic furniture. I found my way to your site via "Virtual St. Paul" and Im a fan of your writing, photography,outlook on life, and good looks.

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  15. Sounds like you've carved out an interesting life. Nice to get a picture of who you are. Mystery (sort of) solved. : )

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  16. I just came over from Linda Myers' blog, and found these beautiful photos plus your announcement that you now own this wonderful property. What a great place to live! I look forward to seeing and reading more.

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  17. Thank you for stopping over. I'm enjoying getting to know you through your blog, too!

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