To Run Through a Meadow

Early in our marriage, maybe even before we got married, Brett and I were on a drive. Some of our best conversations and daydreams have happened while driving around. Anyway, we came across the dreamiest meadow. I can still see it in my mind. We turned a corner on a road somewhere out around Battle Ground Lake. There was a break in the trees and the sunlight was just right to illuminate this field of tall grass and wildflowers dancing in the breeze. I told Brett I wanted a meadow like that to run through someday. 

At the time we were living in Battle Ground. It was growing but still had a small town atmosphere. We had an old house in town on a large lot-plenty of space and freedom to do what we wanted. The house had been flipped right before us, so the paint was fresh and the carpet was new. It was within walking distance to the shops and restaurants on Main Street. Brett and I both grew up on rural property and down the line we knew it was the kind of setting we wanted to raise our children in but we were very happy where we were.

A few years passed by and two babies came along. The town kept growing. More people and more cars moved in and it started taking immense patience to drive across town. There was police activity on our road every other day. The neighbors got stranger and more obnoxious. Eventually a homeless man parked his Subaru at the end of our driveway and set up residence. We knew it was time to start looking for the next step. 

We had a property in mind. On yet another drive, we saw a For Sale sign and followed a dead end road to the old farmhouse and acreage (and meadow!) just east of town. Brett made a call to a realtor friend for more information. He told us that it had sold already but he knew of another similar property, only in Ridgefield, that might be for sale. He arranged for us to view the property and meet the seller. We fell in love with our future home that day. 

It’s interesting. Some decisions are right because they are easy, peaceful, and clean. Other decisions are clearly wrong because they are forced. The decision to say yes to our property was scary, a huge gamble, and very overwhelming. But somehow we both knew that it was absolutely right. Financially it was a longshot. The house was in rough shape. The property was overgrown and the fences were beat up and falling down. We had a long road in front of us. As it turns out, banks don’t like to loan money on houses that aren’t inhabitable. Brett and his friend ET rebuilt the house and made it beautiful. We were blessed with people that understood the dream and were willing to help us make it work. We kept figuring out how to keep moving forward and I truly believe that God orchestrated the timing and pieces. It was so hard and also such a miracle. 

The girls and I started a brooder of chicks on the back porch of the rental we lived in during the renovation. Once he was finished rebuilding our house and we were all moved in, Brett went to work rebuilding the chicken coop. 

Goats were the next animals we brought home. Brett found an ad for free goats; a man wanting to downsize his herd. I wasn’t thrilled. I was very pregnant with Syvie at the time and also had a 2 year old and 1 year old. I felt like I couldn’t keep one more thing alive. He eventually won me over and I said yes to 4. We ended up picking out 6. When we got home and the dust had settled, we opened the trailer door and eight walked out!

For a while we were letting someone else graze his cattle in our fields in exchange for helping with fencing and other infrastructure projects. It turned out to not be the best situation, but we learned so much. A lot of it was what not to do, but those lessons are important too. After that though, I had no desire to have cows here again-until covid. 

In the beginning of the pandemic, the frequent food shortages were eerie. I didn’t like the feeling of the grocery store being completely out of things, especially meat. That’s when we started our herd, raising grass fed beef, and I’m so glad we made that decision. Not only do we have enough for our family, we are also able to provide quality meat for our community.  This year we are raising our first four pigs and I’m excited to see how they turn out. 

Watching our kids grow up here has been an amazing blessing so far. Their imaginations are incredible and it’s so much fun to listen to their stories. That’s how Storyteller Farm got named. Brett and I have been so entertained by all their tall tales and they’re one of our favorite things about parenting.

Multiple times per week Brett and I both have moments where we are in awe that this dream of ours has come true. There’s a lot of work and a lot of chores. Loads of stress. But wow, we can’t believe that we get to live here! Then we think back to the conversation we had in the car so many years ago and what our dreams were for the future. When we get in these sentimental moods, Brett will often say with love, “you have your meadow!”

This blog post was written in participation of a Blogging Bee-an online gathering reminiscent of the quilting bees and sewing bees of days past when women would bring their work together to create art. If you enjoyed this post about “Beginnings,” take a look at these posts from other farmers, small business owners, homesteaders, and creatives.

Don’t Compare Your Beginning to Someone Else’s Middle

https://carrieroer.com/dont-compare-your-beginning/

The Wonder of Hatching Chicks

https://megantemtewrites.wordpress.com/2022/07/06/the-wonder-of-hatching-chicks/

The Beginning

https://www.rudylaneflowerfarm.com/post/the-beginning