by Texas Homesteader ~
All the ugliness I see on the news makes my heart sink. We each have the right to feel the way we do. I may not agree with you, and you may not agree with me and here’s a secret: That’s OK!!
But I wish we could all practice a little more tolerance for opinions that differ from our own and show a little more love toward our fellow humans. What a wonderful world it would be!
by Texas Homesteader ~
It’s easy to look down at others when your life is going well. You know, when your career is holding steady, your children are healthy and happy, your marriage is strong and you have no sudden unexpected medical conditions to plunge you into that place where no one wants to land…
But what if that weren’t the case?? Think about these real-life circumstances for just a moment: What if your spouse left you or died? What if your child developed a serious and very expensive medical condition? What if you were laid off from your posh well-paying career without warning?
Don’t kid yourself, these things can happen to any of us.
by Texas Homesteader ~
RancherMan & I have a saying: “Sunrises Forever”. It means that every new sunrise is a blank slate, a new beginning, a brand new start. Today’s sunrise is fresh & new – different from yesterday’s and even tomorrow’s. Today’s sunrise is full of possibilities. What will you do with it?
Will you make that leap of faith & follow your passion today? Will you build on yesterday’s success to make it even better? Will you wipe away yesterday’s failure and do something great? Our sunrise may look different than yours and that’s ok. Today is a day to start new – to do something amazing that works for YOU.
by Texas Homesteader ~
I read the news stories and I’m shocked, sickened & saddened beyond belief. How could this be?? An evil person filled with a dark, boiling hate strolled into a place filled with happy people – and just instantly eliminated several innocent lives.
Not just names in a news story, but sons and daughters, friends and beloved family members. People who got up that morning and went about their normal day, not knowing the terror that lied ahead.
My mind screams “no, no, NO!” but as I see these images on the nightly news I’m forced to accept its reality.
by Texas Homesteader ~
My latest article submitted to Mother Earth News about 6 easy ways to live a more Zero-Waste life was posted online. Then Mother Earth News shared that post on their FB page recently. How exciting! Most of the comments from their Facebook share were helpful and positive. But there were some snarky ones too about how some of these tips were nothing new.
But it got me to thinking – unless you’re talking about solar panels or new technology, almost NONE of our environmentally-friendly living steps these days are new! Not everyone can afford to install high-tech equipment on their home to live simply. But almost anyone can take easy daily steps in their own home to move along that simple path – and it costs little or nothing!
by Tammy Taylor
Recently I wrote a piece that was published by Mother Earth News about how self reliance and voluntary simplicity equals power. The advertising moguls would have you believe that you need them to do things for you – that many of those convenience items are just too complicated or time consuming for you to be able to do them for yourself. Don’t buy into it! I’ve found that when I practice Voluntary Simplicity and Self Reliance that I feel empowered. Empowered to do more, and to do for myself better and cheaper than they can and certainly with a greener footprint. What in particular brought me to this realization? Read on, dear friends.
by Tammy Taylor
Why do I do it?? Why do I go through the trouble (and expense) of raising my own chickens? Or why do I plant a veggie garden and then spend countless hot summertime hours over a steaming pressure canner to preserve the bounty it produces? And why do I haul my laundry outside when there’s a perfectly-good electric clothes dryer RIGHT THERE? Doesn’t it all take a tremendous amount of time? Wouldn’t it be easier to pop open that snack-pak chocolate pudding cup instead of making it from scratch? HECK YEAH it would!
by Tammy Taylor
Recently on my Facebook page I shared a story that I read about how much food is wasted in this country – everything from harvest waste or culls in the field to grocery store waste. I commented that it was a shame that more edible & in-date food destined for the dumpsters for whatever cosmetic reason couldn’t be used instead to feed hungry people.
Many of my followers chimed in that it was a shame indeed. But one person was angered by the story for some reason that I still don’t quite understand. As a matter of fact he was indignant and abrasive to many various commenters. Now I love FB and I typically enjoy it immensely. But this internet troll incident got me wondering if public social media sites like Facebook are really a friend or a foe?
by Tammy Taylor
Recently I attended my mother’s birthday celebration – a gathering of family & friends. We all met at a local bistro and many tables were pushed together to make room for all the guests in attendance. Of course there were family members there, but helping to celebrate were many super-fun friends as well. Most older than me but beloved like family.
As RancherMan & I arrived we greeted these wonderful people, sharing hugs all the way around the table. As we all settled into in our seats talking, sharing and laughter were the sounds that filled the cool spring air. Just then one of the older ladies who uses a walker was passing slowly & gingerly behind me when she stroked the back of my hair and said “Tammy, Dahlin’, I do believe you’re getting a little whiter back here…” To which I replied without skipping a beat “Hey, I’m PROUD of those new platinum-blonde streaks – I earned EVERY ONE of them!”
by Tammy Taylor
Well, another year is on the record books for the Relay for Life in our area, an all-night relay to raise money for the American Cancer Society and to bring awareness to the evil that is cancer in all its ugly forms.
Back in 2013 my team members walked in my honor as I was going through surgeries & recovery to rid my body of breast cancer. They sent a picture to my mother as I laid in that hospital bed recovering from surgery – she showed it to me with tears in her eyes. How touching that my dear friends were doing something so powerful in my honor.
So the following year I proudly joined the team and experienced my very first Relay for Life. This year is only my second year, but it’s just as meaningful & just as powerful. But why do I participate? Why would I scramble trying to raise money for the American Cancer Society? Why would I show up on a Friday night and attempt to walk All. Night. Long? Why? The answer is simple. HOPE.
