As my Summer vegetables slowly start dying down, making way for our Winter crops to be planted, I can feel a shift in the air, it's been a long hard Summer and this shift could not come sooner...
There's been long, hot days in the schoolroom,
a swimming carnival with our bush school friends,
and dry, dusty days in the sheep yards while our farmer has been away.
I've had some trying times with my eldest girl of late as her mind (and body) slowly transforms from a small girl to a young woman. As much as I'd like to hide from the obvious and keep my girl a wee little baby forever, the time for growth is important and I'm really trying to embrace this special time in my gorgeous girls life! Can she really be 'double digits' this year, already?
When I look back to when I was this age, my parents were newly divorced and conversations with my mother were almost non-existent. I understand now, as a mother and a wife, that this must have been a difficult time for her, but for me, I just remember feeling alone and embarrassed of my body and I'm going to try my hardest to make this time in my girls life one that she remembers fondly!
With all of this said, we've had a pretty hard slog this past 3-4 months. We've had 4 really dry years here at 'Darling Downs', and are coming into our 5th as there's no good rain forecast on the horizon. So, for about 6 months now my husband has taken up work mustering on other stations to help bring in some extra money to pay our farm mortgage. This means that he's away for as long as 10 days at a time and I'm left to run the farm, school the kids, keep the home, and tend to the garden.
All jobs that I truly do love but when it's hot and you're tired and your husband is away and your kids are pushing all the wrong buttons you kinda get a little burnt out! So, a glass of red at the end of the day, just before the sun goes down, seems to be just what I need to put things into perspective!
And here's my perspective....I'm so lucky to live where I live and do what I do. I have a beautiful family and a loving husband. We're lucky that there is extra work available at the moment and that my husband is capable and able to do it. Although it hasn't rained I'm blessed to still have water to keep my kitchen garden alive and producing for my family. I'm lucky to have a home which is lovely and cool on the hottest of Summer days and toasty and warm on the coldest of Winter nights. And most importantly, I'm lucky that my husband comes home safely!!! He is such a hard working man who often pushes himself more than I sometimes think is even possible. I'm lucky to have 3 children who are kind, loving and caring in their own unique ways and a husband who truly does love us,
and who would give almost anything to be with us, yep just us, we're enough and he's enough, and we like it just like that!!!
So.... Are you feeling a little burnt out after a long dry, hot Summer, too??? Can you feel a shift in the air?
Such a stressful time in so many ways, hope there is some rain soon.
ReplyDeleteMe too, thanks for stopping by Kate... xx
DeleteI take my hat off to both of you.
ReplyDeleteSalt of the Earth people.
It has been a long humid summer in my neck of the woods. Normally I'm a real Summer Lover, but this season there has been a big paradigm shift, I'm really looking forward to cool weather...dare I see even Winter! Must be part of the mid life change! LOL
I have a 14 year old girl, she transitioned well through puberty, but I'm coping less with the freedom we are having to start to allow...sigh...it has to be done at some time...bit by bit...Good luck with it all!
Thank you Cheryl...
DeleteA 14yr old, how exciting yet daunting all at the same time.
Hugs - Jodie
I am hearing you re the little girl becoming a woman - going through that the second time around with my grand daughter - the joys!!! You are a strong person Jodi and you will do what you have to do to get by - have been there many times - funny how I still do a lot of the things now because I want to - handmade, home baked and home grown. And yes that glass of red is well earned - enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same as you, I do a lot of the things that I do to live a 'simple life' out of necessity, but I also do it because I love it!
DeleteThanks for stopping by... xx
when everythings going on it's us girls that keep everything going and together..........always to many hats on.....like we are constantly juggling life.......bring on the rain......it's not looking to promising...........feeding here again now..........the last week was nice but OMG this week is going to be warm again.....it was 9 this morning but 31 today..........going to be 32-33 for the next few days so pretty warm for April...........27 on Thursday sounds much better.....hang in there.....while we can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel you will find it..........we just never know how long we have to wait to see the light.............hugs and take care........
ReplyDeleteOMG double digits.......how can that be......
So true Donna, the girls really do keep it all together...
DeleteThis week has been crazy hot here too, it was 38'C on Thursday and it's April!!!
Thanks for popping by... xx
I know where you are coming from. I was just sitting for 5 and wondering how I am going to get through the holidays next week. Our 2 weeks are already fully booked with mustering and farm work. We will finish destocking here.
ReplyDeletethat computer set up looks so familar... as much as we want to keep them little it is so wonderful watching them grow up and become their own little (or big as with my 2 boys) people. I keep reminding myself to just enjoy them as they are. it goes far too quickly.
hoping for good rain
Destocking, such a hard decision and one that's not taken to lightly. Hopefully Winter is kind to you and Spring sees some pasture in paddocks and some new stock headed your way...
DeleteYou're right, kids grow up way to quickly, and we need to enjoy their company more!
Jodie xx
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI take my hat off to you. Farmers works so hard and often without enough water. I just don't know how you all do it. I remember that stage with my mum and she is Slavic, from the old country. I also felt embarrassed and alone but knew my Australian friends with more contemporary mums were having a better time. I love how you peppered so much gratefulness in your post even though it sounds like it's a bit of a tough time. You deserve that wine! I have been through the wringer with a health issue but yes I can feel things shifting. It's a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteThanks Zena.
DeleteI hope that your health is back on track and you're feeling much better.
Take Care
Jodie xx
Oh Jodie...I could have almost written this post about my life. I have always known our lives are similar but this just proves it! Yes, my summer vegetables are finished after a long hot summer. Although things have changed a bit in our schoolroom this year, we are still there, day after day! Annabelle also turns ten this year and she is certainly growing up. My parents separated when I was about 14 and conversations about 'stuff' never really happened. Sometimes I find these conversations with Annabelle tricky, but really I owe it to her.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is away a lot also, not contracting but managing a second property that we purchased a year ago. The kids and I are generally on our own 3-4 days each week managing school, the property, the garden etc. I get burnt out too although I must admit everything gets easier as the weather cools down. Thank goodness there is a change in the air. Take care, gorgeous post x
I know, our lives are very similar Jane. Where I live people like us are a bit of a minority as there aren't too many young families on the land out our way anymore. So it's refreshing to know that there's another mother/woman/wife/gardener/baker/farmer/teacher out there like me, living in similar conditions, and sharing her story too.
DeleteI'm surprised that my Summer garden has held on for as long as it has Jane, especially considering that the rainfall has been almost non-existent.
You're right Jane, everything does get easier as the weather cools down and this past week, although the days have still been up in the high 30'c for us, the mornings and evenings have been simply lovely.
Take Care - Jodie xx
Fingers crossed for some rain soon to help ease some woes in the district! I too have a 'double digit' daughter and it is hard work navigating every conversation. I take my hat off to mums who teach distance ed as my mum did me as some days just the homework does us in (& I am a teacher too!).
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the cool in the air and take care
Kate xx
Conversations with a double digit girl, they're like little sponges and take it ALL in don't they Kate.
DeleteI take my hat off to you, teachers are amazing people and definitely don't get enough praise for the hard work they do..
Jodie xx
A beautiful post Jodie. I admire all our farmers and those who work in the outback. Our country needs all of them. And while I sit in suburbia, I often think of those out west and how they are coping with this drought ( or floods)
ReplyDeleteThanks for a beautiful insight
A good red and a beautiful sunset with family would be wonderful :-)
Thanks Maria. xxx
Delete