This is the view from my bedroom window. It looks like the picture-perfect, peaceful pastoral scene until...5:46 AM when all you hear is BAAA, BAAAA, BAAAAAA!!
Perception and reality are often two different things. I was reading a historical novel recently and nearly couldn’t finish it. It was clear the author had never spent more than a day observing modern farming life let alone nineteenth century practices. So much of the life the author depicted for the characters seemed to come from casual observance of rural pictures and not a true understanding of the constant hard work involved. Characters with too much spare time and having first time experiences that would have come years earlier for a person actually living in that era were a few of the mistakes that made this book unbelievable for me.
Marrying into the family I did has given me a truer glimpse of the daily labor of our ancestors. I was raised in a family with household chores. We also grew a substantial garden each year. My parents taught me to work, but I was unprepared for the significantly higher workload accomplished by my in-laws on their ranch. These people know what work is. They work hard for long hours day after day because that’s what it takes to run a farm–and that’s with tractors and four wheelers. So as I observe the quintessential rural picture from my bedroom window, I remember that perception is not always reality.
(Note: For an excellent depiction of farm life read: Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody)
If Moody’s work is the same book I’m thinking of, I really enjoyed it. I’m curious to know what historical novel rankled you.
So, menu plans, thoughtful pictures and commentary — these things, although just a cursory glance at your life this way, only support my assertion that you DO do it all (maybe just not all at once!) 🙂
I dream to live on a ranch as you are, despite struggles to keep up here. Somehow I think the larger scale would make certain elements easier. Anyway, thanks for pointing out that you have to be willing to work to live the idyllic.
Have you ever read “A Day No Pigs Would Die?” I absolutely love that book! And duh,,I can’t think of the author right now, but it’s a memoir written from the boy’s point of view. It’s one of my all time favorites.
I’ll have to read that book. Thanks for the recommendation. I also have your book “Farm Girl” on my list of books to read. Thanks for stopping by.
Whew, that’s a relief, that you haven’t read Farm Girl yet, cuz i was afraid that was the book you were talking about! Although it’s not a historical novel, it is kind of all sunshine and roses type idyllic farm life, since it’s told from the child’s point of view, and her parents worked hard so that she could have that kind of childhood. So I thought oh dear, maybe she’s referring to Farm Girl. (But I didn’t want to ask)
The book I was referring to is told from an adult’s point of view. A child may understandably miss some of the work and life experiences an adult would be immersed in.
Hello Kate, I stumbled over your site while on the net lately and Ihave a book I am almost through with.How do i advertise this book?
Thanks and God bless you!
Hi, welcome to my blog. Congratulations on writing a book. Check with blogs that review books and see if they would review yours. Libraries are great places to do presentations and get the word out. Is there any issue or event connected with your book that you could promote through community service or activities? Likewise, are there any clubs or organization that would be interested in having you make a presentation to their group. This works especially well with heritage groups if you’ve written historical fiction. See about placing your book cover as an add on sidebars of blogs with readers who would be interested in your genre. Connect with writers groups. The tend to read a lot and support each other by talking/blogging about what they are reading. Definitely host a launch party to get started. Good luck!