Thursday, January 24, 2019

Living the Dash: A Blog Anniversary

Just a mile from Randy's childhood home is the Peace Creek Cemetery. We drive past it when we take cattle to the Palmer pasture. It's over on the left-hand side of the road when we take a bale of hay to the bulls during their winter hiatus. The combine squeezes past the cemetery on the narrow road that leads to one of our fields. But, most of the time, we drive by its iron gates and don't pay much attention.

It's one of those things that's there. But do we really see it? How often can we say that about life itself? We're so busy navigating our way through the minutia that we don't take the time to really celebrate the joys or dissect the challenges.
Today is the ninth "anniversary" of Kim's County Line. I pushed "publish" on my first blog post on January 24, 2010. Today is my 1,780th published post.

As I've been thinking about this nine-year journey, I recalled the poem that circulated several years ago about "living your dash" -  the period between your birth and the moment you draw your last breath.
 
Look closely to see the rainbow in the clouds over Randy's parents' graves at Stafford - photo from 2016
 
The dash is who we are, and it will one day be our legacy. It’s not our birth or death date that matters most, but how we spend each passing year.

For the past nine years, Kim's County Line has helped me keep track of how I'm "living the dash"  on a Central Kansas farm. The sub-title is "Camera Clicks and Commentary from a Kansas Farm Wife," so it provides my perspective with words and images about our journey on a five-generation farm.

Having this avenue to collect words and photos has helped me to connect with my heritage and this life in a new way. It's helped me pay attention. I've approached telling our story like the reporter I am. I take notes. I ask more questions. I want my farmer's "farm speak" translated in a way that makes sense to me so I can share it with others.
January 2019
So often, we overlook the things that we see every day. It's like we're living life at 60 miles an hour, flying by familiar places and people, thinking we already know everything there is to know about these ordinary things that make up our lives and livelihoods.

Because of the cyclical nature of farming, I've written "the same" stories during these past nine years. We've had nine wheat harvests. So, behind the scenes, we've planted the wheat crop and managed it every year - from seed wheat to fertilizing to praying for rain or for praying the rain quits - and then again sending the golden grain through the combine reel.

We've welcomed new calves each January and February, and we've cared for cows that have been part of the herd all during that time. We've run those cattle through the working chute.

We've said goodbye to some employees and hello to others. We've introduced the farming life to two beautiful granddaughters. 

The list of yearly farm tasks and traditions goes on and on. There have been multiple blog posts about all of these steps and stages. And I've taken thousands of photos that illustrate all these components and moments of our lives.

Sometimes, it seems I'm telling the same story again and again. But when I really think about it, I realize that even though I may be telling the "same" story about why we give vaccines to baby calves or why we fertilize a corn crop, the circumstances subtly change.
Take my sunrise tree, for instance. I've taken dozens - maybe hundreds - of photos at a tree south of our house. In fact, I was there again just a week ago. And while it's similar to those I've taken before, the sky is never exactly the same. There aren't always mud puddles in the road or in the neighboring fields. The clouds reflect and refract the rising sun in new and miraculous ways every day. I only need eyes to see it ... and the motivation to go down the road to experience it.
Each quarter, I've compiled my blog posts into hardcover blog books. I got my latest one just the other day, and I struggled to cram yet another volume into an already overflowing cabinet. But, for now, I will continue to write. I'll continue to tell the stories. And I want to thank those of you who come along for the journey - whether it's every time I post or whether you just take an occasional jaunt down the County Line.

It's my blogiversary, but to celebrate, one person will get a gift from me - a selection of my photo notecards or a copy of "Count on It! Adventures from a Kansas Farm," my rhyming, farm-themed counting book - your choice.
To qualify, either comment about this blog post in the comment section of the blog or on my Facebook page, Kim Moore Fritzemeier. Or, if you have trouble with either of those avenues, you may email me at rkjbfarms@gmail.com. The winner will be chosen at random from the commenters. Enter your comment by January 31 for a chance to win.

Again, I thank you! 

UPDATE:  Mary Jo Taylor was the winner of the anniversary drawing. She chose a copy of the book as her prizes. Thanks to all for the wonderful comments! I appreciate each and every one of them.

25 comments:

  1. Congrats on 9 years sharing a talent that your public enjoys learning about the trials and joys of faith, family, and farm life. Also, I did not know about your published book until Jen told me you are presenting in her room! Wonderful!

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    1. The book is self-published. I'm looking forward to being in Jennifer's (and Kinley's) classroom for Kansas Day!

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  2. Thank you for continuing to write and photograph about my most special places and life in the Stafford, KS, area! I look forward to more stories and memories coming to life. I can’t describe the wonderful feelings I experience again through your gifts in your blogs!

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    1. Thank you, Peggy! It's always nice to hear that my posts and photos have touched somebody in some way.

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  3. Kim as a fellow farm wife I love reading your blogs! I would love to give your book to my niece! Thanks- Jill Hiebert

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    1. Thanks, Jill. I've got your name in the "pot" for a chance to win.

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  4. You do a great job, Kim. Would love to win either prize. Always look forward to your posts.

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting, Cindy!

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  5. Congratulations, Kim. I'm still reading your blog from Colorado. I miss the rhythmic cycle of ag life you so beautifully describe. Keep writing!

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    1. I'm always glad to catch up with you and your family via Facebook, but we miss you here in Stafford. Thanks for your encouragement.

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  6. Kim, Thank you for your blog. I look forward to each new post. It is a connection to home that I'm so grateful for. Mary Jane Hawver McEntire

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    1. You are always so generous with your comments and affirmations, Mary Jane. Thank you!

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  7. I’m obsessed with genealogy and your bound blogs are probably the best thing you can leave your grandkids and those that follow.

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    1. Right now, neither of my children are sentimental at all. I need to leave a note among the books (or in our "see ya later" notes) that if they don't want them, to give them to the museum. Maybe they'll mean more to them later? Thanks!

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  8. Happy Blogiversary! I always learn a little something while reading you blog entries. And I so enjoy your photos. Please enter me in your drawing.

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  9. Hi Kim!!! Your pictures are wonderful. My favorite is the one of the gravestone and a rainbow. I love old cemeterys. I have one right on my street. I love to walk through it during the beautiful weather. Happy Blogiversary!!!

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    1. I've already read one of the books featured on your blog last week. Thanks for keeping me in reading material for the foreseeable future!

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  10. Happy ninth blog anniversary Kim and our 3rd 'friendship' anniversary. Your blog is inspiring. I am amazed at how you manage to keep it up to date, with everything else that fills your daily life on the farm, community and family.
    Happy photography and writing for the next year. This country bred, but long term suburbanite ,loves being transported back to the country via your blog.

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    1. It's always good to hear from you, Helen. Thanks for faithfully commenting on the blog.

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  11. Congratulations on your 9th Bloganniversary! That's an incredible accomplishment of 1780 posts in that time. I have loved getting to know you via blogland. Here's to many more years!!

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    1. I, too, have enjoyed "meeting" you through our blogs. It's fun to see how many things are so similar on our farms, even though they are halfway around the world from one another (albeit - you're hot right now, and we are cold!)

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  12. Kim, THANK YOU for telling the farm stories! So many do not have the opportunity for the on-farm experiences, and you make them come alive for them. Congratulations on nine years! Cheers to many, many more years of sharing the rural life with everyone. Blessings, my friend!

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    1. Thanks, Brenda. As I've said before, I didn't really have a plan when I began the blog, but I'm thankful for the opportunity it gives me to share a glimpse of farm life. My class prophecy predicted writing at The New York Times. I'm much happier writing here and taking photos of this beautiful place we call home.

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