A Cleansing Rain
- July 07, 2011
- Category: Daily Diary
- (16) Comments
Do you ever get frustrated with blogging? I do. I have a love hate relationship with the entire concept. I love you who visit me, love reading your comments and getting to know you but I hate that I never get ahead when it comes to finding advertisers. Recently, I’ve been trying to get Federated Media to take an interest in my blog. Alas, they have never even responded to my inquiries.
It’s a circle, a dance I perform with myself. To blog or not to blog? And I’ve spent the past few days wondering about the point of it all until yesterday I found clarity once again.
Have you ever read the children’s book “Rain” by Peter Spier? It’s one of my favorites. It has no words; only pictures of two siblings observing a day of rain. And as you wander through the pages of “Rain,” you tell the story. It’s yours to write. Are the children happy? Sad? Interested? Withdrawn? To me, it’s a positive story. Children nestled in the warmth of their house with their Mother enjoying themselves while the world is washed clean and fresh once again.
Why do I mention this book? It’s been hot for Vermont; days in the 80s, bright sunshine, dry. Weather designed to make those of us who relish cooler days just a little cranky, unmotivated, perplexed. But yesterday, as I headed out to spend time at the barn, I could feel a change in the air.
Off to the East, clear and lovely.
Horses were grazing.
Pretty goslings all in a row relaxing.
But the air was dense; a storm was coming and off to the West, there it was.
Clouds sitting right down on our field.
Time to head home to be with KT-Whippet who is terrified of storms. I get inside and sheets of rain start to fall.
The wind starts blowing.
Instantly, the temperature drops 20 degrees. Back in the 60s again. I can feel myself breathe. Emma, my 13 year old golden, who has been listless in the heat, heads outside and refuses to come in. She savors every minute of this storm.
As suddenly as it started, it stops leaving us enveloped in fog.
The deer come out to graze. I knew they would. I use my zoom lens and try to remain still. I want them to stay.
They relax. They graze knowing I’m no threat.
They take their time. I sit quietly and when they are done, they head into the edge of our thicket of pines. They are headed to our apple tree; their favorite spot.
I live a different life and maybe that’s why advertisers aren’t interested. You won’t find the latest fashion tips. My wardrobe is old and much worn. You won’t find tips on how to cook because Mountain Man does all the cooking. And there’s no decorating going on here because at this stage in my life, I’d rather be outside at my barn.
What I hope you find here is a sense of belonging, a sense of peace and hope. Life is meant to be lived and savored, appreciated and respected. “Live Your Dreams, Share Your Hearts.” You won’t go wrong.
And maybe, if you have the time, you can contact Federated Media by clicking HERE.
Thanks for visiting us.
Enter Comment Here.Lovely lovely and very calming to me today… So much negativity in the world…something as simple as a rain storm can set thing right… enjoyed the photos so much..Thanks.
Date: July 07, 2011
Oh, I love those summer rains. I’m hoping to get one here in Oregon. It’s in the 90s today…well, maybe not quite that hot yet, but it will be today. Those summer rains are such a welcome rel ief. I don’t blame your cutie pie Emma for staying outside. She’s got it right
I’d probably be out there with her 
I”m sorry about the advertisers. Your blog is really fun. I’m wondering if they base their advertising on how much traffic you get on your site? I’ ll be happy to pay them a visit this week adn tell them why they’re making a mistake
I just love all your photos and I’m wishing I was there to experience that rain with you
Your goslings are too cute. Enjoy all their fluffiness, before their adult feathers come in
Have a great day. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather
Date: July 07, 2011
Enter Comment Here. I found you in Grit Magazine been hooked on you ever since,, I am curious tho,, how did you and Mountain Man get to know each other,,?
Date: July 07, 2011
Yes I do get frustrated with Blogging. What bothers me the most though is that I spend way too much time on the computer when I should be doing things around the farm or in the house! I find I’m always wanting to run in here and see what’s new with everyone and see if I have a new comment…blogging seems to rule my life. Don’t get me wrong…I love blogging but I can’t seem to find my balance. That’s my frustration. I hope you find your ‘happy place’ with blogging too. I love coming here to your farm…it’s so different from us here on our farm in Kansas. I wish our weather was in the 80′s …we finally have a cool day but our temperatures have been in the triple digits and will be back up there for the weekend. I loved the photo’s of your Emma out in the rain refusing to come in LOL…I bet that cool rain felt good. I hope you’ll keep blogging…you certainly keep your followers coming back for more. Have a great day!
Maura
Date: July 07, 2011
I don’t get too frustrated with blogging and I haven’t gotten into the advertising side of it. My blog is mostly for friends and family to keep up with us from Germany and all over the states. There might be more that stop by on occasion, I can tell by the map gadget, but most of them aren’t following me. I just like to share.
We have a farm with new goats and old cows. We like to find things to share on trips.
I am following you because your world is like mine. Though I do a bit more cooking.
Thanks for the rain story. We are dry here in WV too, well at my house anyway. The storms keep going around us.
Maybe I should add some advertising. LOL Would I be able to get the relatives to buy me a cup of coffee?
Date: July 07, 2011
Enter Comment Here.
I think frustration is just a part of blogging. Sorry you are having ad issues. I am not into that. Not sure why. I started Dreaming as
something to keep me busy after my Mom had passed and Ken got laid off.
I have enjoyed the friendships I have made and I love peeking into the worlds that allow me to come in.
Keep your chin up and enjoy.
Melinda
Date: July 07, 2011
Now that is the reason to blog! I love hearing you tell your story of Vermont!
Date: July 07, 2011
Great photos,thanks for sharing them.
Date: July 07, 2011
So, do you blog for the money it brings in or for the pleasure of it. And if you go with this media company, will you then be expected to pound out a certain number of posts or posts about their content?
I struggle with the time that it takes to blog these days. It’s such a social media with guilt dancing on me as I read all those comments on my blog while I struggle to make the return visit. I’ve finally given up and I spend only a couple of hours in the evening on the blog–IF I have nothing else going.
I have to live my life first–otherwise I have nothing to blog about. And I have to learn to forget the guilt and just do what I can to visit or I’m gonna get worn out.
I hope you continue to blog as I really enjoy your stories of your life. There is a reason I come here–NOT for fashion tips or paid posts. I want to read about silly turkeys and dogs who stand in the rain. Heck, I’m writing about runaway frogs and baby praying mantis. I think we are very similar in that fashion–except I have a whole lot less property.
Date: July 07, 2011
You have an interesting blog. The fact that it is different is a very good thing! I tried advertising and got no where so you know what? I quit thinking I’m going to make any money from blogging and just enjoy the interaction with my readers.
Date: July 07, 2011
Keep blogging Sara. You make me laugh. You make me cry. You make me stare in wide eyed wonder at scenery. You give me inspiration. You give me the urge to stop and wonder at nature. You give me the desire to keep going when things get tough. Keep blogging Sara.
Date: July 07, 2011
I understand your frustrations all to well. When a blog is created to fulfill a dream or an objective it serves a different purpose than the blogger whose blog was designed to be their personal daily journal, a diary of sorts. Dreams are such delicate things like fragile soap bubbles. I began my own blog with tentative hopes of drawing business into my etsy shop … at that time my shop was strictly for my handcrafted jewelry. As I began typing post after post I awoke a deeper dream, a longing that I’ve had since I first held a pencil between my fingers. The dream to write, to be a writer. Oh I know I’m woefully lacking and am notorious for crafting dangling participles and run-on-sentences, yet that dream persists.
I know your blog too is built upon a dream and it’s that dream that makes it so precious. Trying to achieve our dreams, to turn them from smoke into reality is what causes our frustrations. The blogger who’s blog is used as an online diary, or to share their daily experiences and photos with family and friends will never experience this frustration because their dreams are not at risk.
Sara, you have a wonderful blog and a lovely group of faithful followers who read and enjoy your stories and photos, they bless you with heartfelt comments. I’ve visited many a blog where post after post went without acknowledgement, I always had to stop and leave a comment or two to let them know they were not spilling their thoughts into empty space, a total vacuum. Why? Because I know all too well what it feels like. For the first several months of my blog I blogged away … to no one. Not one follower, not one comment, day after day. Then I joined in those “follow me and I’ll follow you” pledges, Monday through Friday “Blog Hops” and my follower numbers went up, but not true followers. Just empty numbers. I discovered that just one faithful, caring follower is worth more than 100 followers, merely numbers, an avatar on ones followers widget, but never a true presence. I’ve also learned that for some of us we have to work longer, fight harder for our dreams but even the smallest dream is worth it. Hang on to your dreams Sara and never let them go for a person who has a dream always has something to live for and to look forward to.
Date: July 07, 2011
You know how much I love your stories and photos. Don’t give it up all together. I wouldn’t be able to find out about Pete! I am patiently waiting to see the geese with their frilly frocks!
Date: July 08, 2011
i know- i thought that there would be a critical mass of people that liked the same things i do on line. and there sort of is… but not enough to interest advertisers- we just aren’t mainstream. and that’s fine with me
Date: July 08, 2011
The heat is here also. We are used to the heat, but this heat is different loaded with humidity. 100* 80% humdidity. Then around 1-2 in the afternoon huge clouds boil up and thunder storms come crashing around us, with very little rain. This time of year we always worry about hail.
Great post.
I’ve been missing you.
Linda
.http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Date: July 09, 2011
What a lovely visit I just had with you at Red Pine Mountain! It is always such a special part of my day to see the farm and your assortment of creatures, large and small. Your photography is always beautiful and restores a sense of calm to my often crazy world!!
I don’t know why advertisers don’t choose you blog – perhaps because you need more followers? I don’t know, I don’t really have advertisers, either!
Date: July 18, 2011