From the Dumpster of Tarma Shena

Farei Infrequently 2026 0512

From the Dumpster of Tarma Shena

I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday about work around the farm and I wanted to share it with you in case you might be in a similar situation.

I grew up in a much different era, farming wasn't cool or "bougie", there weren't decoration themes made by celebrities so you could be part of the cool kids playing pretend in your suburban home.

When I was a kid "homesteading" just meant you were too poor to buy it.

While it was true back then, I have come a long way both mentally and financially, it's a lifestyle choice about healthy living now. There's a little bit of pride in there too, we made it. But I was still carrying some of that childhood stigma around without even knowing it.

Always checking my camera angle and background, not because I wanted to take good photos but because I didn't want to show bad stuff.

Well guess what?

There IS bad stuff.

There is trash and debris and dilapidated buildings.

There are fallen trees and old fence.

But guess what else. ...

I didn't do it.

That's the part I forgot.

I'm taking responsibility for it and I'm cleaning it up.

But I didn't do it.

I didn't make this mess.

Here is the other part of that truth, If I don't show the bad stuff.. Than I can't show the good stuff when we get it cleaned up.

If I pretend there isn't any work to do than how can I share progress?

How can I thank friends for their help and support?

We took five dumpsters full out of here last year and this year we are currently waiting for number two to be picked up this morning.

That's a lot of stuff, a lot of work, and a lot of progress that we just kind of let quietly slide by with just a picture on the book of faces after the fact.

It's friends helping carry old furniture, pick up broken glass, and my sister keeping me from just throwing a match at it some days!

My page and my farm aren't "bougie" and I'm positive Marth Stewart wouldn't make it here. But progress is worth being proud of and if you don't acknowledge where you started you'll miss out on appreciating the journey.

I think I'll journey over to the grocery store and pick up some marsh mellows, maybe I can talk my sister into toasting a few. 😁