25th Annual Ringle Harvest Day - Saturday, October 9, 2021

It's been 25 years....25!  

For those who don't know the history, I'll share a short version.

Hi, my name is Jacky Luetschwager, aka Dicky Bird.  We bought our farm in 1994, totally gutted it, remodeled and moved in 6 months later.  I grew up in the "pickin" business as 3rd generation.  My 9-5 was working at a law office, however the freedom of living in the country sparked my real desire to resell. In 1995, I started my business, Town Hall Trinkets, LLC:

  https://www.facebook.com/Town-Hall-Trinkets-LLC-729693193716630

I was already working a side hussle for several years with an auction company.  I had the inventory, so in 1996 I hosted a sale with my sister and Lisa.  From that it grew, we added our daughter's 4H group, Popplewood 4H and decided on the 2nd Saturday of October for our annual event to coincide with the National 4H Awareness Week.  

In 2005 or might have been 2006, we moved the event just down the road to our little town, Ringle.  My insurance agent about had a heart attack when I told him how many people showed up for this at our farm...."You can't do that!  You need event insurance for the day and it was like $600"  I didn't even charge vendors to set up.  Well, the town chairman allowed us to set up and asked if the fire department could sell food too.  

So from those days to what it is now, I can hardly believe it.  I still do this as a volunteer and there is no "team" behind me.  I do rely on my husband and a few others to help with set up.  We keep our vendor fees at a very minimum and all that is invested back into the event.  We invite all the residents, local business to get involved too - it's all free for them as residents.  For me, this was never and still isn't about making money.  It's about community, fun and memories.

So, if you live near and have that day free, come on out to see what is going on.  We have over 100 vendor booths, food stands, petting zoo and everthing from A - Z to see and buy.  Held rain or shine.  Ringle is in Marathon County, Wisconsin.  We are just off Hwy 29, about 13 miles east of Wausau.  

Here is a youtube video my husband did: 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU4dnvuyH4g&t=4s

It always warms my heart to hear all the nice compliments about this event.  I so enjoy seeing the 2nd generation now of littles that have come and made their own memories now.  I have really invested much of myself into this over all these years.  Here is the link to the Ringle Harvest Day page: 

 https://www.facebook.com/RingleHarvestDayFleaMarket

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Wisconsin Association for Home and Community Education - WAHCE State Conference

 At one time, in every county in Wisconsin (I'm sure the same for other states) there was a county agent at the UW Extension for every kind of need that one could think of.  An "expert" available for questioning, direction and or reference you to "fix" your need.  

One such agent was the HCE (Home and Community Educator).  Marathon County doesn't have one any more.  We did, not that long ago and she was the best!  This agent, would help the "homemaker's" with connecting with one another, arranging community service events, held classes on "how to (fill in the blank) and so much more I am unaware of.  

I was approached by our agent, Jackie Carattini, several years ago to put together a presentation about "downsizing."  Here is the link to that post:   https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2016/04/what-to-keep-what-to-sell-what-to-donate.html

At that time, I had no idea how many times and how many different variations of this presentation I would present.  It has developed into a rather fun, interactive session.  From that beginning, UWSP Continuing Education, Antique Societies, small ladies groups and more to go back to HCE yesterday.  

I was asked to host 2 classes for the state convention, being held in Stevens Point, WI.  A needle felting class and a varation of the above called "Shine a Light on Your Mountain of Clutter."  I was a bit nervous when I found out that 60, 60 were signed up for the "clutter" class and they had an overwhelming request for the felting class.  Both filled quickly and I added more for the felting.  Of 30 classes offered in 2 days, 3 were "sold out" - 2 were mine.  I only say this, because when you're self employed you don't always have the ability to share your big and little successes.  I fill all the roles in my "company" and marketing myself in that manner is hard for me.  

I enjoyed sharing my "gifts" and "experiences" with those who took each session.  I also gained several tips and stories to add to my presentation and classes. 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Blooming in a Sea of Others

 

Everytime I look at this overcrowded pumpkin patch, I think there has to be a blog post in here somewhere.   Could it be, always blooming, but produces no fruit?  Or, just keep blooming, just keep blooming.  Or even, this fence can't hold us back.  Oh, I could have gone so many ways.  

I settled on blooming in a sea of others.  You know, I don't know why people don't know me, my business, what I've been doing the past 30 some years of my life.  It never ceases to amaze me when a newbie will show up and overnight have thousands of followers and their husband's quit their jobs to work for them fulltime.  I know, all that wasn't in the cards for me.  But, truthfully, I would have a very entertaining podcast or youtube channel - nah, why bother.  ahahahah.

Maybe its that I'm last of 6, maybe it's because I've actually been forgotten by family, maybe its just all vanity, but I tend to want to be known, liked and seen.  I remember killing myself, trying to be nice to the popular girls to still never fit in.   

This did bother me so much more just a few years ago.  But, now truthfully, not so much.   Must be mellowing out in menopause.  You know, toot toot, I've pulled off some amazing events and things over the years.  I've been blessed.   I truly enjoy what I do.

So, I just want to bloom, even if it is in a sea of others.   Some plants have all the blossoms, some plants have blossoms and some fruit and some plants focused on their only fruit.  I know society tricks us into thinking we can "do it all" - we can't.  Each of us have unique talents and even specific niche' we fall into.   Just venture forth, climb the fence if you have to, but bloom - your own special way.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

 

Rearview Now

Well, it's all in the rearview mirror now.  Mostly the loss of 2 weeks of work.  Can't fix it, can't change it, all I can do is slide back behind the driver seat and move forward.

 I'm not a "shoulda, coulda, woulda" type of a person.  Honestly, that is a waste of energy.  All that is in the past and today is a new day.  So, go ahead, face the sun and move forward.  

Find something that makes you "glad"

Look around, everything is just fine, this too will pass and the garden will bloom with our without you.  I'm thankful it does!

When I planted this little raised bed in the spring, I had no idea how much I would enjoy it all summer and now into the fall.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Claimed My Stripe

 

The dew kissed these wishes.  

Just a little post to let you all know I'm still "alive."  I did have a little talk with Jesus where I claimed my stripe.  He delivered to me in the most incredible gift of a vision.  Sure, I was overly prescribed bad meds, up for 22 hours, anxiety induced breakdown, whatever, I know that He was here with me and I will claim vision and healing.  God is good!  

I've been told to "rest and no work" until I meet with my primary care doctor on Friday.  I'm not good at resting or not working, but truthfully I can't, I'm too tired.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.