Motivational Monday - "See, 'you' not too old"

 Welcome to Motivational Monday, brought to you today by the 3 year old "little" in my life....and the letters "C, U (not) the number 2 and the word old"

Over the past several months, I have been spending a day a week with a little love in my life.  She made me "Gramma Bird."  As 3 year olds go, she is full of energy, "I do it, myself all by myself" kinda girl - and I love that!  You can try to teach independence, but it has to come from your core.  Anyway, she likes to come up with crazy, little things to do and then says, "now it's you're turn."  O.k. some I physically can do, other times, not so much.  She also is a little copy cat.  I have a bit of a gimpy, weak leg and back - so doing some of these things - I do them with a limp, or hands waving to balance.  Then the next time she does them...I roll on the ground laughing...to see her imitating my doing it that way.  She oftens hears, "oh, I can't do that, Gramma Bird is too old" or "Gramma Bird's legs don't bend that way." ahahaha and they don't!  "That's O.k." she says.

Yesterday, Al took the tractor and brush hog over to our daughter, Justine's business Wholehearted Herd Counseling to cut and "winterize" per say the field.  While he was doing that, we climbed on the car hauler and started to do little "tricks" and "dances" like it was a stage.  Oh, for some reason, thanks Lori Ullenbrauck for bringing up PeeWee Herman...the Tequila song...(help!)...came to my mind.  So off to singing it I go.  She would do one dance move and then say "now you do it."  We danced and laughed.  Then she pulls a "move" I knew I couldn't do...I must have made a face or something, because before I could say it, she says "you too old to do it, Gramma Bird?"  Well, that's it....game on....I'm not going to get out done by a 3 year old.  So on the floor of the trailer bed I go to imitate the moves she just made.  When I was able to do it...she in her little cute happy voice says...."See!! You Not To Old Gramma Bird!"  She was like my little cheerleader.  I wasn't "too old" to do it.  Just like that, inspiration for Motivational Monday.  

You know, often times, we may use excuses for our not doing something we actually can do.  Our physical limitations may not allow it to be done in the same way, as fast or even in the "right" way, but we can still do it "our" way.  I know this goes in line with Thursday's post: Autumn of Life which truthfully, I was going to go in a different direction today.  Which was one more of an accpetance of my current circumstances.  However, I am motivated to remind myself..."you are not too old!"  Get up, get ready to kick some A.., your's first, Dicky Bird...and get moving.  

I hope you can find that little cheerleader voice in your life.  Encourage youself.  You can do (fill in the blank), you can.  It may take you longer, your path and journey won't look like another's and it shouldn't!  It's your journey.  I have been digging deep into my emotional well - thanks to Noom!  Yes, the weight loss program.  It is helping me with WAAAYYY more other "issues" in my life, the weight loss is coming secondary.  

For the first time in decades, weight loss isn't my first concern, even though, doctor's orders tell me otherwise.  I have made a PROGRESSION to better living over the past 6 months.  Better living....for me, involved my having to scratch off old scabs so that they may heal right.  I've made steps forward and even fallen back on some, but I'm moving in the right direction.  

I've had several friends ask about Noom because they can see the weight loss....what they can't see, is the "weight" of loss!  I can't let someone get the "better of me" - including me!  It's a struggle, let me tell you, cuz, I'm one tough old (Dicky) bird!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Autumn of Life

 I've been thinking about life lately.  The ups and downs, joys and sorrows, yes even the shoulda, coulda, woulda kinds of things.  I guess overall, I'm happy with my major life decisions.  I married a true helpmate, we both were young and didn't know any better, so we grew together.  We have 2 beautiful (inside and out) daughters, that are independent, strong, successful and self motivated.  They married their helpmates - each with their own set of talents that complimented each daughter.  During all of that living we experienced a full blessed life.  Al and I dealt with what life handed us to the best to our ability.  

So, as I was driving home from babysitting yesterday, my "fun" day!  And, I noticed all the beautiful colorful maple trees this year.  I really, don't remember them being so red and colorful in past years; just deep reds with hughes of pink.  This is in our back field and edge of the woods.  I want to go back and cut some branches for decorating.  

Then it hit me, I'm in the autumn of my life.  I've lived through spring and a blessed childhood.  I've had a productive summer; planting, weeding, producing, building, tending and nurturing a home, farm and family.  I'm now an autumn.  I don't look at it like, "well, I'm done now" or "now my leaves are shriveling up and dying" - nope!  I want to be like these beautiful maple trees.  Why did this one get so red?  

Yes, life has changed for me.  I was telling part of this to my friend Lisa whom just so happens to have been "chugging along the tracks of life next to me" (sometimes we're the engine and sometimes we're the caboose....ahahha).  But, she is the one I most feel understands "this" about me and herself the best because we have shared so many of the same experiences.  Yes, we are in the autumn of our lives.  Reader...it goes by fast!  

I guess, I want to be like these red maples.  Not that I want to stand out amoungst the other trees.  However, I want to remind myself that yes, spring has the new seedlings, summer the blooms .... but, oh autumn...I forgot your beauty!  Thanks nature for another life lesson!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Round Ringle Rummage Sales

 For 24 years, I've set up the annual Ringle Harvest Day.  This year, we voted not to have it.  We need to think of our resident's wishes, especially since we take over our whole little town.  I have no idea how many, but the cheese curd guy and other food vendors estimate close to 5,000 in attendance.  So, we will cancel, thanks Covid 19...I mean that...it will be a welcome break for me.  Now, I can keep up with my momentum have a rummage here.  I asked other Ringle residents to join in and Round Ringle Rummage Sales began.  I had a guy ask "what does round mean?"  Well....slang for around...help!  Yes, much needed break from all the questions...ahahhaa

Here is a list of over 30 participating and counting...

224520 Sattler Lane

166400 Ringle Ave.

167203 Ringle Ave.

223461 Tomato

223820 Trail Road

224061 Arrowhead Trail

166755 River Road

167660 River Road

167635 River Road

168129 River Road

225600 Brushwood Drive

167865 Luetschwager

223565 Ranch Road

169300 Brickyard Drive

169845 Brickyard Drive

169856 Brickyard Drive

169837 Railway Street

169917 Railway Street

225629 Abt Road - Town Hall Trinkets, LLC, Caretaker's Cottage, S&B scents, Tilligirl's Studio, Nashcreek Quilts, Sue, Sue, Jeff & Dawn, Stone Silo Farms

170882 Mole Brooke Road

170560 Mole Brooke Road

173321 County Road N

171071 Oakhill Circle

226823 County Road Q

226411 County Road Q

224450 County Road Q

224220 County Road Q

174635 Konkol Road - Heartland Hemp Family Farms, She Shed, Back 40 Custom

221995 Birch Lane (Hatley)

236357 Echo Road (off of Eau Claire River Rd).

Should be fun. Sales are Friday and Saturday, September 25, 26, 2020. 9 - ?

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Motivational Monday - Master Procrastinator

 Hello, it's me, Dicky Bird, the Master Procrastinator.  Welcome to my blog and this Motivational Monday post.  

My word of the year is PROGRESSION.  Truthfully, I've been able to stick to the process that this word encompasses.  That in itself is a progression...ahahaha

This is me:  I need to have a "something" due by 12 pm Wednesday; this is how it goes....

1.  Oh, it's only Monday, I have plenty of time...

2.  9:00 pm Monday, I'll do it first thing in the morning....

3.  1 pm Tuesday, look for all the pieces or parts to work on it...

4.  1:15 pm Tuesday, Oh I forgot I had that...

5.  1:25 pm Tuesday, look at these pictures....

6.  2:45 pm Tuesday, I better hurry and pick up this mess...

7.  6:30 pm Tuesday, I think I'll clean out the closet...

8.  9:30 pm Tuesday, first thing in the morning...

9.  3:30 am Wednesday....I can't sleep, I need to.....

10.  3:50 am Wednesday...If I don't fall back to sleep, I won't...

11.  4:50 am Wenesday...I am awake...might as well bake...

12.  It's 11:00 am Wednesday!!!  Quick......

Yes, this is me...I hate it!  I must down deep somewhere like it, or I wouldn't keep doing it.  PROGRESSION to the rescue...

I've been thinking about this, hopefully it will help someone else too.  I think the stress of having to do the "fill in the blank" triggers me to take on another project - one I didn't even plan to do.  "All Aboard" - hop on the crazy train, you are now a passenger to a stressful ride.  One of ups and downs, twists and turns and maybe even a surprise or two along the way to finishing the "fill in the blank" I was supposed to just do in the first place.  

I think part of this is, I get bored, I like the fun of planning, dreaming up a project.  I love the process of promoting it, drawing it out on paper, researching what to do next, kind of thing.  I enjoy getting started, it's the finishing it up that is hard.  Also, when I KNOW something "HAS" to be done...I "buck" those the most.  I don't like people telling me what to do...even me!  What I think is that the distraction of starting something new is actually a stress relief from the actual project I'm suppose to be doing!  The longer I avoid it, the more stressed I become.  I have good intentions, however, dealing with "it" is hard.  Well, that's it, "next stop, PROGRESSION".... that's my stop, I need to get off this crazy train and quit avoiding what I need to do.  

That's really it!  

1.  Recognize that you have become a passenger on a crazy train of procrastination and you have too much luggage.

2.  Get off at the next stop.  Jump if you have to...tuck and roll... "o.k. I'm done now, go get back to the project that needs to get done."  

3.  Forgive yourself, but don't forget it.  "It's o.k. Dicky Bird, you can do it, put the contents of the closet back and get working on what it is your are supposed to do."

4.  Choose to do it.  "O.k. I now know my next project...the closet...but, I WILL go back to the "fill in the blank" and complete it.  

5.  Celebrate your accomplishment.  The reward of having it done, the acknowledgments, not only of family, friends...but, yourself.  "Hey, Dicky Bird, you did it!"  "Good job!"  One never gets too old for that!

I know this may sound silly, but I can NOT tell you how much this process has helped me.  I will NOT tell you how many uncompleted projects I have or how long they have been that way.  I will tell you, to make a list and check it twice and find out if you've been naughty or nice.  Hop off the crazy procrastination train and get working on the list.  When you can cross something off, "check" - it's an amazing feeling!  

I'm not saying I will never procrastinate a project again.  However, I've become aware of the process of this and am working on my PROGRESSION not to do it (as much).  LOL.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Planning Ahead for 2021

 Well, this area was at one time the riding arena, our daughters did enjoy it.  Now, well, we have to "work it up" anyway, so Al decided to plow it under.  Thank the Lord, he didn't get stung, because he plowed over 3 ground hornet's nests.  He actually has been trying to kill them for days...it was bad...hundreds of white larva...hundreds!  The chickens wouldn't even eat them.   We are planning a section of flower garden up here, maybe it will keep the deer entertained and not eating my vegetable garden.  One can plan, but never predict when it comes to gardening...so, we will see.   2021 sunflowers and wildflower field?  I would love to just mix a big ol' pail of all that and plant it...see what comes up with the weeds...ahahaha

 Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Motivational Monday - Everything Old is New Again

 Everything old is new again.  What a quote!  You know I researched it, I believe it orginated from Jonathon Swift (1667-1745).  He may be the "first" to say this...he for sure wasn't and won't be the last.  

I was thinking about this quote in light of current trends in home decorating.  The most prolific influencer in home style currently, is Joanna Gaines, Magnolia Farms, probably, hands down.  Whatever we saw on Fixer Upper is what began to be trending.  I have to tell you, I watched her YouTube video this morning and found out that "Rythm" is the title of her fall theme in decor.  I LOVE it!  Everything old is new again.  She is bringing back....all the stuff I love....now, mine is "vintage" ahahah.  Her intention with coming up with "rythm" is right on point!  

Thinking about old, new and rythm is what inspired this Motivational Monday post.  I know some of these posts have been about my rather personal journey of "progression" this year.  This one will be too...

The younger me, without tooting my own horn, has accomplished quite a few "new" things and or ideals for our area.  The younger me, would often hear from the older version of me..."well, I've done that before" or "you aren't the 'first' to do that."  I pledged right then and there, that when it was my time to be the "old stag" on top of the hill.....I would NOT fight the "young buck."  I've tried my best to live up to that challenge.  You know, before social media - no one did anything, right? My keeping to my oath, has become easier the older I get.  I can actually now laugh when I see it in myself and truthfully others.

I'm sure that decades ago, when the "new" trend was (fill in the blank) the old trend setters were like...hey, we did that "first."  Well, probably not....

Many people have been given credit to "everything old is new again" - however, it first was in print centuries ago.  Maybe Jonathon Swift heard it from someone else?  We will never know.  Just like we will never know all the other trend setters whom did amazing things long before social media.  

(Our booth 1990 someting....Art in the Park, Wausau, WI...we won buyer's choice ribbon multiple times)

(one of many "seasonal sales/events" at either Lisa's or my barns...1990 something...)

O.k. where are you going Dicky Bird, this isn't motivating!  

It is though!  Everything old is new again!  Life is a rythm!  Our "role" changes during each stage.  You can either be "off" beat, or harmonious, the choice is yours.  

When you can accept the old you, flaws, mistakes and all, you open up the door for a new you.  Only guess what, we, the old, has the wisdom from the lessons...the rythm.  I know it is challenging not to look at the "new" and feel "old" - you know what, they may be looking - up - to you the the "old."  I had a younger customer remind me of this recently.  If you are now the "old stag" don't fight with the "young buck."  You have new challenges, adventures, paths of your own, which probably are old to another.  I would motivate you, (me) to march to your own beat, but, keep in rythm.  Don't be "off" beat, rather strive to be harmonious with self and others.

(I found this on social media, pinterest, instagram, can't remember - but, I LOVE it!)

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Oven Dried Romas

 Late in life, like maybe a few years ago, I tried a sun dried tomato in something I ordered from a cafe.  I loved it.  I grew up watching my mom can jar after jar of everything, including tomatoes.  I myself have done the same for decades.  Only, now with just Al and I, we don't need 50 quarts of....anymore.  So, this year I purposefully regulated my tomato plants.  I focused on Romas, because I wanted to do this....oven dried romas (packed in olive oil)

Seriously, they are like candy, so sweet and chewy.  This is so easy to do.   Pick, wash, slice your tomatoes in 1/2.  Place on a sheet lined with parchment.  Drizzle olive (or any oil) on top and sprinkle with your favorite seasoning.  I did garlic salt and Italian blend (dry).  Put in a 200 oven for 4-? hours.  When the tomato is leathery not burned, they are done.  

I packed them in a jar, covered with olive oil and put in the refrigerator.  So easy.  This is "process" is something I really enjoy - "seed to jar" kind of thing.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Trappe River Emporium

 Link to Event:  Trappe River Emporium 

Our friend Sarah is hosting an event in her barn.  She invited several of us to join in.  The sale is Friday, September 11 and Saturday September 12, 2020 9-4.  The address is 240502 Trappe River Road,(GPS T9460 N. 97th St.) Wausau.  If you are coming from J you turn by Hewitt Texas Elementary.  The first road to right is Trappe River.  You can't see her house and only partially see the barn from the road.  It's a long driveway thru pasture grasses and wildflowers.  You may park along the circular drive, but not up by the barn, that will be for pickups.  Here are a few pictures, we are still adding and setting up this week.  

Cash, checks only.  This is not a rummage sale, it's a market.  Just trying to find places to sell during this crazy year.  We hope to see you there.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Motivational Monday - Hoarding Life

 Good Monday, Labor Day, morning.  I'm not sure if this post will qualify as motivational.  It is more of a reflection of things that I have come to realize during this summer of working on decades of hoarded "inventory."   If, you as a reader, happen to glean a few points, tips or better yet, don't do what I did.

I have said this before, but I'm 3rd generation (probably longer) of what is now called "picker."  Growing up, doing this, no one called themselves that; "Junker, Pack Rat" yes.  Anyway, that...what I am trying to explain...is as much a learned behavior as it is genetic.  I looked it up, it's in chromosome 14 a part of OCD.  If you have 2 or more in your family that have hoarding tendencies....2 or more in a 20 mile radius???  ahhaha, it's not funny, even if I am laughing at myself, it is a mental deficiency and I understand now that my life experiences (trauma) is also it's fuel.  

I have been reselling stuff since I made Barbie furniture at age 9 or 10 out of recycled 2 x 4 scraps from my dad's remodeling our house.  Rocky helped me with the construction and I sold them to the neighbor girls.  I got "hooked" on "this -  line and sinker" when I attended my first auction.  I bought a saddle and didn't even have a horse.  I was still living at home, in town, not married - nor any prospects - I just knew, one day, I would live on a farm and have a horse.  I remember that day, my first auction so vividly; where it was, how I drove myself there, I knew nothing about auctions - but, I was quick to learn.  I started working at a law office where I was the probate assistant.  BINGO...that was it!  A client "gave" me my first estate...."Jacky, if you go clean out that old house, you can have everything in it."  He said the "magic words"....ahahah.  I have been buying estates, working auctions, went to auctioneering school, sold others and my own at auction, conducting estate sales, providing estate consultations, barn sales, my shop a "monthly market" here at the farm, setting up flea markets, selling at markets all over - even other states, hosting events, selling at shows, booths...you name it....even teaching classes on "What to Keep, What to Sell, What to Donate" for the UWSP.... all of this over 35 years.   We bought our farm in the fall of 1994.  I had a little rustic outbuilding I set up a sale in.  Our address was Town Hall Road, that's how I came up with the name Town Hall Trinkets, LLC.  In 1996 a tornado took it down, but Al built me another.    https://www.facebook.com/Town-Hall-Trinkets-LLC-729693193716630

You know how an alcholic is often times a bartender?  Well, a hoarder is often times a "picker" - not always...in my case it is true.  When I say "I have a 60' building or 2 .... full."  People say, "well you are an antique dealer, you sell it."  Well.....that may seem to "justify" my behavior - however, I did hide behind that.   Hey, this about healing.....

So,  COVID 19, has been a blessing to me, it really has.  It has stopped my being able to "do" other things and focus on "my" thing.  I won't lie, I've cried in my pole building, I have.  Not all was "Lord, help me, I can't do this" cries, there moments of that!  Others were, "are you kidding me, I kept that all these years to do 'this or that' with and here it is."  Often times, it ended up ruined too...sad face.  I am NO WHERE near done, but I have made a (word of the year) PROGRESSION.  A progression in my "healing."  Now, I'm NOT going to stop what I do....I just want to get a better handle on my own stuff.  

I write this today, because yesterday, Jon and Anna "mountain goated it" way to the back of one of my buildings.  I have a rough idea of what is back there, some of the stuff I was hoarding to "keep."  Anyway, Jon asks about this primitive goat/garden cart.  I had such good intentions for that:  of training a goat to pull it; finding the right place for it; can't let anyone else have it; keep it safe....a whole list of "justifications" for keeping it.  I NEVER did a one of those....ughh.  Jon says, "this would make a cute cart to store blankets in" (yes it would).  I said "you can have it, if you do that with it."  It should be and it is a "showcase piece," not buried in the back of a building.  This is only one story, I've have others with items I've had good intentions with too.  Sigh...

So, today, Motivational Monday, take an inventory of what you are holding on to.  Is "it" helping you?  Giving you, your best life?  Are you hiding behind a justification?  Are you pushing it way back somewhere, storing it for later use?  I can tell you without a doubt, if you don't make yourself "deal" you may end up with an overwhelming amount of a "hoard."  If you wait too long, some one/thing will get broken and ruined.  It all starts with one baby step in making a PROGRESSION to becoming the best you, you can be.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.