A Home – A Home – A Home!

A Home – A Home – A Home!

Show your pride in your ancestors and clan with this 100% cotton screen-printed t-shirt and our new Clan Home license plate! The shirts are matched to the “Borderer Blue” in the ancient tartan, and to the blue or red in the modern tartan and should 

Urban Farm vs Farm: The Difference

Urban Farm vs Farm: The Difference

We recently received a suggestion through our Facebook page that we change our category from “farm” to “urban farm.” While I respect and appreciate the suggestion, I would like to explain why we are going to reject it. First of all, we are not located 

When Love Meets Dust: Reflections on Parkland FL and More

When Love Meets Dust: Reflections on Parkland FL and More

Yesterday, I was sitting at home, nursing the tail end of a bout with the flu when I got an e-mail from Alana Levandoski via Patreon about a new song she’d released in honor of the day. It was the first thing I’d seen/heard/read that 

Refreshing the Dream

Refreshing the Dream

You may have noticed the logo for Spirit Dog Farm has a new look that we feel is a better reflection of who we are and of our priorities. There’s a reason for that.  Sometimes you have to take a few steps back, reassess your options, 

I Am a 13th Generation Dreamer

I Am a 13th Generation Dreamer

Open Letter to:  Sen. Bob Corker, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Rep. John Duncan, Jr., Rep. Phil Roe, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, Rep. Scott DesJarlais, Rep. Jim Cooper, Rep. Diane Black, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Rep. David Kustoff, Rep. Steve Cohen, all members of the Tennessee State Senate, all 

Ladies Farm Journal

Ladies Farm Journal

Just this female farmer’s blog chronicling our adventures in turning our property into a farm, raising kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, and trying to survive in a chaotic world. Hopefully someone can learn from our mistakes … erhhh … experience! LFJ also includes our thoughts, reflections, aspirations, 

A Time to Grieve …

A Time to Grieve …

Let’s see what you’ve won America….. Muslims in America have no idea what the future holds for them. Women will lose their right to privacy and access to healthcare. Gay couples don’t know if their marriages will be valid or if they haven’t yet taken 

Oh-oh, Spaghetti … OH!

Oh-oh, Spaghetti … OH!

This one would be fun to sneak in as a surprise dessert!

Let Them Eat Cake Sandwiches!

Let Them Eat Cake Sandwiches!

I love this! Not so much the sprouts and greenery choices, but the concept! What a way to wow a soup and sandwich night!

Fun and Fancy Fellowship

Fun and Fancy Fellowship

Fun and Fancy Fellowship My church (and probably yours) has a regular Wednesday night fellowship meal plus an assortment of special events that involve meals or finger foods.  I’m always keeping my eye out for recipes that are different from the normal “church casserole” type 

Memory Lane – VFW Essay Contest

Memory Lane – VFW Essay Contest

About a million years ago (1974 or 75), my high school English teacher persuaded me to write and submit an essay in the VFW’s “Why I’m Proud to be an American” contest.  And trust me. He worked hard to convince me. I wrote the essay 

Being Prepared – Woodland & Grazing Management

Being Prepared – Woodland & Grazing Management

I wanted to share something with you. While this video focuses on a couple western states, its message is important to all of us. Sometimes the smaller farmers don’t think about things like managing their woods. Pasture rotation can also be tricky when you only 

Drop Back Ten and Punt

Drop Back Ten and Punt

One thing I’ve learned since my husband’s recent 8-day hospital stay is that we are not set up for either one of us to do everything alone. I don’t have his physical strength. He doesn’t either. That means a lot of our “contrivances” will need 

Goin’ to the Fair …

Goin’ to the Fair …

It’s Tennessee Valley Fair time in East Tennessee, and our 4-H-er, Aidan, has done pretty well.  We decided to share some of the fun with you in this new photo gallery.  Is there a fair coming up in your area? Take some time to go 

Poor Farmers

Poor Farmers

A Facebook friend, Amie Gall, posted this story and picture on her wall and I really loved it.  I thought you might, too: One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his small son on a trip to the country with the express 

If You Could See What I Dream …

If You Could See What I Dream …

Spirit Dog Farm is very much a work in progress. Planning (and amending those plans) helps me while away rainy or off-season days, stay enthused, become re-enthused and prioritize the work.  At first,  our planning was verbal and frequently led to an occasional difference of 

Is it really Fall already? Whew!

Is it really Fall already? Whew!

It seems the older we get, the faster time moves. The crop bed is winding down.  Over the next month, we’ll be digging sweet potatoes, harvesting the last of the tomatoes, peppers and Asian green beans, enjoying some fall plantings of fresh spinach, Swiss chard 

American Goathic

American Goathic

Just about the time we throw our hands in the air and wonder (again) why we have all these critters around here, we are given a gentle reminder like this one: Nell and Chino pose for their version of American Goathic.

Weeding Worries

Weeding Worries

My sister-in-law called me one day while I was in last season’s crop bed diligently pulling weeds by hand. What started off being a girl talk session ended up being the inspiration for my first installment of Backyard Theology and my first tangible affirmation of