First Post!

Finally! Bryan and I have talked for months about starting a blog. But daily work and farm projects left little time to even think about starting a blog. That, at least was my excuse. The real reason was that I was terrified of the thought of setting up something technical!

But the long winter days have provided the opportunity...and the blog has been a lot of fun to set up!


As many of you know, Bryan and I moved here full-time in May 2007. One of the first questions that the locals ask when they meet you is , "How long have you lived here"? As we have come to know, you are measured by your response. And we have learned that there are two standards of measurement...."part-time" years and "full-time" years. Part-timers are people who have summer or vacation homes. These people are ususally from "The City" or "Downstate" - Manhattan, which is 3 1/2 hours away, or other cities within driving distance, like Boston. The locals look upon part-timers with amusment (if the city folk are nice) or tolerance (if they they are arrogant)....but show a very open spirit to anyone who is willing to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the area and its people. You are not really considered a "full-timer" until you've stayed through your first winter, which lasts from November thru April....and, if you're not scared away, then your second. Bryan, Lindsey, and I started out as part-timers, buying our little farm in September 2003...and certainly fell into the group of people who were looked upon with amusement and curiosity. Amusement, because we were ernest about wanting to learn to farm....curiousity because we hailed from Denver, rather than Manhattan....and Denver is a strange and mythical place to many here.




We commuted here from Denver, then from Chicago, every summer, school break....any time we could...until the home in our heart became Franklin, New York. Over the years we came to appreciate and love the beauty of the area, the peace and quiet of our farm, and most of all the kindness and generosity of our newfound friends and neighbors. So, after 5 years of living here "part-time", we like many before us made the move to "full-time". And we are ever greatful that we did.

If I were to write about all of our adventures in this first post, it would be far too long. So, instead I'll continue with new posts...writing about our past adventures until we're caught up...and keeping everyone up to speed on what is new.


I hope you enjoy this. Please comment and give us your suggestions!

Betsy