Quoting Dr. Phil ............ sort of.

OK .... I am baring my soul today.

Fact .... I am very very insecure about my business. 

Very.

I want everyone to love it!  And although I think its just like chocolate cake .... not everyone likes chocolate cake.

And that insecurity is weird ... cuz I really don't care what you think about me!!!  You may not like my cooking ... I don't care.  You may not like my clothes ... I don't care.  You can tell me "I'd burn down that house!".... and I don't care.  I may think you are rude ... but I don't care.

But say something negative about my business .......... and it eats at me forever!!!!!

Yes ... it is story time.

A few years ago, an acquaintance called about bringing a group to the farm.  I told them about the hours, times, etc and what would be blooming and the conversation ended.

A couple of weeks later .... an older farm couple came to the farm.  They had driven quite a ways to "inspect" the farm for their daughter ... a member of the group.  They were quite upfront and honest that they were here to look everything over to see if it was worth the trip.

They questioned why anyone would tie tea cups to the tree.  They wondered about the hankies on the line.  They were confused about using a corn crib for dining. 

Maybe they were looking for beautiful gardens.... I plant my flowers in rows, like a cornfield.

Maybe they were looking for exotic flowers ... nope, just a lot of pretty zinnias, snapdragons and lisianthus. 


Maybe they were looking for shiny new buildings instead of worn paint, swoooopy roofs and 80 chickens.

Maybe they were so used to the patch work quilt of fields .... that they couldn't see past the corn to appreciate the view.


After they walked around the farm ... they said their goodbyes .... and walked to their cars.

I heard the old farmer say, "Ain't much here".

I never heard from my acquaintance again.

I know the old farmer was so used to seeing through Midwest eyes .... that the beauty of the little things was missed.  The usual and the unusual weren't worth the drive.




I listen to the tree frogs.  I hear the robins sing.  I see the wonder of a black-eyed susan unfurl its face to the sun.

But over and over and over, as I work through the gardens this spring, I hear "Ain't much here."

You are wondering where does Dr. Phil come in?  About now.

It takes a thousand "atta-boy-s" to erase one "ain't much here".

I'll be working on this for a while.

Comments

Susan said…
I think your place is beautiful and unique Cathy!!! It takes a lot of hard work to do everything you do, if some people don't appreciate the farm then who needs them!! I do understand how you feel as a small business owner, it is really hard to let go when someone insults your business. Even when there are many more compliments than insults those insults really hurt. I hope you have a great day!!
Yes Cathy, it does take a lot. Reading this post makes me quite sad as it brought back memories of a little girl (not myself) Who was told she was beautiful at home and at school she was told she was fat and ugly over and over again. Struggling with depression since she was in 2nd grade and to this day can not see the beauty within her when she looks in the mirror.

I hope I help in saying that your farm is BEAUTIFUL and I only wish I lived closer so I could visit more often. Its not just the flowers and enchantment of the gardens but the wonderful positive atmosphere that surrounds your lovely farm.

I hope your day is today is a good one!!
Nancy said…
Cathy, you have a beautiful place. I hope you know how much I love it there and how many other people love it too. I have to admit I am very envious of you and your lifestyle. Don't let the "Ain't much here" bother you - you will hear many more "Atta Boy"s!
lvgranny said…
I haven't been to Miss Effies yet, but can see all the beauty from your pictures and hear it from your stories. Why WOULDN'T you tie teacups to a tree?? Those people are the ones that should be sad, not you, because they JUST DON'T GET IT...
Dan Mays said…
Exceptional people are not normal.
Ginny said…
Here is one more "Atta Boy's"! I am sure you will go over 1,000.
Unknown said…
Now now, Miss Eff--if a BIG CITY girl keeps trying to get back to your place, what should that tell you??

Mama always used to say it like this: people's problems with you are just that--THEIR problems.

Because they can't see past their expectations, they will never understand.

We loves ya woman!
Ruth Trowbridge said…
Here is my "attaboy" too. We are a new generation of kindered farmers, evolved from suffering and working for security. Loved this post, honestly never caring what I look like or what anyone thinks of me either, I must turn off some negative thought or other everyday. Somehow knowing there is a critical mass of positive change happening at this very moment makes me very happy. Peace
ps please read my blog post I think you will like it
http://lifethroughthecracks.blogspot.ca/2009/06/wonderful-world.html
Michelle said…
atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy atta-boy....!!!!

Just doin' my part to erase the undeserved bad press and let you know you and your business are one of the most unique and wonderful things I've ever read about! :-)
Unknown said…
Cathy - I located the story that prompted this. You no longer need praise for what you do; you need only one thought - here is the story. My sister took me to the big island of Hawaii for her annual business celebration. While she attended conferences, I joined a snorkeling cruise, swam with dolphins, walked on the beach by myself, looking out over water the colors of robins' eggs and new spring growth. I drank fresh 100% Kona coffee and ate pineapple just picked. On a bus trip to the Kona coast, I happened to sit next to the corporate owner's wife - a worldly multimillionaire. She stated, "There is nothing to do here, and the shopping is pitiful." I said, "Oh." I thought, "Oh - I am so sorry for your jaded eye and sour heart; and I am grateful that I am not you." I smiled the rest of the day, and I continue to breathe in what I love and breathe out my gratitude. So - go watch your chickens chase each other for that moth they all want, and smile with happiness that you are not one of "those" people! :) Ann
Michelle said…
Ann, you are so right - and put it so well! We ALL need to remember your words; thank-you.
Miss Effie said…
Thank you all ..........Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your friendship, your love and all your comments.

And Ann .... thank you for the reality check. Its all about perspective.
Anonymous said…
Don't let an old farmer's voice echo in your mind! He is out of step with women who appreciate beauty! Daughter should have known better that to send dad. Not everyone sees beauty the same.

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