A Year of Changes

2010 was a year of changes, as predicted by the forecasters, horoscope readers, and pundits of trends. The Great Recession dragged on, affecting rural people more severely than residents of large cities. Resources, funding for government services, and job opportunities shrink. Sadly, this happened just as people needed help most.


What ever happened to Americans' can-do attitude? I saw little evidence of it and it has been discouraging for our nation. Prices for everything rose sharply since 2007 and continue upward. This was a another obstacle to Americans who struggle to pay their bills, put gas in the car and put food on the table. People have lost heart everywhere.


One good thing I noted in my rural community was the expansion of vegetable gardens, community gardens, raising farm animals for food and fibers, and classes on canning or freezing food. We used food stamps and got vouchers for buying produce from farmers' markets to help feed the two of us in 2010. We qualified for energy assistance in 2010 and 2011 and got some firewood help. We have had a long, cold, wet winter/spring in 2010 and again this year. We stocked up on firewood, food supplies and food for our animals, preparing for a long winter.


Another result of the Great Recession has been less going out and less travel, and more staying home to read books. We have read some great books and are grateful for the community libraries and for $1 book sales at bookstores.


We spend more time on home projects. I made two rock gardens flanking the driveway gate and the plants survived a hot, dry summer. I have been creating a fenced, private Zen Garden for quiet contemplation. I painted an antique door from our old house with a Japanese Crane and had it hung on the Zen Garden fence. We added fences for our horses, and replaced old gates, cleaned the gutters, and caulked where it needed caulking. The late frost in May killed the apple and pear buds in 2010, so we had no fruit that year. In 2011, we had super-bumper crops of fruits and veggies!


I had several personal setbacks and challenges. My beloved black cat, Sam, had to be put down as his illness progressed. He was obviously miserable, sleeping through most days. His last day was a good one. I cherish the image of him bounding across the pasture, sitting on the deck, watching the wild birds at the feeder, and napping on the bed. I miss him. We created a memory garden for him and buried him with a funeral ceremony. Our Scottie, Hannah, attended and she seemed to understand. She hung around there for several days, keeping Sam company.


Several months later, a friend was moving and gave me her young cat, Lily. Lily is semi-wild, but is a cuddler and has a loud purr when she curls up with me. In 2011, we rescued two large dogs from the local shelter, a white Shepherd/wolf mix and a Golden Retriever mix. Now all the cats stay indoors in the cold months. Two will go camp out in the hay loft in summer and avoid the dogs. We have so many animals now!


Another mind-bender was the sudden strange behavior of a long-time close friend in 2010. After a visit to see this friend and after planning a trip together with our spouses, this "best friend" decided we no longer had much in common and cut ties without saying why. After a month of tears and emails over the rift, I saw this friend in a different light. A true friend would not have treated me so. I had served a purpose and no longer satisfied the friend's needs. This, after we had come through many trials, adventures and sorrows together! let go finally and got over the painful ending, as there is no other choice but to move on. Later, the friend said she did not recall unfriending me. She now acts like we are still friends. I still enjoy her company when I see her once a year, but know the friendship as it was is gone. I have made new friends and am open to making more true friends and to being a real friend to those around me.


I have new activities and hold new offices in the local organizations. These give me joy and satisfaction and provide opportunities for socializing, personal growth, and serving my community. I am glad to have these activities to help keep me busy and moving forward. There have been more changes, but I will leave off for now. The year is not over, so I plan to write more later.