Rural Reflections #10

February 24, 2019February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 2 Comments

Drought is draining us all on the land. Farming has temporarily become a burden rather than a passion. Our physical ability is feeling strained to keep up with the on-farm tasks and everyday feeding of livestock and carting water for their basic needs. The financial burden and commitment to pay interest on the increasing debt, upgrading water infrastructure, medical costs and general living expenses has become overwhelming. The mental anguish torments us within… wondering how we will pay that next feed bill without any income… wondering how we keep strong for our families sake… and still remain sane enough to feel grateful when the community empathises in support with us all.

I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed this morning and finding a way to clear my mind to appreciate farming life once again. Most probably due to the fact that we are out of tank water again. Why does that always happen on a weekend and at night-time just when you need a shower? Getting ready to wash up last night… and then it hits me… I really fall apart when we have no running water.

I am horrible for a moment… I unfairly speak harshly to my husband… why did he not check the tank a few days ago when I asked him. Then I feel guilty because it is not his fault that the water runs dry right at this very moment. He has so much to do every single day on the farm… tank water probably was furthest from his mind.

Fortunately, we pack up a few things and drive to my son’s place just so we can have a shower and brush our teeth last night. Lucky he is very close-by. It is frustrating when you run out of tank water on the farm. Short showers are the norm anyway and saving water in buckets as the shower water warms up, has become a habit… every drop is so very precious. No water to not only cleanse after a hard day’s work on the farm… no water to flush the toilet or wash our hands. We then revert to a few bottles of drinking water in the fridge… feeling almost wasteful to wash our hands and brush teeth this morning, with our clean drinking water.

Hoping another load of water is delivered very soon and trying to keep sane in the meantime. I am staying in the office today and avoiding anything outside. It will be good to catch up on some office work, when I get my head in the right space shortly. My poor husband will be left once again to feed and water the livestock by himself. He seems so much more resilient than me. He doesn’t freak out when we run out of water, unlike me being overcome with anxiety and worry.

So today I would like to share this photo with you… of what I will be avoiding today… the usual drought feeding ritual. As my husband sets out to feed up and satisfy these hungry cattle in an effort to keep future production on our property… these trusting animals calmly await his arrival.

Rural Reflection #10…

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This photo was actually taken in July 2018 when the calves were very young and the mothers struggle a little more to be able to lactate to meet their babies nutritional needs. Now, this calf has grown up into an 8-month-old calf weaned from its mother, facing life as a replacement heifer in our herd. A heifer is a young female cow that has not born a calf. She is a beautiful Hereford calf and her registered name is SWANVALE KERRY MAID P823. She will grow into a lovely cow one day, producing calves of her very own.

I really like this photo because of the bittersweet image it depicts. It shows drought feeding which has been an emotional and physically tiring journey, but of significant importance. But it also shows a beautifully-marked calf with inquisitive trusting eyes. I also like the little twig of hay protruding from her cute little mouth, quite casually, but looking almost staged.

Despite the stress and hardship farmers suffer in this drought, the reason we keep going is an underlying passion for farming and a commitment to secure the future of the Australian agricultural industry. It is the trust that the community holds in us all through their support, mateship and empathy… that gives us the strength to persist in a tough industry. So thank you Australia for your trust and support!

Take care, Karen.

“The support you receive from others throughout life is essential.

It is like the right amount of oxygen to keep the embers of a fire glowing.”

~ Alexander Bentley, Poet

Rural Reflections #9

February 18, 2019February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 1 Comment

Working dogs on farm are truly a valuable blessing and can replace the work of several men when it comes to moving livestock. We have 2 working dogs on our property… Rex and Ringer… and they are Australian Kelpies. Today I wanted to reflect on our dog “Rex”, as this week we spent some time at the Veterinarian so he was at the forefront of my mind. He had an abscess that developed above his eye and needed some attention and medication.

Australian working dogs are loyal, hardworking and very intelligent. When you have a well-trained working dog, stockwork is much calmer, controlled and more effective. Their ability often amazes me, with their natural stock sense, agility, alertness and brainpower. Our 2 dogs, are used for different purposes based on their unique skill and natural ability. We use Ringer out in the paddock when mustering sheep, where Rex is used in the stockyards, shearing shed and for loading sheep onto the truck.

Our dog Rex is a black and tan 7-year-old kelpie. We have owned Rex for over 4 years now and he never ceases to amaze me. Very few dogs can be controlled effectively by more than one master. But Rex is the one dog that we have owned, that not only my husband can use, but also my adult son and myself.

I don’t have a lot of stock sense myself, but when I have Rex in the sheep yards, we just work together and mostly he just knows what to do requiring very little instruction. I usually have to tell him to “come over” to the left to bring the sheep into the forcing yard and when he has enough sheep I just call him back to the yard, where he waits until he is needed. He always enjoys a pat after he knows he has done a “good job” and looks at me quite proudly. If he needs to “hop up” to encourage the sheep into the race for drafting or weighing, he does so when directed, without any fuss. Stock work just flows naturally when he is there to support me. I hate to imagine, the extra manpower that would be needed to do this if we did not have Rex.

So today, I share this photo with you, that was taken in April 2017 when green grass existed in the sheep yards. Sadly now, it is just brown dusty dirt and not much fun to work in. But back then, it was much more enjoyable at work.

I really like this photo because of Rex’s eyes. I love his intent gaze, an independent thinker waiting patiently until he is required. His ego is ready and he is waiting for his turn, for him to do his “thing”. This relaxed yet eager look, we see regularly. His aptitude just waiting to be displayed with competence. I really love his personality, his temperament, his attentive concentration and his determination to finish the job at hand.

Rural Reflection #9…

09 Rex the Kelpie - An Independent Thinker

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The Australian Kelpie is an active, skillful, supple and graceful dog that is capable of untiring work with a natural instinct to work livestock. Kelpies are a real Aussie icon that in appearance are athletic with muscular shoulders and a strong hindquarter. Working Kelpie’s are maintained in ‘working condition’ with a very trim, muscular physique without any unnecessary bulkiness.

Working Kelpies are hardworking and capable of working in blistering heat or freezing cold temperatures. They are tireless and can work over great distances. Their intelligence also brings a natural instinct and desire to work amongst livestock. The Kelpie is a very loyal breed and regarded as a ‘one man dog’. They have a natural willingness to comply with their master, so have a desire to work not only for themselves but for their boss.

A good Kelpie is very valuable and said to be worth many men. Their value is displayed in the stockyards and paddocks when gathering sheep, driving them to the yards and forcing them up ramps into sheds and trucks. The Kelpie is undoubtedly a very special breed of dog and a valuable farmhand.

We love our working dogs just like they are our family. Their value in our lives is appreciated greatly, and we are reminded of that each and every time we muster livestock.

So as we waited to visit the Veterinarian this week, I saw the trust and loyalty in Rex’s eyes. Without words, his eyes tell me… that he trusts us, as he waits quietly for a veterinarian to help him. The bond that a farmer has with his/her working dog is strong and the trust is apparent. His wound has started to heal nicely and he is still as active and keen as ever. Rex is a very special dog and irreplaceable, but one day as life progresses for us all, that will become a necessity.

Take care, Karen.

“If the kindest souls were rewarded with the longest lives,

dogs would outlive us all”

~ Author Unknown.

Rural Reflection #8

February 10, 2019February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 2 Comments

When all you seem to do is work, work, work… there comes a time when you just crave for a breather. A time to sit and reflect… to just appreciate your life and the wonderful people around you. With drought smothering us on the farm and that natural ability to thrive seems to diminish somewhat… alas… there is someone reaching out to you.

They are special compassionate people, friends or strangers, extending an arm to you, listening, thankfully distracting you from an overload of work tasks and allowing you into their own world of thoughts. It is then, that you truly appreciate the kindness and generosity in these extraordinary people.

That day was only yesterday for me. A friend that was once a stranger, and her family lifted our spirits… unbeknown to them… and what a powerful effect their presence had created. A family that moved to Tamworth from the Central Coast about 2 years ago, starting a new life in this beautiful northern region. I met this quiet woman a year ago through CWA meetings and our friendship developed. Interestingly, two women from two completely different backgrounds, from city and country, can form a connection and feel comfortable in discussions. Our husbands then met, both leading different work lives, yet conversation seemed so engaging and relaxed.

Yesterday, I was feeling a little overwhelmed, as tiredness took hold of me and I struggled to fully function in work mode. As farmers know, we do not have the luxury of work times… our work finishes when the job is done. We work 7 days a week and with drought now, those hours are extended with earlier starts and working until dark. We all pray for relief soon, rain to break this horrid drought.

So with work committments piling up and office jobs completed in priority order, I was feeling mentally exhausted. It was then that I receive a little message from my thoughtful friend, suggesting her family come for a visit. Honestly, my first reaction in my own mind was… I don’t really have time to socialise, I am so busy with things to get done, the house is a bit untidy, what food do I have in the fridge. Why do farmers automatically feel guilty when they stop to relax? I have no idea why, but I know now that it is more important than ever, that we do find a little time out and engage with other people.

Then, I took a breath from my anxiety… and yet it was then organised, on a spur of the moment whim. My friend, her husband and their 2 sons arrived early evening, with a few dinner supplies in hand. Her calm gentle nature somehow manages to relax me and I enjoy her normal and compelling conversation. The men all went to shift a mob of cows, giving us time to catch up and prepare dinner. The evening just worked out perfectly.

My beef roast had been cooking in the slow cooker, so we only needed to cook some vegetables to accompany the meal. I do find on the farm, my slow cooker is used a lot because I never know when I will get home, so at least we have some meat cooked for dinner to motivate me. And tonight it all worked out fine.

The men returned after moving the cows, with the hope of a storm in the hills behind them, but disappointingly it never made it’s way here. I felt relief for other farmers beyond those hills. Although we missed out, I was happy for the other farmers in the distance.

Today, I have been reflecting on the importance of friendships and allowing others to reach out to us and welcoming them into our unique world with open arms. So I am sharing this photo with you all, that was taken a year ago. It shows a track on the laneway of our property, that we use regularly when moving stock from the lower undulating hills to the valley out the back. I really like this photo for 2 reasons. The colours are enticing with cloudy blue sky above the dry landscape with a splashing of trees. And the windy track as it dips over the hill arouses the curiosity of the unknown destination within the image.

Rural Reflection #8…

08 A Windy Track Beneath a Cloudy Blue Sky

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Yesterday, it was this winding track that brought the men back for dinner. It made me think about not only the appreciation that we had for this visiting family in helping us, but the appreciation of the country and lifestyle that we were able to share with them. A rural industry that they are very unaccustomed to, yet keen to experience. An industry that we are passionate about… giving us the opportunity to share it with them.

Whilst the men enjoyed what the outdoors can offer, my friend and I enjoyed some open heartfelt conversation. I find it so amazing that although we are new friends, we can connect, enjoy the company and find support in one another. And our husbands in their own way, can do the same. My farmer husband with his tough exterior, deep down enjoys sharing his passion with these new friends and relishes in seeking some downtime and laughter. This visit meant so much to us, in a way that may be difficult to explain, but sincere gratitude expressed, especially at a time when farmers are so very sensitive and stressed.

Kindness does not cost anything and makes a big difference in the lives of those you touch. No act of kindness, regardless of how small… is ever wasted. Be kind to everybody that you meet, because everybody is fighting their own battles. Regardless of our differences, our background, our experiences, our stories… we are all interesting people in city and country… kindness is the key to uniting us and strengthens our soul.

Take care, Karen.

“No act of kindness is too small.

The gift of kindness may start as a small ripple

that over time can turn into a tidal wave

affecting the lives of many.”

~ Kevin Heath

Rural Reflections #7

February 3, 2019February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / Leave a comment

Something a little different today, as I travel for an appointment this weekend… I will be reflecting on a farming area in central-west NSW. I have snapped this photo, as we travel through Coolah NSW today. I am reminded of the Sir Ivan bushfire only 2 years ago in this area and the devastation that was thrust upon those many farmers and home-owners. A destructive blaze that destroyed their homes, businesses and livelihoods… yet their strong will and resilience have somehow seen them through.

The Sir Ivan bushfire started at the small rural locality of Leadville and burned about 55,000 hectares (136,000 acres) of land near Dunedoo, Cassilis and Coolah in February 2017. The blaze destroyed 35 homes, farm machinery and killed about 4,700 sheep and 500 cattle, which cost the region millions in damages. Tragically many of their dogs were also lost in the inferno.

Due to the enormous scale of this disaster, the charitable support and working volunteers from BlazeAid and the NSW Rural Fire Service… were a great savior bringing assistance and hope. I recall BlazeAid volunteers stepped in to help rebuild boundary fences and other farm structures that had been damaged or destroyed. BlazeAid volunteers worked in the area for many months, helping individual farmers, families and the local community. I remember the Country Women’s Association (CWA) members driving down from Tamworth to cook meals for the voluntary workers and farming community and to help lift their spirits.

Meanwhile, the Merriwa-Sir Ivan Bushfire Appeal were fund-raising to help the victims of the disastrous bushfire, by asking people to donate cattle or funds that could help purchase cattle. Through wider community support, 515 head of cattle were sold and the appeal had raised $835,000. This appeal was focused on rebuilding more internal fencing, sheds and water infrastructure, as a medium-term initiative.

Sadly these farmers haven’t had a chance at a full recovery, because they have gone straight from a catastrophic fire… into drought conditions. These producers need decent rain to allow pastures to make a comeback and the natural vegetation of trees and shrubs to possibly recover.

Today, I share with you this photo as a symbol of the strength and resilience of farmers. In a time when farmers were faced with a natural disaster… they found the strength to rebuild their lives and continue farming in the agricultural industry. In a devastating time, when “giving up” seemed the best option… they didn’t. Somehow they found that inner strength… to get up again and overcome the pain and loss incurred.

Rural Reflection #7…

07 Lucerne Flats to Arid Rocky Hills at Coolah NSW

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This photo shows a lucerne paddock in the foreground, struggling in drought somewhat, but recovered from the bushfire. It seems this region has been fortunate in receiving some of the recent storm rain, which has helped, but plenty more rain will be needed to break the drought and retain moisture in the soil for future crops.

The gentle hills behind, provide livestock with shelter, which has not properly recovered, even after 2 years since the devastating bushfire. The bony hills have had all the natural vegetation burned out and has not recovered at all. I like this photo because it shows the extreme variation of farmland, terrain and soil structure in Australia, which depicts the Australian rural landscape quite well… from the productive lucerne flats and undulating hills, up to the arid rocky outcrop. It also is a symbol of survival through adversity and optimism for the farming future.

I do find this natural diversity of land very interesting… with 51% of Australian land being used for agriculture and only 10% is arable or suitable for growing crops. Land use has a major effect on our food production, natural environment and communities. In Australia, food security is regarded very highly as high food safety standards are implemented. Factors that affect land management include climate change adaption, population and urban expansion.

It is not uncommon for rural families to be forced to travel some distance to other regional cities to see medical specialists. When we travel, we tend to choose a route for a rural deviation as a means to avoid traffic as well as take the opportunity to view other farming areas.

It is a farmers passion for the rural industry and in recognising the need to sustain the future food security of our country… that they find the inner strength to persist and endure the struggles. The hope for their future is also supported by many Australian communities through reputable charities, whether it was in recovering from the devastating bushfire or this horrid drought.

Take care, Karen.

“In the end,

some of your greatest pains

become your greatest strengths.”

~ Drew Barrymore

Rural Reflections #6

January 29, 2019February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 3 Comments

With Australia Day on the weekend, it has made me think about our history and appreciate the hard times that our ancestors had lived through. We are so lucky today to have the freedom, the technology and the many opportunistic events within our lives. As I reflect back and acknowledge our history, it gives me reason to celebrate my love for Australia, the land, the lifestyle, the democracy and the people.

From our indigenous heritage, to those who have come from all corners of the globe to call our country home, we are united within our dynamic nation, regardless of where our stories began and our cultural diversity. Aboriginal people had lived on this land, that we now call Australia, for more than 65,000 years. On 26th January 1788, eleven convict ships from Great Britain, arrived at Sydney Cove, marking the start of a new colony on this beautiful land. Every year, Australia Day is celebrated as a national holiday to reflect on what it means to be Australian.

Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have mixed feelings about this day, as some consider it to be a day of mourning or survival of their culture. As they were the traditional custodians of this land… respect, trust and positive relationships have been promoted through the Reconciliation process. Australia Day aspires to be a celebration of our nation, gives recognition to all of our history and unites us all as Australian people in our diverse nation.

Farming was important from the very first day that the ships arrived in Australia. Sheep were one of the first domesticated animals to be introduced into Australia at this time. Within 50 years of their arrival, sheep had become the main source of income for the Australian agricultural industry. Originally, sheep were not raised for meat, but for wool, and quite quickly the Australian export of sheep became more profitable than any country in the world.

Nowadays, Australia is the world’s number one producer of premium quality fine wool and is the largest producer of all wools by value and volume. The total wool produced in Australia is 324,900 tonnes greasy (shorn wool prior to treatment).

There are around 70 million sheep in Australia, producing an average of 4.6kg of wool per head. The value of wool produced in Australia averages AU$3 billion dollars, which reflects the continuing strong global demand for Australian wool.

So with the recognition of our history and thinking about sheep in Australia, I thought it would be appropriate to share this photo from our property. It shows the heritage-listed shearers’ quarters that was on our property when we purchased it. The photo was taken in April 2017 when green grass actually existed here.

Rural Reflection #6…

06 The Authentic Comforts of a Shearers' Quarters Heritage

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I like this photo because it represents the little comforts of long ago, providing shelter and warmth… and sadly probably not much more than that. It also depicts in my mind, the hard back-breaking work of the shearers’ resting before another long day’s work. These shearers’ quarters are no longer in use, but as we drive past it every day on the farm, I acknowledge the history of this rustic structure with original timber walls and the authentic culture that lies within.

We need to all acknowledge the history around us and recognise the impact within our lives. Historical events have happened, well out of our control… but we have the choice how we react to these events. Incidents in our past, mould our personality and behaviour. We have the control to make a difference in our lives and the world we live in. As an Australian, I choose to enjoy the freedom in our nation, accept the wrongs that have happened in the past, let go of negativity, work hard for an industry that I love and be the best person I can be. What do you choose?

Take care, Karen.

“We are not makers of history.

We are made by history.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr

Rural Reflections #5

January 21, 2019February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 1 Comment

Loyalty, trust, love and hope… is at the heart of why farmers bear the burden of drought year after year. Loyalty to our passion in life, our love for the agricultural industry and our love for our family. This is what motivates us to keep on going, implement our drought management plans and ensure our nation’s future food security.

We trust our agricultural industry to survive so we can continue to feed our great nation and the rest of the world. We hold hope for a better season as we face hardship and worry every single day. Farmers love what they do… they care for their livestock, they take pride in managing the land beneath them and they trust in what they are doing to help feed and clothe our nation.

Today I am sharing this photo with you, taken in November 2018, only 2 short months ago. Our land has suffered the effects of drought, as we had a very dry start to 2018, with the driest first half of a year on record. Our average annual rainfall is 673mm (26 inches), but in 2018 we only received about half of that… 369mm (14 inches), only 17mm more than the lowest annual rainfall on record.

In the month of November alone, we received 106mm (4 inches)… which had given us hope. Hope for a break in the dry season and hope for some relief for the land, the livestock and for us. Sadly it didn’t last for long, but nevertheless, there is light at the end of this tunnel… finally.

Rural Reflection #5…

05 Eager Hereford Breeders Follow With Excitement

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As in stock management, a new paddock awaits this mob of cows and this photo depicts their excitement as the movement takes place. A failed forage crop (on the left), planted in February last year, raises its head with the much-anticipated moisture. Following every big drought, now we have the threat of weeds, invading paddocks that were once pasture. But through on-farm management, weeds can be controlled, once some rainfall is received. And those clouds above us hold hope that rain may be coming.

As we drive in front of the cattle, calling them to a new paddock… the hot, dry and dusty conditions were not restraining them at all. I love this photo because it shows the natural quiet nature of Hereford cattle, the ease of stock movement and the trust that these beautiful breeders have in us. They trust us to provide them with feed to meet their nutritional requirements. They trust us to provide them with healthy clean water to drink. They trust us entirely, as they follow eagerly without apprehension, as they contemplate what paddock may await them next.

So even with the over-bearing drought effects and the long-term process to farm business recovery… our loyalty to these animals and our industry drives us every day. It is with the love of farming, that we do hold hope for a better season to fall upon us soon.

Take care, Karen.

“Loyalty is what makes us trust,

Trust is what makes us stay,

Staying is what makes us love,

and love is what gives us hope.”

~ Glenn van Dekken

Rural Reflections #4

January 13, 2019February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 4 Comments

Hope and memories exist somewhere within us all. This widespread drought has left farmers and rural communities battling every day… which is a reminder that we all need time to just stop and reflect.

Memories seem to find warmth from within us. Those memories of a time when a season was able to produce food and fibre, with only the usual effort on the farm. Farm production without the mental tribulations, physical exhaustion and financial debilitation. Time to enjoy life… time to spend with our families… time to feel content. A time we all yearn for once again.

This weekend I did stop, relax and reflect a little… a feeling and action that seemed so long lost. A reminder that time with our loved ones is essential for all… and time to take care of yourself. I needed to find this place… a moment where I could bring back hope. This hope… or feeling of desire… for our season to break, for the heavens to open and rain soak into our paddocks and fill our tanks and dams. For this rain to wash away our stress, our weariness and our pessimism. One day it will happen… we are one day closer to rain every day.

So today I would like to share this photo with you, to show that hope is only around the corner. This photo was taken in July 2017, at the end of a good Winter season, as sheep fatten for sale on the green grass. It also depicts a storm to the east over Tamworth NSW.

Rural Reflection #4…

04 A Distant Storm Overlooking the Sheep

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I showed this photo to my husband, and at first, he didn’t even recognise it to be our property. Sadly, the scenery now is paradoxical to back then. Now every day is a vision of thick dust and short dry vegetation sparsely consuming the paddocks… and more so have consumed our lives.

I really like this photo because of how it depicts the storm in the background yet the sun shining brightly on the sheep feeding on the green grass. It symbolises the intensity of how farming relies on storms and rain to continue our production effectively. It also illustrates diversity within rural areas, and only 20km away the weather can differ so dramatically.

We may not be able to control the weather and a farmer knows best as they gamble every day upon the odds. But we can have some form of control regarding how we respond to the drought, how we prepare for the drought and how we protect our families mental state in the meantime. In any industry and family situation it is important to retain our optimistic state of mind and take care of each other.

It is now more than ever, we need to focus on our memories of the good seasons on the farm. A time that will return to us once again. Hold on to hope, enjoy time with your family as you anticipate a better season soon and remember we will get through this… together.

Take care, Karen.

“The greater your storm,

the brighter your rainbow.”

~ Author Unknown

Rural Reflections #3

January 8, 2019February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 2 Comments

Where does your road lead you to? We all have a long and winding road within our lives. Our journey along this road… is what we make of it.

We need to appreciate the journey and not look for a final destination in our lives. Appreciate our loved ones that we share this road with. Appreciate the natural beauty all around us. And appreciate the heart and soul within us all.

After a busy weekend on the farm, family commitments and a bought of heat exhaustion… my reflection is a little late this time. The never-ending tasks on the farm and the workload 7 days a week, more so as a result of drought as time becomes a limiting factor… is tiring me. It has left me thinking about what is really important in our lives. Our family, our loved ones, those that our lives revolve around… these people are the ones we need to cherish and hold dearly.

I spent my Sunday mustering stock, early weaning calves, weighing stud cattle and organising some cows to sell to pay a few bills. The dry and dusty conditions and the heat makes it a very tiring day. The usual early start to beat the heat and finally a late dinner by 8:30pm. Then comes the paperwork and updating computer records to meet record-keeping requirements on-farm. I finished at 1:00am in the morning.

So then only 4 and a half hours sleep before Monday morning weighing lambs and sending the lambs off to market. The lack of sleep coupled with the heat, left me with heat exhaustion. By 4:30pm yesterday and the shock of vomiting, as weakness and vagueness set in, I gave in to the exhaustion and lay on down. I awoke in a daze over 2 hours later, confused somewhat but ready for dinner. No office work that evening at all. I made a dinner from leftovers in the fridge, showered and watched a nice movie on television. An enjoyable evening and one that has become a rarity. Relaxation has been lost this last year… and is greatly missed.

Today as my office work is piling up and I procrastinate as to where to start, I decide to write this blog first. My chance to unwind mentally and share a part of my life with you all. I reflected on the relevance of the photo I have chosen for today.

Rural Reflection #3…

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This photo shows the driveway to my property and my home near Tamworth NSW. It was taken in April 2017 in the Autumn, when the green aspect was the norm. I really like the dark green tree on the right for its facade and shape but I have no idea what sort of tree it actually is. Does anybody recognise what tree this may be?

I like this photo as it depicts a road well-travelled and a road that leads on home. It also reflects a better season than what is upon us right now and reminds me that one day the drought will be over and we will see this green scenery once again.

Sometimes life just gets too busy that we do not stop to appreciate the simple things in our life. I can look at this photo and know that whatever challenges I have to face… I still have a road that leads to home and a haven where I can also find my own inner peace and where my happiness now resides.

As my sons have grown up now and living their own lives independently, I also hope they see a road that leads them back home to us to appreciate their history and the roots of our family. I also hope that they find their own future happiness and be able to continue to return along this road… to where a loving family awaits their cherished visits.

One thing we must all understand… it is not the home and materialistic objects in our lives, that are of value. It is the people, our loved ones in our lives… that make our home a home. The road that we follow in our life, is one that we carve out. A road that leads us to our own true happiness.

Take care, Karen.

“Chase your dreams

but always know the road

that’ll lead you home again.”

~ Tim McGraw

Rural Reflections #2

December 30, 2018February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / Leave a comment

Babies in any form, always spark our interest. Who doesn’t love newborn baby calves? Today I will share another photo with you all, which reflects hope, something we all need right now.

With this horrid drought affecting farmers physically, emotionally and financially this year… we are always in need of finding joy in something every day. The calving season always delivers us hope and joy.

This photo was taken in July 2018, right in the middle of this dreadful drought. Not only farming to keep our stock alive but also at a production level, as we enter the calving season. Sadly calves are dropping into a hard dry desert-like environment, where optimism is thin and prospects contemplated. Nevertheless, these newborn calves always promise to bring us a smile.

Rural Reflection #2…

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I really love this photo because of the innocence portrayed with these cute baby calves. Our Hereford calves are naturally quiet which I adore. But I love the calmness they simulate by lazing around in the hay, sleeping soundly and the nonchalant yet curious glances they give you.

They just lay upon the hay innocently… the hay that we just fed out in the wretched drought, during the current daily feeding ritual. As we watch their mothers eating to nourish and gain energy, these babies rest peacefully, as if we just put the hay there for the sole purpose of softening the ground beneath them. How can one not fall in love with these beautiful tranquil animals?

The adoration we have for baby animals is the one positive motivation to keep us working so damn hard on the farm. The birth of life in a cycle, re-cements our vision and passion as farmers and reminds us as to why we accept farming challenges.

So my photo for today is reflecting that change is a part of life… we must appreciate the beauty around us and find this beauty amongst the darkness surrounding us. Drought may have a gut-wrenching hold on us farmers at the moment, but we will get through it. We just need to look around and be grateful for what we do have right now in our lives.

Take care, Karen.

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”

~ Martin Luther King Jr

Rural Reflections #1

December 17, 2018February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 4 Comments

My new WEEKLY FEATURE you can look forward to is “Rural Reflections”. This new feature is armed with an exclusive photo from my farming property. It will also be accompanied by an inspirational and uplifting message within.

I will publish “Rural Reflections” every week as a commitment to share my passion with you all and give a brief vision into my own life. My personal photos included in “Rural Reflections” will be subject to copyright.

I hope you enjoy following my new Weekly Feature giving you a small insight into farming life. I look forward to sharing my passion and hope to inspire you all in your own everyday life.

Rural Reflection #1…

image subject to copyright

This photo was taken in August 2017 when our property had green Winter feed. It was almost on dark, with the moon shining beautifully upon a pink sky and blue clouds.

I really like this photo with the gorgeous contrast of colours and the vastness it creates.

It was the perfect photo to choose for “Country Heart Spark” as it creates a sense of calmness and beauty. So I would like to introduce my new “Country Heart Spark” icon.

image subject to copyright

The underlying photo is a symbolisation of the “country” rural areas across our nation and also a part of my home property. The addition of the red “heart” represents the passion I have for the rural industry and within my life. The purple and pink markings signify the “spark” within me and the ability to share my inspiration through my writing. The glowing moon brings it all together and reminds us to look for the beauty within.

Take care, Karen.

“No beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart.”

~ Author Unknown