Writing in the Mountains

I've never written a blog entry. I don't really know what blogs are. Confessions? Random thoughts?

Here's a thought that just came to mind: Most people might assume I will write blog entries about mothers and daughters, or farming, or country life. But I'm like most people, made up of other moments in life as well; those planned and not; some interesting and others irritating; all those moments that made me who I am as a person.

But alas! I grew up here on this farm in southwest Virginia. I am a farm girl! And in being a farm girl, I will most definitely be entering blogs on my life here on the farm.

Climbing trees, skinning knees, wading the creek, splattering through cow pies, and various other farm girl adventures made for wonderful memories as a young girl. But then I discovered another love. Dancing!

I started dancing at age three, trained at numerous dance schools across the country and abroad. I attended Virginia Intermont College, one of the finest ballet schools on the east coast as far as I'm concerned. I have been teaching ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, etc. for over 25 years now. I also teach ballroom, swing, and straight-up jitterbug!!!

Dancing ultimately led to leaving my small country life. I lived in urban and large cities across the country for several years before taking a giant leap and multiple planes to an eight year adventure in Barrow, Alaska; a.k.a. "Top of the World". ........about 4,500 miles from my farm in the mountains. After the deaths of my mother and grandparents, there was no one left here on the farm. And on thinking of it being just a part of my history, the farm called me back home.

I finally moved back in 2005. And it wasn't long until I found myself being that fun loving farm girl again. I love 4-wheelin' with my husband and daughter, gettin' mud on the tires, goin' to the cabin and target shootin'. But due to many years and adventures abroad, I also love to travel, enjoy a nice glass of merlot, listening to jazz, and collecting exotic treasures!

So there you have it...I don't have to prove that I'm a farm girl by wearing overalls, chewing on a piece of straw, and putting my hair up in pigtails. The truth of that matter is, no matter where I go or what I'm doing, I will ALWAYS have the farm in my heart and the urge to share my story with those who need to hear it most.

Ya wanna hear somethin' funny? I'm actually sitting here barefoot, in cut off jean shorts, and my hair in pigtails. Ha! I love this old farm.

Phew! I did it. Virgin Blogger No More.