Celebrating Mothers

Here’s a cheer to all the mothers out there as we celebrate Mother’s Day this week!
Farming is a lifestyle filled with mothers—cows have their calves, ewes have their lambs, sows have their piglets, hens have their chicks. Springtime is busy with motherhood and midwifery for the farmer. Right now I’m tending to turkey eggs in the incubator, which will be hatching later this month, and 180 little peeping chicks arrive this week.
My mom served as a real catalyst for Kara and I to be able to follow our dreams and passions here in the Northwoods, integrating our homeschool studies into the living laboratory of the old homestead her folks owned. Through the journey of becoming, not only was the farm revitalized but we both learned and grew so much through the process—self actualizing into creative and empowered adults, ready to make a difference in the community.
Last spring, I started songwriting again. One of the songs (a waltz) that arrived for me to write down (as quickly as possible because inspiration doesn’t wait around for you to catch up) was especially for her. What a special moment it was to sing it for her during our Locally Grown Summer Music Series on a Saturday evening with Farmstead filled with friends and neighbors.
Take Care of the Being
She’s a doctor, she’s a farmer
She’s an entrepreneur,
She has a purpose, and a vision,
And such hope.
She is always there
With such heart and hand,
She’s my mother.
In the dark times, in the bright times
In the sickness and doubt,
When I thought that I was drowning,
She’s the rock that pulled me out.
She’s just amazing.

And I ask how do you do it, how do you do it all?
And I ask how do you do it how do you do it all?
And she reaches out her hand, and she says:
Take care of the being and the doing it takes care of itself.
Take care of the being and the doing it takes care of itself.
She can outwork us all
With the grace of a saint,
And she is fierce in the face of
Oppression and hate.
She knows what is right,
Not just what evens the score.
And she can always remember what I
Forgot the day before.
She’s so amazing.
And I ask how do you do it, how do you do it all?
And I ask how do you do it how do you do it all?
And she reaches out her hand, and she says:
Take care of the being and the doing it takes care of itself.
Take care of the being and the doing it takes care of itself.
From birthing a lamb
To making the jam
To helping someone who just doesn’t understand.
And they ask how do you do it, how do you do it all?
And they ask how do you do it how do you do it all?
And she reaches out her hand, and she says:
Take care of the being and the doing it takes care of itself.
Take care of the being and the doing it takes care of itself.
If you want to know the meaning of integrity
All you have to do it witness her personality.
She’s a doctor, she’s a farmer,
She’s an entrepreneur.
She has a purpose, and a vision
And such hope.
Mom you’re amazing.
And we ask how do you do it, how do you do it all?
And we ask how do you do it how do you do it all?
And she reaches out her hand, and she says:
Take care of the being and the doing it takes care of itself.
Take care of the being and the doing it takes care of itself.

I hope for you a beautiful Mother’s Day, surrounded by friends and family. If you’re still looking for somewhere special to celebrate, here’s an option from our farm.
Have you made your Reservation for Mother’s Day?
Taking Mom to Farmstead has become a real tradition, and Chef Kara is planning a host of culinary delights for the occasion. A special feature will be our “Bismark Sunday” theme, where puffy, crispy-edged crepes are baked in a super hot oven and filled with your choice of sweet or savory deliciousness fresh off the farm. Special desserts are also in the plans. Many years, Mother’s Day Weekend marks the return of the hummingbirds, so we’ll be watching for them too! Will we be watching for you? Please call or email to make your reservation. See you down on the farm.