Settling In

When I set out to blog about the experience of picking up at 38 years old and trekking off to Arkansas, after having had firmly planted roots in soil rich with Padgett, Emerson, Tillett, Phillippe, Crawford and Peek legacies, it was to primarily catch those family members and friends up with one nice, quick blurb, like a Christmas form letter we all love to get.   I don’t want to put words in Daniel’s mouth for sure, but after many thought provoking conversations in the hot tub at Eureka Springs, I feel fairly confident we are on the same page and many of the sentiments expressed in my letters are thoughts he also sends home.  He and I have looked at our move from every angle; and wonder how long we will continue to scrutinize until it just becomes our reality.  The new is wearing off with each box unpacked, each school drop off and each meter that is read to change services to our name.  Things that we are learning are not just in this new community, but in this very house... new light switches that don’t turn on anything, where the knobs need to be for warm water, not scalding; the quickest path to Maddie’s room which is on the opposite end of the house, how to open that stubborn bathroom door that needs almost a complete 360 degree turn to get out.  I think we have all thought we were trapped in the bathroom at least once since we’ve been here. Things we are pondering are where to put the endless array of plastic containers, which way to arrange the living room and how does that thermostat work because I am always freezing.  Learning to use natural gas, having garbage and recycle pick up and seeing a grocery store out the kitchen window (I may never be out of that vital ingredient again) are taking some getting used to.  After years of mudune, routine and merely scrapping by to exist, these little things are breathing new life back into old souls.

We continue to think most often about the absurdity of leaving everything we know and love, his farm, our home and our family.  I have always had an itch to go somewhere and see more than the beloved Lincoln Co., Kentucky, fearing though that I would never have the courage to up and do it.  Daily life becomes habit and in my case, life seemed to get in the way of adventure and throwing caution to the wind.  Prayer and lots of faith have given me this chance and I am eager to see how this path unfolds. We think of this every day, but with a joyful heart and no regrets.  We are thankful for supportive family who realize that this decision wasn’t made lightly or without consequence to them.



The sign that welcomes you to Dan's parents farm, a place he never thought he'd be 700 miles away from for a long time.  This is and will always be "home" to Daniel.



In the past, Daniel has never really had a burning desire to leave Kings Mountain, KY, content with his 40 acres and mule.  He loves his farm more than the air he breathes and that will never change.  The only thing that changed was opportunity and geography.  This opportunity to grow and learn, to be part of something bigger than his own self was something that appealed to him.  I haven’t really gotten a clue exactly what he will be doing, but as a production supervisor, he will have the chance to oversee the folks on his line and make decisions for the good of the line.  He will be responsible his line’s production, that people are doing what the customer has wished and following guidelines by both the company and the USDA.  I could just imagine that things will likely become very stressful at times.  He always prides himself on being able to remove emotion from decisions that need to be made.  I am anxious to see how he handles the stress that will come in this new position.  His training and orientation in the plant ends on Friday and he jumps into the fire on Monday. Soon he will have to go to a “boot camp” for new supervisors, to learn even more about the company, the regulations, and the products I guess.  It’s rumored to be an intense process that is intended to weed out folks that aren’t up to the bar.  Bless this job, bless the folks he will work with and bless Daniel. 

We also continue to brood over coming to a town that by its own people’s admission is considered “clannish”.  Being the outsider has certainly made me consider how I would treat others at home.  Having worked in a nearby place at home that I would consider clannish, that nearly outlaws anyone who doesn’t have a long legacy within those county walls, I feel like I can recognize the uncomfortable feeling strangers get when they don’t recognize us.  For instance, the library.  I was there daily for nearly two weeks and I am confident that I didn’t wear a cloak of invisibility from the Harry Potter books.  Not only did they not make eye contact, they absolutely refused to look in my direction.  Please bare in mind that this isn’t the architectural wonder that is the Lincoln Co. Public Library.  This entire library is one small room – with four, maybe five long stacks, a small children’s section and a few computers.  I am guessing this library would fit in the room that Lincoln Co. has it’s book sale.  Now, after three weeks and Daniel stopping the director in a gas station to beg for a library card (because we had nothing with an address on it), one lady did manage to say “OK” the other day when I said “Have a nice day.” 

I am imploring folks back at home (or anywhere) to smile at a stranger, someone new in town or maybe someone you just don’t know – don’t give off the attitude that we are clannish, it’s tacky and rude-I’m sure not what anyone wants.  And it doesn’t cost you a dime or very much of your time to just acknowledge someone.

Don’t get me wrong – the town isn’t 100% like this.  We have met folks that have been great, kind and warm.  Most of the time when they realize we have moved from Kentucky, their response is “with Tyson’s”.  (And they seem to add an ‘s on there… like Kroger’s)  I took Annabelle to Harrison, about 30 miles away and a little like Danville – maybe?, to an urgent care because she had upper respiratory crud going on – the dr. there asked if we had moved to AR for Fed Ex.  Apparently big Fed Ex in Harrison – so, there’s another reason to move here.  Of the home towners we have crossed paths with-salt of the earth people.  A friend of Daniel’s from work showed up Saturday afternoon with a big ol’ delicious pan of brownies, said “just thought you all might be needing a snack”, after a long day of moving in.  We have also had the pleasure of meeting the pastor and youth pastor of the church we will be going to on Wednesday night, Freeman Heights Baptist, just about 2 blocks from our house.  Daniel has several friends at work who go there and just seems like a very nice place to be.  I made sure I asked Bro. Alan where we should sit – fearing taking the seat of someone who has homesteaded a certain pew.  I have not “met” her yet, but another friend of Daniel’s also goes to church there, too and we have befriended one another on fb.  God has a plan for us – we just feel it.

A friend recently asked me why he wanted to work some place like this, when he went to school for agriculture.  Daniel has always appreciated a philosophy of a more narrow, sustainable idea of agriculture, but he has the foresight to understand the importance of global food production.   Daniel is learning so much, more than he could have imagined and has a real pride in the finished product.  He looks pretty snazzy in his khaki too by the way.

So, I couldn’t wait to write something this morning when I finally got my old favorite computer ever unpacked and plugged in.  I’m sitting here by this giant window looking out over the Berryville Community Center near by back yard and see the mountains in the distance – not sure how many miles they are from here, maybe 10.  Still cannot believe that it’s a sight I am seeing on a daily basis. 

Blessed.

P.S.  Still trying to hear what others have to say - share in the comment section below about a time that you were kind to a stanger or better yet when a stranger did a random act of kindness for you.  Make it an inspiration to us all - and if you don't have one to share - then tomorrow... make that your goal... Go out of your way for someone and then come back and tell us about it tomorrow!  Good night friends, good night family ...