Tag Archives: rurallife

October…

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“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.

It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it?

—L.M. Montgomery (from Anne of Green Gables)

A herd of cows grazing in a grassy field with a backdrop of vibrant autumn foliage and a mountain in the distance.
A classic red convertible parked in a scenic area featuring vibrant autumn trees under a clear blue sky.
Handwritten words on paper pieces: 'wind', 'HOLDS(S)', 'geography' on a textured, light-colored background.
View of a blurred tree and landscape through a rain-streaked window.
A grassy field with clusters of green plants and yellow flowers, under a colorful sunrise sky.
A field with green grass and yellow flowering plants under a blue sky.
A stone statue of an angel embracing a child surrounded by colorful flowers in a garden under a clear blue sky.
A brown dog sleeping on the wooden floor in a cozy boutique, surrounded by various items like fabrics, glassware, and baskets.
Scenic view of a calm lake reflecting the colorful sky at sunset, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
A group of three cattle standing in a grassy field behind a barbed wire fence, with a hazy background.
A red barn and white farmhouse sit on a green farm with rolling hills and blue sky filled with clouds in the background.
A field of wildflowers featuring bright yellow blooms against a grey sky, with sparse vegetation and dried grass in the foreground.
Silhouette of trees and a calm river at sunrise, with mist rising over the water and warm orange hues in the sky.
A deer standing in a grassy field next to a line of trees during sunset.
Aerial view of the horizon during sunset, showcasing a gradient of orange and blue skies with a landscape below featuring land and water.

Thank you to all of my friends and family who made my 60th birthday incredibly fun, meaningful, and memorable. Watch out world, FIRE HORSE WOMEN are being unbridled this year.

A celebratory table setting featuring a gold '60 & Fabulous' sash, a Modern Witch Tarot deck, various nostalgic photographs, and colorful postcards, indicative of a 60th birthday celebration.
A round chocolate cake with the words 'Libra Witches Never Age' written on top, surrounded by a decorative icing border. In the background, a glass and part of two people's arms are visible.
Handwritten labels on a white tablecloth featuring the words 'balanced', 'oysters', 'champagne', and 'wisdom', next to a plate of apple-topped toast.
Close-up of feet submerged in bubbles in a bathtub, with light pink nail polish on the toes.

A “Curse” That Changed Demographics by Angela Chan-Danisi

In East Asian astrology, a “Fire Horse” year is said to produce women of extraordinary spirit—brilliant, independent, and unafraid to defy convention. Yet this same astrological sign is often viewed with suspicion, its energy seen as too intense or disruptive. This paradox, known as the “Fire Horse Effect,” still echoes today: powerful women are frequently celebrated for their ambition and drive, but just as often criticized for being “too much.”
In 1966, Japan saw a notable drop in births, which has been linked to the belief that women born in the Year of the Fire Horse would bring bad luck to their marriages and families.
Neither the economy nor new policies caused this drop. It was driven by superstition.
For generations, people believed women born in the Year of the Fire Horse were too strong, independent, and too disruptive for traditional families.
What matters most is not the belief itself, but its impact. Even irrational cultural stories can be strong enough to change a country’s population trends.
This isn’t about astrology. It’s about how people behave as a society.
The Fire Horse superstition illustrated this pattern symbolically. When systems feel threatened, they look for someone to blame. https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelachan/2026/02/08/the-fire-horse-effect-why-powerful-women-are-still-labeled-too-much/

GIDDY UP

Upper Plains Gothic…

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I just returned from a two week trip to South Dakota attending a conference, visiting family, friends, and shooting loads of photos. I spent most of one week sorting through my grandfather’s letters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and books. Under lamplight, in a quiet basement office, Grandpa guided my research from beyond yonder. This research led to many discoveries and even more questions.

My mind’s eye is somehow seeing everything torn, creased, faded, scratched, or yellowed. I saw my new photographs in the same way when I got home to Vermont.

Perhaps that’s why I find myself looking backward. The past has a clarity I can no longer see in the present. —Kristin Hannah/The Nightengale

A special thanks to everyone who made my trip so quite special.

Jo and Mark, there are far more photographs I want to share. Your dedication to Herrick’s history is inspiring, and the dance hall is gorgeous. When you offer memberships, please let me know.