When I first started writing this blog just over 12 months ago it was (or so I thought) an opportunity to share with the community and provide insights into what happens on our dairy farm and the diverse ways beyond the farm gate I use to share that story and advocate for the people and the places behind the food we eat .
Now as it turns out my readers are invariably much more interested in my agri-political commentary so these days my posts tend to be more about the challenges of farming and the supply chain that delivers the milk from my farm to your glass. That’s fine that’s what my readers want.
For me it has become a record of my life and the way I think and feel about a number of things. Its also an outlet and a hobby ( of which I have too few). Its cathartic. There are times when the web that strangles agriculture so frustrates me I want to scream so I sit down and I vent through my blog and I feel better and I can get on with life and and have a productive day. I love the feedback. Its like having a huge virtual support network to get you through the tough times
It has other advantages too. My father is an avid reader of my blog. As I am dreadful at keeping in touch with family and friends the blog helps make up for this flaw in my personality
I have been hassling my father for quite some time to write me some guest blog posts and share with my readers some insights into his life growing up on the dairy farm. Remember this is the man who constantly told me growing up “Lynne never learn to milk a cow” so obviously dairy farming wasn’t his idea of the ideal career pathway. I am not sure if he jinxed me but I did try once to milk cows and it was a disaster and I quickly learnt to stick at what I do best
Whilst I was in WA in November last year I took the opportunity to visit my father’s brother and his wife – the gorgeous Uncle Dave and Aunty Ros, In an effort to gain family solidarity in my drive to get my father blogging his family history I told my Aunt and Uncle of my plan and how I thought it would help greatly if we had some photos
I was very excited when Uncle Dave and Aunty Ros said they believe they have some photos going back to when my dad was just a youngster in boxes in their garage (mine are in boxes in my roof – that goodness for the new digital age) and they are unearthing them for me and then we can see if these ‘blasts from the past’ give my father the necessary inspiration
What they have unearthed to date is this
That’s me on the left with Uncle Dave on his wedding day. My cousin and I were flower girls. I was thrilled to see I was even a fashion icon way back then with pink glasses to match the pink flower girl dress.
BTW Dad you are on notice – its time to start tapping on that iPad
Look at you!!! Yes it’s interesting how what we write changes over time, how that is shaped by our ‘audience’ and what we choose to reveal of ourselves (or not). Hope your Dad jots some things down for you 🙂
Thanks Heather I have always been a person who shoots from the hip and often regretted it later. I find writing the blog makes me think about what I am saying and what is really important. I also know lots of wonderful inspirational people who have great stories to tell and my blog gives them an importunity to share part of them and the differences they have made and hopefully they too can impact postiivley on other people’s lives