John & Abigail Adams, at each turn, humble.
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David McCullough wrote a Pulitzer prize winning biography of John.
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McCullough's book trumpets for the same treatment of Abigail. With her, I want to know every layer of her successful farm management. In minute detail. The same treatment given to Washington & Jefferson and their farms.
"On this day in 1776, the Second Continental
Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, and the United
States officially broke from the rule of England. The document was approved and
signed on July 2, and was formally adopted on July 4. John Adams always felt
that the Second of July was America's true birthday, and he refused to appear
at Fourth of July celebrations for the rest of his life in protest.", from The Writer's Almanac, listen to Garrison Keillor read this passage, here.
These flags, above, have moved from their tiny cottage garden I adored for 3 decades. Good change can hurt deeply, this grieving is from a new angle yet grief has not been unknown before, it will be managed.
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Joy in our new home/garden, profound. It was imperative I leave my garden on my own terms, and I did. More, I have a new garden needing me, as badly as I need it.
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Better, is having Beloved. Last night, late getting home after dinner, we had our inaugural ride in the golf cart by moonlight with wine. Destination, known, unspoken. Our pond, about 1/2 acre. A rough ride, Beloved still clearing invasives, we spilled as much wine as we drank.
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Eyes acclimated, moonlight crested its angle across the tops of the trees, and what felt too fast, finally a spotlight on all of the trees and water coated in duckweed & frogs, our chorus. Then, our chorus stopped, and the lake next door at the dairy farm blared its music. Made me laugh, learning a new language. Who knew there was a tempo to a pond & lake across acreage?
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Then the epiphany hit deep, and rich. We own this.
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My little cottage garden, and Beloved's garden, he sold his too, have been turned into a ca. 1900 American Farmhouse, 4.5 acres, open/wooded, pond.
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Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
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I staged both homes, and each sold within 24 hours of being listed on MLS. Another instance of good change being stressful. Who is ready for 2 homes selling so quick? Earlier this year I staged/shot/listed by owner on Zillow Beloved's cabin, it sold. Chose to use a realtor for our 2 homes for several reasons, and know it was the right choice. Realtor for our new home is equally amazing. Oh the horror stories I was told about realtors ! These 2 realtors will stay in my phone. They are now friends, and part of our lives.