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Trying Something New

8/24/2017

6 Comments

 
This summer I joined with FarmHer Leah, a  school-based occupational therapist, FarmHer Dawn and FarmHer Kate, both paraprofessionals, and Cowgirl Kat, our riding instructor,  to create  a new kind of camp:
"My Senses and Me, On the Farm"  Integrated Farm Camp
Our integrated farm experience aims to help children develop and improve their social-emotional skills, independent living skills, and sensory regulation skills by learning through a sensory-rich environment where kids can experience the sights, sounds, smells, feel, and work of farm life! Children will be able to explore the many wonders of farm life. Whether taking care of the animals by engaging in heavy work opportunities, exploring the garden to make a healthy snack, climbing the hay bales or swinging on the tire swing in the play barn, children will learn responsibility for other living things and work on engaging with others  or trying something new for the first time.

It's hard for me to put into words how much I enjoyed this experience. FarmHer Dawn captured the mood  and the details in her latest blog post so settle in and enjoy.

~FarmHer Rosemary


I pull up in my golden chariot of transportation and there it is, the usual welcome sign with a message that is written in chalk and in a pretty personalized style — Welcome to Laughing Buck Farm. My heart beats a little faster with anticipation. Mind you, I’ve driven by this sign for years, though today, I see it through the eyes of a new visitor. I ::pause:: then drive through to enter between the two tall wooden poles that are like giant arms opening wide to greet me. “Come in, it’s all inside. We can’t wait to see you.” Did I just hear that whisper in my ear? Was it a message that this magical farm just sent to my heart? Hmm, that was interesting. I smile. It’s starting.
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I exit my chariot and place my foot upon the dirt parking lot. Dust swirls around my feet like a magical spell that was just bequeathed onto me from the earth and I hear a bird trill with delight above in the tree. I look up. I can’t see it. It sings to me again. I feel as if it’s saying, “You don’t have to see me. You know I’m here. I’m glad you are here. Listen. Close your eyes. Now, do it. Breathe it in.” I do and yes, I’m here. I’m transported into the fairytale land of make believe, right in my own little Ft. Collins town and in my best friend’s driveway! Yes, even for grown ups, imagination is real and a healthy escape from reality sometimes. Wait, this IS reality. It’s another element of living, of existing in life that can sometimes be overwhelming — that element of daily living that can at times feel too chaotic and fast. We can feel like we’re being pulled apart by all of the pressures of what or who is needing us in every moment, like pieces of a puzzle that are spread all over the place. It doesn’t matter whether we are adults or children, we need places and tools that we can go to when we need to gain a sense of equilibrium, a place of calm, a feeling of wholeness.
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Segue into why I have arrived at the farm on this day. To personally welcome 8 inquisitive and charming children to the 2-Day Integrated Farm Camp for Senses. Together, with four teachers (Farmher Rosemary, Farmher Leah, Farmher Kate and myself Farmher Dawn) we created a class of enrichment by teaching through experiential learning that we can use our senses as tools to assist us to connect to our emotions, to others and within our environments to help guide us.
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The days of discovery begin with us gathering. To gather: ‘to infer; understand. to collect. to come together.’ This is a common theme on the farm, in our community. We teach it to children, to visitors and those of us who have been here, who are inhabitants of this village, we know it. And yes, the kids have become members of this village because all who enter are united. We share the rules of safety, boundaries and respect because the animals, the land, the farm and each of us are important. We matter. All of it matters. Stop and listen. Stop and feel it. Stop and look at it. Stop and remember. Close your eyes. What are you experiencing? Breathe in slowly and breath out. We share our flexible plan of enrichment for the day and we begin. Let the discoveries of learning and paying attention to our surroundings, begin.
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Try to guess through these sensory inquiries and exclamations where the children were and what they were experiencing!:

    •    “Ew, the mud is thick.” “It makes a slurping and sloshing sound.” “What’s that smell?” “They eat THAT? Why?” “I can help you with that.”
    •    “They’re so soft.” “Awe, it sounds like she’s purring.” “Can I go under there?” “Will she be okay with me doing that?” “Ooo, look, their different colors!” “They feel smooth and warm.” “I’ll be gentle and walk slow.” “Why is that branch off of the ground like that?” “Does that hurt them?” “How long does it take?” “I think they are decedents from the dinosaurs. I’ll tell you why.”
    •    “It sounds like she’s laughing.” “This poop looks different than the other poop.” “Why is he so small but he has a beard?” “Why is she pushing her head on my leg?” “They play like we do!”
    •    “I think I can do it.” “Look how high I am!” “My nose itches.” “That rectangle of hay looks different than that one.” “I was afraid to do that but I really wanted to learn how to do it, so I kept practicing like you said and guess what — I did it!” “Excuse me. Could you move please? I don’t want to accidently run into you.” “I’m trying to be patient.”
    •    “This smells like lemon!” “What’s that sound?! There’s something in the bushes. I see it moving! OH, it’s just Violet.” “Why are these red and those are green?” “Mmm, these are sweet!” “I’m nervous about what’s flying around me.” “This feels soft.” “This tastes like my chewing gum!” “I’m hungry. Can I eat this?” “Look! There’s a white butterfly on your shoulder. Don’t move.” “I’m itching. Really? If I squish that and rub it on my leg it will feel better?” “I’ll step over so that I don’t crush it.” “Hey, my leg doesn’t itch anymore!”
    •    “They’re SO BIG!” “Awe, he just kissed my arm.” “His nose feels like velvet.” “Her eyes look kind.” “Why did his ears go back?” “She is trying to be patient.” “He’s greedy.” “I like the way their feet sound on the dirt!” “Why do they swish their tails so much?” “Holding onto this makes me feel strong and safe.”

This camp was such a delight for everyone, the big and the little! All of us were in a state of exploration of ourselves, the land and our mini tribe. We gathered, we meandered and we wandered in wonderment…together. There was a plethora of action ~ Reflection, Chores, Sharing, Teamwork and FUN!

This is the magic of LBF. I was here, they were here and please, you too — come here. This is our place of calm. Our place of equilibrium. Our place of wholeness.

If you are interested in finding a place to create something special for a group of your own to experience please don’t hesitate to call the Jedel-Graff family at Laughing Buck Farm. They would love to hear what you have to say and hope to fulfill a little wish of yours to explore too.

Soak it up and Breathe it in,
~ Dawn Renée
www.sassafraselements.com

Dawn Renée Markley-Webster writes about the savory and sweet spices of life by finding beauty amidst the chaos of our world. She's a visionary of Possibility. Seeing challenges as opportunities to discover strengths, she seeks resources for turning yearnings into realities. Dawn is a soul whisperer who engages in listening to the voices of our hearts, encouraging us to nourish our souls with enriching bites of whatever makes us sigh blissfully or squeal with excitement. Reclaim what brings you contentment. A mother of 3 whose passions run deep for community, cooking, culture, teaching and rhythm making. You can follow along in her meanderings, where she dwells and within her own abode by going to:
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www.sassafraselements.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sassafraselements/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassafraselements/
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/sassafraselements/
6 Comments

Saying Goodbye

8/15/2017

2 Comments

 
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When you've had a farm for ten years, it's inevitable that you'll lose some very special animals over time. In the last six months, we've lost two horses,  our sweet dairy goat, and more than one favorite chicken.  It's not easy to share publicly, maybe because my heart hurts so much... and also because I know it breaks the hearts of the kids who love these critters like their own.  As a farm community we have honored them, buried some on the property, and just last weekend had a tribute and balloon release for Clifford, the big red horse.  We miss our horses, Magic and Clifford, every day. AND, we have had some horses gifted  and loaned to the farm (welcome, Isaac and Jorgen!) and that is the beautiful silver lining.  Our dear goat, April, passed away and we miss her feisty character and delicious milk.  AND, she gave us sweet kids this Spring (we love Blossom and little May) so we will continue to love on them as they fill their mama's shoes.   It  really means a lot to me that our guest blogger, Dawn Renee, wrote up this  latest post about our loved ones lost.  Thank you, Dawn.   ~ FArmHer Rosemary

Salutations, heel kickers and critter lovers ~

Laughing Buck Farm’s atmosphere is a vision of rolling hills with pastures that are filled with the sweetest scents of wildflowers in the form of community, both human and animal. It has its peaks and valleys of daily chores, thunderstorms and sunshine. Life has so many bountiful pleasures of the heart for us to imbibe on, to soak up and refresh us. It also gives us moments in time that leave us wondering, grieving and feeling the deep sense of loss.

One of the most exhilarating sights and sounds at LBF is the thunderous beat of the horses’ hooves as they gallop together with their gorgeous flowing mane flouncing in the wind. Their wild presence reminds us of scenes from old westerns where cowboys used them to rustle up their cattle, sheriff’s rode them into town to warn the town folk of danger and families used them to transport their worldly goods across barren land to create a settlement. We’ve read about gladiators, princes and soldiers riding majestically into war driven territory. Horses have a softness to them, as well. Their muzzles are a velvet kiss upon your hand and their gentle eyes gaze at you with such a vulnerable tenderness to ease your loneliness as if they can see through your soul. These loyal creatures have been serving us since the beginning of time.



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Another joyous sound on the farm is the bleating comical call of the goats! These whimsical 4-legged garden gnomes-of-fun bring us so much laughter with their yodeling and their never ending energy. You can’t help but imitate them when you hear it as you throat sing back to them to let them know that you are near and on your way to visit! April, she was the mama of many and she was such a sweetheart brimming with patience and love for all. She endured a plethora of hugs, kids and milking! She nurtured and nourished us with the gift of her presence, with those beautiful eyes and the rich milk that was used to lavish our bodies with the scented soap that was made from it. We will miss her so…
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We have experienced numerous losses of critters, presently and in the past. All of them grand in the vast emotions of owning a farm and livery stable. The Jedell-Graff family has endured each one of them with such an eloquent respect for the animals and honor each of their individual personalities with grace, with gratitude for the life that was shared. The farm community’s hearts are always hit hard by the death of one of our furry friends. The memories of these sweet beings brings us not only tears but smiles, stories about our experiences and the existence that we have shared together = the bond between human & animal.

Through the sadness, comes joy. Just like a rainbow that shines above after a thunderstorm bringing us hope of another day, another moment of beauty, there are new animals that arrive with their own special spirit of communing with the farm to frolic amidst the garden of happiness that this place exudes and feeds us all.

Let’s remember the service and the companionship that Magic, Lone Star, Clifford and April gave to us while welcoming with love our newest equine buddies — Jorgen, Isaac & Nina.


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Love and healing regards,
~ Dawn Renée
www.sassafraselements.com


So many good memories with Magic, Clifford and April

Dawn Renée Markley-Webster writes about the savory and sweet spices of life by finding beauty amidst the chaos of our world. She's a visionary of Possibility. Seeing challenges as opportunities to discover strengths, she seeks resources for turning yearnings into realities. Dawn is a soul whisperer who engages in listening to the voices of our hearts, encouraging us to nourish our souls with enriching bites of whatever makes us sigh blissfully or squeal with excitement. Reclaim what brings you contentment. A mother of 3 who's passions run deep for community, cooking, culture, teaching and rhythm making. You can follow along in her meanderings, where she dwells and within her own abode by going to:
Picture

www.sassafraselements.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sassafraselements/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassafraselements/
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/sassafraselements/

2 Comments

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    You might find news of staff and critters,  tasty recipes, outdoor teaching tips, cool quotes, gardening ideas, and  a window into life here at Laughing Buck Farm.   ~FarmHer Rosemary

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