It is exciting to be writing my very first journal entry for my brand new website!  It’s taken a village to get here, and I have many people to thank in the community of Parchment and Kalamazoo, Michigan who have wrapped their arms around my business and lifted me up in so many ways!  Special thanks to Zak Triplett, Media Specialist and good friend who has patiently worked with me to make sure that what is on the website reflects our philosophy and goals.  Great job Zak!  As I write more entries I will share more about other special people in my world who have helped me on this amazing trip.  

 

This journey started three years ago when I came across Lisa Mason Ziegler’s book The Cut Flower Handbook.  I have gardened for decades, but she shared tips and strategies I had never seen before that made me want to take things to the next level.  I “retired” from education in 2019 and have done a lot of things since:  interim principal, educational consultant, behavior specialist, painter, book club member, pickleball player and rock hound.  Nothing lit me up like the idea of taking the leap and being a flower farmer.  I’ll share more in future entries, but suffice to say that in just 3 short years I feel like I should have earned a PhD in horticulture, business, and many other disciplines. 

 

 I’ve read and learned enough about aging to know that if you want to live a rich and satisfying life after retirement it is important to have meaning and purpose in your life.  Flower farming does that for me in so many ways, as well as challenging me to learn new things, take risks, and WORK VERY HARD.  A while back I came across some longevity studies that rank ordered life span correlated with occupation.  Top of the list for longevity was farming (although considered one of the most dangerous occupations).  Guess what was at the bottom of the list: . . . school administrator–which I was for many years!  So I am hoping the farming in later life counterbalances the effects of the school administrator work.  

 

To wrap things up, I am looking forward to the late summer crops–especially Dahlias which I started early in a greenhouse.  That will have to be another journal entry of its own considering how those amazing blooms have become a big part of my life.  There is much to do as we swing into the fall season, which happens to be one of the busiest times for me with many events and weddings on the calendar.  I will be ready to slow down and take a little break when “Frostmas” comes, sometime in October!

 

Take care friends.  Make sure to do something that lights you up and gives you meaning and purpose, whatever that may be!

 

 - Nancy