A Blue Star Life: Living in Step
About the book:
My husband Carl and I reclaimed 170 acres and built our dream haven in the rolling hills and valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There was much work to be done: tilling up buried trash and concrete, designing paths and roads, dredging the ponds, finding vets and farriers and horses, learning to adapt to the temperate rainforest climate. Our citified ways did not count for much when a hurricane was on the way or the frigid temperatures froze the horses’ drinking troughs. We developed a whole new routine for keeping an eye on the sky as well as a great respect for weather, wild animals, and culverts.
And along the way, we changed somehow. We were happier, despite the challenges. We became enamored of evenings at the stone hearth and slow walks through the leaves.
This book is a collection of photos that honor our journey of self-discovery, our love of the horses and forests and wetlands, and our commitment to living life in step with nature. Turn the pages and feel yourself walking through time and space to a place sustained by what is old and true and good.
Why I wrote it:
There is something about being in alignment with the seasons and natural rhythms of this land – it soothes the soul. I just wanted to share it with you.
Excerpt:
Read MoreWhen we found this land, it was a parcel of 80 acres that had only a gravel road, no fencing, no plumbing, and an old, tumble-down barn that once briefly housed llamas. Over time, Carl acquired another 100 acres that bordered our acreage from a variety of locals who got word that some fool out-of-towner was buying up forgotten acreage. (We maybe got a good deal on the first purchase, but not on the later ones….).