Bear. And his jeans.

There is something that a homestead must have.  It's unavoidable.


I know what you're thinking.  Manure.  Right?  Homesteads have animals and therefore, manure is mandatory.


Well, yes, that is true.  But you know what else a homestead must have?


Family.  It's all about the family.  A homestead is centered around history and traditions.  The past is made new again as generations carry on, one after the other.  Grandmas teach their granddaughters to make pie crust.  Mothers teach their daughters how to can peaches.  Fathers teach their sons how to make beer (Got ya with that one, didn't I?)  Family adds a richness to life that is immeasurable.

Think vintage.  Think rustic.  Think old in the most beautiful way.  A homestead gets better as time passes through generations.  Like a fine wine...


Fifty percent of my history started right here in this old photograph:
 

Bwah ha ha.  Isn't that awesome?  Oh ya.  That's my Dad.  "Bear" as I affectionately call him.  Look at them short, chunky legs!

My Dad is the youngest of five, devilishly handsome boys.
Dave, Tim, Jerry, Joel....and Shawn.
Our family's history is local.  All born and raise in a 10 mile radius of where I am sitting right now.  And we're all still here.  

I love my Grandma is this photo.  She looks like a real lady!  Why doesn't our generation where hats like this anymore?  I would totally rock a hat like this to church.  Satin.  Lace.  Fake flowers.  Fake birds.  Feathers.  Jewels.  Like a real debutant, I would flaunt a glorious, flamboyant hat all around town.  And I just may.  Can we start a hat club, church ladies?

This look remind me of my nephew, Kyson.  Sly.  Sneaky.  You're not quite sure whether to trust him or whether he just tried to flush a frog down the toilet.  Usually, with Kyson, it's the frog.  And something tells me if my Grandma were still alive, she would say the same thing about little Shawn.

My soul feels happy when I look at this photo.  You know how much effort probably went in to getting all them boys clean and dressed up?  Look at those jackets; talk about stylin'.  The photo looks soooooo old.  My Dad is soooooo old.  Ha.  I joke.  It just makes me happy because it has history.  Family history.  It's beautiful.  ]

My poor Grandma.  My blessed Grandma.  Five boys.  I think her eyes are closed in this picture because she is trying to catch some sleep while she can.  It's a full time job, ya know, saving frogs out of toilets and such.  Please note my Grandpa's flat-top.  Just a little something to brighten your day.

Who looks like the ring leader in this photo?  Could it be that Shawn LeRoy?  Troublemaker.  Stickin' bugs down the little girls' dresses.  Important note:  Notice the girl's glasses?  On the far right hand side?  I shall wear these with my glorious hat.  That'll be the icing on the cake.

Get ready for it, get ready for it....I'm warning you.....

I don't even know what to say about this.  As I type, my belly is jiggling with laughter.  The jeans, the jacket, the car, the bangs, the American flag flat hat, the grease covered hands and face.  Apparently, my homestead is built on 70's pop culture.  Isn't that homey and romantic?

Let's honor our history today and be thankful for the soil that we were raised on; the lessons we have learned and the next generation that we have to look forward to raising.  Let's teach them to homestead.  Let's teach them what our grandparents and parents taught us.  Let's carry on the traditions that our families have been grateful enough to share with us.  Thank you, Bear.  Dad.  Father.  For sharing your history with me.  For giving me 50% of my genetic makeup. 

And for rockin' those jeans.  That made my day.