I Cursed The Farm — a poem
Photography, Poetry | Posted by Jannie on 30 September 2010 @ 6:39 PM 51 Comments
I Cursed The Farm
and the 15 miles
that stretched
forever
between it
and my dreams
of gymnastics,
ballet,
and later on,
the teen parties
I thought I’d die without.
Now…
I thank the farm
for its sweet hay
on golden hills,
for potatoes,
tomatoes,
Dad,
Mom,
my daughter
and for everyone
who lives and loves
up there and everywhere.
That was a little story in 55 words for our FFF-55 host with the most — G-Man.
Let G-Man know you’ve posted a 55 and he will skippity-hop on over to you with a big smile and some awesome words.
And one more photo of the farm I so erroneously cursed long ago…
Posted with love by…
Jannie!
xoxoxo
(all photos from 2006)
On 30 September 2010 at 7:10 pm moondustwriter said,
Aww I love the smell of horses and hay. Didnt live on the farm long enough to hate it.
The sweetest pictures Jannie
Have a great weekend and thanks always for being you
On 30 September 2010 at 7:39 pm brian said,
nice. if my boys had their way we would live on a farm…i grew up on a hill…even had our own cemetary…nice 55.
mine is up!
.-= brian´s last blog ..my pen- my sword =-.
On 30 September 2010 at 7:49 pm Monkey Man said,
What a wonderful peek at the home you grew up in. Awesome 55 and what a beautiful farm.
My 55 is HERE .
.-= Monkey Man´s last blog ..Driving me crazy – 55 =-.
On 30 September 2010 at 8:06 pm Fireblossom said,
Horsies!
.-= Fireblossom´s last blog ..Pick Me Up At 8 And Dont Be Late! =-.
On 30 September 2010 at 8:06 pm Alice Audrey said,
So much awesomeness.
On 30 September 2010 at 8:55 pm Mama Zen said,
I lived this one, too, Jannie! Great 55!
.-= Mama Zen´s last blog ..Review- Queen Of Your Own Life =-.
On 30 September 2010 at 9:07 pm Thomma Lyn said,
What a delight, dear Jannie — both your pictures and your words. How well you convey that what we might spurn as kiddos is sometimes what we come to cherish as grownups.
I love, love, love your farm!
xoxoxo <3
.-= Thomma Lyn´s last blog ..Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes… =-.
On 30 September 2010 at 9:49 pm joanny said,
Just like Dorothy in OZ you are. Lovely heartfelt and tender poem… the photo’s are wonderful, so much love can be seen in them, the land, the food, the animals, children, parent(s) HOME SWEET HOME.
What is very revealing is many people when they go back after years away as an adult to their childhood place, — do not like it.
Cheers,
Joanny
thank you for the lovely comment, you are the sweetest.
On 30 September 2010 at 9:56 pm Jannie said,
Hi Moon! So you lived on a farm for a while. I did those 18 years, plus the 4 summers in college. I never knew what I had back then. And thank you for being YOU!!
Hi Brian! Your own cemetary, eh? I guess where you wrote those songs with your band mates on brown paper bags? I read yours, about flooding. Hope your backyard dries up soon.
Thank you, Monkey Man! It’s been in the family a long long time. I’m looking forward to spending a monthe there next summer with all our relatives.
Hi Fireblossom! You like horsies?? And may I say again, that’s quite the party your friend has going on over there, at the ball. If I win I’ll send you my bird box prize. I really will!!!
Hey Alice, you talking about yourself again? And all your awesomeness? I wouldn’t blame you if you did.
Mama Z! You grew up on a farm too? I thought the big city was where all the action was… little did I know the real action was in the fields and woods.
Hey my dear Thomma Lyn! Ahh, thanks — you are welcome at our farm ANYtime!!! Mom and Dad love people. And I love that their cottage on the ocean is just 5 miles from their house — a nice little get-away.
Ahhhh, thanks sweet Joanny, the house has changed quite a bit over the years, added onto and modernized and such, and both the old barns are gone, the second one burned and replaced with a smaller one, but the land has remained basically the same. I am lucky. Dad was born in that house. He and Mom still happily married after 51 years!
Whoo-hooo!!!!
xoxoxoxoxo
xoxooxoxox
On 30 September 2010 at 10:53 pm Carla said,
What a fabulous flash fiction! You’re so good with words.
.-= Carla´s last blog ..Breeze =-.
On 30 September 2010 at 11:24 pm Janna said,
Although I didn’t grow up on a farm, I still lived in a rural area for more than half my life. And here I am, again living in a rural area. It’s kind of right on the edge; if I stand at the edge of my driveway and look left, I can see the village off in the distance– and if I look to my right, it’s just farms and cornfields.
I like it so much better than the push-and-shove energy of the city.
It’s so much more peaceful out in the country.
Thanks for another Friday 55!
Mine’s here.
.-= Janna´s last blog ..Available only at participating locations =-.
On 30 September 2010 at 11:41 pm Teresa said,
There is nothing better than life on the farm! Excellent 55!
.-= Teresa´s last blog ..Two Fat Kitties =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 12:26 am steveroni said,
Jannie, I liked the farm then, and love it still, although now it is a ‘bunch’ of houses about 16 feet apart from one another. And our BALER was older than yours! And for the work horses (and our riders) and apple a day kept the vet away.
Thanks for the memories–it’s been a long time….
PEACE
Steve
.-= steveroni´s last blog ..FLASH FICTION FRIDAY 55-ARE YOU BUSY YES! =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 12:52 am Jeanne said,
Jannie,
I *LOVE* getting to see a picture of the farm we’ve heard so much about and hearing you describe your appreciation for it (after time time to reflect on it)!
Please do me a favor and post an enlarged view of the 1986 Spandex Jannie photo. I was unable to enlarge it and it looks like a must-see. Not “Must-see TV” but “Must-see Jannie”, you know? I’m sure Blue Bunny will happily give you a hand… or a paw. It looks like spandex with boots. I must see this tout de suite.
Merci beaucoup!
Jeanne
xo
.-= Jeanne´s last blog ..Fibromyalgia Flattened =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 2:01 am Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. wonderful memory photos .. and the great fifty-five worder .. such fun – so much can be expressed in so few words …
Love the picture of the house 1830 .. but obviously renovated somewhat .. fantastic place to be raised .. and so fabulous to know your parents are of strong stock and happily sailing along after 51 years ..
Horses and apples .. and kids .. what’s with that?!?!?!
Home again too .. back to our roots .. lovely to have a peek around .. thank you .. and the history – one day pleeeesseeeeeee … cheers for now – Hilary .. xoxoxo
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..This Earth’s Crust its waste- but yet its offerings =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 3:00 am Anthony North said,
Great pics, and I share the sentiment. I was born and bred in the countryside and got out as soon as I could. Now, in my 50s, I’ve returned and love it.
On 1 October 2010 at 4:10 am Lynn said,
So lovely – you CAN go home again. xo
.-= Lynn´s last blog ..Adjustment- pleasant call and loving the lattes =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 4:42 am Hootin' Anni said,
This is so sweet….how time and lives change over the years. I can truly follow this with remembering my days of young’uns and letting them have their fun and loving with family, no matter WHERE we are. Loved this immensely!!
Here is my 55 link
.-= Hootin’ Anni´s last blog ..tis now the very witching time of night =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 5:23 am Carmen Henesy said,
The farm looks like the most wonderful spot on earth, really….at least, it looks like just the right place to escape city slickers, traffic, work, and that sort of thing. How nice it has horses and really looks like a farm. The children sure seem happy out there.
.-= Carmen Henesy´s last blog ..Flash 55 Friday – Another Year Older and Deeper in Debt – October 1- 2010 =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 7:07 am One Prayer Girl said,
This is a wonderful FFF55 – love the pictures and the thoughts.
My 55 is up.
PG
.-= One Prayer Girl´s last blog ..Friday 10-1-10 – LIAR! LIAR! – Flash Fiction Friday =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 7:11 am gautami tripathy said,
Awesome photos. And loved the thoughts too.
Here is my Haibun in 55 words!
.-= gautami tripathy´s last blog ..Haibun in 55 words! =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 7:58 am clean and crazy said,
that is a great tribute to a wonderful life, i am glad you came back home to the farm. wonderful life great 55
.-= clean and crazy´s last blog ..Flash Fiction Friday =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 8:07 am dustus said,
Great 55! Reminds me of growing up, albeit not on a picturesque farm, and wanting all the things you couldn’t have—only to realize later how lucky you were for all that had been there. cheers, Jannie
(wonderful photos as always)
.-= dustus´s last blog ..Thanking Stars Flash 55 =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 8:29 am suzen said,
Hi Jannie! I grew up on a farm too! I’d go back in a nanosecond if it weren’t converted to track houses now. We worked hard, and ate well – real food!
hugs
suZen
.-= suzen´s last blog ..Never Be Sick Again – Read This! =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 9:43 am vodka logic said,
funny how we don’t appreciate things til we are older.. great 55… mine is posted
.-= vodka logic´s last blog ..Privacy in 55 =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 11:01 am Claudia said,
oh jannie what a lovely 55! i loved to spend my holiday’s at my uncles farm when i was a child – it was just heaven for me..
.-= Claudia´s last blog ..play me =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 11:51 am Eric Alder said,
Appreciation always comes years later. City kids think country life is so cool and vice-versa. Nice 55, Jannie! Thanks for sharing the cute pics too!
.-= Eric Alder´s last blog ..Rock n Roll Fridays- Smashing Pumpkins =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 11:57 am Jannie said,
Howdee Miss Carla! Really? I done good with my “werds?” Thank you!!
Dearest Janna — I love the pictures you paint for me today with your corn fields and village. Where do you live, again?
Dearest Teresa — well, life on the farm is kinda laid back, ain’t nothin
Sun comin’ up – I got cakes on the griddle. Life is nothin’ but a funny funny riddle… 
that a country girl like me can’t hack…
Steveroni! I love you!! I’ve missed you so, Mr. Violin.
Wow, so you grew up on a farm that now has 16 houses on it? I imagine Dad’s got some old old balers in a back field somewhere. Oh — you are so welcome for any happy farm memories I stirred in you! 
Dearest Jeanne of the Yoga-ing Yodeling Plains,
And ye must be evermore a bit more patient for an enlarged Spandex Jannie. Yes, I was Future Woman for Hallowe’en that year. It may have been 1987. Foggy memory. Sooner than later!! Which reminds me to have Kelly choose the 7 letter winners today after school. She will probably love doing it. I think I’ll videotape her choosing, and she hopefully won’t drag it out for over 2 minutes. 
Hey Lovely Hilary! I would love to share more of the history. 2 or 3 bothers came from Cork, on my dad’s side. They changed the spelling of their last name a bit. They got a bunch of land and cleared a lot of it. Dad has 100 acres (I think) I’d have to double-check with him. The original farm house was a mile back the lane. But that’s all for today! Don’t want to spoil you with so many tidbits.
But seriously, I will SO be checking for old pix next summer with Mom. I have some old ones in a packet here somewhere — so far it elludes me. Of course, to find it I’ll have to actually LOOK for it. 
Oh, that big dogwood in front of the big main part of the house is gone now. I helped Dad take it down last summer. I remember Mom planting it when I was a teen and we used to run across the lawn and jump over it. 
Yep!
Dearest Anthony, it’s fun to hear your story so similar to mine! What kind of a farm were you raised on?
Dearest Lynn, yes — and I hope one time you will go with me! But please know you are NOT restricted to only ONE time — there is a standing invitation for you at my parents’ home — and mine! Well, that goes for pretty-much all you blogging friends! We’ll have a big party!
Dearest Hootin’ Anni, your words are deep and true. Life is a beautiful gift can allow to unfold anywhere indeed! And, ahhhh thanks — I am so glad you could enjoy this post!!
Dearest Carmen, as a kid our farm was The Place to be for all the city cousins who’d come from Toronto. Dad has kept horses since he was maybe 10 years old. He loves them. And they he. Dad will be 74 soon.
Oh Hi! One Prayer Girl!! So wonderful to see you pop in again. I hope your one prayer is going well today and that you are enjoying the love you are made of?! Thank you for your sweet words.
Ooo thank you, Gautami! And welcome to Funstertown. I look forward to popping over to raed your 55 later today!
Dearest Clean & Crazy! Thanks, it is lovely to go back. I am excited about our month there next summer. And maybe go back again that fall with my daughter’s school books so she won’t fall behind in Math and Wordly-Wise, and such. Now, THAT sounds like a PLAN for 2011!
That’s it, Dustus! Everything I needed was there all the time. And is here too, even tho I do lust after a new camera, a pair of yoga pants, new walking shoes and a couple of velour jogging suits — preferably in midnight blue and deepest burgundy!
Dearest Suzen — hello lovely lady! You know I’ve been thinking of you — one of my very favorite bloggers and people in the world. See comments to others above — you are welcome ANYtime at our farm, or anyplace we are!!
Dearest Vokda Logic (gotta smile at that name of yours!)
Yes, it’s amazing how life comes full circle and our understandings open and grow. What an amazing life!!!
Oh, Hi Claudia!! Alwasy a treat to see you, and I wonder what literary magnificence you’ve cooked up over there in your castle on a hill by the ocean…
I hope to visit a farm one day with you — or have you to Mom & Dad’s place!
Hi Dearest Eric! Hey, you notice the date for my CD giveaways?? I hope you get one as you mentioned you’d like to!! It is nice to hear that city kids would like a country experience — at least they know there are places other than concrete castles.
WHOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!
xoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxo
On 1 October 2010 at 12:06 pm Patti said,
i would have been thrilled to live on a farm as a kid. I guess the grass is always greener. I love the way you tagged things in the photos. What fun. And what a doll ye old four-year-old cute, sweet daughter is!
.-= Patti´s last blog ..Friday Flash 55- Life Cycle of a Tiger Longwing =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 12:37 pm vered | blogger for hire said,
This was great Jannie. Loved the photos too! So much open space.
.-= vered | blogger for hire´s last blog ..It’s The Little Jews That Get The Most Upset =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 12:51 pm Alice Audrey said,
LOL. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I like your awesomeness better.
You have time to do your roots and scrub the shower too? Wonderwoman.
On 1 October 2010 at 12:57 pm Jannie said,
Hi Dear Patti! I guess Dad lived a very “transitional” generation as his main livelihood was for 30 years or so in a local mine, and Dad’s dad the last generation to actually have the farm as the sole source of livelihood. Maybe I’ll move back permametly and build that big house some day in whats now a field behind the house. I’d like to. End up where I started out!!
Hi dear Vered! Glad you liked it. yes, lots of great fields to fun (and run — LVOE that typo!!) in.
Wonderful woods too, that go about 2 miles back our long strip of land. My uncle’s farm is adjacent to Dad’s. He, my Aunt Sue who lives in Toronto, and Dad are the only 3 remaining of 8 kids.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 1 October 2010 at 1:28 pm Priyanka said,
Such a beautiful place! neither parties nor ballet can beat it.
On 1 October 2010 at 2:41 pm nessa said,
Rabbit, rabbit. Magor fun 55. I love the pics. Such big, open country.
.-= nessa´s last blog ..Flash 55 – Appeasing the Gods =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 5:52 pm Caity said,
It is so funny how when we are young we see things so differently. I’m glad that now you appreciate the farm. All that’s around me at the moment are farms too although I’m not actually living on one. Maybe one day!
I absolutely adore the poem!
.-= Caity´s last blog ..Viv’s Birthday! =-.
On 1 October 2010 at 8:18 pm desk49 said,
Why do I keep wanting to sing
(A horse is a horse a corse a corse and no one can talk to a horse of corse………..)
On 2 October 2010 at 5:56 am Liara Covert said,
The talking horses add magic to this already enchanting story. Thanks for inviting us into such a beautiful story.
.-= Liara Covert´s last blog ..Wake up & remember =-.
On 2 October 2010 at 6:51 am Paige said,
that was a great 55 and love the horsey
BB you look wonderful amoung the autumn leaves with a robin, but be careful about wearing that apple for a hat…some archer may take a likin to it :-p
.-= Paige´s last blog ..And Ta Dah =-.
On 2 October 2010 at 12:59 pm Jannie said,
Dearest Priyanka — Welcom!! And I think the best dancing I ever did was on the farm! Through the hay fields in summer and on skates across the fields in winter.
Dearest Nessa — how sweet of you to pop in thrice to catch up!! I hope you can join us on the farm some day!!
Dearest Caity — I still can’t believe YOU’RE IN NEW ZEALAND!!! WHOO-HOO. With farms all around. Lots of sheep, I’m guessing??
Dearest Desk49 — I hope you will keep singing when you come here — and everywhere!!
Dearest Liara, thank you. I am very very happy to share these moments and thoughts with you all!
Dearest Paige who art AWESOME… Poor BB — a William Tell target. He is actually off shopping now, for banana split ingredients to make for all of us. Can’t wait — sounds very yummy!!
xoxoxoxo
On 2 October 2010 at 1:59 pm Tess The Bold Life said,
OMG Jannie, Another thing we have in common. I had no idea the gifts I was receiving at the time. I can’t say I didn’t appreciate nature but I just had no idea it was shaping me to be the person I was to become. Hey that’s kind of poetic, eh?
.-= Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..Relationships that Nurture Your Spirit =-.
On 3 October 2010 at 2:31 am Joy said,
Hi Jannie,
Love your photos..
I grew up with horses..and if I didn’t live on the boat, I’d live on a farm..absolutely..love all about it:)
I think even now when something is in its infant stages (not people, an idea) I still don’t appreciate the infancy of it as I should…
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Fearless Fun Friday- Warrior of the Light =-.
On 3 October 2010 at 3:07 am Davina Haisell said,
Wonderful, Jannie.
This is the second post I’ve read tonight about farm life. With me having grown up on a farm it makes me miss it. Especially these lines:
I thank the farm
for its sweet hay
on golden hills,
for potatoes,
tomatoes
I love the pics and the captions you added to them. Made me laugh out loud.
.-= Davina Haisell´s last blog ..For the Love of Story Structure =-.
On 3 October 2010 at 1:03 pm sheila said,
What a beautiful reflection, Jannie, of how you saw things as a child and as an adult. I read it three times. Beautiful!
.-= sheila´s last blog ..Recapping My Week =-.
On 3 October 2010 at 2:09 pm Jannie said,
Well, there is one of my favorite ever farm girls — Tess! I was wondering how this post would make you feel, knowing as I do, your farm upbringing. I appreciated the nature then too, now more than ever, and I appreciate those I love. Yes, you are poetry every minute! You really are. As is your blog.
Dearest Joy, I’m not sure if any of us relaly appreciates the infancy of this whole great wild world of wonderfulness and all we can take advantage of if we will just stop to live each moment in gratitude and happiness. I think YOU do an amazing job of that, tho — appreciating, sharing and teaching.
Dearest Davina — another farm girl blogger! Do farm girls write more than nnon-farm girls, I wonder? Poetry and such. Hmmn, would be an intersting study to undertake. Well, this verse pales in comparision to your fine mind and pen, but thank you. And glad you enjoyed the captions as much as I did creating them.
Dearest Sheila, ahhhh, thanks. I did so want to go to ballet – or at least wear the costume and get to take a class. Wished forever I lived in New York. But NY is still there, I hear, and I’ve even heard it said if one can make it there, they’ll make it anywhere.
Thank you all lovely humans!!
xoxoxo
On 3 October 2010 at 9:06 pm Daisy said,
Jannie, I love this 55. You said a great deal in such a few words. Fantastic! Hugs from Daisy
.-= Daisy´s last blog ..How Many Daisies Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb and other stories =-.
On 4 October 2010 at 3:29 am SnaggleTooth said,
Another fun 55! I was here the other day, but ran out of loading time before commenting again- Thanks for letting us oogle Ye Olde Farm. I definately like that Bay horse with the wild mane- Looks like a character! Kelly was so cute! Huge farmhouse! Cool the cottage is so close.
The grass is always squarer on the other side of the baler…
I prob would’ve never left the farm- I can do without city stress anytime- I can’t stand cement all around, or people packed in like sardines either!
.-= SnaggleTooth´s last blog ..Last Fall =-.
On 5 October 2010 at 3:03 pm Jennifer Susannah Devore said,
What a glorious homestead! I envision all the well-heeled Victorian and Edwardian tea parties and soirees still taking place in their ghostly realm, a la the Haunted Mansion’s never-ending, dining room ball.
As I cursed my childhood home of San Diego and its impossibly perfect weather, beaches, year-round activities and desperately-casual fashion sense, I dreamed of farms and East Coast seaside burgs and hamlets. I consumed as much visual media and literature as possible set anywhere in New England, the Deep South or Europe and longed for a Hallowe’en in Salem and a Christmas sans palm trees. In a high school of Dolphin shorts and Polo shirts, I donned wool berets, Irish cable knits and plaid kilts regardless of the 80-degree Thanksgivings. Naturally, I would grow up to travel extensively, move away from that dreaded California sunshine and nest on Virginia’s mid-Atlantic coast … then, after six years, move back home to San Diego because I missed, of all things, my palm trees and sunshine. I’m still the only one I know with separate summer and winter wardrobes and the only person I know with a more extensive overcoat collection is a Russian friend, misplaced in Orange County and assuaging her Moscow homesickness in full-length furs from October to March each year.
Home is good. Chez Moi ce n’est pas parfait, mais c’est a moi.
On 5 October 2010 at 4:07 pm Jannie said,
Oh, hi cuties! I just noticed these comments, thanks!
Have read and will be back to answer.
Heading now to wash my hair.
Perchance then to style.
And smile.
xoxoxoxo
On 5 October 2010 at 4:38 pm Jennifer Susannah Devore said,
Funny, I just washed and attempted to style my hair, as well … damned Aveda ran out though and left me with a Roseanne Roseanna Dana, Christmas tree-head instead of my usual Sofia Vergara locks. Stupid exhaustible resources.
On 6 October 2010 at 4:24 pm Jannie said,
She’s baaack. I mean I am — Jannie, that is.
Thanks sweet Daisy. I packed in a lot yes. Was trying to capture from before the Big Bang to today. Did I succeed??
Hi Dear Snaggle — Today I wa tto go back to ye olde farm forever. Great potato growing country. Not much hops, tho.
Ye olde grass is always squarer on the other side of the baler — you cracks me up!! 
Yes, ye olde cottage just a few miles up the shore. I even like the winter. Dad has the old place snug, and keeps it plenty warm!!
And here comes Jennifer Susannah Devore to grace our funstering pages once again. I LIVE for overcoats. And East Coast hamlets. And ham. And woolen berets and kilts. And Muscovite things and such. L’hiver viens au Texas et on danse. On a “frappe des fesses” d’ete, et ca me fait vraiment vraiment hereuse. Donnez-moi le froid ou donnez-moi le mort, plus ou moins.
Et encore vient Mlle. J.S.D. avec les cheveux comme l’eau vive dans le Bois de Boulougne. Moi, j’achete le shampooing pour les enfants, a $1.79 chaque.
Gros bisous…
xoxoxo
On 27 November 2010 at 12:24 pm Happy Five-Oh, Harry Big Bro | Jannie Funster said,
[...] P.S. I know I wailed like it was the end of the world the day you threw all those bantam hen eggs at my head, but I’m glad you did! So many memories, so much fun on the farm. [...]