News From the Farm

Whenever I run into someone I haven’t seen in awhile, they invariably ask “How’s it going on the farm?” In case you’re wondering as well, here’s the latest: 

The glamping side of our business has picked back up and we are fully booked most weekends. After a dismal, dry, hot summer, where we had few guests, it’s been a huge relief to have full tents. And it’s a joy to see families and friends enjoying the property and animals. 

My husband Houston and I always enjoy sharing about our farm. Last week we had the opportunity to speak at the Kinsloe House - a local women’s club. It was the first time the two of us have spoken to a group about our property and business. We loved the experience. 

Houston has been leading more farm tours. One of our guests’ favorite parts of the tour is feeding and learning about our Kunekune pigs, a heritage breed from New Zealand. After taking a breather last year, we’re considering having another litter of piglets this spring. 

We’re also gearing up for this spring’s total solar eclipse. Our property will be a viewing location for the April 8, 2024 once in a lifetime event. Our glamping tents and the skoolie are booked, but we’re also going to allow RVs and dry tent camping.

Our son McClendon (Mac) and daughter-in-law Yessika, who moved to Purdon Groves in March, 2022 with their 40 foot school bus home, have settled in Asheville, North Carolina. While we miss them, we’re happy they’ve found a place to call home. They decided to leave their bus to rent out as one of our glamping options.

We have a new grandchild due in January. Granddaughters Mia and Sofie are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their baby sister. Since winter is a slower time for our small business, I’ll be able to spend more time in North Dallas helping our daughter Emilie and her family as they transition to a family of five. 

We moved my mom from Georgia to Corsicana a little over a month ago. I’ve loved having her close enough for spur of the moment visits and regular outings to see family or to do a bit of thrifting. 

We continue to live on the property full-time. Living where we work definitely has its advantages and disadvantages. On the negative side, it’s sometimes difficult to know when work starts and stops. We’re learning a lot about having healthy boundaries and creating a healthy work/life balance. But on the positive side? I sit at my kitchen table and watch the donkeys and Pru, the sheep, graze contentedly; the titmice flit around their bird feeder and our dogs wrestle in the grass nearby. From where I sit, it’s a pretty good view.

This piece first appeared in Sherry’s column, Finding Myself in a Small Town, in the November 11, 2023 edition of the Corsicana Daily Sun.