Letters from Home

January 20, 2015

Good Afternoon Everyone,

     We had a surprise this forenoon when it snowed so fast the grass, trees, and everything outside became white in a very short time. But soon after lunch time the sun came out a little and the new snow all melted away. Changes in the weather keeps the winter interesting. 

     Is everyone getting into their winter routine now that the holidays are past? I think I am and I believe the winter will go by pretty fast. 

     Last week the church Ladies had the monthly sewing day and they knotted 9 comforters. Hopefully those will help keep some needy person warm. 
 

     I saw one farmer hauling manure today; a chore that needs to be done during the winter. 

     Perhaps I will see some of you at the Home and Garden Show in Cleveland. Ashery Country Store is planning to have a booth there. Come on over and look us up. I hope to see some familiar faces come through there. The show is from February 6th through the 14th. 

     It's a Fact: Hairy Woodpeckers are named for the small hair like feathers around their nostrils. These woodpeckers are nearly identical to downy woodpeckers - 'How can you tell one from the other?'
 
     The question last month had a little error; it read, "white animals," and should have read, "white Admiral," which is a butterfly. The answer is: They draw attention away from their vulnerable bodies, and they break up the shape of their wings, making them less discernable to predators. 
 
    Quote: "Life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be enjoyed."


 

          I hope you all will have a warm and safe winter,        
                         Sovilla

 

Letters from Home

January 13, 2015

Greetings to all our great friends,

     I guess this would be a good time to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I always love this time of the year with closure of the past and dawning of the new. It always brings memories of my late Dad. With Dad you never had to worry about the calendars in the house being changed from month to month because he would always go through the house the last day of the month and switch all the calendars with anticipation. I just loved that about him, always dreaming about what's coming and what could be better.

     Some of the lessons I hope to learn from the past year.

--Enjoy the process of change because it's a part of life.
2014 was a year of change for my family, a big one being the expansion of the Ashery. Change is something I often find myself trying to hurry through so I can just get back to a new normal. Sort of like diving into a pool and holding my breath. Just get this under the water thing out of my way so I can enjoy the swim once I come up for air. Once I realize that the whole process of "under the water" can be enhanced with goggles, the time under the water becomes much more enjoyable. So much that I might even consider strapping on an oxygen tank so I can stay under longer.
 

     What would happen if I treated change the same way? I think my wife would say I would be less grouchy,  my kids would say I took more time to connect with them, and I would realize that some of the most beautiful things are under the water.

--2 ways of dealing with stress
It's been easy for me to think that as long as everything is going good I'm not under stress. This just couldn't be further from the truth. I found out this past year that when there is just too much stuff going on even though it's good, I'm under stress. When too many things are flying around in my head my body can't rest.

The 2 ways i experienced were....
#1 the power of prayer- I testify to the fact that by daily taking the "cares of my world" to the creator of the world, my body can find rest. 
#2 stress release through physical exercise-  It's invigorating and refreshing to breath deep and sweat.

     So going into 2015 it's not that I didn't know these things before, it's that they made a connection from my head to my heart in a new way. Now, if I can just get the connection from my heart to my "do'er" you know.... Go do it now. :)

      It's exciting to start 2015 at the Ashery with a new expansion and lot's of new things to be developed. And we couldn't possibly experience it with anyone better then you.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.  It's been a little chilly but I hear this weekend it's going to feel like a heat wave. Come on out and see us.

 

                      Happy Trails           
                         Curt