Grannie was it...the ultimate homesteader

Today is a day worth mentioning.  All over the internet, there has been so much chatter about it being International Women's Day.  It is a topic that has really nagged at me all day.  It is also a topic that deserves recognition.  Sure, all women deserve recognition and women are incredibly empowering "creatures."  The term, "creature" is so important here.  It connotes the idea that women are adaptable and incredibly resourceful, like most animal creatures.  Living on a farm only proves this.  Let me tell you about one of our incredible creatures here on our farm: our female Rouen duck.  

Not too long ago, she hatched out these two beautiful little ducklings.  It was the most amazing experience to see here because it was such a shock.  Alex went out one morning to feed the animals and here was this momma duck with her two babies following her around.  It was incredible to see.  We had no idea she was even sitting on eggs.  Sadly, our dog, Sparkles, decided that these beautiful little creatures were a little too appetizing and ate them for a snack a few days later.  Momma Duck was visibly upset for a good day or two, but after that, she rebounded quite nicely and continued to live as a duck does.  Eat, poop, sleep, repeat.  She has not hatched out any ducklings since, although we are always hoping to see ducklings appear again.  What a magical process to see Momma and her babies.  That never gets old.

Watching this entire process made me think of all the strong females in my life.  The two most prevalent being my mom and especially my grandmother.  My grandmother was from the hill country of eastern Kentucky or Central Appalachia.  She raised six children on a homestead nestled in the mountains while her husband worked away from home during the week as a coal miner.  Now folks, that's strength.  Can you imagine raising six children and doing things like: butchering chickens (and other animals), canning, milking, tending to the animals, gardening, sewing, quilting, washing clothes (and I'm talking about in a ringer washing machine), prepping food, making clothes, food preparation, and making sure you are available to meet your children's needs?  Of course, this isn't all she did, but it is enough, right?  

I think about my Grannie all the time.  I think about her when I am canning from our garden.  I think about her when I am digging rows to plant the garden.  I think about her when I am butchering chickens, I think about her when I am cooking.  You get the idea.  For me, she was the original homesteader.  She was truly incredible.  She was also the best maker of biscuits and gravy I have ever met.  I miss her so much and wish that I could talk to her again.  So as I see all these posts about how awesome women are (and they really are awesome), I just want to say that the most awesome women I have ever had the honor of knowing are the ones who I channel every single day as I learn about homesteading and making our home more self-sufficient.  These women are the women who have made me who I am.  Thank you, Grannie.  Thank you, Mom.  Thank you to all the women out there killing it every day for your families.  You ladies are making the difference that is needed so much right now.  Keep it up and keep fighting for your legacies, just like my grandmother did.  It matters.