I had a quiet, private birthday this year. We woke up to fresh inches of snow on the ground at the farm and after a simple breakfast we drove across the river to the wintering grounds and skied through the weather and sagebrush for a few hours. The elk were down from the hills in huge groups and we kept our distance as best as we could, not wanting to bump them around too much in the fog and snow — they work so hard to conserve calories when the weather is bad. The ski was magical.
In the evening, there was talk of going to our local hotspring for a soak but the roads were bad enough and the fire in the wood stove burning so brightly that we opted to hunker down for the evening with our books. Some years I feel like celebrating my birthday loudly and other years I feel like sliding into my new age like it’s a pair of well-worn jeans — easy going and soft.
A pal asked me what new dreams I have for myself in this next year of my life and beyond. I have so many. I’d like to photograph my local mustangs and turn their images into a big beautiful book for you. I’d like to offer private weekend workshops at the farm wherein individuals can come and make a piece of jewelry with me in my studio, cook some homegrown meals and wander the river canyon with me by horseback. I’d like to refurbish a sheep wagon as a guest house and park it in the orchard. I’d like to grow and sell cut flowers. I’d like to work hard this year and get enough of a nest egg in the business bank account that I can afford to take all of next year out of the studio to write and publish a book of short stories for you. I’d like two more beehives and a small greenhouse. I’d like to see parts of Africa. I’d like to do an artist residency in the Maritimes. I’d like to go to Oaxaca with Becca. I’d like to build a coyote fence along the edge of the rose garden, a raised strawberry patch with the rusted truck bumper I found on the river bank and a stalwart gooseberry row. I’d like to do three high country backpacking trips this summer which I have not been able to do for two summers because of the workload at the farm. Next fall I dream of working behind a new pointer puppy on the canyon rims, packing my bull elk (harvested by bow) off the mountain and our next trip to South Dakota where the moon seems so bright. I have so many other dreams, beyond these, I’d better get cracking.
Thanks for being a part of my life last year. My world is more beautiful with you in it.
Hello, Jillian,
On your dreams for the coming year: I can’t help you with the beehives, greenhouse, or Africa trip, but, as a publisher based in Eugene,OR, I might be able to help with a book or two.
I will provide contact information below.
Todd Hafer
Senior Acquisitions Editor
Harvest House Publishers
Thanks Todd.
Prioritize and then manifest the short list. Knowing you sweet friend, your dreams will come true. Wish I was closer because I would love to help make your dreams happen.
You help my dreams happen from far away, too. XX
YES!!!!….to selling cut flowers and refurbishing a sheep wagon as a guest house!!
and, “yes” to quiet birthdays.
xx
It’s been a great new year so far!
XX
Wow….you need a year of 600 days at least to do everything….the book of mustangs….the workshops wow…etc…I hope all your dreams come true, you deserve it.
I think I need a lifetime! I’m in no hurry. 🙂
XX
Ahhhh dreams. I must record my own list as well… what an inspiring post to read!
Robbie and I are dreamers. Sometimes we just sit down together and say, “Let’s do some dreaming!” And then we do.
I have a feeling you’ll make it all happen! Lots of birthday love to you <3
Thanks Jenner!
XX
My birthday is next week, and I love this idea of beautiful dreams and quiet birthdays. I think it’s just what I’ve been searching for. If you ever offer private weekend workshops, I’ll be there with my boots on ready to work and breath in the fresh air!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK, fellow February baby!!!
Dream big.
I’ll let you know if and when my private weekend workshops manifest. So thrilled to hear you are interested.
XX
Happy Birthday Jillian, hope you have a wonderful year of surprises where you do things you haven’t even thought of yet! Sounds like a good bunch of dreams though, I’d love to do most everything on that list myself! Who wouldn’t want to stay in your orchard and go horseback riding with you!! 🙂
Thank you Katy!
XX
Happy belated birthday Jillian!
It sounds like you chose everything just right in your celebration of you! WOW! Epic dream list! I align with all of your current life goals and wishes. All that life can be,and all that we can achieve with some grit and gumption! WORKSHOPS!!! You could certainly ‘practice’ on me, I could be your very first attend-ee 😉 I knew if I held faith….someday you would fling open the doors to your studio and I could see your work in action,all while learning from your heart and hands.
Best to you in your new year!
Robin xx
Robin!
Thank you for supporting my idea of doing one on one workshops here at the farm. The though of a crowd of people terrifies me. But I think I can handle one person at a time.
XX
Happy belated! Such beautiful dreams.
Thanks Melissa!
XX
What a beautiful list of dreams! I share some of the same dreams for this year. I hope to harvest an elk with my bow as well. It has been one of the most amazing challenges thus far, a life changing process. I would absolutely love to do a weekend retreat and make a piece of jewelry with you and experience that part of Idaho. Happy belated birthday fellow aquarius!