I sit on my porch in the mornings. It’s warmer now. Warm enough to wear a sweater, drink coffee, and look at the pink sky creeping over the hills. There are a thousand birds! Mixed in the chorus of birdsong, I hear the river. It’s loud, rushing. There’s been rain this week. The river is so loud! The first day, I said, “How can I be hearing traffic? There is no traffic out here! Where is that noise coming from?” It sounds like an interstate! Then I realized it was the river.
Sometimes I can hear the steady pump-pump-pump of an oil rig beyond our farm. It doesn’t run all the time, just sporadically. My great-grandfather, on his farm across the river, used to say, “That is the sound of money.” Back in the day, this area was a center of gas and oil drilling. My great-grandfather made a lot of money off that pump-pump-pump sound. Not so many gas and oil pumps run around here today. Decades ago, the gas and oil companies decided they could drill other places, where they didn’t have to go as deep, for cheaper, and they went away. But times have changed, and they’re coming back. And my great–grandfather’s farm? My family still owns the mineral rights. When I hear the pump run, I say, “That’s the sound of money,” because a share of those mineral rights will come to me in time. And by then, maybe this area will be the center of gas and oil production it once was. I will do as my ancestors did, poor mountain folk who’d never seen so much money in their lives, and throw my clothes away to buy new every week because I have so much money, I don’t need to do wash. (Okay, I won’t do that, but they did!) And so I sit on my porch and fantasize about my future riches.
Hey, my chances are better at that than winning the lottery. (Which I didn’t win. Again. What is up with that?)
Then I look down at that loud river rushing between my farm and my great-grandfather’s and I know I am rich already. Just because I am here. Just because this is my morning.
Kim A. says:
Yes, you are rich already, Suzanne. Because we all know riches of the heart and soul have nothing to do with material goods. And you could have all the money in the world and be unhappy and bitter or suffer great tragedy. If you don’t have Joy now, just as you are, having oodles of money will not make a difference in the long-term. Money is a great tool that allows you to have more options, but it doesn’t fill up the empty places in your heart.
BTW, that looks like moss to me!
Hey, I saw someone’s crocuses coming up yesterday, while walking home. I must go by with my camera in hand this morning. 🙂
-Kim
On March 29, 2008 at 5:26 am
jan says:
:clap: There is nothing better that coffee on the porch in the mornings. I like to sit there just as the sun is setting also. So peaceful it makes you think all things are right in the world for a few minutes. Only I look out onto a street…a river would be much nicer. Enjoy your porch.
On March 29, 2008 at 6:42 am
Mental P Mama says:
Wasn’t it worth everything to get to this moment? I love the speed of the site now :flying:
On March 29, 2008 at 6:42 am
Cindy says:
I have enjoyed watching your farm house building… beautiful area to build.
This past fall/winter we put a deck on this old farm house…love to sit and listen to the rooster crow while watching the sun come up.
I’ve been told if I want to win the lottery I must buy a ticket…hmmm what a concept
On March 29, 2008 at 6:50 am
Hillbilly2 says:
It is good that you have learned to appreciate the sounds and beauty of the land. :heart: A lot of suburban people I have met don’t ever get that concept. I wish I had more time to sit in my hammock swing and enjoy the beauty around me. I love to listen to the whipporwills at night. :wave:
On March 29, 2008 at 7:08 am
DeeBee says:
You are lucky to live in such a beautiful place. The coffee on the porch sounds as good as it gets.
On March 29, 2008 at 8:26 am
lintys says:
Amen Kim A.
What a beautiful view you have for your morning coffee on the porch Suzanne.
It’s getting so nice and green there! I see your trees are budding. Ahhhh. . . spring. I hope it gets here soon.
On March 29, 2008 at 8:36 am
Treasia says:
What a wonderful way to spend your mornings.
On March 29, 2008 at 9:30 am
Cheryl S. says:
What a great view to wake up to!
On March 29, 2008 at 10:03 am
Remudamom says:
Around our ranch we say “that’s the smell of money” when we catch a whiff of cow s…..um, poop. Sometimes our clothes, boots and trucks smell like money!
Enjoy your porch and your coffee!
On March 29, 2008 at 10:21 am
Patricia Herman says:
Thanks for sharing your morning with us. Your pictures are beautiful. You are rich in more ways then monetary. Enjoy your porch and its surrondings.
Have a great weekend!
Patricia
On March 29, 2008 at 10:22 am
shirley T says:
You were wise to build on higher ground. Those WV rivers can be deadly when they flood. I’m glad to see that you have moved in already. It really is a beautiful place I know you will be very happy there. :purr:
On March 29, 2008 at 10:41 am
Shirley says:
That is one beautiful site you have for morning viewing. It’s so good that you are in a position to sit and enjoy it. That’s what life is all about.
On March 29, 2008 at 10:45 am
Jill S. says:
LOL, I can hear the rushing of the Truckee River near my house too, and every once in awhile it sounds like a FREEWAY outside my window. Gorgeous pics.
On March 29, 2008 at 10:53 am
Claudia W says:
That is beautiful! What a nice way to start the day!
On March 29, 2008 at 10:54 am
Christine says:
:thumbsup: Ah, great post! I’m starting to think we’re kindred spirits.
On March 29, 2008 at 11:43 am
Tori Lennox says:
I just love hearing about the farm and your family (and their history). And your pictures.
On March 29, 2008 at 11:51 am
kacey says:
coffee with that view. Could it get any better??
On March 29, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Kim W says:
Beautifully said. I’ve always told my kids “it’s the little things that mean the most.” You just proved my point.
Blessings from Ohio…
On March 29, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Susan says:
What beautiful photos! You are rich already in family, friends and inner peace.
When are you getting your :chicken:’s?
On March 29, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Doris says:
I have 4 hens now . In a small pen . How many have you got? If all 4 will lay we will have plenty of eggs. If not we will have dressing !!Love your site !! Asparagus takes 2 years ! Doris
On March 29, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Linda says:
What a great sunrise! Lucky, lucky you.
On March 29, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Shelley says:
:wave: Finding your site was a nice treat. It is well written and the photos are beautiful!
Shelley
On March 29, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Granny Sue says:
Ah yes, the sound of money! We’ve been getting our first royalty checks and when we can get the pipe, etc we’ll have free gas. Lovely.
A porch is a necessity of country life. I am glad you came home to West Virginia and can appreciate living here. Not all do–it’s not an easy place to live, but it is completely rewarding.
We went to the FFA farm auction today. What a blast! I’ll be posting photos of the auction and what we bought tomorrow on my blog. That auction is one more sure sign that spring is on the way.
On March 29, 2008 at 9:19 pm
catslady says:
What a beautiful view!!! I used to sit on my back porch swing with my coffee in the mornings when my children were young – they built new homes on top of our hill so it’s not quite the same.
On March 29, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Linda in San Diego says:
:flying:
What a wonderful spot you have, the river, the sunrise, and the porch. Absolutly Excellent!
Sububan Chickens: I live in a small community(city)just 12 minutes from downtown San Diego and over the weekend I discovered that there is a family producing free range eggs from their backyard flock. I have purchased a dozen eggs and cannot wait to try them for breakfast tomorrow. In fact, it has made me think – well if she can do it in her yard, what about mine???? No chickens in the road for me though – the speed limit is 40mph on the street in front of my home!
On a final note, as a boy scout leader, I have camped in the Boy Scout camp in Balboa Park (basically downtown San Diego) and it IS next to a freeway – I often fell asleep there telling myself that the freway noise was a rushing river LOL Suburban Chickens indeed! :flying:
On March 29, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Bayou Woman says:
Excellent post.
BW
On March 30, 2008 at 9:46 am