Do You Need Some Cheering Pup?

Veli's got you covered. (Plus some farm news)

You are fierce. You are brave. You are loyal. Even if you sometimes feel like a giant pile of squish, you contain more strength than you know. — Veli

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Here’s What’s Happening At Good Spirits Farm

I guess it’s time for some personal news. Some of you have perhaps already figured this out, but Chris and I separated over the summer. I’ve been running the farm solo for the last three months. Separating was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. However: it was also the only way for me to gain clarity about what my future looks like. Since August, I have single-handedly kept the farm running with help from friends, my parents, and a reservoir of strength I didn’t know I had.

I cannot lie: I have a ton of anxiety about the future of Good Spirits Farm. I do not know that I’ll be able to buy Chris out—or keep the place going long-term all on my own. I’m not really sure what happens next. However, I do know this: It’s called Good Spirits Farm for a reason. Our spirits aren’t tied to any one place. Good Spirits Farm doesn’t have to be on this particular 45-acre plot. And I can’t wait to be back in good spirits again, wherever that may be.

Still, change is really hard, and splitting up a decade-long marriage is devastating. I’ve been so grateful for the creature comforts this farm has provided these past few months. Juliet, always my baby, seems to have an almost innate instinct for when I need a lamb snuggle.

This week, with the first hard freeze predicted, I fretted about how long, dark and lonely this coming winter may be. But then I went outside and made a bouquet from the last of the summer’s flowers. Snipping the remaining zinnias and cosmos with a cold front barrelling in on a northwest wind reminded me that everything in life is a cycle. Brighter days will come again. I just need to get through this.

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Here’s What I Loved This Week

I’m grateful to Outside Magazine for interviewing me about Sebastian and Juliet for its podcast. It was fun to chat with the producers about some of the parts of Sebby and Juliet’s story that didn’t make it into my Outside essay. Warning - there is some crying involved. But: There is a lot of laughing too!