Volden Farm Workshops

2012-01-02T18:52:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T18:49:00.001-06:00

Well....hello...... this night of 2012!
I have just worked to write this..for at least an hour.
I guess the reason has quite a lot to do with Google.
My granddaughter tried to help me with some of the MAC difficulties with which I suffer so mightily and the changes that created for me are nigh unto insurmountable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't find how to get my blue ink or my favorite font for one thing...but the most stupid response when I put in my address...is that when I do that... they say I can't use it because it is already being used...of course it is and has been for nearly 5 years.
The other question I can't get the answer to is the constant use of 3 letters..and I'm terrified to use them on this page ...maybe the computer will blow up in my face...but here goes...URL...I'm still here... hi.. I do not know nor have I ever needed to know what they mean...
You see, I've been enlisted in gmail...and it looks like Google is quite insistant that they control my Blog...
My brain has been wiped out as far as my barn is concerned...I better go look out the window to see if it is still there...so that is that...now is the time for all good men to go ,\...blah..blah...goodbye...I am thoroughly exhausted and wonder if I'll ever again be able to return to blogging again...I did find this nearly invisible block of words that let me do this much...and I sincerely fear I will never see it from this moment onward...
Have a good year in case you don't hear from me...JoAnne and all 12 cats and 10 chickens and 3 fish.... as well as a possible mouse even though I've.killed 5 now in the basement...2 are still in their sticky traps so when I stop this mickey mouse diatribe I will go with a plastic grocery bag and pick them up from the floor to burn them ....yippee...
Oh..I could mention that Christmas was filled with all the better things than I've reported...best beings 3 great grandchildren named...3yr Kaj Delys Naujokas...8mo Ona Volden Naujokas...14mo Reese Abigail Roeder...I trimmed the tree with only 2 of my collections..those being angels and snowmen...and it was placed to we could walk around it and sing Away in the Manger...Norwegian style...
..finally,..you can smile...and so will I with love in my heart that doesn't believe my Jesus had anything to do with computers...he came to earth for the best reason having to do with the peace that will come to me when I close this down and go get those mice..goodbye

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-02T17:30:00.001-06:00

2011-11-20T22:14:00.001-06:00

2011-11-20T21:25:00.003-06:00

Hello this evening of November without snow, but that is all I will say about the white stuff. I've just come home from WWW where we bring to each other (4 0f us) what we have written, since we are Whining Women Writers. Best thing is that if we fail to do it we are in trouble, so we do it. We write. and it is fun. Pretty big stretch from cooking for hunters. The feed back is what I like. I guess it's called editing. Today was a push for me

In the past months I've bought some art which tells me about change and progress and green power. One piece hangs at the end of the barn alleyway framed by a Russian window we brought home with us from Moscow in 1977. The Chinese artist painted his play ground as a child in his village in China. The scene is his alleyway lined with very very old houses featuring crumbling corbels, dark corners and a wondrous ice blue sky persuading you that just behind that row is a yellow sun. The reason I needed to have it is the electric lines cutting across at an angle toward ancient insulators across and higher than anyone walking or riding his bike along that narrow path/road would find as a nuisance.

I wondered if that change was one or two generations ago. And how did that power represented, change the lives in that alleyway.

Enough already. This paragraph lets you think about the possible subject of what I wrote, and read today at WWW.

Hunters are finished. Many happy guys left with their treasured deer pheasant or duck. And full stomachs from the table scape.

come back for the rest of the story...til then...JoAnne

2011-10-14T12:21:00.002-05:00

Here I am with the weeks behind me which I had such great hopes for as far as getting into starting the plan for next year's schedule...meaning this is now October 14...and my brain works overtime with not a jot or tittle down on paper...

This winter will be serious business for 2012 starting in May and going until September 1 when hunting will probably get busy...

At this point I have had good luck with hunters enjoying the barn bunk rooms as well as having a few meals out in the "area for conferencing"...plus finding out how the kitchen works when we eat the birds and deer at suppertime...whenever that happens...and the terrace with grill is handy beyond any early dreams regarding food prep...in the barn...

By the way, you can get a good feeling about how the barn is looking with these few shots we got up on this spot...I have been to the Outer Banks with 9 of my family of near 30...at Kitty Hawk...we own at Duck...Barrier Island Station...but didn't reserve it early enuf to be able to stay there...traded thru RCI for a couple units down the road...but we could still use the sand and sea at our regular place...SO...while there with my computer some grandchild...entered photos for me...oh if I could only become a techy...

And that was 9-17-thru 9-25...with daughter Lisa & her Bjorn...Thomas Vigesaa...daughter Holly's boy...daughter in law Shelley with her Danielle & Kate & Nick & 3yr old Kaj & 5mo old Ona...meaning 4 generations at the... Time Share... Jim and I bought in 1987...felt satisfying to watch the little guy take on the "Wold Spirit" for our special world...son Kevin wasn't able to take a week off since he broke a foot and couldn't work back a couple months ago...so needed to make up for lost time...by staing home and letting Danielle go in his slot...

I walked in my door 7:30 PM Sunday night and greeted hunters the next day at 1:00 PM...seems the story of my life when I turn away from the daily duties during the Fall Hunting Lodge atmosphere...if the work were not so interesting...I'd give a second thought to being so tied down...truth is I love it...one Fall there were men from 15 states ...Maine to Florida to Arizona to Washington to Pennsylvania along with states between...

And this IS to do with the barn...now a lodge filled with boots and occasional mud and so forth...it's suits me to cook and clean and learn new ways of life at the same time...just a workshop for us all...

Still look into locating Wind Tower Makers with hopes they would be interested in sleeping with the throbing blades just outside their door for a couple nights...and a candlelight dinner within sight of over 50 of the PRAIRIE DASIES... as some call them...

Did I catch you up a little for Sept and Oct...????? bye for now...JoAnne

2011-09-20T16:52:00.002-05:00

2011-09-20T15:48:00.004-05:00

2011-08-14T21:57:00.002-05:00

August already?

How did that happen?

Do you suppose the spat I've had with this white box had any influence?

Yes - could be - so it's been to the doctor but there isn't much change that I am able to notice - except that now I can send emails. Could that make my work more smooth and caring and acceptable? We'll see now.

June is the first catchup month: we had a noteworthy event which kickstarted the sodding of black weedy areas following installation of septic digging - not ignoring the terrace and pergola edged with thousands of pounds of 1903 rock barn foundation which Kevin's fork lift resurrected down the hill where no doubt it expected to remain forever after a 1978 remodel of said barn-(feel free to reread that last bit)

THE event was a WEDDING out in the TREE FARM! do trust that Jim was looking on - noting 100 chair backs beribboned in white gauzey covers - as four no longer usable church-window frames of gothic vintage found use once again as an altar - background for tuxedos and gowns and 100 humongous white/ivory ROSES blending into white lilacs - stately pines - oaks - gentle new-green walnut trees - crowned by a commanding spire of tamarack.

At this point I choose to tell you that this tree farm was where we sprinkled our Jim the fighter pilot's ashes 8 years before. Uncountable Joy was palpable in this blessed hour. Prayer for at least a day without rain was more than answered. A few days later the mother of the groom stopped by and we shed a couple thankful tears that our perfect day was miraculous - framed by two rainy windy cold days - smile!

July: a month full of kitties and B&B families with lots of kitty loving kids - helping the effort of find homes for "nice" kittens. Are you listening? - and the bunk rooms in the barn are getting raves - for which I'm feeling smug - plus grateful - even added an extra 5th place to sleep for a grandparents with three little ones who all wanted to stay a few days in the barn -

AND - Finklestein came home to roost - my stuffed favorite pantaloon festooned rooster who died inexplicably during feeding one deeply frozen day last January - which I wrapped in plastic and a box and in a wheelbarrow highly heaped with snow til Spring when we moved him to the freezer to await news of having found a taxidermist who would be "anxious" to try dealing with this chicken - now it's a done deal and I picked him up in Fargo and he's busy finding the right spot to show off - in the barn - at this moment he's moved from the highchair to the shelf where we pass through the food - interesting? come meet him.

August: more folks with kids - so all the farm animals are parading - even the cows and calves who rent the pasture seem to know their duty is to be part of the action - and at this point to mention the windtowers is okay - the 55 or so pinwheels have settled into being the local interstate on my formerly quiet prairie -

Some day I'll become proficient enough to add wonderful photos to this effort. Meantime just use your imagination - please - or better yet come to see for yourself.

It's paasst bedtime - g'nite - good wishes - JoAnne

2011-05-31T20:34:00.002-05:00

I have good news for us all.. together.. this last day of May in the year of our effort 2011..especially that of son Kevin and lifemate Shelley as they placed a final touch.. with humongous rocks and chunks of old 1903 barn foundation sections which weighed down the FORKLIFT big time..leaving grooves not so groovy in my green soggy rain gooped green grass..forgive me those of you who will attend the wedding held near this sod in only a few gulp .."days"..(I'm weak at this mental picture)..

The final touch I refer to is to the east of the cedar terrace under a covering pergola of commanding invitation to gatherings of friendly folk from this day forward....pure joy to have accomplished disguise of a mindful extent when considering the 59 pinwheels already diagnosed in previous notings...yes? As we open the kitchen door to walk out onto the new structure..there is a tipped on end old corral gate rescued from the refuse pile..through which the monoliths attempt be noticed ..talk about laughing at their proverbial spinnings...a great guffah rises to them..

Effort accomplished..a dream beginning.. to hold an energy conference in the face of such bravado..for our investigative decision makers..where else such opportunity..spread the word of this merging of situation..call for a reserved bunk and the sense of "hearing traffic "on the once alonely.. still.. prairie..

I, JoAnne of Volden Farm will await a speculative query ..may we arrange a time? 701-769-2275..

with a smile..bye for now

2011-04-08T20:41:00.002-05:00

How in the world did it get to be April? And could it be that before May comes the snow will be gone and the ground soft enough to dig up all the shrubs and trees that the 39 deer living and sleeping right outside my window literally ate to the nub for breakfast. You see they knew this was a Bed and Breakfast. And so now "we"--who? -- need to plant trees and shrubs with green on them. You see, on the 11th of June we plan on having a wedding at Volden Farm. You see, it needs to be looking nice for such an illustrious event. How I wonder as I look around, begin raking where there is no snow-- the muck of what happens during the long months down under, can it possibly be a green world by June. That is when faith comes by and sort of reminds me that it does--every year. You see, it just doesn't seem possible. And where there was snow yesterday, there is mud today. Boots heavy with mud are lined up on the porch of this northerly wooden ancient looking " Russian Dacha "--proving what I say is true.

Come see for yourself if you are brave enough. O my. Wonder of Wonders. And I should be finishing taxes and writing dates and plans for the almost finished barn. Some alleyway interior finish work and some painting of 5 small windows to be installed for the exterior and hopefully a ramp and smoothing out the piled up dirt from winters labors--bathroom, kitchen, and bunkrooms having been completed.

Lots of fun surprises in this space used for horses and cats and straw and hay and all the stuff under foot that is gone...GONE Twenty five years of that life..and POOF...no more. Now it's paintings and candles and MOOD. And comfy chairs and techy ways to bring the big screen to us. I am one excited woman. Do think about what you need this barn to do for you

Cold War..Russian History..Quilting...Reading out loud..head busting discussions...best of all a week of music every night..Conferencing Energy Issues with the Luverne Wind farm RIGHT OUTSIDE the windows. And John Steinbeck..he is stored on his very own bookshelf..upstairs just waiting to worm around in our brains..

Enough...back to taxes...gobs of good dreams to all of you...JoAnne...bye

2011-02-22T20:00:00.002-06:00

What a day....trucks and materials and dirty shingles from 1903 all coating tons of snow banks around the granery (cathouse) where a new roof top is installed so that Kevin could still have his fork lift here in order that the new liner for the broken chimney flues resulting during the blazing 7 ft high tower of flames......and so on and so on.....just what I needed in the midst of barn refurbishing...yes?...a chimney fire!

A couple friends brought me ..us.. pizza for "cheer" during a horrible cold I had.. so in my usual unthinking mode..I threw the pizza box into the fireplace where it instantly exploded ..next apparently setting the chimney burning with sounds like shots as it whooshed it's way up up and through the top over the roof with showers of sparks.....we know... since no matter the cold....we tore thru the door and out to see if we would need to vacate.

I turned and tore in...grabbing the phone dailing 911 answering...yes we would stay out of the house...here is where we are located...okay....but I did go back in to drive my car out of the garage....below zero...in no time three sheriffs...the mayor...lots of firemen..were swarming over the house looking for hot walls...even up to my closet...the attic..(was told that place was tight)..

Suffice it to say I kept my house...have a new liner ....a cleaned hearth and better system for enjoying calm.... quiet evenings with a book..... in the conversation pit where the rug is wrecked and I'm waiting for an estimate....

Now back to the sigh of ...is it really finished out in the barn..are they not going to need dinner tomorrow????? will the last cute sconces be installed by Mike even if Kevin is gone to other snow filled yards ... maybe it would be cosy to turn up the cove heat right above the top bunk...climb the ladder with a mystery from one of the drawers in the nutty sort of chest with 8 inch square spaces I filled with paper backs by the dozen...........

Ooooh flannel sheets spotted color exploding ...lush bright blanket ...feathers galore comforting..Yes...next week when I get back from Chicago...a must...find a friend???

It's almost sinful to have this much fun. Altho the fire did sober any suspicion that all days are fun...but I can segregate my fun days pretty well from the not so fun days....I've lived long enuf to have learned how........come and see what I'm talking about....OK???

GOODBYE...your friend JoAnne

2011-02-12T19:27:00.002-06:00

Here I am again after an unbelievably stretched out space in our chat time...and now it is the best news I have for you since the long planned work downstairs in the BARN is about 99 and 9 tenths finished...we actually set up the two sets of bright blue...color of this ink...bunkbeds...plus...the tables...chairs...dressers...shelves...lights that will move to let you read in your bunk...the rooms are named...THE CRIB...THE ROOKERY...and I won't tell you why until you ask...I am so happy

Then in Nov we did get the kitchen and bathroom finished so the hunters got to use those spaces last fall... and once not too long ago...I was locked out of my house temporarily and so I popped into that sweet space...made a pot of coffee...spent time writing in a kitchen journal I keep out there on my writing and reading desk/table with it's auction lamp find...and killed time til I could manuever getting into my house again

Folks are making plans to use the BARN a wedding...some retreats are on the calendar...and in my head I have many ideas...too many

So keep coming to find what those ideas are...such as making tassels from string...cord...skinny satin...for adding to your creative corners...and a regular quilt making day or night or both...as I do have Jim's mom's wood squares...

Writing...Reading...with discussion of John Steinbeck at last...also Bluegrass...starting slow and maybe working up to a Festival even two days with gobs of guitars and singers and fun...

goodbye for now

2010-11-02T18:06:00.002-05:00

By the way, I probably have never told you that the major color of my barn workshop,"haymow", is this same blue that I use to write to you about my barn...it puts me in the mood somehow...

The other thing that I must talk about is the disappeared brown panels that were in my heading until recently...well I just found out that they get dropped by whomever when it is deemed they are out of style???DUMB

My blog helper, Caristy Olson, is leaving Cooperstown where her husband John is our pastor, and will be living in Taiwan. I hope she will give me some final tips before she goes...John will be an English speaking pastor in our Mission area there.

I wish Caristy could do panels of my photos of the work we have done in the barn...but that may not be possible...I can just make such photos part of the message ...we'll see..

Sooo..do you like the paragraph style I 've started?...it seems I can get more said in a shorter time...

AND I HAVE A NEW GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER....BORN 10 23 10...HER NAME IS REESE ABIGAIL ROEDER...and that is special since my middle name is also Abigail...as was my mom's mother...and since I've introduced the fact that I have family..I may as well say that I have a GREAT GRANDSON who is already two years old...his name is KAJ DELYS NAUJOKAS...

seems we have left "MARTHA" and "ROBERT" in the dust...yes?

Nope...now is the time to do supper for the hunters...bye and thinks for listening..JoAnne

2010-09-28T22:39:00.002-05:00

Well here I am again in the month of Sept mind you...and altho I've been asked to put a few pictures of the progress in building the barn bathroom and kitchen on this blog...I need help to do that and help is hard to find due to the fact that most people I know do not have Mac...

however my report is more than .. fine as regards the new rooms...I am thrilled to tell you that they were done by my son Kevin with planning by both of us...in about 5 weeks...and exceed any of my expectations...took a shower in the new bathroom this morning and it was very workable...we are waiting to get the dryer exhaust through the cement wall...so although I threw my towel into the washing machine (in the barn bathroom that is) I need the dryer vent for that...

Hunters start again on Thurs...day after tomorrow...some of whom have been here other years and who will be happy about making their coffee at 5:00AM out in the cosy sweet mini kitchen...where I've been happily doing my last 3 crossward puzzles sitting at a table we brought from my dad's office in Altadena CA...it has been in an old granery changed into a cathouse..at present 11 of same inc 4 two wk old kittens...such a story...but will leave that alone for now...

Granted... all I've just written may confuse you...I only hope it will spike your curiosity to intend to follow any plans for music or quilting or the always expected John Steinbeck promised events...

Truth be told...there are ideas put on a backlist til the facilities were improved and now they are...so when the new year comes there will be plans unfolding ... retreats and festivals and more...

time for shuteye...hope you feels encouraged...JoAnne...I do

2010-09-02T21:37:00.003-05:00

I guess it has been awhile...now is a momentous time to say a few words about the barn itself since I've been at a standstill with regard to workshops...with more important work in progress...there are walls going up on a new sturdy floor made of wood from the old school in Cooperstown which was torn down last winter...wood 2" thick...12"wide...24 'long...so the two new rooms within the 24 ' are a bathroom and a kitchen...to be....soon!!!...hunters arrive tomorrow so the ones later will be able to use the facilities...not these first three from Louisiana...boohoo

will keep you informed as to when the 24' bunkroom space devided into two rooms will start...sleep two bunks will be available when finished..using some old windows from the Law Office which were saved during the upgrading for new occupants there...do you have questions about that???...come and see... the center of the downstairs will not be heated but I want light to flow into the heated spaces we're creating so ..thus...the windows..Kevin (my son) is patient about all this...give him credit!!!...

lately I don't like periods or caps so do be patient with me...bye for now...me

2010-07-27T16:09:00.002-05:00

This past weekend Kevin and Eli and Sam put the planer

to the boards for the floors of the bunk room, bath, and kitchen

of the barn...

now these boards are fir...old...2" by 12" by 24 '...and it

was a considerable learning experience...as in...

there are 20 of these and they finished 4!

luminous..is the finished product at this point of the process...

and when a glistening coat of protection is applied...

you will no doubt come from far and wide to look!!!

They were saved from the demolition of the Cooperstown

grade school from early 1900's.

Today Kevin called to talk about the shower size..48"by 38"..with a seat!!

Why not?... this will be handicapped accessible, after all...

dreams can come true...and this is a big one..God alone knows the

solution needed with this venture...lots and lots of hunters...hopefully...

just keepin' your fingers on the pulse!!

2010-07-27T15:45:00.002-05:00

Let's see now...where were we...guess I need to talk

about a luncheon for a family who wanted to spend time

after a memorial service in a nearby cemetary for two

of the older generation passed on. That was on th 29th of June.

They came from all over...23...all ages...cousins...

some stayed longer than others..in the B&B.

I served them in the barn, (or I wouldn't be telling you about it)

And we had meatballs and little potatoes...a bean salad loaded with

herbs and greens from my mini garden..

along with fruit to die for and...a table

loaded with fresh uncut loaves of bread and Scandinavian

cheeses which I sliced while they sliced their bread of choice...

this is what breakfast is like in the hotels of Norway.

And on the ping pong table stood my 55-cup coffee pot

steaming... to pour into glass handled cups...and be enjoyed with

chocolate and sugared goodies.

altogether a warm and comforting togetherness!!!

2010-06-10T08:59:00.002-05:00

Briefly here is the last episode of my

barn which did not get into print before it happened...

and we seated around 30 for a not ordinary presentation of

NORWEGIAN ART SONGS sung by MARLA FOGDERUD

who has put this body of work into a form for the

Doctorate she will be finishing...

This happened last Friday evening...

ACCOMPANIST was DAVID HENRICHSON-

UND official accompanist and teacher of piano.

The evening was glorious in the, "I want to pinch myself.

.is this really happening in my barn ???", unusual combination

.So what next in the barn, you are wondering maybe?

I'm needing to put in place Stitch and Bless Friends Day!

Monday of the month.

Quilt...Knit...Darn Socks...Patch Aprons...learn Hexogonal Pillow (Japan)

Buttonholing...Crochet Potholders...You think of it...

Come every Monday- if it isn't a Holiday...

Come if you feel like it...stay home and pout if you feel like it...

But if you do come with something you're working on

or were working on before the kids came...bring that.

Another name for this could be stitch and finish.

If you want to be here...just come...tiny dues for costs

coupla dollars for lights...so to speak... for lunch...

or brown bag it..

.I say 10 to 4....what say you... 769-2275...789-1771cell

Plans are afoot for a bathroom and kitchen and bunk rooms downstairs in the barn..we hope to utilize volunters to work with our family in this effort...two "boxes" insulated and heating within each box...flooring is already here from the school in town...fabulous unseen by most eyes...24ft by 12 inch by 2 inch..nails are out thanks to Eli and Zach and Kevin for Mother's Day.

It will be planed and notched and laid down for THE mostest gorgest floor... in any barn you 'ever done seen'

Kevin is in charge...you know he's the guy that hangs around the fair grounds and museum...

til soon..I submit these thoughts for your consideration...JoAnne of the barn

2010-04-13T21:59:00.002-05:00

Hi...Sat before last the barn was in use by Stacey and friends. They did their nails...talked...did zumba...talked...found the wine...talked...snacked on bread and cheese...talked...then talked...finally ate a real meal at the table for 10 in the main house...and talked...guess you could say they did what they wanted...all children not under foot...pleasure to have the dads do Sat duty in that regard...home by bedtime...next day Easter...things to do forgotten for 6 0r s0 hours...I heard them say..."let's do this again...Stacey and friends.

I want to give you something to think about from Easter morning in Kabul. My granddaughter (Peter Dyrud's wife) is with the USAF there for 6 mo. I will let you in on some of her doings from time to time. Here is what Felisa wrote and sent ... a gift to us on the DAY of Jesus' greatest gift to us

SUNRISE COMES SOONER

Sunrise comes sooner here

but the sparrows know the same tunes-

the sorrow

the celebration

The dusty hill takes shape

beyond the walls

upon walls

and I know that today

a young girl will pump water

from a well and haul

the yellow cans up

a steep path, home.

She would prefer to keep

doing little girl's chores.

Growing up is uncertain.

A morning you can see

your breath

Smoke seeping skyward

from the city's nostrils

mingles with our praises

incense blended in

hope of fragrance

surging from young roses

yet to bud.

to bed to bed why do I start these blogging pieces at midnight maybe I think more quietly then but legs restlessly would walk to the place they lie upon feathers as they will goodnight

2010-02-16T21:13:00.003-06:00

It's that time - so here it comes -

I've a head full of new ideas and there just won't be time for much

since it's late and I'd rather lay my head on my feather pillow

But here goes...

Aside from the Steinbeck Fiesta in the middle of August and

Potting #2 in June, I do want badly to again fill the barn with workshops

(sorry - dates not set - yet)And so since we

are hosting again this coming summer ---

the Cold War Museum as well as the Missile Control Center

in the town of Cooperstown, for every interested traveler, I have an idea.

We lived in Moscow at the American Embassy where my husband, Brig Gen

Jim Wold was the Military Attache from May, 1975 until July, 1977.

These years gave us an involvement in Soviet life among the

Russian people. We absorbed their culture. As a result there is this

farmhouse on the prairie, (a dacha of sorts), housing a respectible

collection of memorabilia - books, art, for starters - which I would like

to introduce to you, in workshop space / time conversations.

I am trusting as I put these ideas on paper that you are already curious

- what is a dacha?

- how many books?

Well you will just have to inform me of your curiosity and we will go from

THERE

MEANTIME I AM MAINLY SNOWBOUND - ( a few minutes ago I listened to a

number of coyoties outside - very close ) - but tomorrow I will be able to drive the

15 miles to town for new tires and other errands -

since the reads have been cleared....including the path to my chicken coop!

Hello and Goodbye...thanks for the visit

2010-01-15T22:54:00.003-06:00

I am getting antsy for something

these days the pinwheel pinheads

spin in my brain

they stop me in midsentence so

that I dont know what I was saying

and I'm not sure what I need to tell you

from the B&B bathroom window I count 22 of them

so does the promise of prairie go out the window?

from the corner of the barn at the fence I count 59 of them

Pinwheels

40 stories high and very close very close

and I wish all who believe this is good for people who love open

nature would come and buy my used to be best kind of green farm

for a million greeenbacks

just some wandering thinking going on up here in the sunroom in the dark of the night

when you can see fl as hi ng rr ee dd li gh ts ss ss

ok this is all for now

JoAnne of the industrial park

2009-12-03T22:59:00.003-06:00

It is now the 3rd of December

and

I want to talk to you about the intervening time since...

I last wrote, or rather, talked.

The barn has been a busy place since Sept-

full of hunters from all over the States.

It's bow hunting for the first two months

and

then in Nov we had a few rifle as well as bow hunters.

There are lots of deer out there and most hunters went home

happy!

Ducks and pheasant hit the dust as well - even some gueese

But I want to tell you how my life has changed since Aug.

We now have wind towers to the north and east and south.

I've changed where I eat so that I can still look over untouched Prairie.

I now sit on the east side of my table whereas I used to (for 30 or so years)

eat on the south side, which I prefer no longer since the monsters feel

like they're in my plate!

Some of you know that my byline from 1989 in all publicity has been

Come Find Yourself on the Prairie

Now I'm contemplating a "different" byline

COME FIND YOURSELF IN AN INDUSTRIAL PARK

where you will see sprouting for miles on the formerly natural prairie hills

of the one and only Sheyenne River Valley, 112 white spires or missiles,

poised upward into the sky 360 feet - far above the prairie.

It is no longer quiet here - with a sound not unlike an airport , and there is

a kind of Circus going on - red "Christmas" lights flashing nightly all year round,

competing successfully with stars and constellations.

And when the sun comes up in the morning, we offer flickering, spine tingling

mysterious lighting created by our graceful 90 ft blades spinning 100 mpr -

again, successfully competing with exquisite sunrises.

HAVE I MADE MY POINT!

Actually, I have only now finished hosting three months of hunters

and they are not impressed (at least not favorably).

The flickering morning light confuse and seem to trick the eye

when watching for moving deer. One hunter told me that after he

was sure his buck was dead, it still seemed to be alive and moving.

The table talk at every meal includes how it used to be year after year,

and is no longer.

You can feel that this is something to deal with as far as my

emotional acceptance is concerned. The main problem is that they are too close

to my home. If we could have known ahead of time and persuaded

the Public Service Commission that no tower should be

closer than a mile from where any person tries to sleep,

I would feel somewhat relieved.

But such is not the case. The State feels that 1400 ft is far enough.

I count 57 "pinwheels" from the fence next to my barn.

My Workshops my become "Green" discussions. We'll see.

Stay Tuned - bye for now - JoAnne

2009-08-17T18:24:00.003-05:00

Now you're maybe wondering what I meant when I referred to, "much much", in my life.

So here it is...the whole truth...it's the USE of my BARN..something pretty unusual for me..

.and even for N.D.

I hosted a mother and son for nearly two weeks while they

turned the barn into a writing workshop. And not your ordinary writing ....no no

This was Hollywood Style

I'm not kidding or even pulling your leg.

Ana flew in from Madrid, Spain, and Erik from Los Angeles...

It seems they were needing more contact for their ideas than emailing

back and forth, back and forth

...this movie script that concerned things like -- War Clowns ??

and making decisions !! and being young.

They were pacing and pasting ....( just try and visualize that pair of words).

I saw my barn walls covered, not with paintings and such, but with 4 by 6 cards

full of dialog and whatever words either of them had just heard in their head.

Mind you, life went on for me and even though Ana was giving morning

food to the cats and kittens, I did venture down into the lower barn to check on

chores, so I can tell you SPANISH was bouncing around above my head.

Actually, echoing, would also describe it.

The best part of all was that they liked my food.

WELL

Can't you imagine what fun I had thinking up the next meal for folks who

sort of went gaga (I thought) over a fresh egg from the coop..

so I decided the barn needed a rest and so did I....and since the JS Fiesta wasn't

drawing even the dozen I'd hoped for

I cancelled ... or rather postponed ... and in a few weeks or even January

(when the weather is cozy)

interested readers of JS will get a call saying, Wanna come?

What next..........stay tuned

by the way, have you noticed that after 15 months of blogging, I have A Follower.

WOW

bye for now..JoAnne, the dizzy one

2009-08-11T17:10:00.003-05:00

It is now the 11th of August and the workshops would have started tomorrow.

I am sad to tell you that due to much much in my life at this time, I must cancell.

There has not been much interest in John Steinbeck, in fact none, so I realize the need for more groundwork, if I want to get it all together.

After all ,this barn thing is very new and I have not felt ready to go out and do much in the way of broad advertising, so I'm not surprised what the response has been. I also put a price tag on my JS Fiesta, and that was a risk that I think now was a mistake.

So let's just accept the fact that I'm a kind of dizzy dame.

Forgive me?

JoAnne

Do watch for word of the concert during the Fall.

2009-07-24T18:16:00.004-05:00

So, here is where I want to be, on my blog, letting you know a little about our four days of JS (John Steinbeck)

The first three days, Aug 12, 13, 14, we will have supper at 5:00 pm and proceed through the evenings as we please, reading the play of, THE MOON IS DOWN. - after listening to an intro of the story line. Actually, I hope you will obtain and read the book before you come. It is available on Amazon.

During each of these evenings we will also watch a Steinbeck movie of our choice.

It could go without saying, that we'll get into the mood of this writer and speak our piece when it must be said. JS was a free soul and so can we be.

Sat will be somewhat different. Let's

meet around 2:00pm for further discussion led by local Steinbeck officianados. Then after 6;00 we'll swing into a Sea of Cortez party with a great red and yellow spread of edibles...and whatever comparable liquid desired.I think of the Mexico time of life for Steinbeck and feel it was an attempt to escape. After all,he did a lot of that. Maybe we could even swing some on the barn floor......because....the stage is now set for Roger, Merry and friends to tune up for a session of music that will sure fit the mood

JoAnne...and the barn...whoopie

You may ask what this will cost. Here's the scoop. For the four days, including food - beverage - movies - mental gymnastics.....

$150.00

For the first nights.....

$35.00 per night.....

For just music around 8:00pm....

$20.00

I'm hoping you'll go back to my writing about JS in previous blogs, if you want to see why I'm doing this...happy reading....til I hear from you with a, "yes, I'll be

there, see you then!" Call me with your questions.

2009-06-11T12:46:00.005-05:00

Good Afternoon

The Barn has been a busy spot in the last month

Weaving and Knitting and Potting

FYI

19 participants for the 3 day WE WEAVE workshop

that included the evening performance by three students

from the Cooperstown High School, Kaia and David Lunde

and Christine Berge doing the State Speech Winning

Skits...which we so enjoyed !!!

FYI

basket making was hands on for six "workers"

labeled such because they certainly did put a lot of

energy into this project and produced baskets made with

material from ND Dogwood succors and twigs and twine for

twisting the handle to the rim--

we did some weaving of wall hung wreaths, mostly from the left

over branches which were unsuitable for the baskets--

our thinking throughout these 3 days was that as we create

together, we are weaving ourselves with each other--

this was a fun idea and all agreed the time was relaxed in

that sharing another's attempt to learn

on May 30--- 11 of us watched and listened to our instructor

Rene Fuglestad brought us into the world of CLAY---

and what fun that was---I can't tell about the

many things we attempted to do--except that I did turn a pot

on a wheel for the very first time and it was not bad--and in my own Barn

Imagine!!

next year--2nd annual--we will throw and turn and then fire in a pit

RAKU

if you don't know what that is--come and find out next May or June--stay tuned!

June 7th we successfully served our Master Creator with Worship in

song and scripture and prayer while Rene turned

many pots on the wheel

in the Barn

40 of us wove our spirits together during this hour unlike any other ever experienced.

centering the pots is vital or they fall apart--and so we thought about

the need to center our own lives in Christ so we won't be out of balance--

the POTTER and the CLAY

Isaiah 64:8 " O Lord, You are our Father: we are the clay, You are the Potter: we are all the work of your hand."

I will list the scripture references and you can look them up in the Bible when

you want: Genesis 2:5-7; Isaiah 45:9,11-12; Jeremiah 18:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Romans 9:20-21; Jeremiah 29:10-11;

So---I've had the clay here since Ren left it for any of us that might want to

fool around...and now I have a bird with old nails and shells and gravel stuck on

...and yesteray I found branches that resembled a head and a tail

..at least to my eye

...and, oh-my, you should see it

THIS IS WHY I WANT TO SHARE MY BARN WITH YOU

IT'S FUN

FYI

so look here to see some details as we look forward to August, 12-15

we will spend time with John Steinbeck's, "The Moon is Down". I now have

a copy of the movie, given to me by a new friend, Dennis Stillings,

and a copy of the play...and you must read the book..you have 2 months...so

get busy

for our never before

John Steinbeck Fiesta

at Volden Farm ..701-2275 ..voldenfarm@ictc.co

voldenfarm.com

til then, JoAnne says dosvedanya

(Russian for goodbye)

2009-04-20T11:09:00.005-05:00

Good Morning...here I am again to correct the mistakes I made as I was doing this last night...first of all...the dates for the Weave workshops are the 14th and the 15th and 16th...that is Thurs and Fri and Sat of May

The next mistake is in the phone #..1-701-769-2275...instead of the 760 which I had written...sorry

But the one great thing about blogging for me...is that I can make the change right up front..so to speak...

and I love fooling around with punctuation so that people (friends) will say to me"you know you forgot all the periods and comas" and I can say..."I know" haha

=============

new info on potting WORKSHOP

two dates ... May 30 will be the first day to create lots of pots!

that way Rene Fuglestad who is the teacher, will take them home to Moorhead and fire them so that when he comes back the following Sat the 6th of June ... all of you guys who have potted ... will then be able to glaze ... what you did ...

Now this seems like rough info cause it is ... so here's more ... Rene will have a couple of other teacher/potters with him and they have different specialties ... that sounds like fun to me ... and you too ...

W want to cover all the expense of their driving and also the materials, so there will be a charge of at least $75 a day ... to also cover a couple meals. This will be an estimate until we get a better handle on reservations ... OK?

So get back to me on all this ... plus ...

HERE IS THE REAL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEKEND

The Sunday 3:00 PM Service with Music and Words glorifying God

REN THROWING POTS ALL THE TIME

while we watch and listen

I cannot believe my barn will be the locale of all this creative energy

all for now ... bye ... JoAnne signing off

PS ... I forgot to say that we will have a chance to see the pots that Ren makes and they will be on exhibit and offered for sale in the barn

I do have some in the house for you to enjoy seeing as well

the latest on May Workshops

2009-04-19T21:13:00.006-05:00

Hope you are thinking about coming to the barn on either the 13th, 14th or 15th of May. "We weave" will be a combo of days,crafts, music,time for yourselves if you need to just enjoy quiet in the Prayer Chair or some other corner of the space we have for you here at Voldenfarm.

So here's a brainstormer for a barnstormer!

we gather together to weave together as we gather we gather to be woven together as we weave what we gather together to gather to weave together what we gather - waving weeds or bending branches

for each weaver

now we consider knitting together and to be knitted as we gather together to knit

it remains to be seen what will become woven

baskets wreathes placemats purses

we will see

Cost will be by the day:

night stay with 3 meals and the full day and evening offerings

$150

full day with 2 meals and evening $75

For this workshop supplies will be found or provided as I see now -

evenings will be music and readings as we choose..weaving creatively the variety of old and young and you and me and all

Exodus 31:3-6

"And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge and all kinds of craftmanship."

Exodus 35:35

"He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen,and as a weaver,as a performer of every work and makers of designs."

workshops in a tabernacle or a sanctuary

Call JoAnne at 1 701 760-2275

or voldenfarm@ictc.com

we would like to have at least a half dozen

OK?

2009-03-21T21:23:00.005-05:00

Hello, My plans are formimg. This Workshop is called - TO WEAVE !

Hopefully, May 14 will be a day to gather from the hills and woods - grasses and twigs for making baskets and wreathes, as I mentioned in the previous blog. Together!

May 15 will be a day of weaving, using strips of favorite fabrics, into whatever, maybe pads to use at table or on seats or wall. Maybe to frame, to do whatever comes to hand.

In the evening we will weave poetry, speech, music, young and old doing what our skills allow.

Come and be...Come and see...Come and do...Together!

May 16 will be a day of knitting...to learn or to let fly the needles into bags or ? Together!

These works will be crafted along with Spiritual encouragement, using Biblical words that

describe our need and/or ability to create, be alone in God' Word or world here in our gardens or any corner we may choose during the days or day we spend at Volden Farm.

Cost will be negotiated whether time - bed - food - involved - so that there will be cover

charge or rather charges covered. In other words - expenses appreciated. Thankfully.

Actually, minimal suggested costs will be posted closer to registrations.

My barn is intended to serve a purpose for increasing realization of who we might become by being together in the air of country and basics. We all can learn creatively by watching and doing - from each other.

Remember, " Salads to die for " and eggs of all sizes and colors..fresh for the picking from 15 gorgeous finely feathered friends. How I love my chickens!

So here also is a date in June for the Potter and Clay, Rene Fuglestad and Us.

Sunday, June 7 at 3:PM in the Barn..we will begin a service like no other. Music and Words for our thoughts about creating our lives for a best possible path. Think about what that could be molded? Anticipate? Come.

Bye for now...JoAnne

2009-01-26T14:59:00.003-06:00

And this is a day of bright sun in my windows even though it was -20 this morning.

I want to look beyond winter into the month of May in my barn. Maybe by that time the 12 foot Winter Tree covered with lights and toys, will be taken down and out. And for a couple weekends we hope to consider other types of gardening, even as we did last May

Now, I like to plan on gathering the fresh branches of Red Dogwood and working together to twist and twine them into either a basket or a wreath. If you would want to come with us , please E-mail me at voldenfarm@ictc.com

and ask about the dates and availablilty of first come first get a bed in the B&B

while you relax and have fun. Remember to look up my website as well

www.voldenfarm.com

And above all, please be patient with me as I now have a digital camera which is bursting with pictures to share with you. I only need to learn that new tech..

Some news...my chicken house has winter inhabitants since all summer I asked around for enough of them so they (the two remaining after the slaughter by a couple of huge Raccoons) would not freeze. You see I need at least 15 to keep each other warm without heat in their house. I was able to get 15 new( to me) ones and they are being named and they are also giving me 1 or 2 eggs a day in spite of the cold. One Rooster is Lazlo and the other, Big Red. As for the hens, I'm waiting to share their names until they are all named. For now, suffice it to say that they are gorgeous. I love my chickens.

More news..An old large wood stove with nice art deco designs is installed in the barn for cooler days as Spring comes around. I have tried to warm the barn now, but have realized I will need more insulation under the floor and tighter windows and doors if I want to use it in the dead of winter.

Oh well..this is almost all...but to say music and probably a Potter are in the calendar for June. Tune in for more as the ideas come. OKay?

Bye...from me, JoAnne

Christmas

2008-12-24T12:28:00.007-06:00

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Day

At least I hope it is a good day for anyone who is looking at this.

I am connecting with you by trying to make my wishes for this coming year come to life on this page.

Wishes for me and for you. I,m satisfied to tell you that I have ideas and plans that only God as given me and only He can bring to fruition. Do you feel that way? The impossible can become possible. I am the person who can say this with living conviction and experiences since my husband Jim passed out of my life.

I'm in a really new place due to God becoming my "sidekick" and showing me He is ready and waiting to give and care before I could even dream of what has happened in the last six years.

The barn is only a beginning of this story.

2008-12-04T20:09:00.007-06:00

So HERE is my blue. It showed up on my third try. (I need blue since it is the color I use for inspiration in the barn). Oh well, persistence is the reason for all we accomplish in life.

Now my need for persistence is the calendar year of workshops in 09. The one thing I know that we will be doing, is the second Wednesday in August the barn will host a 5 day John Steinbeck Fiesta. We will do theater, readings, discussion, spending time out in the field, eating, feeling the dry air of North Dakota in August, maybe even sleeping out in that air.

Probably September might be more dry, but the summer is better than the fall to get together with folks who teach when Sept comes. We hope to have some of these experienced Steinbeck experts along with us for our benefit.

After all, CA is dry in summer so that is why Aug in ND seems the time to do it. If you like JS, let me know. I do have limited B&B space for eating and sleeping. It is my decision to keep the number of attendees to 12 or under. I have not formulated the cost as yet. It is different if you are here as B&B, or driving in each day from whereever.

This idea changes if we have theater or movies.

JS wrote two books that we will concentrate on this summer. THE MOON IS HIGH, and MY RUSSIAN JOURNEY. The first takes place in Norway and I am Norwegian. The second takes place in the cities where I visited while we lived in Moscow from 1975 to 1977. Please keep this in mind if you're interested.

Enough hard work for tonight. I will sign off. JoAnne of Volden Farm Bed and Breakfast. website voldenfarm.com. And my Email is voldenfarm@ictc.com.

2008-11-05T18:17:00.004-06:00

HELLO

The time has come for a few words of life in the barn.

This past 8 weeks there have been hunters using the barn.

They have come from places distant, such as PA, WA, OR, WI, LA, MI, MS,

AND MORE.

Did you know that their reservations are made through Cabela's?

They get what and where they want.

Ducks, Pheasant, Bow for deer, even fishing.

All this right here where I live and breathe and cook.

Sleeping is done in the main house and napping in the barn

while they watch TV on the new 50"(owned by the outfitters).

I've learned there is rest needed and allowed between the forages

into the wilderness of the wild!

Yes, they also eat in the main house and snack in the barn..not to forget

some liquid refreshing. Spacewise the old made new barn is

just plain good for the mountains of stuff their sport calls for.

Who could guess a year ago that my days would be made cheerier

by these folks who think North Dakota is great!

I love them all. Especially the small family from Las Vegas who

brought along their kids, Hunter, 4 and Hannah,6 --who named my 4 new kittens

--after themselves, adding also Sarah, (coincidentally the day McCain brought his

VP to our political stage), and Mattie.

Last Friday as we waved off the last couple we went into party mode, getting the house under control and then attacking the barn, carting things hither and yon to

celebrate Halloween with book club and neighbors and guitar and mandelin.

At 5:oo I slipped on a step coming down from upstairs and proceeded down the rest

of the way thumping and rolling til my body hit the cement. Only a toe is hairline fractured but the rest of my body is black and blue in all the expected spots. Enough.

That was Friday and this is Wednesday and tomorrow I fly direct from Fargo to Pheenix-Mesa where I'll continue to heal with fun and fancy and friends.

Can you believe that was all? I was happy to discover when I got untangled from

the stairs, that I could walk.

The best news of the last month is that I have a great-grandson. Kate and Nick produced

him, Kaj Delys Naujokas, (you should see the red lines under those 3 misspelled words!!)

--nine pounds seven ounces and twenty one inches long

with a pug nose and beautiful hair. Two days later he fell asleep in my arms.

It feels like a fresh breeze - a new start - and a reason to keep an

eye out for those toys that my eight grandsons didn't quite wear out.

God is good in each day and each minute of each day. It's like getting up on

my tiptoes to see over into the day to come, because I always wanted to

know ----- what next.

Photo and Music night

2008-09-15T22:13:00.005-05:00

Here's hoping that I can make this blog do what I want which is to have my message centered like it was from the first until the last couple. But to get to the point, the evening of the BARN was a success to my way of thinking. About 50 or so turned up and that was after only two weeks of advertising in the local paper, the Courier. We did have about 30 classy posters in strategic spots around the county. Merry made those and she used the great photo of a new colt twisting around her mommy's legs..stunning, I think.

There are over 20 pieces in the show, which will hang in my barn for a few more weeks, in case any of you want to come look at the Elk, and the eye of the Buffalo, and numerous black and white cows as well as horses. The prices range from $125 up to $255 for the show centerpiece. I want some of them, to put it lightly, because at least one of cows and one of horses should stay here where we opened the barn to the public for the first time.

And the excitement was huge for me to have such a mix of neighbors from all directions. I was gratified and honored, really, that this effort was recognized and enjoyed by so many.

The food was fun. Blueberry, Cranberry and Wild Rice sausage cut into bite sized squares and eaten with Olive bread covered with a smear of Basil Pesto. Havarti cheese on flatbreads, as well as crisp Flax crackers. Citrus water and wine filled out the menu.

It was good to hear Merry tell how she found the animals she has captured, even as

this is a new venture for her. At least in this venue. Her many other forms of "fun" are too many to mention or even remember, but do include writing in many forms, historical research, gardening seriously ( dozens of Iris ), Creating screen and music work..etc. We are just fortunate tonight to have her share with us

So that was Merry's intro, but more than food and photos, came when Roger began to play one of the three guitars he had on our Zebra covered "stage". His intro, was to chat some about the difference listeners feel when they hear new music for the first time, instead of the comfortable oldies everyone knows. We actually did singalong on the choruses of a few that caught our ear. Roger and Merry have voices that are together in tone and intensity whether soft as a whisper or belted with gusto. So much of their music is complex in it's intent to tell a story with both voices cutting in and out in a manner which surprised and pleased me. This was an event that would have been worthy of having saved on a video. Oh well. Especially in the barn which is set up for a 10 week Hunting Lodge.

I could go on, but better quit this blog now. I'm happy happy to have the barn move this far in only a matter of months. Steps and a porch of steel with holes and some other touches have come into reality for more happy happy. Next year - ramp and some color - red oil stain, will add even more...and perhaps some bunk room and small kitchen and small bath???? On the lower level where cats and kittens now live.

I want and need! to sell more Russian Art so that I can do all this for family and hunters and friends!!

Whee.....for now....Jo Abigail...who is 75 in a couple days and will be on a plane to DC and then NC and the beach with some kids and grandkids...hang gliding and hours of swimming.

BYE

2008-09-01T23:18:00.006-05:00

This has been a long month because I have been away from my farm and my barn. There have been no workshops and it makes me anxious for the next event which will be on

NORTHERN PLAINS PHOTOGRAPHY
Mary Helm
September 12, 2008
6:30 - Refreshments
7:30 - Artist's Talk
8:00 - Original Music by Mary and Roger

So come and see these horses - descendants of the horses of Sitting Bull - in a new way.

You'll be as surprised as I was when Mary, who is my sometimes neighbor, took some of the framed pieces out of the trunk of her car and laid them on the grass so I could see and decide if it would be a good idea to use my barn for the display and sale of same.

The work on my workshop barn is going along at a small pace, but enough to encourage me as I plan to invite the public to attend an evening such as I am describing.

Certainly I will say more in a few days - I just needed to get it "out there"

As for where I've been: August 1 through 10 I flew with my granddaughter, Ashley Vigesaa,to Japan to visit another granddaughter, Anna Dyrud. She is now leaving to return home to Mpls after teaching English for a year in the northern city of Morioka. We also spent time with my friend, Yayoi Kamamura, in Kawasaki.

From August 15 through 25 I was in CA visiting friends and family.

I am taking care of Hunters for the next couple months as they bow hunt for deer in the area.

This is my idea of fun - meeting people from Falmouth, Maine and Las Vegas, Nevada this week. We have breakfast at 10:00 AM and supper at 10:00 PM. This year they are enjoyng the use of my renewed barn which is equipped with a 50" TV and comfortable seating.

My next trip will be with grandson, Jacob Vigesaa, to the beach on the Outer Banks of NC, by way of VA where we be joined by my daughter, Lisa, and her son Bjorn. The boys are both 9th graders and so will be taken out of school for this educational experience. This will be September 18 ( my 75th Birthday ) through 28 - surely a good reason for celebrating, don't you think?

We did the Health thing...

2008-07-27T11:31:00.005-05:00

We had a great gathering of like minds in the BARN that is, we all were and are interested in taking care of our bodies and our families and our homes.

Sherry gave us info on all those matters.

She has been garnering material in many ways for years and so when she explains the gifts she feels she has been given by God, it is a wonder to see how she uses those gifts.

I can't go there in this format and couldn't anyway since it is her world, not mine.

I know this much...that I want to clean up my eating habits for a more comfortable life..why not?

I 've already given up pop in any form..diet esp.

PURE POISON

And I have a filter for water, at least at my sink, which takes out chlorine and flouride.

It would be best to have a filter for the entire water supply because then you wouldn't be bathing in nasties.

Shelley was really a STRECTH the next day as she lectured on all the ways our muscles woud be better off if we treated them with respect.

This was videoed and so when she gets it ready, maybe you could send me a message and for sure I will let you know. (or the other way around)

Holly took the Saturday afternoon and gave us a chance to see by way of handouts, what is pulling her into this world of wating the right things. Five of us did lots of asking and sharing and we were

STILL having massages until around 7:00 or so.

I forgot to tell you that on Friday night we were 15 interested people.

Let me say that men are welcome always.

And for those who don't know, this is a B&B with comfy beds etc, for a reasonable fee.

LOOK ME UP AT http://www.voldenfarm.com/

bye.... from the BARN hostess!

2008-07-23T21:36:00.005-05:00

Hi here I am again to tell you what happened at the Health Workshop last Friday and Saturday. It was beyond my expectations..in other words, I didn't know what to expect. Fri we had a surprising total of 15 attendees, including the leaders for the entire event. Sherry brought a neighbor and friend who often works with her when they are asked to help anyone who may need their advice. To make you curious, they do DOWSING when asked. That is not something that I will try to talk about since it is not a familiar topic for me. Just let me say that we all found the talk about food and energy and chemicals and negative space in our lives and homes, jump started our curiosity beyond describing.

The next day we were down to 5 attendees, but that just meant that we all had more time to absorb what Shelley told us of the stretching we should be doing for optimum health. She took this time to have her talk videoed and it will include the stretches we did. She gave us all personal attention as she taught us what to do. Now if I could just remember!!! Oh yes, I will buy the video. Won't that be handy?

After lunch, Holly gave us a chance to see why she is so excited about all the new sources she has found and continues to find on the net. Her tabbed notebook is 5 inches thick. We didn't have time to look through it, but just seeing it was a lesson. Because we were so few, there was energy and time for each of us to have a chair message from Shelley. Do I need to tell you how good that felt?

This concludes the Workshops that are planned for this year. I will be leaving for Japan and after that for a trip to good ol" California, land of part of my childhood and home of my sister Rhoda andbrothers Lowell and Ralph. Then September, October and two weeks of November, my Bed and Breakfast becomes a Hunting Lodge.

Actually, I've not said a thing on this Blog about the fact that I have operated a B&B since 1989.

There is a Website, voldenfarm.com, where you can take a look at some info about it. On my page which descibes my starting workshops, I need to take off the three months when I won't be doing any. That is due to the need of my space for hunters this year.

So this" brief" overview of the use of the BARN is ended for tonight. Do keep reading as I post items of interest (maybe) for you.

new workshop soon

2008-07-17T02:56:00.005-05:00

I am finally back after quite a long spell of not writing due to not having time.

Now I have a lot to write about.

The day after tomorrow, which will be July 18th, at 7:00 PM in the BARN, we will be having the first discussion on the subject of Health.

Our speaker is Sherry Loen-Bakke

Her specialty as I understand it, will be in the area of all natural living. She is the mentor of my daughter, Holly Vigesaa, who has become interested and somewhat passionate about improving a situation concerning bone loss, to be specific.

Please call me at 701-769-2275 if you would like to attend.

The next day, July 19th, will be an all day workshop in the barn on various ways we can improve our overall health.

Another special guest is Shelley Zimprich.

At 9:00 AM she will tell us all the reasons we should be STRETCHING for our health. And next she will demonstrate for the Video camera just how we will do the same Do you believe that? Well--

Come and see...for sure it will be fun!

If the filming is a success, the video will be available for us to buy and

use when we stretch and teach others to stretch..hopefully.

For the rest of the morning there will be coffee and a few further suggestions for ways to relax and think about what we can do to improve.....

Lunch is in the house at noon

After lunch there will be time to wander to a quiet spot and do "solitude" , bringing perhaps pencil and paper for drawing or writing a few thoughts from the day so far.

Volden Farm has gardens with places to sit and vistas to see. This includes a Sculpture Garden created for Jim, my husband of near 50 years whose ashes are

scattered across what he called "the tree farm". I have a Prayer Chair there with a tool box and in that is a plastic bag and in that are two instruments for your musical moment as well as a map and list of hidden farm "junk sculptures" I've been adding to the garden over the past five years. It is also good to sign a sweet book which is in the bag..

At 1:30 we meet in the BARN and will be sharing ideas with Holly from research she has been exploring about natural food and it's sources.

During the day there will be a possibility to signup for a massage in the house. Shelley is my massage therapist and I am happy to share her strong hands and years of experience with you. There will be a sign up sheet as well as info as to the cost.

While we're on the subject of cost, I want to explain that since this is

my first year of workshops and that there is still much to finish in the barn, I'm not asking a specific fee. It pleases me to trust that you will feel the time has been worth your while and what you are able to leave for expenses in the jar on the desk will be appreciated.

Now if only someone wil read this in the next few hours.

Truth is that I couldn't figure out how to post after it had been so long away from it.

For your amusement, it is 4:00 AM since I couldn't sleep.

Surely it is the FULL MOON out my sunroom window which is keeping my eyes from closing.

2008-06-08T17:56:00.004-05:00

This blog thing is going to be fun, I can tell.

I''m learning more each time a helper comes along with an expertise I need.

For instance, I was sure that I'd lost the 1st and 2nd posts and was crushed.

But along came a friend who was also a blogger and on her computer she found them for me and so they are back.

Maybe not in the order I did them, but I will learn soon how to

fill in a kind of overview of all that I'd like to blog about.

And I have decided to actually punctuate and NOT run on like my brain does.

My barn is not finished, since it still needs outside steps and a ramp going down from a

porch which will be 12'by 6' . That is not all it still needs. It needs a door at the top

of the inside steps, which are newly built. It needs book shelves with room for

serving coffee, as well as a wide screen with tech accoutrements to aid in telling

the story, whichever the workshops will need to tell.

Of course water as in kitchen and bathroom will be desirable, hopefully,

next year.

Volden Farm Workshops

2008-06-05T21:35:00.002-05:00

What is sad about having a barn and a new computer
is that I can't yet show you my barn or some great shots
of my first workshop about gardening and landscaping with rocks

We had that last weekend and we had the perfect time together even with three nice people I had never met and that is the point of having barn workshops new and fresh apples which no one ate they all said I fed them too well for lunch

You know, I live here in farm country in N.D where lunch at noon is dinner so if you didn't know that tidbit before you know it now!

I've lived on this farm since 1977 and before that I lived many other places some of which are Brooklyn (was born there) Pasadena Great Britain Arlington Dayton Moscow and this is where I belong now.

Some years ago I began to worry about the barn It was clearly deteriorating
SO last winter we began to fix the broken parts and soon we made unplanned decisions such as the roof needs to be made straight and let us insulate everything and pretty soon I began to think that more than cats should occupy this kind of nice looking space even windows with a good view of the hills
Yes I said hills with Angus moms and little onesin the summer.

During the 19 years I've had a B&B some guests have suggested the barn could have a purpose Potting Drawing Basketing Writing or making any kind of a mess whether on the floor or in the head and THAT is how voldenfarmworkshops got it's START!

2008-06-01T23:05:00.001-05:00

The story goes like this. I am a new computer person. I acquired a Macbook so I could publish a book about my Russian experience (to be mentioned at a later date). Meantime, I have in the last few months been changing the nonuse of the barn (except for housing cats, mostly calico types, and kittens), to a good use!

This weekend in my barn, I have held the first workshop, called Lilac Days, maybe more appropriately called, Daze.

We were a few

More information to come in another post

introducing the barn @ Volden Farm

2008-05-27T19:42:00.002-05:00

Hello I live on a farm

and on my farm I have a barn

and now I will tell you

what I am doing in my barn.

The point of it all is that

I am saving a barn built in the year

1903