A Fond Farewell from John & Dana

Subject: A Fond Farewell from John & Dana

Well folks, after 2 fantastic years on the farm, John and I bid farewell as we venture out to explore new terrains and possibilities...but not first without sharing the amazing story of how we came to the farm and why we'll miss it so much.

Get ready folks..this email is gonna be a long one.  :)

Prague, Melbourne, Sail Around the World, or Watkinsville...

It all started like any adventure should...with a prelude of Vegas.   John and I had just tied the knot officially - aglow in the bright neon lights of A Little White Wedding Chapel and Elvis standing by in a baby blue suit as I took John to be my "hunk-hunka burnin' love now and forever." 

We had just made it back to Taos and were considering our options...where to go and what to do next.  Prague, Melbourne, or throw everything we have into a seaworthy boat and sail around the world?

That was about the time Willy P. surprised us at the door - coming for an off season visit out west.  We had come to know Will as the fun-loving "powder hound" who came out Taos-way each year seeking ski and snow.  

And on a whim - Will threw out an offering - an offering to come help get his grass fed beef business off the ground and running.  And on a whim, John and I accepted.

Delicate threads brought us here.

John calls them "delicate threads."  His way of describing serendipitous events.  If you're lucky enough or are fluid enough - the delicate threads will move you.  If you move too fast or are too heavy hearted they break.  But if you are light enough to let the wind carry you, the delicate threads will shepherd you.

Last day in the Taos House.  John and I do one last run through...cars running in the driveway, packed and ready for our cross country trip to Georgia.  Enter Mrs P.: Real Estate Agent, Stage Right.  As her prospective clients toured the house, she asked us where we were off to...."Somewhere around Athens, Georgia...starts with a "W" I think." And with a knowing flash she asked, "Watkinsville?  You're not going to work with William, are ya?"

And no - Mrs. P. was no gypsy or fortune teller....as miraculous as it may have been for her to know our destination better than we did.  As it turns out, Mrs. P. is one of Will's mother's oldest and dearest friends and had just spent about 3 weeks visiting Ann and the farm.  In fact, this was the first house she was showing since her return to Taos.

The delicate threads were tugging.  The stars were aligning.  Our course was set.

Francie Powers is your sister?!?

Break to mid-Decmeber - a sunny and warm, Spring day - John and I roll up to the farm astounded by the sweet, soft light, the lush green grass, the eager and welcoming smiles from Will, Ann, and Allen.  And as with any new comer to the farm - you always start with an inaugural, breathtaking tour...a sharing of the magic and beauty that intrinsically is the farm.  

Before introducing us to Athens night life, Will took us into the beautiful, multi-generational farm house for one last quick tour.  John was immediately drawn to all the amazing pottery dotting the end tables and hearth....spouting the origin and potter before he even picked up the piece to confirm a signature.  

I was spellbound by the archive of photographs...documenting four generations of life on this farm...the Breedlove family putting down roots in the early 1900's to the marriage of Powers & Breedlove, to the present day Powers family....Ann, Allen, Will and...FRANCIE?!?  Francie Powers??

Wait a second...hold the phone!  "Francie Powers is your sister?"  Will was as shocked as I that I could even know his sister, "How do you know Francie??"

  

You see folks, Francie, was my very good friend and travel companion almost a decade ago - back when we were both in college and touring Spain on a study abroad trip.  And in our travels and adventures together - talk of home never really came up too much.  Same with Will out West.  The connection had been lost on us....until now. 

It's funny - if in those 10 years, you had asked me if I could find 1 friend from my past it would be Francie Powers - for no one could have found a better friend and travel companion as I did in our months traveling around Spain.

A one in a million chance for such an unexpected reunion.  Serendipity in all it's glory.  The delicate threads had lead us here.  The universe smiled in approval.

The rest is history.

ciao, aloha, salut...

And now the delicate threads shepherd us on.

And as far as farewells go,  I prefer a language where hello and goodbye are one and the same.  Because saying goodbye should never be a door closed and should always be an invitation - doors flung wide open to promise and possibilities.

For John, it means the closing of Bradford Pottery and delving head first into the wild, wacky world of pottery in the even deeper South and exploring a more avant garde approach to clay.

For me, it's holding down the fort and digging in....seeking to tap into a creative side - further exploring the world of marketing, design, writing, and illustrating....and TEAS...

Yes teas.  This year I hope to debut Milkweed & Monarch Teas...a new line of organic, hand crafted teas and tea ware.  Still very much in it's infancy - you can track its progress at www.facebook.com/milkweedandmonarchteas (where as of today a milestone was reached - two photos loaded and a like button in place...success!  And more on the way!).  You can also join the Milkweed & Monarch Blog by emailing milkweedandmonarch@gmail.com to explore the infinite world of teas and the endless anecdotes of starting a small business 101.

grazie, mahalo, merci...

I cannot leave this blog though without saying, speaking for John & I both, how enormously grateful we are to the Powers family.  

If you already know Will and his incredible family, then you know them as being some of the most genuine, generous people on the planet.  In fact, I think one of the sayings about William Breedlove, Will's grandfather and namesake, is that "If you didn't know William Breedlove, it's because he didn't have the chance to help you."  And this is exactly the spirit that the Powers and their farm encapsulate.

John and I owe so much to them for opening their farm, home and hearts to us....for their encouragement & support, and giving us the freedom to explore and experiment within the farm and beyond....and for of course, really, REALLY good beef.  :)  It has been an experience unparalleled.  An opportunity we couldn't have found anywhere else.

And finally, thank you to all of you who read these (almost) weekly emails!  I am always very surprised and very grateful to find how much the email list has grown and that there are folks out there - not obligated by blood or marriage - who are reading these words...

So, how to connect and who to contact?

For all the amazing beef, eggs and produce you know and love - Will is the main man.  You can email him and orders to this very address pastures1051@gmail.com or give him a call or text (706) 254-9391.  Orders can be picked at the farm stand - Sundays 2-4 pm...look for the signs on Colham Ferry!

And if you're looking for a way to connect with John and I, or would like to join a future tea blog by yours truly, please email milkweedandmonarch@gmail.com

And so, for one last time...from John & I & the farm....

For the love of community and all things farming...

Your local farmers and friends,

Willy P., Johnny B., and me

--
The Pastures of Rose Creek, LLC
1051 Rose Creek Drive
Watkinsville, GA 30677
706.254.9391
575.613.2029